Crowned (Santa Catalina University)

Chapter 39

The air is oppressive, thick with the weight of something inevitable. It presses down on my chest as I stand in the hallway, trying to ignore the shouting and hurried footsteps echoing through the palace. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out most of the noise.

“They’re moving faster than we thought.” Vance’s voice cuts through the tension as he strides towards me, his sharp features drawn tight with focus. His shirt clings to him, damp with sweat, and there’s a smear of dirt across his jaw. “The scouts underestimated their numbers.”

“How many?” My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

“Too many,” Reef says, appearing behind him. His hair is damp and slicked back, his shirt torn at the sleeve. “They’ve split their forces. One group is heading for the eastern entrance, the other circling towards the courtyard. They’ll hit us from both sides if we don’t hold them off.”

I grip the edge of the doorway, the cold stone grounding me. “What’s the plan?”

“Reef and Bhodi are taking teams to the gate and the courtyard,” Vance says, his tone brisk. “Cove’s in charge of evacuating the last of the civilians into the inner keep. Once the doors are sealed, we focus on holding the line.”

“And me?”

“You stay here,” Vance says firmly.

“No,” I shoot back, stepping closer to him. “I can’t just stand here while everyone else fights.”

“You can, and you will,” he says, his voice low but unyielding. “This isn’t about courage, Malia. It’s about survival. If they breach the palace, we need you safe. That’s non-negotiable.”

Reef leans against the wall, arms crossed. “He’s right. The Shadow Legion isn’t playing games. If they get their hands on you, it’s over. We’re not risking that.”

My jaw tightens, and I glare at him. “You’re risking yourselves.”

“That’s the job,” he replies with a shrug, though there’s no humour in his tone.

Before I can argue further, the sound of an explosion reverberates through the air, making the ground tremble beneath us. Shouts grow louder, panic rippling through the corridors.

Vance grabs my arm, his grip firm but not unkind. “Stay inside. Promise me, Malia.”

I swallow hard, my throat tight, and nod reluctantly. It’s the only way they’ll focus on the fight without worrying about me.

The palace feels like it’s holding its breath as I retreat to the inner sanctum. The shouts outside grow more distant, muffled by the thick walls, but I can still feel the tremors of each impact. My legs tremble as I pace the room, my hands shaking despite my efforts to steady them.

I glance at the radio on the table – a direct line to Vance and the others. It’s silent now, but the faint static feels like a lifeline. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to push away the images of what could be happening outside.

They’re out there, risking everything, and I’m in here, useless.

The tremors grow stronger, the sound of gunfire and shouted orders breaking through the walls. My stomach churns. I can’t just wait here, not knowing.

I dart to the door and push it open, the cool air of the hallway rushing over me. The corridors are empty now, everyone either locked in their quarters or out on the front lines. I move quickly, my footsteps light on the stone floors.

The eastern gate comes into view first, and what I see stops me in my tracks.

The Shadow Legion isn’t an army – they’re predators, moving with calculated precision. Their fighters wear black tactical gear, faces obscured by masks that only make them more menacing. Explosions light up the courtyard as their forces push forward, breaching the outer defences.

Reef is in the thick of it, moving like he’s done this a hundred times before. He’s quick and brutal, taking down anyone who gets close. Bhodi is holding the line near the gate, his sheer strength keeping them from advancing further. Cove is up on the walkway, barking orders to the defenders as they scramble to contain the breach.

I shouldn’t be here. I know that. But my feet carry me forward anyway, weaving through the rubble as I make my way towards the courtyard.

Cove spots me first, his face twisting in frustration as he leaps down to block my path. “Are you insane? What are you doing out here?”

“I couldn’t stay in there,” I say, my voice shaking. “I had to see?—”

“See what? Us getting killed?” he snaps, grabbing my arm. “Malia, you can’t be here. If they see you?—”

Another explosion cuts him off, and we both stumble as the ground shakes violently beneath us. The blast sends a cloud of smoke and debris into the air, obscuring everything.

When the dust clears, I see Reef running towards us, his expression grim. “They’re focusing on the gate. We’ve got maybe ten minutes before they push through.”

Cove curses under his breath, his grip on my arm tightening as he flags down a nearby guard. “Take her back. Now.”

I yank my arm free, my pulse pounding in my ears. “No. I’m staying.”

Reef glances between us, his jaw clenching, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, he tosses me a comm unit. “Stay behind the barricades. Don’t do anything stupid.”

I nod, slipping the device into my pocket as I move toward the nearest barricade, heart pounding as I duck behind the steel plating. The world around me is chaos – gunfire echoing through the air, shouts overlapping in a cacophony of desperation. Dust and smoke sting my eyes, but I force myself to focus. Every second feels like an eternity.

