Chapter 24 Briar #2
"Surrender now, and you may be shown mercy!" My voice rang through the halls. "Your false king is defeated. Drop your weapons!" Wolves, spare anyone who surrenders.
Several guards immediately dropped their swords, the clatter of metal against marble rippling across the hall. Others hesitated, looking between me and the pinned Colm, uncertainty written across their faces.
I rushed to Vad and pressed the dagger into his hand. His fingers closed around the hilt, our skin touching for just a moment, creating the buzz on contact between us again.
Strength and resolve flowed between us, and Vad linked, Thank you, beloved.
He adjusted his grip on the dagger, then looked down at Colm. A muscle worked in his jaw as Colm stared back at him, unrepentant and defiant. “Now it’s full circle.” Vad plunged the dagger into Colm’s heart and then ripped it out.
Colm went limp as his blood spurted.
Vad remained leaning over him, his own chest rising and falling, the dagger gripped in his hand. Relief and rage warred down the bond.
I moved closer to my mate, reaching for him. “Vad?”
He stepped back from the altar, dropped the dagger, and pulled me into his arms, his wings folding around us both in a protective cocoon.
I melted against him, feeling the heart that had only minutes before been beating so weakly thundering against mine.
Our bond hummed with relief, grief, and triumph all tangled together.
"It's over," he whispered against my hair. "It's finally over, my beloved."
I nodded against his chest, unable to find words as my adrenaline began to ebb, leaving me shaky and drained and incredibly happy. My wings settled against my back, and I pressed closer to him, breathing in his scent. The scent of home.
Then my heart dropped. I wasn’t sure if the others were safe. Ember and Ryker, the fight is over up here. Are you two all right?
We’ve freed all the prisoners, Ryker responded.
We’re almost there. Quen and Elias are staying with the children, Ember replied, her connection warm and familiar in my mind. The children and babies are safe.
I hadn’t been too concerned since I could feel both their links in my chest once more, but hearing them brought me relief.
In the main seating area, the remaining guards dropped to their knees and laid down their weapons with metallic clatters that echoed through the hall.
The shadow wolves prowled around them, crimson eyes watchful but no longer threatening.
Some of the guards pressed their foreheads to the cold marble floor, while others simply knelt with their heads bowed, awaiting judgment.
Rhielle was already binding Veralt’s arm while he fussed over her. Thalen held Myantha close, his eyes closed.
The great doors at the far end of the Ceremonial Hall suddenly lurched open with a grinding creak. The wolves nearest the entrance tensed, hackles rising.
Wait, I linked to them.
Captain Finbar staggered through the doorway, blood matting his hair and streaking his face. His uniform hung in tatters, and he leaned heavily on his sword. Behind him, a small contingent of loyal guards followed, equally battered and grim-faced.
“Your Majesties," he called, his voice rough with exhaustion. "I apologize for the delay. We were ambushed at every access point." He winced as he tried to straighten, his hand pressing against his side. "The traitorous bastards knew our route. We had a mole, but we’ve dealt with him."
Vad turned toward Finbar, one arm still wrapped protectively around my waist. "Captain, your timing is..." He glanced at Colm's body, then back to Finbar with the ghost of a smile. "Well, we managed. I’m glad you dealt with the mole."
Thalen limped over to us, one arm draped around Myantha's shoulders for support. Despite the blood caked in his silver-white hair and the deep gash across his forehead, his amber eyes sparkled with their usual mischief. “Barely. But we’re glad you could join us. As you can see, we’ve been having a wonderful celebration.
It’s almost time for dancing and refreshments.
I hope you remembered to bring an appropriate gift for your host.”
Captain Finbar laughed and dipped his head forward. “I have brought him the blood of his enemies.” He spread his arms and then bowed more formally.
“And it is a greatly appreciated gift.” The fact that we were having a conversation like this in the midst of all the death and destruction was surreal.
And yet, a smile spread across my face. “Take Colm’s soldiers into custody.
We will determine what is to be done with them on a case-by-case basis. The prisoners will be here soon.”
Vad nodded and raised a brow. “As for the rest of you, please remain for a short time longer. The hospitality of the Shadow Kingdom will be at your service. It's time to put the venom Colm spewed to rest for good.”
