The field stretched out before them, large enough to accommodate armies twice the size of both the Iridian and Endirian forces combined. Cage knew it had been created for the last war and he was fascinated by the thought of so many soldiers in one place.

The last war had been easier. Everyone had magic. The armies were balanced. Now, he knew he had the numbers, but he wasn't convinced that Kat would respect their no magic bargain.

Next to him, General Harkiss leaned on the edge of the table holding the map, analyzing the tiny metal men representing divisions. The layout was very good, and the General had ensured that they would not be circled or outnumbered. Cage didn't like that. It felt like guaranteed victory and he was sure Lucille wouldn't let that happen.

A part of him hoped that Kat had retreated over the mountains and just went home.

"This should work nicely," Harkiss said, straightening. "I also doubt they've had proper military training."

"Neither have more than half of our men," Cage pointed out.

"They have been training intensely for weeks while the Endirian army marched towards us. Maybe your idea to let them invade us was not so bad after all."

Cage nodded in acceptance of the compliment, but his skin crawled. The general hadn't mentioned anything of the sort, but he had a sinking feeling that, should they defeat Kat in the upcoming battle, Harkiss will want to invade Endir. He didn't dare ask because this was not the moment for a fight.

"So you are certain there will be no magic."

"As certain as I can be of the queen's word." Which was not a lot because he didn't know this new Kat.

"If she uses magic, strike her down." Harkiss made a note on the piece of paper next to the map. "I should give out this order."

"No," Cage snapped before he could help himself. Harkiss glared at him as if questioning his loyalties. "It's too dangerous," Cage added. "If she uses magic, I'll strike her down."

"Your Majesty, that could prove dangerous. It would be less risky--"

"To send tens of soldiers to their deaths in my stead?"

"Well, yes."

"No. That will not happen." There was no way he was sending people Kat had no issue murdering to face her. She might actually stutter before shooting something at him. "I can handle this."

"Your Majesty--"

"It's an order, General."

Harkiss stiffened but held in any additional comment on the matter. Cage returned to surveying the map. They'd decided to split the army into three divisions. Since he had no idea what Kat's strategy might be, he'd assigned Trix and Jazz to lead the side divisions while he and Harkiss would be heading the center one.

He hadn't been able to apprise the size of Kat's army during their brief meeting, but all sources claimed it was not as big as Iride's. Cage was sure that was true. Kat wasn't a moron, so she'd probably left at least one division in Endir to guard the border.

"I was wondering," Harkiss said, his gaze drifting from the map to Cage. "Why did you want to ban magic from the battle?"

Cage blinked. He must have heard wrong.

"I mean, we have three magic wielders. Endir only has two. Wouldn't it have been in our advantage to use this power?"

"Magic is not like a sword or a bow and arrow," Cage retorted, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. "It can be used to hurt masses."

"Can't it also be used to protect masses?"

"It's harder to protect than to hurt." And he knew that better than anyone. He didn't even want to bring up how Jazz would most likely never do anything to hurt Jinx and how he wasn't sure he could use magic against Kat in the first place.

He knew they had to defeat Endir, but if he could do that without hurting Kat, he would.

What's wrong with me?

She obviously no longer cared about him or anyone else. Why did he? Why wasn't Cecille's magic as potent as Lucille's? But even as he asked himself this, he couldn't deny that he'd much rather not have the aching void inside him. He wanted his feelings back. All of himself. Cecille underestimated him. He could still defend his kingdom, even if he loved Kat.

Now, all he had was confusion and the swirling memories that could throw him off at any time. He wished Cecille would show up. It was the eve of battle after all.

Obviously sensing it as well, Harkiss let out a long, tired sigh. "I don't know about you, your Majesty, but I need a little pick-me-up before bed. If I'm going to die tomorrow, might as well do it with a full stomach and memories of a wonderful last night."

"Of course. You're dismissed, General. Make the most out of it." Because he felt the need to do that, too.

He spent another few moments looking at the map. There was no flaw in their military strategy that he could see. It all now relied on the strategy Kat would use.

