Returning to the castle, she swept into Epharis's rooms and he looked up from his book, smiling slightly at the sight of her.
"How was training?" he asked, watching as she began to pace.
"There is a Fae in Ayathian. How long has he been here?" she said angrily but turning to her husband, she saw his confusion.
"A Fae in Ayathian? Surely we would have known by now if there was another of your kind in the city," he said and she could see his tension. "What is he here for?" His tone had turned dark, assuming it had something to do with her.
"He's said he's a comrade of my father's and is here to fulfil some deal to keep me safe."
Epharis looked irritable, looking her over and seeing the smear of blood.
"He fought you?"
"Some abject lesson to tell me I'm not strong, or fast enough for war," she spat.
He grunted and stood, coming to her and catching her by the shoulders. He looked down at her and frowned.
"We aren't fighting Faerie, there will be no Fae in this war."
She nodded and closed her eyes as he pressed his lips to her forehead and drew her down to join him in his studies.
Some time later Versalis turned up and he smiled at the sight of her, her head in Epharis's lap with a book in her hands.
He was stroking her hair gently, his elbow on the backrest of the couch with his own book.
Peeking around the corner of her book at the knock, she waved him in and he moved inside, shivering at the pressure that told him to stay out but her invitation had been enough.
"The twins are back," he said gently and she sat up.
Jaia and Kai had been sent on a trip out into the country to play spy. Their abilities to be in the sun had come in exceptionally handy for the king and he was readily abusing it left and right, but she had become concerned about his interest in the ability. She wasn't about to become a blood mule for an army of day walking vampires.
Epharis looked up at the loss of her presence and glowered at the vampire, neither liking each other.
"Any news?" Epharis asked and Versalis nodded tersely.
"It's only a matter of weeks now Your Highness. Weorene has invaded."
She and Epharis exchanged a look and the two followed Versalis out into the hallway and down into the throne room where the twins were looking tired and irritable.
Kai turned at the sound of their approach and Alaric's moment of distraction, heading to her immediately.
She slipped her hand in his and he squeezed hers tightly. Jaia hadn't moved from his report and she felt a warm breath on her neck.
Glancing at Kai, she turned her back to Alaric, her long hair providing privacy for Kai as he greedily bit into her throat.
She felt eyes on her, but she ignored them as she traced her fingers through the soft black strands, his arms tight around her middle in a way that crushed her against him.
It hadn't been all that long since they had been gone, but stress was affecting them all and she flinched as he bit her again and again, more chewing on her neck than anything. But he drank eagerly and bit the tip of his tongue to lick over the wounds, sealing them almost instantly.
He looked slightly guilty as he drew away but she smiled, feeling pleasantly sleepy.
She used her thumb to wipe a smear of blood from his cheek and he kissed her palm, turning back to Alaric with cheeks flushed.
***
Versalis swept to her side and slipped his arm up under her ribs to help support her as she turned, watching Jaia's rigid back. He was ignoring her, she knew it.
"Right now we are seeing minimal casualties. Their military isn't overly interested in destroying smaller towns and villages."
Alaric frowned but she realised what that meant immediately.
"They mean to conquer. The less destruction means less resentment against the new ruler," she said and Alaric looked to her.
"It makes sense," he said finally, returning his attention to Jaia.
"They are taking prisoners, anyone who fights them, but keeping them alive in rolling cages. They're getting pretty full and so they started making more while on the move. I don't think they expected so much resistance."
Alaric nodded, staring at nothing as he thought and finally Jaia turned, glancing back at the group that had formed around him.
"How many?" Epharis asked and Alaric frowned.
"Around thirty thousand."
The room was silent for a long time and finally Versalis gave a low whistle. It was an exceptional number of beings, obscenely large.
"How many do we have?" she asked.
"Around fifteen," Alaric said and she exchanged a glance with Versalis.
"Fifteen at best," Kai said, sounding worried.
Things weren't looking good.
"You will all need to be fitted for new weaponry and armour. Have it prepared," Alaric said as he stood and sighed.
"Alaric, you know this is bad. Is there no way to get a diplomatic resolution?" Epharis asked while Alaric shook his head.
"We've tried that already, Varsas is set on his goal."
"What is his goal?" Kai asked, confused.
"Expanding Weorene, obliterating Ayathian."
Letting out a slow breath, she turned to Epharis and he was watching her. They were both worried, her for him and him for his family and their legacy.
After a time, the group dispersed and Jaia swept past them, stalking from the room.
Hurt, she dropped her eyes and turned to follow him out, pausing at the sound of her name.
Alaric motioned her towards him and she moved forward, cautious but having no reason to refuse him.
"That man you fought. Who is he?" the king asked and she let out a slow breath.
"Uzo, he calls himself," she said, wondering what it was this man had in store for her father's friend.
"I would like you to introduce us," the king said and she squinted up at him, wondering but still unable to find a reason to refuse.
"Yes Your Majesty, I'll ask that he come up to the castle," she said after a brief pause.
He looked pleased and she was dismissed.
She swept from the room and figured she might as well go find the Fae while she knew where to find him.
Stepping out onto the ramparts, she searched the area around the castle, trying to locate the Fae in question.
It didn't take her long to find him, he was battling six men and she rolled her eyes at the show of force.
As she watched, he took them down at a rapid pace and she frowned, knowing just how easy he had taken it on her. The thought angered her severely, but she forced herself to let it go and start down the stairs in his direction.
Men moved out of the way, bowing and murmuring to her but they did it out of respect for her rank more than her ability as a fighter. She didn't like that they saw her as a princess and not a soldier but there was little she could do to change that right then.