Reef and Cove disappear back into the fray, their forms vanishing behind the swarm of black-clad fighters pushing toward the gate. My breathing is shallow, my chest tight as I press my back against the barricade, trying to take it all in. The Shadow Legion isn’t just trying to breach the gate – they’re systematically dismantling everything in their path.

I can hear the sharp crack of Bhodi’s voice as he orders reinforcements, his commanding tone cutting through the chaos. My fingers itch to do something, anything, but I know that if I step out, I’ll be more of a liability than an asset. I’m not trained like they are. I’m not a soldier.

But I’m not powerless, either.

A scream cuts through the air, sharp and piercing. It takes me a second to realise it’s not coming from the fighters – it’s from somewhere behind the gate. My stomach drops as I realise what it means. Civilians.

Before I can stop myself, I’m moving again, darting between barricades toward the gate. I catch sight of Reef just as he takes down one of the Shadow Legion fighters, his blade catching the faint light as it slices through the air.

“Reef!” I shout, my voice cracking. He turns to me, his eyes narrowing.

“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice is sharp, but there’s a flicker of worry in his expression.

“There are people trapped by the gate,” I say quickly, pointing toward the sound of the screams. “We have to get them to safety.”

Reef hesitates for a fraction of a second, glancing over his shoulder at the growing swarm of fighters. Then he nods, his jaw tight. “Stay close to me.”

We move together, weaving through the chaos toward the edge of the gate. The smoke is thicker here, the air almost impossible to breathe, as the acrid smell of burning metal stings my nose. My pulse pounds in my ears, but I force myself to keep moving, one step at a time.

The screams grow louder as we reach the gate. A group of civilians is huddled against the wall, their faces pale and terrified. Among them are children, their small hands clutching at their parents’ clothes as they sob.

“Get them out,” Reef says, his voice low but urgent. “I’ll cover you.”

I nod, crouching low as I move toward the group. “Come on,” I say, keeping my voice as calm as I can. “We need to move. Now.”

A woman with a toddler in her arms looks up at me, her eyes wide and glassy. “We can’t?—”

“You can,” I cut her off, reaching for her free hand. “I’ll help you. Just trust me. We’re going into the palace. You’ll be safe there.”

She hesitates for a moment, then nods, her grip tightening on mine. One by one, I help the others to their feet, urging them toward the safest path back to the inner sanctum. Reef stands behind me, his stance protective as he fends off anyone who gets too close.

The last child is barely through the palace doors, when I hear a deafening crash. I turn just in time to see one of the Shadow Legion’s larger fighters barreling toward us, a wicked-looking blade gleaming in his hand.

“Malia, move!” Reef shouts, but I’m frozen, my legs locked in place as the figure closes the distance.

Before I can process what’s happening, Reef is there, shoving me out of the way as the fighter lunges. I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from my lungs.

“Stay down!” Reef snarls, his blade meeting the fighter’s in a clash of steel.

I scramble backward, my heart hammering as the two of them trade blows. Reef is quick, his movements fluid and calculated, but the fighter is relentless, his strikes heavy and brutal.

It feels like hours, but it’s only seconds before Reef manages to drive his blade into the fighter’s side. The man lets out a guttural cry, staggering backward before collapsing in a heap.

Reef turns to me, his chest heaving. “Are you okay?”

I nod, my throat too tight to speak. I froze. I did nothing. I didn’t even think to use magic.

“Good,” he says, offering me a hand. “Now get the hell out of here before I lose my mind.”

By the time I make it back to the sanctum, my body is trembling. My hands are scraped from the fall, and every muscle aches with exhaustion, but I can’t stop thinking about the look on Reef’s face. The raw determination, the anger, and something else – something unspoken.

Vance is waiting for me when I step through the doors, his arms crossed and his expression thunderous.

“What part of ‘stay here’ did you not understand?” he growls, striding toward me.

“I couldn’t just?—”

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” he cuts me off, his voice rising. “Do you have any idea what would’ve happened if they’d taken you?”

“I helped,” I snap back, my voice shaking with frustration. “There were people trapped, and I helped them.”

“You don’t understand what’s at stake!” His words are sharp, but they’re laced with fear.

I take a step back, my breath hitching. “I do understand,” I say quietly. “That’s why I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

The tension between us hangs heavy in the air, neither of us willing to back down. Finally, he exhales, his shoulders sagging as some of the fire leaves his eyes.

“Just…don’t do it again,” he says, his tone softer now. “Please.”

I nod, though I know the promise is an empty one.

Vance’s expression softens slightly, but his voice remains firm as he takes a step closer. “Malia, you’re not just protecting yourself anymore. It’s not just about you.”

I freeze, the truth of his words hitting me like a blow. My hands instinctively move to my stomach, my throat tightening. He doesn’t have to say it, but he does anyway, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “The triplets. They need you too.”