A sense of both unease and excitement coursed through him, fueling his magic. He pushed it back, aware he might need it the next day. Harkiss had one thing right. There was absolutely no guarantee that magic wouldn't be involved, not with Lucille pulling the strings.

A gentle, warm breeze brushed his face. Cage closed his eyes, knowing what this meant. He was apparently getting his wish.

It took Cecille mere seconds to materialize in front of him, this time wearing storm-gray armor. Her hair was braided and caught in a crown on top of her head and she had a sword at her side.

If he didn't know better, Cage would ask her if she would be joining them for the battle. But he did know that she couldn't interfere and all of this was just for show.

"You seem to have things figured out," Cecille commented.

"How well versed are you in military strategy?"

Her eyes flashed as she focused on him. "I've been around for many wars, human."

He'd figured as much. "But how involved were you in them? No disrespect. You just seem to have a non-involvement policy."

This seemed to appease the fairy, because she returned to studying the map. "I've heard that you settled on no magic."

"Don't you think it's the fair thing to do?"

She huffed. "I don't care about fair. I care about winning. Lucille will cheat."

"I'm aware. I'm ready for that scenario, too."

Cecille nodded. "Yes, I've seen what you can now do, that you've found a way to counter the frost. It feels like spring inside your camp."

"It's very draining, though."

"Which is why I'd rather you used offensive magic on the heir of Endir."

Cage was not convinced that this didn't have to do with her jealousy against Kat rather than the outcome of the war. "I'd rather avoid magic altogether if I can. I like my men intact, not frozen solid."

The fairy huffed as though these were nothing but mundane human problems. "I hope you are prepared for what's to come."

He hoped so too, though it didn't look great. "Can you do me a favor?"

This got her attention and she glanced at him. "Depends. What are you willing to pay for it?"

He glared at her. "Excuse me, but you took over my life. What more can I actually pay? And I'm asking you to give back something that you took."

Cecille's mouth twisted into a snarl that made her look frightening. "And what is that?"

"I need you to lift your magic. I want my feelings back."

"No."

"It's not helping me. The magic does nothing but confuse me."

"It protects you!"

"No, it distracts me. I lose focus in important moments because one small thing triggers memories I cannot access."

She huffed. "You are better off this way."

"No, I'm not."

"I will not risk the fate of this war and my position as High Fairy for your feelings."

Cage opened his mouth to argue that he needed his wits about him, that the pain in his chest wasn't letting him think, but changed his mind. The anger in Cecille's eyes could lead to her reinforcing the magic around him to potentially crush his insides and he surely didn't want that.

"Okay, have it your way."

His words garnered him a glare, but she fortunately dropped the argument. "Are you prepared?"

"As well as I can be."

The fairy hummed, her attention once again on the board. "A lot relies on you. Don't fuck it up."

A huff escaped him. "Are fairies allowed to say fuck?"

"We're allowed to do whatever we want." She strode to him and fortunately stopped at a respectable distance. "Do not disappoint me."

"The warning isn't necessary. The only way I'll disappoint you is if I die and then there's no point to fear you, is there?"

Cecille took the sass and it was testimony to how nervous she must have been about the whole ordeal.

"You better hope you'll handle it, smart mouth."

He gave her a curt bow and in a flurry of cold wind, she was gone. What a useless interaction. It only put him more on edge as it killed his hope to be himself and also reignited the nerves. Yes, a lot was at stake. How foolish of him to think he could ever forget that. Would his visions come true? Will the battlefield be devoured by fire and ice, leaving nothing but bodies behind?

He needed to get out of his own head. Trying to put on a brave face, he exited the tent. It was already past dark, and most of his soldiers were huddled around fires, drinking and talking. Even if he couldn't blame them, Cage hoped they wouldn't get drunk. He'd seen what it was like to lead a hungover army and it wasn't an experience he was eager to repeat.

