Chapter 52

Sam stared hard at the map outlining the surrounding areas of the city, trying to find the most suitable spot to set up their trap. The armada from the Southern Continent had finally arrived, and they had stayed up late last night to fill in the leaders on their current, and very dangerous, situation.

«Erawan's ships will arrive within the week,» he looked to Prince Sartaq and Princess Hasar. «you will take care of them on the water and by air, while the Eyllwe soldiers, Ansel's men and the silent assassins take care of the warriors that marches with the Valg Princess. Yrene, Nehemia, Lysandra, Wesley and I will take care of the Valg Princess.» Sam said, meeting the eye of the two royalties. Sartaq just nodded, but Hasar didn't seem to happy about being given orders. Luckily Yrene spoke up before the Princess could start a scene.

«How are we going to keep her away from the city? It will have to be far out, since she has very long range with her magic.» She said and frowned at the map, while taking half a step to the side, away from Chaol, who had decided to stand next to her. Looks like someone is a bit taken by the healer, sam thought.

Sam pointed to a spot on the map, atop a hill. «Nehemia, this is where you draw up the trap, and Yrene will need some protection to keep the Valg Princess from detecting her.» he said, Nehemia nodded.

«I'll draw marks on Yrene, it should be enough to keep her safe. For awhile, at least.» Nehemia said.

«Good, and when the demon arrives, I'll draw her attention and lead her into the trap.» Sam said, sounding more sure of himself then he felt. Aelin hadn't reacted to Rowan when had tried to draw her out, he could only hope that he would spark an interest somehow. If not... well, then he would die.

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Aelin released a long breath, then stepped up to the large double doors leading into the enormous throne room. The corset was tight around her waist, making it hard to breath, but the deep green colored flowing skirts with silver leaf embroideries were worth it. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she took another deep breath in an attempt to calm it. The day had finally come, the day she had postponed a world threatening war for. Behind those doors stood her court, her nobles, her people, her cousins and her mate, all waiting for the door to open and for her to walk in.

These past weeks had been mostly all fun and games, only now did her nerves make themselves known. Aelin turned to the window, watching her own reflection. Her hair was perfectly curled, and was arranged half up and half down, with curls cascading her face. She schooled her features to look calm, then turned back towards the double doors, her back straight and shoulders squared.

Three loud bangs slammed against the door, then they swung open.

«Her Highness, Princess Aelin Ashryver Galathynius!» The court marshal's voice boomed as she took her first steps into the throne room, and all eyes turned towards her. However, her steps did not falter, she had practice how to walk in a thousand times. The only difference now was the hundreds of faces who was all straining to get a good look at her when she gracefully walked by. She caught glimpses of her friends on the way to the dais, but kept her eyes forward as instructed. She kept her chin high, and focused on the end of the room, staring at the newly carved throne of oak before her.

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Darkness. Deep, unending darkness. But she did not fear it, she did not hate it. The darkness comforted her, caressed and cuddled her. She didn't want to see, didn't want to know. But she did know, she had watched when the Princess studied the marks, studied the tapestry... It had interested her, to learn more of how the worlds worked in tandem, how time and space correlated and coexisted. Neither being anything without the other. Fear had gripped her when she learned why the Princess studied these subject, but nevertheless she kept an eye open to learn as much as she could too. If only to have something else to do, to think about more than just her suffering.

Now she did not want to see anymore, could not go through it all once again. Watch her friends die one after the other, which they would. They could not win, no matter how many times they tried. They could not beat the Princess, and she did not want to watch anymore. All she wanted was to fade away, to cease to exist and let the Princess have her, have her body and her power.

The damning words she had heard some time ago, kept echoing around her constantly, taunting her. Burning down that city and all its people was so much fun the first time. She hated it, hated her for using her fires to destroy. But she could do nothing, she was tired, so very, very tired. She just wanted to fade away.

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«Do you swear to always and forever serve your country and your people from now and until the end of your days?» Darrow said, while staring hard into her eyes. Aelin knelt before the dais and stared up at Darrow as he recited all his lines.

«I swear it.» she said, as loud and clear as she could.

«Do you swear to always and forever put your country and your people first in all things?» he said, his face grim, like he was attending a funeral and not a coronation. Aelin resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

«I swear it.» she said with conviction.

«Then rise.» he ordered, and she did with practiced grace.

A guard held up a plush green, velvet pillow that held a bejeweled scepter and an orb. Both make out of gold. Aelin recognized the artifacts, she could remember asking her great uncle about them once. Another guard stepped up holding a pillow as well, carrying the crown. Darrow motioned for her to pick up the orb and the scepter. She gingerly lifted them from the pillow, and slowly tyrned to face the crowd, where her mate and cousins smile up at her.

«I hereby declare you, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen!» he said loudly enough to wake the dead, and she was glad she was wearing her human form. She felt the coldness of metal when Darrow placed the crown atop her head, with unexpected gentleness.