A wave of guilt crashes over me, sharp and unrelenting. I look away, blinking rapidly as my eyes begin to sting. “I know,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just…I couldn’t stand it. Sitting in here, not knowing if you were all okay…it was unbearable.”

His shoulders sag as he takes another step toward me, his gaze softening further. “I understand. Believe me, I do. But you have to think beyond the moment, Malia. Every risk you take out there puts all of us – puts them – in danger.”

My breath catches, and I press a hand to my mouth as tears well up, spilling over despite my best efforts to hold them back. “I hate this,” I choke out. “I feel so…so helpless. Just waiting, not knowing what’s happening. It’s unbearable.”

Vance sighs, stepping closer until his hands rest gently on my shoulders. His touch is firm, grounding, but there’s a warmth in it that makes the tight knot in my chest loosen just slightly. “You’re not helpless,” he says softly, tilting his head to catch my gaze. “I know it feels like that right now, but you’re not. And you’re not waiting, either.”

I sniff, shaking my head as more tears slip free. “It doesn’t feel that way. You’re all out there, fighting, risking everything, and I’m just standing here – useless.”

“You’re not useless, Malia,” he says firmly, his fingers squeezing my shoulders. “Do you know what’s happening right now? The wounded soldiers are being brought into the palace. The citizens are being sheltered inside the walls of the great hall. They’re scared, they’re injured, and they need someone to take charge. Someone to organise them. Someone they can look to when everything feels like it’s falling apart.”

I blink, his words slowly sinking in. “You’re saying I…I could help with that?”

“You could lead it,” he says, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “The healers are already spread too thin, and the guards can’t handle everything. They need someone who can coordinate. Someone who knows what it means to care about them. That’s you, Malia.”

A flicker of purpose ignites in my chest, dim but steady. “I can do that,” I whisper, more to myself than him. “I can do that.”

Vance nods, his hands slipping from my shoulders to take mine in his. “I know you can. And if anyone can show them strength, it’s you.”

I take a shaky breath, the guilt and helplessness easing just enough to make room for determination. I squeeze his hands, meeting his gaze with more certainty than I’ve felt all day. “I won’t let you down. I promise.”

“You won’t,” he says softly, his lips curving into a small, reassuring smile.

Before I can think twice, I lean forward and press a quick kiss to his lips, the brief contact enough to steady me even more. “Thank you,” I murmur.

“Always,” he replies, his voice low but certain.

I pull away, squaring my shoulders as I wipe the tears from my cheeks. There’s no time to wallow anymore. I dart toward the door, my mind already racing with plans.

The lower halls of the palace are a frenzy of activity. Wounded soldiers are being carried in on stretchers, their blood staining the stone floors as healers work frantically to stabilise them. Frightened civilians huddle together in the corners, their wide eyes darting around as if the walls themselves might collapse at any moment.

I step into the chaos, raising my voice over the din. “Listen up!”

Heads turn, the noise dulling as people look toward me. My heart pounds, but I keep my voice steady. “We’re going to get organised. Healers, I need you to tell me what supplies you’re short on. Able-bodied citizens, if you can move, I need you to fetch whatever they need – bandages, water, anything they ask for. We’re not leaving anyone behind, but we need to work together.”

The healers exchange glances before one of them steps forward, her face streaked with sweat and exhaustion. “We need more clean linens and water. And we’re low on salves.”

I nod sharply, turning to the civilians. “You heard her. Split into groups. Some of you go to the storage rooms – look for anything that can be used as bandages. Others head for the kitchens for water. Move quickly!”

There’s a moment of hesitation before they start to scatter, their fear replaced with purpose as they rush to follow my orders.

I step closer to the healers, crouching beside a young man whose leg is wrapped in a bloodied makeshift tourniquet. His face is pale, his breathing shallow. “What do you need?” I ask the healer working on him.

“Pressure,” she says without looking up, her hands slick with blood.

I press down where she directs, ignoring the warmth of the blood seeping through the cloth. The soldier groans, his body twitching, and I murmur soft reassurances, my voice steady even as my hands shake.

“You’re doing good,” I tell him, my gaze flicking to his face. “We’ve got you.”

As the hours stretch on, the chaos begins to settle. Supplies are gathered, wounds are treated, and the civilians start to move with purpose instead of fear. I move through the halls, directing people where they’re needed, checking on the injured, and offering words of encouragement where I can.

By the time the fighting outside finally quiets, I’m exhausted, every muscle in my body aching. But the sight of the once-panicked crowd, now working together, fills me with something I haven’t felt in a long time: hope.

Vance steps into the room, his presence filling the space, even as the clatter of distant voices and the murmur of movement outside continue. The air feels heavy, thick with the remnants of chaos, but there’s something grounding about him being here, something that steadies the tremors in my chest.

He moves closer, his boots echoing softly on the stone floor. I don’t need to say anything. The weight of the day hangs between us, unspoken, yet understood. His eyes linger on me for a beat longer than necessary, searching for something in my expression.

