plan or some greater good. I didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive such a thing.
Only time would tell.
“Where shall we escort you, princess?” Empress Genu asked, her eyes never leaving mine.
“I need to get back to Nicholas. My uncle plans on opening the portal he has underneath the castle, to unleash all sorts of
hellish creatures against our world.”
“Well then, we best get you suited and ready for battle.”
She winked at me as Marcus and Karim were ushered away towards the rest of the soldiers that had arrived.
“What about my sister, Panya?” Karim asked. “She’s a mage. We are born of Nadrolan blood. Please, is she safe?”
“My soldiers do not harm women or children. She will be with her royal highness’ sister and the others I imagine.”
A wave of calm rushed over me as Karim seemed to relax, his magic dispensing from his fingers and a small tear escaped
his eye. We still had half a day’s walk to get through if we were to beat Dorian in time, who by now knew where I was
heading.
“Once we dress you with armour, you will ride at the front with me, and we will head to Nicholas.”
Genu seemed hard around the edges, as if she’d been moulded by a man. She carried her way like a warrior would as she
placed her hand on my lower back and moved me towards the rest of her army.
Chapter 65
ORNELLA
We cleared an endless amount of land along with Genu’s army. Her horses ran at a speed I’d never seen or felt before.
The mare beneath me didn’t falter or stop, even as we crossed dangerous terrain filled with rockslides, empty pits of
sand and dead trees. I never knew this part of the Obsidian Kingdom existed. I assumed the same lushness of
greenery was around it all.
Perhaps this was a type of protection, keeping our enemies out or maybe an illusion of Morgana’s. I’d only ever seen the
beautiful landscapes of green mountains and picturesque scenery.
“When we arrive, your highness, you must direct us to the location of the portal.”
Empress Genu ordered as we finally began passing smaller villages. Many folk stopped what they were doing to see the
mighty army that marched through their cobblestoned streets. Pointing, waving, and cheering as we rushed by.
Empress Genu ordered some of her garrison to stay behind to protect the outer villages as she wasn’t sure how many
soldiers Dorian brought with him or how many of our people were on his side.
“Have you heard anything from Nicholas?” I asked as we slowed down our pace for a few minutes.
“My riders met his soldiers and his second in command told them that Nicholas and his sisters left to find you.”