I had to redo this chapter due to my original one not being possible
Chapter 20: Sandre
We reached the outskirts of Donanelle a week later to the sight of an army readying for battle. It chilled my blood and my heart almost stopped just looking at the vast amount of tents and soldiers. It was enough to overthrow a kingdom, maybe this was the armada I had seen in one of my visions. Next to me Vaughan had also stopped in his tracks staring at the camp and I could tell he was on high alert.
"Have you any idea where they're going?" I found myself asking
"My guess is Erliea although I'm not sure why," Vaughan replied and then added "It could have something to do with why Lorcan was here."
That made sense, it had bothered me why Lorcan had returned back to Wendlyn and now it seemed we had our answer.
"Something doesn't add up." I stated.
"I need to collect my things anyway so while I get them I'll see if I can get any news about what is happening." He turned giving me a quick kiss before flying off towards what I could only see as danger.
Vaughan:
My mate was worried and so was I. Sandre was right something isn't right here, we don't generally get involved with what happens over the sea. Not even when the mass killings of fae occurred, not when powers were shut down by towers, so why now.
I flew high in the sky trying to conspicuous as I checked out the encampment. From a far with Sandre it looked vast but now I can see the sparseness meaning not everyone was here. Which lead me to question where they were.
I neared the city flying past the tents and thankfully spotted the people missing were just in the city confines. I looked down amazed to find it was the Whitethorns that had taken a stand, then again Rowan had sworn himself to Aelin so maybe it wasn't such a surprise. I kept going until what used to be home swam into view, I flew in through the window that had no glass and shifted. I removed the lose stone in the wall where I kept my mother's ring, a single tear traced down my face as I lifted it to the ceiling and whispered "I've found her mum, I've found the one." I looked back down at the three stone Topaz ring set in a round cut with two diamonds next to it and placed it on a chain and then round my neck for safe keeping.
I walked out my house in a daze before remembering where I was but too late someone had spotted me.
"Vaughan"
I turned around slowly hoping the female voice belonged to who I thought it was. I eyed Essar wearily, we were close once but during times of war you can never be too certain.
"Essar" I greeted warmly but made no move towards her, this didn't go unnoticed as Essar stiffened but then relaxed walking the extra few paces between us before asking "What are you doing back?"
"I made the snap decision to tell her the truth because I needed answers that only Essar might be willing to give. I pulled the ring from my pocket as a silent response. Essar's face did a double take, never in all the years she had known me have I ever spoken about the ring my mother gave me on her death bed only intended for my equal, my mate- Sandre.
"Mate?" the question whispered Essar knew the consequences of people finding out.
"Yes."
Her face split into a grin, "Good you deserve happiness Vaughan."
"So do you, especially after Lorcan."
Essar started at his name and I quickly ushered her inside before anyone else saw me back in Donanelle saw me.
"Lorcan was here with Rowan, Gavriel and a women all here to free Aelin from Maeve. Fenrys is gone too." I made to speak wondering how Lorcan wasn't dead if he travelled with Gavriel, our orders to kill aren't negotiable when Essar silenced me by continuing "Both Lorcan and Gavriel are no longer bloodsworn to Maeve and the order to kill has been rescinded." My confusion only grew at those words.
"Is Maeve here?"
"Oh God no, Aelin sent us a strongly worded letter in which stated Maeve was Vlag and therefore we in the city thought Maeve was no longer worthy of being Queen."
I slumped onto the bed, head spinning. Maeve was Vlag. Vlag had killed my sister and now I was shackled to one. I had no words.
"Also you are the last of your Cadre still sworn to Maeve."
"Connell?" I had to ask even though I knew the answer from the grief that shone in her eyes.
"Dead" They hadn't been close but it was still had affected her it seems. "Cairn-" A growl escaped me before I got a handle on my emotions "also dead" finished Essar. With grim satisfaction I knew deep down he suffered a slow death and I made a mental note to thank whoever ended him.
"Aelin's letter begged us not to go to war in aid of Maeve to either stay or fight for her, a better world."
"I mean to fight, Sandre means to fight." I said before asking "Why is there people camped outside?"
"They mean to fight for the only Queen they have ever known."
"They can't go." I interrupted
"I agree but how to stop them, fight them?"
Maybe but I didn't voice that but I was going to help save my mate's homeland even if I did indeed have to fight them all.