I picked up the merlinite orb and slid it into Vad’s hand. The smile he gave me warmed me through.
My heart sank when I saw Kaylen's still form sprawled across the marble floor, her body bloody and motionless. Despite everything she'd done, in that final moment, she'd chosen to fight for us rather than save herself.
"She was a horrible person throughout the trials," I said softly. "But in the end, she did something amazing and selfless."
Vad squeezed my hand, his expression solemn. “Yes. And we will honor her sacrifice properly."
We just got here, Ember linked.
I wanted to cry with relief, and I nearly did when the doors opened and my sister and Ryker entered the Ceremonial Hall, followed by Silus, Vyraetos, Many-Greats, Siray, and the kings and queens and various council members. They limped in, most looking like ghosts.
But where was Elara?
Surprise filtered through our bond, and Vad’s eyes widened. “Elara?”
Following his gaze, I realized that I hadn’t recognized her.
She looked the same, but exceedingly more vibrant.
She walked down the center aisle toward us, hand resting in the crook of Silus’s arm with all dignity, as if this were a grand ball.
She looked completely healed, her dark hair full and rich, her dark-blue eyes bright and aware, her wings dark with shadows.
“It’s not a glamour.” She beamed. “When the magic came back, I became well in a moment.”
Vad released me and pulled her into a hug.
Refusing to be left behind, I wrapped my arms around both of them.
Each snaked an arm around me in return. Tears pricked my eyes, the moment better than I’d ever dared to imagine.
There was so much we needed to talk about as a family once we’d sorted things out with the royals and dealt with Colm’s attempt to remake Nytharia.
It took several minutes to explain all that had happened and what Colm’s actual purpose had been, as well as his lies.
The guests whom Colm had brought to serve as his new court and legitimize his rule were horrified at the revelations, especially in learning of his cruelty to the royal families.
The corruption of the Aureline Council troubled all.
As they spoke, Ember moved through the crowd and healed the worst of the injuries.
Each time, her shoulders drooped a little more, her magic drained by every encounter.
“Something must be done to prevent this from happening again,” the Ignis Fae king said, arms folded over his broad chest and fingers drumming on his arm.
His square jaw tensed. Despite his red silk robe being tattered and filthy, the crimson dragon woven into its fabric glistened in the light of the oil lamps.
“Having oversight into the entirety of Nytharia is non-negotiable. Someone must look at the greater picture, including those who are outsiders as well. We cannot move forward with the Aureline Council as it was.”
The Ignis Fae queen nodded in agreement as she fidgeted with her equally tattered dress. “I agree. This can never be permitted to happen again.”
Siray placed a hand on her uncle’s arm. “I agree, and I have a proposal to make.
“What I have seen in my time here is that the care of the realm must be managed. Some of us are far too concerned only with things that affect ourselves, and there are a great many evils that we can perform in the interests of those we love.
“We need rulers who can understand the larger matters and influence the kingdoms to settle disputes.
In my time here, I have come to know Queen Briar, and while she and I did not always see eye to eye, she showed me that she is a person of compassion, wisdom, and discernment. King Vad has likewise proven himself.
“I propose that they be named High King and High Queen of Nytharia, to serve in place of the Aureline Council. They may work with the Aurelines and root out those whose intentions are bad. But in the end, they will serve as the final decision makers and protectors of our realm. I trust both of them in that. They could have taken advantage of this situation to claim that they should rule all our kingdoms, but instead, they risked their lives to protect us all.”
The royals exchanged looks, their soft whispers rising as they spoke among themselves.
A chill ran down my spine. I didn’t want a position like that. I wasn’t worthy.
Vad’s hand found mine, and he pushed his confidence into me. “We did what was right. The Shadow Kingdom has no desire to take the territory of any other kingdom, or to harm any of the royals or their people.”
A man in midnight blue with the Terran insignia on his sleeves stepped forward.
“Fate herself sent her guardians. They blessed the king and queen already, and then they defeated the man who intended to destroy our rulers and reshape our world in his image. All of our Guardian Beasts came to favor them. Surely that means something.”