Violet Fire

“Claire has issued a challenge to Aleia and her forces,” Damon told me as we wove through Aleia’s camp. “They will meet Claire’s forces by midmorning tomorrow.”

“Will any of the residents of Faerie stand with Claire?”

His look was answer enough. I put my hand on his arm, pulling him to a stop.

“Damon, do you really believe that I can unite everyone?”

His gaze never wavered, even as he took time and care to answer me. “I do, Juliet,” there wasn’t a trace of dishonesty. “The mere fact that someone with such power would fight for the humans would be enough for some, but more than that,” he surprised me by tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You are so different from them all. You have already given us so much hope.”

I could see years of pain etched on Damon’s face; pain shared by so many. His words should have comforted me. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you for believing in me,” I turned quickly so that he couldn’t read my face.

I’ve flown in a plane before, but it doesn’t hold a candle to flying on the back of a dragon. The wind stole my breath and drew tears from my eyes, but I didn’t care. I whooped in sheer ecstasy, holding on tightly as Damon barrel-rolled. Show-off. We travelled at least twice as fast through the air as Alaric and I had on foot, which was acutely disappointing. Touching the ground, I stumbled on wobbly legs. Damon shifted quickly to help me catch my balance.

“There is no way that is my last dragon-back ride,” I told him, giggling.

Damon grinned wolfishly, or should I say dragonishly? The light-hearted mood faded too quickly, but it couldn’t be helped. There was work to do. Word spread like fire through the camp, and within an hour the entirety of Faerie was gathered together. Derek, Evanna, and James were at the front of the crowd, watching me curiously. I was standing on slightly higher ground so that I could see over the crowd. I touched my neck, magically amplifying my voice.

“I’m sure you’re all curious as to why I called you together,” the chattering of the crowd gradually stopped as I spoke. “Claire has challenged Aleia’s forces, they are marching to battle as we speak.”

Voices rose all across the crowd, tumbling over one another, making the words indistinguishable. I raised my hands in a calming gesture, quieting the crowd once more.

“We still have the power to stop this, before anyone else is killed,” a furious roar from the crowd drowned out the end of my sentence.

“We have been abused for too long!” cried out a muscular elf on my left.

“We have been driven from our homes, hunted down in the night,” a fairy added.

“We should be joining Aleia!” this was followed by a shout of agreement.

“Aleia was a tyrant before, who’s to say she won’t be again?” Evanna screamed back at the crowd.

“Aleia protected our kind,” a Wolf snarled, his hands like claws at his side. “She gave you humans what you deserved.”

James stepped between Evanna and the Wolf, a dangerous light in his eyes. His lips pulled back from his teeth and a feral growl sounded in his throat.

I can’t stop this. The realization settled on my chest, making it hard to breathe. No matter what I do or say, there will be war.

“Enough!” with my voice amplified it was like a crack of thunder.

Every eye turned on me, waiting to pounce.

“If all you want is to make the humans suffer, than you are no better than them! Is that what you want, to become the very thing that you despise?” A few seemed affected by my words, but I could still see hardened faces. “If all you want is revenge, then you can go ahead without me, but,” I drew a deep breath. “If justice is what you want, then I will fight with all of the power that I possess.”

I hadn’t realized that Inteus and his herd were in the crowd until he and Hesperia stepped forward. The crowd fell away to make room, some inclining their heads with respect.

“My herd stands with the Hope of Loridian,” he announced, his eyes daring any to disagree with his declaration.

The rest of his herd stepped forward, raising their weapons high.

“The Hope of Loridian!” Evanna cried, raising her bow.

The cry echoed through the valley as nearly the entire crowd pledge their weapons to me.

“Liberty or death,” I whispered, seriously wondering which would happen first.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” Evanna was wearing leather armor, her bow in one hand.

I watched the bustling camp from the opening of my tent. The sun had barely cleared the horizon and we were ready to march out.

“Everyone seems to think it’s their duty to tell me that.”

Evanna laid a hand on my shoulder, waiting to speak until I was looking directly at her. “This isn’t your war.”

“It became my war when I went to help Inteus.”

“I’ve heard that a true hero is someone who puts others before herself.”

“Do heroes wonder if they are fighting on the right side?”

“I would be concerned if you didn’t wonder about right and wrong,” Evanna smiled teasingly, but it was brief. “It isn’t easy to determine, is it?”

I shook my head, watching the troops assembling. “What if I choose wrong?”

