The war council convened within hours of the messenger's arrival.
The festival continued outside, but inside the castle, we were planning for battle.
"Blackwater has been building toward this for months," Theron reported, spreading maps across the table. "They've been quietly positioning forces. Stockpiling supplies. This invasion was planned, not impulsive."
"Why now? What made them think this was the right time to invade?"
"You lost your curse. That information spread beyond our borders. Blackwater's king sees opportunity while Shadowmere's queen is powerless."
"I'm not powerless. I'm just not a curse bearer anymore. There's a difference."
"To them, it's the same thing. You built your reputation on defeating Daemon in combat. On having shadow magic. Without that, they think you're vulnerable."
"Then we prove them wrong. Show them that Shadowmere's strength comes from more than one person's magic."