«All hail the Queen, and long may she reign!» Darrow roared, and the crowd echoed his words. The crowd cheered, and bright smiles beamed at her from all directions. A lone tear fell from the corner of her eye, and she wished that her parents could have seen her now.

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The trap was ready, and everyone was in their hiding places, waiting for the Valg Princes s to arrive. Sam watched as the demon foot soldiers marched closer, with a golden haired woman walking at the front of it. Zahir, that was her name. Zahir raised a fist in the air, then made some gestures with her raised hand. The soldiers headed towards Ansel's waiting army, but the demons had not noticed the silent assassins hidden in the trees, waiting for an opening.

Zahir stayed where she had stopped, and listened as the fighting began. A shrill cry from the skies told Sam that the armada's had begun their fight as well. Sam stepped forward out of the shadows of the tree he had hid behind. «Zahir! I wish to speak with you.» he called out to her. She turned towards him slowly, a wicked grin slowly spreading across her face. A shiver ran down his spine, evil, whatever had taken Aelin's body was pure evil. Her eyes were an endless pit of darkness, Sam took a step back, then another. Slowly making his way towards the four stones Nehemia had marked.

She hummed. «I thought I smelled something.» Zahir's slowly followed, looking at him as if he was a delicious meal. «Come to beg for your life?» she taunted. «Don't bother, petty human, I spare no one. I like the smell of burning flesh.» she purred.

Sam just kept backing up, trying his best to ignore what she said, and the way she said it. Dread began to fill his body, as he stared at her. No recognition, not even a flicker of emotion. Maybe Rowan had been right, that she was truly gone. There was no turning back now, just a little bit closer... there, he was past the first two stones. She was focused entirely on him, and didn't bother to take in her surroundings. A mistake Aelin would never have made. «I just want to talk, Zahir, before you burn me.» he said, doing his best to keep his voice from trembling. So far, so good, he thought.

«Since you're so handsome, I'll give you two minutes to plead for mer...» her eyes grew wide as she froze in place and the four stones began to glow. She struggled against the invisible bonds, then snarled at him. «You'll regret this, you pesky little shit!»

«Yrene, now!» he shouted. Yrene jumped out from the shrubbery behind Zahir, and placed her hands on either sides of her head. The demon hissed. Suddenly her black eyes widened in shock, a split second before she started screaming. Sam winced at the sharp sound, but drew his weapons in case the demon got loose. Nehemia stepped forward, making strange symbols with her hands while chanting words in a language he did not understand. Light from the four rocks flared, and the demon's screams grew louder, and more frantic.

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After a long and delightful dinner, the tables were cleared away while the musicians set up their instruments. Aelin tried to make her way over to her mate, but was stopped by each and everyone she met along the way. There were all kinds of people here, nobles, merchants, foreign emissaries, and everyone one of them wanted to introduce themselves to her, form relations and all that. She found it funny how almost all of them kept glancing at the scar that ran across her face, but none of them made any comment about it. By the time she reached Rowan her cheeks hurt from all the smiling.

«Ready for the dance, Rowan?» she asked sweetly. He had been reluctant during practice, but she knew he was exaggerating and that he liked the excuse to hold her close like that. She definitely liked him spinning her around the dance floor.

«Of course.» he said, and offered her his arm. She took it and walked out into the middle of the room arm in arm. They stopped and faced each other. «You look radiant, Aelin.» he said, while they waited for the music to begin.

«Thank you, Rowan.» she made a show of him looking him up and down. «I must say, you look rather dashing. That shirt works wonders for your muscles.» she winked at him, and he huffed a laugh. She glanced at the musicians, they were ready. She lifted her arms, putting one hand on his overarm and one in his. She shifted into her fae form at the moment the music began to play, and Rowan swished her across the floor. Spinning, twisting and twirling they flew across the room with immortal grace, earning "oh's" and "ah's" as they swished by.

She grinned up at her magnificent mate, for a moment forgetting all the horrors they would soon face in this war while he lead her fluidly through the dance. If only the rest of their days could be this carefree.

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Wesley, Lysandra and Chaol came out from their hiding places in the woods, all staring at the two women inside the trap. Sam glanced at Nehemia, and saw sweat had begun to trickle down her face. Sam looked at Yrene who was standing behind their target, her face was strained with concentration.

«Yrene, hurry up! I can't hold the spell much longer.» Nehemia said, swaying slightly.

«I'm trying.» Yrene grounded out through clenched teeth.

This is bad, Sam thought. Aelin's eyes were still black, and she was pissed as hell too. They all stood at the ready to attack, and Sam hunched down when the demon roared right him. If she got loose... she might very well go for him first for luring her into the trap. Nehemia swayed again.

«I... I can't...» Nehemia mumbled before collapsing to the ground, and the spell dissipated. Faster then he could blink, the demon moved. But not at him as he had thought she would. She spun around grabbing Yrene by the neck and lifted her of the ground.

Chaol roared her name and ran at the demon, but barely made it two steps before flames erupted.