“You’ve held this place together,” he says, his voice low, but firm. “Not just physically, but emotionally. You’ve given them hope. You’ve given me hope.”

I give a small shake of my head, trying to brush off the praise. “I just did what needed to be done.”

Vance takes another step forward, his hand reaching out to gently touch my shoulder, the gesture both tender and grounding. “And you did it well. I’ve never seen anyone handle a crisis like that. You’re more than just a queen. You’re a leader.”

His words hang in the air between us, a mixture of admiration and something deeper, something I haven’t fully allowed myself to acknowledge. My heart stutters in my chest, and for a moment, I think I might collapse from sheer exhaustion, but his hand on my shoulder keeps me steady.

“You should rest,” he adds, his voice softer now, a quiet concern threaded through it.

I glance at the door, knowing there’s still so much left to do. But my body feels like it’s shutting down without my permission. The energy I’ve been running on all day has evaporated, and the thought of collapsing in bed, with nothing more to do but sleep, is almost too much to bear. Almost.

“I will. Just…not yet,” I murmur, my gaze flicking back to the injured being cared for in the next room, the work still left undone.

Vance’s eyes follow my gaze, his expression softening. “You’ve done enough. And when the time comes, I’ll be right here. No more fighting. Just…rest.”

His words settle over me, a promise, a reassurance. For the first time all day, I let myself lean into the moment, just a little. It’s not much, but it’s enough. Enough to let me know that, maybe – just maybe – I won’t have to carry all of this weight alone.

Vance doesn’t move, just stands there, watching over me with a quiet intensity. And for the first time since this battle began, I allow myself to breathe.

The stillness between us stretches on, and I can feel the weight of Vance’s gaze on me, his silent presence grounding me in the aftermath of the chaos. My hands, which had been steady as I helped others, now shake slightly at my sides, the adrenaline finally starting to drain from my body.

Vance steps closer, his presence a steady force beside me. Without a word, he reaches for my hand, his fingers warm against my cold skin. It’s simple, this gesture, but it feels like everything.

“You need to rest,” he says, his voice soft yet commanding, the concern in it undeniable. “The battle may be over, but you’re not invincible, Malia. You need to take care of yourself.”

I glance up at him, meeting his gaze for a beat longer than usual. He’s right, of course. But I can’t quite let go just yet. There’s too much left unsaid, too much I don’t know.

“Vance,” I say, my voice rough from hours of directing people and offering reassurance. “How did the battle go? Are the others okay?” I can feel my pulse quicken, the unease creeping back into my chest. “Where are they? What happens next?”

His expression softens at my question, and he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “The battle’s over for now. We held the line. The reinforcements are here, and the perimeter’s secure. But there were some casualties,” he adds, his voice lowering. “Not all of them are as lucky as we were.”

I swallow hard, the weight of his words pressing on my chest like a stone. I can’t allow myself to dwell on it. Not yet.

“But the others? Are they?—?”

“They’re safe,” he interrupts, his voice firm with certainty. “Everyone is accounted for. The ones who were injured are being treated. They’ll be alright.”

The relief floods me, though it comes with an ache in my chest. The thought of all those who’d fought beside us, those who had suffered, is never far from my mind. But for now, I’ll cling to the knowledge that we’ve made it through.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the present. “What happens next?” I ask, my voice quieter now, the exhaustion threatening to pull me under. “What’s the plan?”

Vance’s eyes flicker with something unreadable before he answers. “Next, we regroup. We’ve got to assess the damage, make sure we’ve got enough supplies for everyone. There’s still a lot of work to do, Malia. We can’t let our guard down yet. But for now, you need rest.”

I want to argue, to insist that I’m needed out there, that there’s more to be done. But the exhaustion is overwhelming, and I know that he’s right. If I don’t rest, I won’t be able to help anyone. I won’t be able to help us.

I nod, too tired to speak any more, and let him guide me gently toward a nearby cot. As I lower myself onto it, the soft mattress feels like a luxury I never thought I’d appreciate. Vance pulls the blanket over me, his touch gentle but firm, as if he’s unwilling to let go of this fragile peace.

“You’ve earned this,” he murmurs, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “And when you wake up, we’ll handle the rest together. One step at a time.”

I close my eyes at his words, the quiet promise in them soothing some of the rawness I’ve been holding inside all day. There’s still so much left to do, still battles to fight, but for now, I finally allow myself to rest.

And in that moment, the tension in my body starts to ease, even if only slightly. With Vance beside me, the weight of the world doesn’t feel as heavy. It feels like, maybe for the first time in a long time, I don’t have to carry it all alone.

I let myself smile just a little, despite the exhaustion still pulling at me. Maybe – just maybe – there’s still hope, still something worth fighting for, even after all of this.