Closest to his tent, Trix and Jazz had settled before a fire with Rip and other members of the royal guard. He headed that way and sat between Jazz and Trix. The soldiers stood at attention, but he waved at them to sit back down.

"You don't look so sharp," Jazz observed.

Cage studied his face. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but there seemed to be a tension in his friend's jaw. Whether it was from having to face Jinx the next day or for peeking at the strings of fate, Cage didn't know. He wasn't even sure he wanted to. Whatever it was, Jazz couldn't tell him anyway.

"Your Majesty, maybe you should rest," Rip said.

"We're among comrades. You can call me Cage."

There was hesitance on most faces, so he took the crown off and placed it on the ground, between his feet.

"I've been in battles before," he said. "I know how important trust and camaraderie are. I know you can't have that with an entire army, but you are not an entire army. You are those closest to me, the ones I trust most. So it's only fair that this formality be gone, at least until we win the war."

There was a hum of approval and the soldiers relaxed.

"Great," Trix said. "This means that we can take out the booze again."

There was nervous laughter going all around.

"You can. I know we're riding into the unknown tomorrow. That we could be facing an army or nothing at all."

"We won't be facing nothing at all," Jazz mumbled. "And you don't need me to tell you that. Our spies have confirmed that the Endirian army is on the other side of this field."

"You can't just let me hope, can you?"

Jazz gave him a tired smile, filled with understanding. They both wished they didn't have to face the women they loved across the battlefield, even if Cage's feelings were stunted. It still mattered. It still felt like something he should never have to live through.

"Just keep in mind not to drink too much. I fought while intoxicated, and believe me, it's not too fun."

"You fought drunk?" Trix asked, sounding excited. "No way."

Cage couldn't keep in a grin. "I did use to do all sorts of stupid shit when I was younger. It fortunately also taught me what isn't worth the fun. Fighting drunk or hungover is definitely not."

There was a round of laughter, then the soldiers settled down in companionable silence, watching the flickering of flames. Cage allowed himself to relax as well and soak up the familiarity and comfort. Who knew what the next day would bring.

"I hate that we're splitting up," Jazz said after a while. His words were silent, obviously meant only for him and Trix.

"You're the only ones I trust to lead divisions. If Kat surprises us, you can counter her magic."

"I know that. Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"I don't think any of us are loving what we're doing."

"Speak for yourselves," Trix said, playing with the hem of his gloves. "It feels good not to be a street rat for a change. It feels good to matter."

Jazz leaned across Cage to nudge Trix's shoulder. "You always mattered, you overdramatic brat."

"Any news from Allie?" Cage asked.

Trix shook his head. "No update. The merfolk still think that this is a human issue. But she believes that should it turn into a navy war, they might take a side."

"It won't turn into a navy war," Cage said. "Endir doesn't have a navy."

"You three should stop talking business," Rip said, moving closer to them. "This is a night for pleasure."

They stopped talking about the war after that and joined the jokes around the fire. The stars shone upon them, like the glittering eyes of all-knowing gods.

⚜

Kat glanced into the distance, but the field Iride had picked for battle was so large that she could not see the other side of it. It didn't seem natural. She should at least see flames from camp fires.

She'd forbidden her own people from lighting any fires, so they were all cuddled up in their furs, sharing a meal. She knew she should eat, too, but she didn't think she could stomach it.

"You're painting a dreary atmosphere." Jinx joined her, wearing nothing on top of her shirt and tunic, munching on dried meat.

Kat glared at her. "We're going to war tomorrow, not a ball."

A pretend ball, with seven courses of food. So much wasted food.

She shut her eyes, driving the thoughts back.

"Exactly. All these men could die tomorrow. They deserve one night of pleasure before that."

"They can have all the pleasure they want after we win."

"So confident." Jinx chewed slowly, her gaze on the far end of the field.

"We all should be confident. Morale is a huge factor in winning battles."

"Their army is bigger."

"Well, they have less to lose."

"You're the one who invaded them."

Kat turned to her, fists on her hips. "Whose side are you on?"

