Chapter 50 #2
She closed her eyes, envisioning the lifeless gazes of those whose heads would stand as a stark warning.
Their severed heads would serve as symbols of what awaited anyone who dared to threaten her.
They were not only a threat to those who might challenge her but also a warning to the gods themselves—a reminder of what they would face if they ever dared to come for her.
It was a potent message, resonating not only in the divine realms but also across both the Fae and mortal realms.
With unwavering confidence, she knew that Jayce and Ilkiz would be her protectors, standing by her side through it all. It wasn’t just them; Xol, the twins, Zhal, Illyan—they would all be there, alongside Alyse and the crew.
While she yearned for that more than words could convey, she shook her head.
His strength didn’t waver; he watched her with the same determination in his eyes.
“I need you here, with me,” she sighed. “If we are to destroy our enemies, it will be together. I won’t send you, or anyone—” that includes you, Ilkiz, “to fight my battles. We will do this together; there is no other way.”
That handsome smile she loved crossed his lips, and with it, his expression relaxed.
“We will destroy them,” she said with confidence. “We.”
“We will,” his hand rested on her cheek as he placed his forehead against hers. “My girl, protecting an ancient Dragon, a Yuul, a very old Fae—will you ever let us protect you?”
She nodded, “You all safeguard what is most important to me, you protect what keeps my heart beating: Each other.” He kissed her again, and she was lost between him and the bed beneath her, his body engulfing her and claiming what was his.
While she could have stayed entangled in the sheets with Jayce indefinitely, she knew there were people she needed to see. She had asked him to call in Karver first, and then she would see Illyan and Zhal.
As the door opened, she stood from the bed and watched the dark, beautiful Fae saunter through.
Jayce crossed the room before she did, wrapping his arms around his brother in a near-death grip of a hug.
The sounds of their hands patting each other’s backs echoed through the room, and she smiled so widely that her eyes began to sting with the tears brimming in them.
Karver then pushed Jayce aside, “Alright that’s enough, let me see our girl.”
She laughed and ran to him, his arms wrapping around her waist and spinning her several times. Tears ran down her cheeks as she clung to his neck with such a grip, fearing he’d portal away and be gone again.
“Mmm! Mm, mm!” He hummed and held her tight. “That was torture, just so you know.” His voice felt like the Mother telling stories to her children. “I blame the overbearing one for keeping me away for so long.” She could hear Jayce groan.
“Do you know, anytime I talked to him, he would never ask how I was doing, but go straight to you? Sheesh—chopped liver here,” Jayce said playfully.
Karver put her down, moving her hair away from her face. “It’s good to see you and finally be back at your side.”
She released a laugh that intermingled with soft bouts of tears. “I’m so glad you’re home, Karver.” That made him smile wider, but it quickly turned to a scowl as her fist connected with his chest, and he winced. “That’s for lying to me though.”
“Ouch—” he rubbed the spot of impact, “Did you hit him? He made me keep the secret.”
She glanced over at Jayce, who raised his hands. “Please, I’m fragile, remember?”
Rolling her eyes, she returned her gaze to Karver, maintaining a smile.
He sighed and placed both of his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m so, so sorry—” her expression shifted.
“I had no idea what was going on. Jaakobai’s Magic is far stronger than my own, and I couldn’t even tell I was in his masking ward.
” He sighed, and she took a shaky breath.
“I wasn’t even aware they had your family.
The King must’ve been suspicious of me, and with Goddrick knowing who Jayce was, that is likely where it stemmed from. ”
She shook her head, “Don’t apologize, I know you would have done whatever you could if you knew. To be honest, I’m glad you stayed in the dark. It likely kept you safe.”
Seeing Jayce shake his head and step beside her, his arm coming across her shoulders. “Always protecting everyone, my goodness.”
Karver swatted him away, “Hey, it’s my time, back it up lover boy.” The three of them harmoniously laughed.