“I wondered the same thing when I found out that James is a Wolf. I was devastated,” her eyes were cloudy. “I had just lost my parents to Wolves, and I stood to lose my village to them, too.”

“How did you choose?”

“I followed my heart. I know it sounds trite,” she said quickly, noticing my skepticism. “But I had known James nearly from birth, and I knew that he was good. And, I loved him.” She said it so simply, letting the truth ring out. “The conflict you feel isn’t about what’s around you, it’s your head and your heart arguing. Listen to the heart.”

She gave me a one-armed hug and headed out to join the troops.

My breath drew in sharply as I looked at the battlefield from Damon’s back. The two armies spread to either side, looking like waves of metal as they moved along the gentle slopes of the battlefield. As we descended, the shouts of the two armies reached a crescendo. Every eye was glued to the emerald green dragon as we landed in the space between the two armies. A shout came up from Claire’s army as our troops joined ranks with Claire’s.

Claire smiled at me from her mount, her armor flashing in the sunlight. I didn’t smile back. The armies hushed as my feet touched the ground, Claire’s army smiling in triumph. I took a steadying breath, then touched a glowing hand to my mouth. When I spoke, my voice was magically amplified.

“There is still a chance to turn back from this!” I knew that it was futile, but I was going to try anyway. “No blood needs to be shed today.”

There were angry rumblings from both sides. Horses pawed at the ground, chomping on their bits. There were growls and snarls from Aleia’s army, and curses and profanities from Claire’s.

“War is the only answer!” One of Claire’s captains roared, his horse dancing in place. The men around him roared their approval, shaking their weapons at Aleia’s army menacingly. “You cannot hope to stop this.”

I knew that this moment would come. My decision had been made before I had set foot on the ground, and now I knew where I stood.

I addressed Claire, seeking the last bit of confirmation that I needed. “What will change if you defeat Aleia’s army?”

She seemed surprised by the question. In fact, everyone seemed surprised.

“What’s she doing?” I heard someone ask.

“The last threat to Loridian will be gone,” Claire finally answered.

I could see years of hatred and anger in her eyes. I looked over my shoulder at Damon, and my look caused him to shift back and stare at me in confusion. I looked the captain squarely in the eye.

“So be it then,” I said it quietly, but with my voice still amplified, everyone heard.

I walked backwards, keeping my eyes on the captain as I joined Aleia’s ranks. There were cries of triumph behind me, shocked silence before. My eyes roved the ranks of Claire’s army until I found Derek. He was the only one who didn’t look shocked, in fact, his eyes were smiling. He nodded once, and I knew that this is exactly what he was hoping I would do. Then my eyes slid over to Damon, and the betrayal etched on his face nearly knocked the air out of my lungs.

“I thought you understood,” he whispered hoarsely.

My chin came up a fraction; I was sure of my decision. “So did I.”

His eyes hardened and he drew back to stand with Claire’s army. I felt someone brush my arm, and I turned to see Alaric coming to stand beside me. There was a shout, and we watched grimly as a large blonde man had to be restrained.

Alaric tensed next to me. “I’m sorry, Marius.”

Marius cried out, as if in physical pain. Doubt flickered across Alaric’s face before it became as smooth as glass. My eyes moved over to Claire, expecting to see fury or betrayal. She just kept staring at me, as if trying to ask me a question. As the silence drew on, the tension built. Both armies were waiting for the opportunity to fight, the malice alight in their eyes. Claire drew herself up in her seat and pushed her mount to the front.

Before she could do anything, seven horses thundered in front of her, cutting her off. “Wait,” screamed the head Councilor, his face purple.

Claire’s eyes flicked to them in annoyance as her horse danced beneath her.

“An act of war – as this clearly is – must be approved and voted on by the Council,” he shrieked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Claire looked over at Aleia, seeing the open mocking on her face. The queen scowled at the Council, debating.

“There shall be no battle today,” her voice carried over the field easily.

“We will be waiting for you,” Aleia called.

Claire stopped her horse, turning her head just enough to be heard. “I have no doubt of that.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance as I watched Claire’s army retreat. Most of the army would stay, but a few – including Damon – would return to the capitol with Claire. A lump grew in my throat. Whatever happened, there was no going back. Damon and I locked eyes, a chasm stretching between us. For the first time, we were on opposing sides. His back turned to me, and I had a sinking feeling that things would never be the same again.