"I'm on no one's side. I just want what's best for my home kingdom." There was a low note in her voice that spoke of hidden meanings.

Kat narrowed her eyes. "Are you hoping that there will be no war?"

Jinx finally dropped the jerky and faced Kat as well. "War is never a solution. I'm hoping you'll see that in the end."

"Do you think I want this?"

"Yes, I'm actually convinced you do."

She wasn't sure why her words hurt so much. It didn't even matter because it was happening either way. "Then you're a liar and a fraud and you don't know me at all."

Jinx sighed. "That's the thing, Kat. I do know you. But the real you, not this version which has been mangled by magic."

She had no answer to that. Rage surged through her, but it was quickly doused in sadness. Because she was exhausted from trying to find a balance within herself. A balance between the person Jinx knew and the one who turned people into ice sculptures. Did it matter if they deserved it? Who was she to decide who deserved to live and who didn't?

She'd always wanted war, but looking across the battlefield, she began to wonder if it was her or the magic inside her. The magic that Lucille had put there precisely to help her rule Endir.

She's my grandmother. She cares about me. She wouldn't lead me astray.

She believed those words. To some extent. Doubt slithered through the certainty, but she shoved it back. Even if there was something wrong, now was not the time to doubt. They would be setting off across the field at the first light of day.

The prospect of seeing Cage again sent a shiver down her spine.

He used to love her. Jinx claimed that he still would if the fairies hadn't intervened.

Love.

She couldn't even remember the feel of it. It wasn't even about romantic love, really, but any type of affection. There were only mild trances of it, coming through at the most unexpected times and in such small doses that she wasn't even sure it was real.

Was that the reason why she didn't plunge a sword straight through Jinx even if the other woman annoyed her? Because a very hidden part of her remembered that there used to be affection between them?

"Do you really think we'll win this war?" Jinx asked all of a sudden.

Kat startled out of her thoughts. "I really hope we do."

"And then what?" There was an underlayer to the question.

"Then we make our kingdom better and make sure they're well fed."

"What about Iride?"

The thought had Kat's muscles tensing. She hadn't considered that thoroughly, but there would be time. "They will adapt or perish."

"Adapt how?"

She turned to Jinx. Her tone was distant as if her mind was somewhere else, her gaze dancing over the plains before them.

"If you ask me to, I won't harm Jazz. I will let you have him."

Jinx huffed, a bitter smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "If we win the war, it will be over Jazz's dead body, so there's nothing you can promise me regarding him."

"Is he really that passionate for Iride?"

"It's not about Iride, Kat." Jinx sighed and turned to her once again. "It's not even about Endir, though I'm trying to make it so. It's about the fairies and their war. We're nothing but pawns."

Kat wanted to argue, to point out that their incursion to secure a better future for their kingdom had nothing to do with the games of fairies, but Jinx turned her back on the battlefield and walked towards the tents.

Wind blew the loose threads of Kat's hair into her face, and she combed them back absentmindedly.

Her feelings threatened to smother her, so she took in a long, deep breath. Jinx was wrong. The games of fairies didn't matter. This war had nothing to do with them and everything to do with a complicated history between two countries and unfairness spreading like plague.

Her affirmation about Jazz, however, was interesting. Kat could believe that he had no interest in helping Iride. After all, he was Talian, and Iride had stopped all forms of communication with Talia over thirty years ago. But then, what was his drive when Jinx had picked the opposing side?

There was an obvious answer, but it frightened her. She'd seen Jazz, the easiness in his posture, the way he didn't fear death and only did what he either believed was right or what amused him. He was not a man easily controlled.

What had the king of Iride done to gain the loyalty of a man like that?

As she glanced into the distance, across the future battlefield, no answer presented itself.

⚜⚜⚜

War is coming! In the next chapter in fact. But we have the silence before the storm here. And two very different atmospheres in the two camps. Whoever will win? (especially considering that we have about 10 chapters to go in the book 😅)

Prepare for something so obvious you'll wonder how you didn't think of it!