Chapter 44 #2
Tears streamed down my face as my body convulsed. “Never leave me again, Kade Blackthorn. Do you understand me? Never again.”
“Never again,” he vowed. “I swear it. Not even in death.”
Ian, Raya, and Storm instructed the Royal Guards who were left to take all those still loyal to Thames to a holding area.
Once his darkness exploded across the field, enough of his army yielded that our forces were able to secure victory.
The dark ones may have lost all the evil within them, but there were those few who refused to admit defeat.
Some fled, a fact I’m sure would be an issue later.
But for those we captured, we’d have to figure out what to do with them in the coming days.
Which included where we housed prisoners—Mount Legion or Ellevail?
A Fae lunged forward, hissing at me. “We’ll never pledge our loyalty to you.
” The guard wrapped his hands in vines so he couldn’t escape, but he still fought to free himself.
We were stronger, and he was vastly outnumbered.
It reminded me that just because we’d won the war, it didn’t mean everything would immediately become peaceful.
Ian and Storm dragged the man away, while Raya followed close behind. “Shut up or I’ll find a razorven to feed you to,” she threatened, flicking her hair over her shoulder before giving us a mischievous grin.
“Fates, I love when you’re feisty,” Ian groaned.
“And they thought we were bad.” I leaned toward Kade, still soaking in his presence after believing I’d lost him.
He snorted before nuzzling his nose against my neck. “We’ll have to step it up.”
Kade held my hand as we surveyed the land. Dead bodies littered the ground from both sides of the fight. Their deaths felt bloody on my hands. They were my citizens, my people. Even the dark ones. How many had turned because they felt they had no other choice?
I would never take for granted the sacrifice they made to fight for our world, but the longer I stared across the aftermath of our battle, the more the adrenaline pumping through me waned.
Kade leaned over. “Breathe, Illiana.”
I obeyed, inhaling deeply, allowing the crisp air to fill my lungs.
“Their lives were not lost in vain,” he said. “We will build a land all Fae will be proud to live in.”
I watched the Fae from both Brookmere and Mysthaven working together so seamlessly, I stopped being able to tell who came from which side of the void.
The injured were being attended to by those who had any healing abilities, while others collected weapons from the fallen.
I knew Kalliah and Leif were coordinating a final meal from our supplies and handling preparations for everyone to depart back to their homes.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught them in an embrace. I couldn’t help but smile, and walked toward them. Fates, they deserved to have a chance.
Jax stumbled forward from where he was helping pack up camp, rubbing at the blood-soaked bandages on his wrist. My stomach dropped when I saw what had happened during the battle.
I knew it had been unrealistic to think everyone would make it out unscathed, but Jax was vibrant, full of life.
How would he fight without a hand? How would he shift?
“He will relearn what he needs to and bounce back fine,” Kade whispered in my ear, kissing the side of my head.
I glanced up at him. “Can you read my thoughts now?”
He grinned. The sight took my breath away. “You wear your emotions on your sleeve. And”—he knocked his finger underneath my chin—“I know you.”
Leif pulled away from Kalliah and took purposeful strides toward Jax, putting his arm around his shoulder, steadying him.
Kalliah joined him, wrapping her arm around his waist to help support the shifter.
“Come on, let’s go find a healer to help clean you up.
I think you’ve let enough people go before you at this point. ”
Jax whimpered, “Wait, before we go…” He pouted. “Do you think you could love a cat with three paws?”
Kalliah jabbed his side. “For the last time, we are not in love.”
Leif ruffled Jax’s hair. “She’ll come around. Don’t worry.”
I didn’t miss the blush coloring Kalliah's cheeks as she glanced around and saw we were watching. I raised an eyebrow playfully, and her blush deepened before shaking her head and walking him toward the healer’s tent.
Those three would be trouble.
A group of Fae approached, ones that I recognized from our initial gathering at The Knotted Willow. “Your Majesty.” They lowered themselves in a bow, pausing before returning to their full height.
“Yes?” I stepped forward. “Are you injured? Do you need assistance?”
The Fae in front shook his head. “We await your orders. What shall we do now? Where do you need us to go?”
I smiled softly. “Your bravery is commendable, and I cannot personally thank you enough for fighting for Brookmere.”
“The honor was ours, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head again.
“Tend to your injuries, eat a good meal, and then return to your homes. Repair what has been broken. Rejoice with your loved ones. We are free from the evil plaguing our land. You deserve to celebrate our victory.”
The group of men bowed once more. “As Your Majesty commands it.”
They walked away, clapping each other on their backs. One of them even jumped into the air, hollering in excitement.
A line began to form as others followed the lead of the first group. One by one, those I’d battled beside thanked me for their victory.
I trembled, overcome with emotions knowing that what Kade said was right. This was the start of a new land. Nobles and lesser Fae stood together, waiting, talking among themselves, and working together to pack up camp and share a meal together.
Each time someone thanked me, I responded, “The victory is yours.”
Because none of this would have happened without Fae from the entire land answering the call.
Close to an hour passed as I stood with Kade by my side, greeting anyone who wished to speak to me.
We tensed when one Fae threw himself at my feet. “Throw me in the dungeon and toss away the key,” he cried. “I did not want to do it, but he threatened to kill my entire family if I didn’t allow his darkness inside of me. I do not deserve to live for what I did to our kingdom.”
I kneeled in front of him, as a few gasps came from the line behind him.
“Look me in the eyes, please.” I ensured his gaze met mine before I continued. “What happened to you was not your fault. You were forced into something you didn’t ask for.”
The man lowered his head, but I pressed a hand to his heart. “When the evil left you, you stayed. You fought. You braved the darkness, and I am proud to have battled this war beside you.”
He opened and closed his mouth, struggling to find words.
I held out my hand, standing with him. “Go return to your family. I’m sure they’re worried about you.”
Though he left visibly upset, his shoulders weren’t as slumped as they had been before.
Kade’s shadows whispered across my cheek and through my hair, begging me to turn to my mate.
“We love you.”
I couldn’t help but giggle—his shadows always were the most vocal with me, but as I let the little pieces of my light out, they wrapped together in complete harmony.
“We love you too. Let’s go home.”