A little way off to the side, another argument had broken out, but this time it was between Felix and Aoife and Ann's stomach clenched at the sound of her voice again.
Felix's voice was clearly more agitated than Aoife's and as they came into focus as LExi moved closer, the audio became much clearer.
"I don't care how you present the argument Aoife, there is not a chance in hell that I am going to let you enter a castle full of batshit crazy loyalists. I am not letting you step anywhere near the prospect of a close-quarters fight."
Aoife stood glowering up at him with her arms crossed, and her mouth set in a defiant, unimpressed line.
"You're being ridiculous Felix.I'll be able to heal on the move and it will vastly reduce downtime for everyone involved and potentially increase the speed of the assault. You need me there!."
"No, what I need is you alive and safe," Felix shot back. "I have literally only just got you back from that fucking hellhole after seeing your mutilated dead body and holding your lifeless corpse in my arms. That is not something that I ever, EVER want to relive. So as much as you want to help, you are not setting even one foot inside that castle."
Orynn stood behind Aoife,his tail curled around one leg, and making a low irritated rumbling from his chest. His muscles twitched with each angry syllable spoken and his facial expressions seemed to almost mirror Aoife's. However their bond worked, he was clearly picking up Aoife's feelings loud and clear and reacting physically to them.
Aoife noticed almost right away and placed a calming hand on Orynn's arm.
"It's fine, Orynn. He's not going to hurt me, I'm fine. He's just angry at the situation, that's all. He wants us all to be safe but I think we would do more good being out with the fighters in the final push."
Orynn chirped sharply in disagreement and Felix ran a hand through his hair in exasperation.
"Do you see that? Even he knows it's a bad idea."
"It's because you're shouting," Aoife hissed, "You're making him nervous, stop fucking shouting."
"I'm not even shouting!" Felix yelled indignantly.
"Yes you are," Aoife yelled back, matching his volume perfectly and Orynn agreed with a bright chirrup.
Just then Lexi turned the camera back to her grinning face.
"As you can see, everyone is handling the stress really well." she beamed with a sardonic thumbs'up.
Ann snorted softly, her heart lurching painfully as the urge to wrap her arms around her best friend washed over her.
"I can tell. Such a calming, settled atmosphere…"
"I know right? I mean..Hey!"
Brarthroroz reclaimed the frame with one large hand as the camera shifted upwards and an irritated Lexi could be seen trying to swipe the device out of her fathers hand but he simply lifted it further in the air so that only her wild grasps and her fingertips were sometimes visible at the base of the frame. Ann stifled another laugh.
"Adam is preparing the final siege strategy. He will coordinate from the palace. He believes an organised entry will prevent unnecessary deaths. He should have arrived with you already." He said seriously, the sound of Lexi's frustrated yelps in the background not fazing him in the slightest.
"Yes, I'm told he arrived safely," Ann answered a little sheepishly, "I have been put on a medically enforced bedrest with limited duties for the time being so I haven't had a chance to see him. I must have been asleep when he arrived."
Lord Brarthroroz hummed thoughtfully.
"You should take the opportunity to rest now that the hardest part of the assault is done here. Very soon, your own battle with parenthood will start and if Lexi is anything to go by, it most definitely will not be a smooth ride."
"Hey! I fucking heard that!" Lexi yelled furiously from somewhere off to the side.
"You were supposed to," Lord Brarthroroz smirked as he side-eyed his daughter and passed the phone back to her.
"Bloody rude using my own one liners against me. Aren't you old enough as a Daemon Lord to have your own jokes?" Lexi muttered angrily as she steadied the camera and Lord Brarthroroz's laughter could be heard in the background.
"Do you want to poke Greyson a bit before we sign off?" She asked a little sulkily, still glaring daggers at her father.
Ann shifted her blanket a little and began to feel the tiredness creeping back in.
"Sure. Why not? Put him on."
Lexi walked toward him and thrust the phone in his direction.
"Ann wants you."
Greyson turned immediately and stepped into view. He tried to look calm but it didn't fully work.
"Your Highness," He nodded stiffly.
"I just want you to know that I understand your position," Ann said smiling softly, "It can't be easy for you, but I agree with both Allen and Lexi on this matter. You simply cannot enter the castle until reinforcements arrive. We need you alive for when the throne falls because a direct descendant will always be able to take any throne with little resistance."
Greyson exhaled slowly, understanding her meaning without her having to spell it out.
"I know." he said, some of the tension having left his voice already, "I will wait for Adam to return with reinforcements and I won't do anything reckless. You have my word."
"Then that's all I need."
Lexi leaned over his shoulder.
"He'll behave, don't worry."
"It's not like I really have a choice," Greyson muttered.
Lord Brarthroroz stepped back into frame.
"We'll await the signal from the palace. When reinforcements arrive, we'll move according to Adam's plans."
Ann nodded.
"Keep an eye on Greyson and make sure that he holds his temper," Ann said quietly, "Tell Felix to stop shouting at Aoife and tell Aoife that as much as I appreciate her stubbornness, she is not to enter the castle without direct approval from either Adam, or you in the event of his absence."
"THANK YOU!" Felix's voice yelled from somewhere off-camera,
"She didn't say you were right!" Aoife yelled back as Orynn trilled his own offended noise.
"I swear my job changed to glorified kindergarten teacher because I am constantly surrounded by children." Lexi groaned.
"Good luck." Ann smiled and Lord Brarthroroz ended the call.
Coral lowered the tablet and let out a low whistle.
"Well. They sound… busy." she commented and Ann chuckled as she sank back into her pillows.
Eva walked in with another stack of messages and a smug smile on her face.
"Adam sends his apologies for not coming to you right away but he's been busy harassing the nobles," she grinned wickedly, "He's already demanding lists from every allied kingdom. We should have responses tonight."
Ann felt a wave of relief wash over her and for the first time she realised just how much stress she had been carrying with her. Her body ached, but her mind was clearer than it had been in days.
Maeve sighed happily and then yawned immediately after.
"Well, that's one problem handled. There might be a hundred left, but I'd say that was a decent start."
"I know," Ann smiled softly as she hid a yawn with her hand.
"We will win," Maeve said. "It's just a matter of time now,"
Eva and Coral watched as Ann's eyes closed of their own accord and they shared a satisfied look with each other as they gathered their things quietly and saw themselves out of her room.
They knew exactly what was waiting for her tomorrow and Ann had spent weeks preparing for it and they knew without a doubt that it was going to be tough. But, now that Adam was here to handle any of the consequences, neither one of them had to worry about Ann and the future heirs of the kingdom.