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Chapters (44)
  1. The Rising
  2. Table of Contents
  3. The Work
  4. The New
  5. The Miracle
  6. The Battle of the Heights
  7. The Losses
  8. The Rejection
  9. The Grieving
  10. The Brother
  11. The Legends
  12. The Women
  13. The Ink
  14. The Vengeance
  15. The Report
  16. The New Airen
  17. The Introduction
  18. The Adrift
  19. The Finding
  20. The Training
  21. The Assignments
  22. The Shimmering
  23. The Interrogation
  24. The Drawing
  25. The Revelation
  26. The Escape
  27. The Rainbow
  28. The Discussion
  29. The Deep
  30. The Dragons
  31. The Visit
  32. The Reckoning
  33. The Twist
  34. The Examination
  35. The Tomes
  36. The Feint
  37. The Pursuit
  38. The Rising
  39. The Aftermath
  40. Chapter One Hundred & Fifty-Five
  41. The Epilogue
  42. About the Author
  43. Books by Kristen Ashley
  44. Connect with Kristen Ashley

Mars would not have made the same decision, but he did not share that. Cass’s heart had always been softer than Mars’s, even if he was adept at hiding it was.

“And now?” Mars asked.

“Now, I need to speak with my woman and see to her in her grief. Now, I need to assess the full losses. Now, I need to interrogate prisoners. I’ve sent so many gods-damned birds, it’s a wonder the sky isn’t black with ravens, for I need to know what’s happening elsewhere in my realm.”

“My men will be riding up from the border as soon as they receive my summons,” Mars told him. “And we did not speak of it, but I would wager True is doing the same.”

Cassius nodded his gratitude before he murmured, “I need an example.”

Mars knew precisely what he was thinking.

“Do you know of a primary instigator?” he inquired.

Cassius focused fully on him. “I don’t know if I care if they are primary. Every lord whose militia is here today will lose his stronghold to dragon fire.”

Mars did not smile, even if he wished to, before he shared, “This would be my decision.”

Cassius’s face lost some of its intensity, though he did not smile. “I do not know if that heartens me or frightens me.”

He clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder and didn’t remove it.

“This day will be heralded in the tomes of history, that you prevailed against those odds. And I know that means nothing now, but it is the beginning of the end of a blight on our continent. Thus, there will come a time, I hope, my brother, that you and yours can take heart in that.”

Cassius inclined his head.

Mars gave his shoulder a squeeze before he released him and said, “I’m also sending men to assist in securing the borders of The Enchantments.”

“This is wise. I’ve no doubt this will be a target for them, and I’ve sent a raven to do the same.”

“I will report to True. You go to Elena.”

Cassius nodded again and started to turn to leave, but he stopped.

“Did you sustain losses?”

Mars shook his head. “A few injuries, but no losses.”

“Thank the gods,” Cassius murmured, and moved away.

Mars watched him go, and as he did, he thought for a moment of Antonius.

He then thought of Jasmine.

Bear them close to your bosom, he asked of his Muse god.

He then moved through the camp in order to reclaim his wife.

123

The Rejection

Princess Serena

Base of the Night Heights Mountain Range

AIREN