Chapter 52 #2
I stand over her. “It is true. We did not kill him. His own false belief he could control such powerful magic did. He thought he deserved it simply because he wanted it. Everett was never meant to rule anything. Now you will be the only one that mourns him.”
She collapses to the ground, clawing at the stone floor, desperate for air but she doesn’t get to die today. Being reunited with her son would be too good for her.
Camarra deserves to sit in a dungeon with only the memories of her son and the knowledge she betrayed her court for nothing.
I reach out and touch the gold still tightly wound around her, loosening it just enough to keep her alive. She sobs, taking in huge gulps of air.
A shaking Leon is the first to stand, pressing a hand to his chest. His entire body glows for a moment.
“Nueena!” I scream at him. He rushes to Nueena’s side, the light in him fading. When he reaches her, he gently places his luminous touch on her shoulder, and I hold my breath.
Her eyes flash open, and oh, she is irate.
Leon quickly removes his hand. “You were struck by lightning. Give my magic a moment to heal any damage before handling Camarra. I’m going to help Tav now.”
She nods. Her bottom lip wobbles and she reaches for Tavien, her eyes focusing on her Zemra’s unconscious form nearby.
Leon slaps his hand into Tavien’s chest, his back lifting off the floor as the healing magic wakes him up.
Rage floods me. Camarra just tried to kill me.
Tried to kill all of us! After all Leon and I have gone through, how hard we have fought for our forever, and she tried to take that from me.
What it would have done to Leon if she had succeeded in her revenge, if she had killed me with the bond so fresh.
Fuck her and her son.
A furious Nueena appears at my side, and her magic encircles Camarra like a rope, painfully tying her arms down.
Leon pulls me back against his chest, enveloping me in his arms. His breaths coming in fast succession, hands digging into me, pulling me tighter to him.
The distress in our bond overwhelms me, just as strong as my relief that we are all okay.
Nueena raises her hands, and red sparks rise high in the air. The light explodes, letting any honeyguards in the area know they are needed immediately.
Tavien steps up, glaring at Camarra. His protective flames become a sheer blue sphere.
“Della, are you all right?” Nueena calls over her shoulder.
“Yes. Pretty tired of this family trying to kill me, though.”
“It won’t happen again,” Nueena says with a hiss, shoving at Camarra’s shoulder with one boot. She rolls over, glaring up at Nueena with all the hate she has in her heart.
Unphased by Camarra’s expression, Nueena smiles back, but her eyes are full of dark promises.
“You will spend every last moment of your miserable life rotting in the same conditions your son gleefully put Della in. You will have centuries to relive your and your family’s transgressions over and over again and I hope it eats you alive.
It won't kill you, though. No. You see—” She points to Leon.
“—we have a healer who can bring back the dead. So not even death will greet you and free you from your crimes.” She stands. “May time haunt you forever.”
Camarra glares at Nueena but more sobs follow once more.
Guards race up the stairs to assess the commotion, shocked to find their Realm Keeper has arrested the missing Guardian. Two of them roughly drag Camarra away after hearing she attempted to murder their new ruler.
“I will speak to the Court of Green leaders tomorrow. Now that their Guardian will need to stand trial, they will have to elect someone new.”
The fight has left me, and I lean against Leon, shaking.
With Camarra caught, can we finally have some rest? This must be the end to all the pain; after this, the nightmare is over. Time for Leon and me to finally have some quiet time together. For Nueena to have a peaceful rule.
“Let’s send this river to Adreania and have dinner in our chambers,” Nueena says, walking back to the edge of the reservoir. “And then we will plan a visit to the Court of Shells. I think we could all do with some rest.”
Tavien, Leon, and I agree, stepping up to the edge to witness what she is about to achieve.
Hope surges that Nueena can truly break the dam’s enchantments, free the Airvell River, and send that lifesaving water to Adreania. All the mortals will know that it is a gift to Lyrora.
An alliance between the fae and mortals.
Who could threaten her reign when the river they have desperately needed is theirs once again, thanks to her?
As if Nueena can hear my thoughts, she says, “My mother never had enough power to break Zarella’s protective wards around the river, though I’m sure she would have if she could.
My magic alone wasn’t strong enough either, but with the crown’s magic, I can give Adreania a fresh start.
The mortals can rebuild, and this will give them the best chance at that. ”
Livestock will be stronger, and crops will flourish. Now that they have a competent and compassionate queen, their needs met, and allies, Adreania will be a thriving kingdom once more.
Nueena rises above the water, her eyes glowing purple.
Her magic swirls around her, so powerful I can feel it against my skin like a caress.
She throws out her hands, a shock of power hitting the side of the dam.
A wave of magic crushes the ancient enchantment, blinding us with light for a moment, as Zarella’s punishment is broken.
If Zarella’s vengeful soul still lingers here, I hope she is finally free.
A large crack appears, letting the healing river water pour through the side, the waterfall rushing downstream through the Merawood Forest. The water fills up the dusty riverbed Nueena and I spent years riding along on my journey to Adreania.
Leon pulls me close to him, and we all watch the river descend towards the mortals.
Nueena floats down next to her Zemra, taking his hand. Tavien kisses her knuckles before saying, “We will let Lyrora’s adversaries know that if anything happens to her, the river will be taken back. Maybe the mortals will listen this time around.”
She nods, wrapping her arms around him.
Leon turns his focus to me. His hand comes up to stroke my cheek, concern in his green eyes and in our bond. “Are you all right? The past two weeks have been unfairly difficult for you, and I fear today added another source of pain. Can I do anything for you?”
“Camarra got what she deserved and now she will face the consequences for her crimes. Attacking our Realm Keeper? She will never see the outside of a dungeon again.”
Everything that has happened weighs heavily on me. I close my eyes but all I can see are my friends and Zemra on the reservoir’s stone floor.
Leon presses his forehead to mine. “You were incredible, using your magic to defend yourself like that.”
We stay like that for a moment, and I inhale his strong scent that makes me melt with each breath. We return to the palace and follow Nueena to the throne room, where her parents and court Guardians are dining, but Leon only grabs the wine off one of the tables, and then my hand.
“Nueena, it’s been a long day, and I need some alone time with my Zemra. Enjoy your evening.” He bows.
She laughs. “I will see you both later.”