“Why don’t you two catch up,” she suggested, slipping away from the two of them.
“I need Illyan and Zhal—Karver, we can chat afterward—oh, also.” She looked between the two of them.
“Be nice to Xol, I swear it, or I’ll throw you both off this ship.
” The two of them laughed again, and as she was leaving, she saw them embrace once again.
They wouldn’t say it, but they missed one another more than they’d admit.
Closing the door behind her, several faces turned to her, none of which were Illyan and Zhal.
Putting her hand up to Carmen and Alyse, she shook her head, mouthing “after.” They both seemed to understand but gave her the biggest smiles and eyes that threatened tears.
Alyse, bless her, pointed toward the helm.
She moved quickly, the soft pitter-patter of her feet against the wood echoing behind her.
As she took the steps up, the all-too-familiar seven-foot-tall, ebony-skinned warrior stood with her hands crossed over her chest. The lanky, nearly the same height, pale Fae leaned over the ledge looking out to the vast sea.
They both looked exhausted, but they were alive.
That was what mattered more than anything.
With another step in their direction, Zhal turned her head with her normal stoic, uncaring expression. That was, until her eyes connected with hers. The pure shock that turned to actual tears in her eyes hit her like a rushing horse, causing her knees to weaken.
Her feet kept her in motion, closing the distance between them.
As she got closer, Illyan stood and turned as well.
The few feet between them were crossed with a charge, and she launched herself up and into Zhal’s arms. She gripped around her neck as though it were her own lifeline, holding on as if her very existence depended on it.
Zhal’s arms were tight around her waist, and as though forgetting her strength, she slightly loosened, likely fearful that she would injure her.
Illyan was there, their arms finding her hips and holding her from behind. When Zhal felt him, she lowered her, and they cocooned her between them. Her feet dangled, and she was once again reminded of her shortness compared to these two; and she loved it.
“Aza…” Zhal whispered against her, “I—”
Azahara put her hand up to the back of her head, brushing down her braided hair and cupping the back of her neck. “I know… gods, I know—I’m so sorry for ever leaving.”
“We missed you, so much. By the Mother, we missed you.” Illyan said through their tears. Feeling them tremble, she slowly released Zhal, and she conceded. Allowing her to turn then and embrace Illyan, who placed one hand on her head and the other behind her back.
Zhal took Illyan’s place behind her, arms wrapping around her waist and keeping herself close.
They stood like that, for several beats, allowing the moment to sink in, that they were finally back together after so many days apart.
They had so much to catch up on, and she wanted to know everything that happened, but for now, she only had one question that needed answering. ..
When she pulled away, they both took one of her hands, “When did Kaed…” She bit her lip, and swallowed back the lump that was forming, “When did he wake up?”
Illyan shook their head, “We have no idea. When they found us, Kaed was still in that frozen state. We were just as surprised when he walked out as you were.”
Zhal squeezed her hand, “We would have never left him.” Her words sent a chill down her back, and her eyebrows furrowed.
“I— I know, it’s okay.” Surprisingly, she didn’t begin to break down. While that pain in her heart still lingered, having them here with her kept the bleeding at bay. She shook her head and leaned back towards them both. They each wrapped their arms around her.
Illyan asked, “What now?”
With a resounding sigh, Azahara rested her head against Illyan’s chest, looking out at the deck where Jayce and Karver were stepping out of her quarters.
His eyes immediately found her and gave her a smile.
Around him, Xol, Alyse and the rest of the crew were gathering.
She could see Kaen, who had a few bumps and bruises, but alive thankfully, and Akua.
Everyone was alive.
They were heading back to Ilkiz now, nothing but the sea around them, running from the threat that would plague her for centuries if allowed.
Leaning back from them, she looked between their gazes.
“Rest,” she whispered, sensing the surge of power tingling between her fingertips and the raw energy coursing under her skin, “I fear our battle has only just begun.”