Chapter 19 Zara
Zara
It’s been a few hours since Kaia and Solace arrived, the magic in the castle swirling with their new signatures, whispers demanding to know who these newcomers are.
However, I’m not ready to announce that just yet.
I know our time is running out and that Elara said tonight was the cut off but we need more time.
I stand near the window, watching the pair on the bed with a feeling of immense pride swelling in my chest. This is what we've been waiting for.
Not just the Omega, though Kaia is everything the prophecy promised and more.
But seeing that fierce warrior curled protectively around her, seeing the way Solace holds her like she's the most precious thing in existence, it means everything.
I thought it would just be our Omega arriving alone, vulnerable and in need of protection. I never imagined she'd come with her own guardian, someone who loves her enough to follow her into the Shadowlands despite every instinct screaming that it's suicide.
However, bringing Kaia through the Shadowlands was reckless beyond measure.
The fact that they survived at all speaks to either incredible luck or the magic working overtime to ensure they arrived safely.
Most who enter those lands don't come out, and those who do are forever changed by what they've seen.
Yet here these two are, battered and exhausted but whole.
Alessia has all but crawled up onto the other side of Kaia, and I can see the joy radiating from every line of her body. She's grinning like she's been given the greatest gift imaginable as she plays with Kaia's dark curls, running her fingers through them with obvious delight.
Then she leans down to press gentle kisses along Kaia's shoulders and I can't help but laugh when she looks up at me. Her cheeks are pink with pleasure and excitement, her eyes bright with happiness I haven't seen in decades.
"Let her sleep, Alessia," I say, keeping my voice gentle despite the amusement coloring it. "Let them both sleep. I can't imagine that kind of journey was easy on either of them."
Solace sits up slightly at my words, carefully extracting herself from where she's been holding Kaia.
She looks at me with those guarded eyes, still not entirely trusting but willing to listen.
There's intelligence there and I find myself once again intrigued by this Beta who managed to guide an Omega in pre-heat through the most dangerous territory in the region.
"I'd like to speak with you," I say, keeping my tone neutral. "If you're willing."
Solace nods slowly, then leans down to kiss Kaia.
The gesture is tender and intimate, full of unspoken emotion.
Kaia wakes slowly at the touch, her eyes fluttering open with a sleepy smile that transforms her entire face.
For a moment, her expression is unguarded, free of whatever burdens she's been carrying.
"I can feel that we're safe here," Solace murmurs against Kaia's hair. "And these are your Alphas. I can feel that in my bones, princess."
"Why do you say that like you're leaving?" Kaia's voice sharpens with sudden fear, her hand grasping at Solace's arm.
"I'm just going to speak with the queen," Solace says soothingly, stroking Kaia's cheek. "Let Alessia hold you, okay? I'll be right outside."
Kaia frowns, clearly unhappy with this arrangement. "Sol—"
"You still have me," Solace interrupts. "I'm not going anywhere, not really. It's okay, I promise."
I watch the exchange with interest, noting the way Kaia responds to Solace's reassurance, how the Beta knows exactly what to say to ease the Omega's anxiety.
This is a bond built over years, strengthened by trust and genuine care.
It's beautiful in its own way, and I find myself grateful that our Omega didn't come to us alone and unloved.
Solace slides off the bed carefully, and I gesture toward the door.
We step out into the corridor, leaving Alessia to comfort Kaia.
The moment the door closes behind us, I can feel Solace's demeanor shift.
She's no longer the tender caretaker but the warrior, all sharp edges and defensive posturing.
"Walk with me," I suggest, starting down the hallway. "I find it easier to have difficult conversations when I'm moving."
She falls into step beside me, her hand resting near her weapon out of habit.
We walk in silence for a moment, our footsteps echoing off the marble floors.
The morning light streams through the tall windows, illuminating the tapestries that line the walls.
I see her eyes tracking them, taking in the scenes of dragons in flight, the intricate details that speak of centuries of craftsmanship.
"We need to discuss logistics," I begin, keeping my voice neutral. "And what happens next. I imagine you have concerns about how this all unfolds."
"At the very least, I must return to Valoria to explain the situation," Solace says immediately, her voice tight with tension.
"I wasn't expecting to stay here, and I most definitely can't leave Kaia here alone.
She's the heir to the next kingdom. I can only imagine they're looking for her by now.
I don't even know how no one has come looking for her yet or stopped us along the way.
We've heard nothing about a missing princess, either on our journey or here. "
"I haven't heard anything either," I admit, considering the implications.
"But most people don't get through that small winding road through the mountain pass.
It's protected by magic, by wards that have been in place for centuries.
Most who attempt it either turn back or try to attack the younglings that like to fly through there as they train their battle armor.
The fact that you made it through speaks to how badly the magic wanted you here. "
Solace is quiet for a moment, processing this. Then she asks, "What happens to them? The warriors who come here, I mean. Most of the ones who make it back to Valoria are burned and wounded, telling tales of vicious dragon attacks. Are those tales true?"
I snort before fixing my expression. "If you're looking for an admission of guilt, you won't find one.
When we're in battle mode, the heat from our scales alone is enough to destroy our surroundings.
Trees catch fire, the ground scorches beneath our feet.
But wounding others is a last resort, something we do only when attacked first. A few have been burnt because they attacked us without provocation, but they don't get very far.
Few ever reach the castle itself. Those are usually the ones that end up dead before they ever leave Embrath. "
"All to protect the secret that you exist?" Solace asks, her voice carrying an edge I can't quite identify.
"No," I correct firmly, stopping to face her fully.
"To protect our peace. We want nothing more than peace and treaties and the ability to work together with other kingdoms. But somewhere along the way, we became mindless beasts in your stories.
Treasures to be had, monsters to be slain for glory and riches. And as you can see, we are not that."
Solace looks around at the beauty of the castle, her eyes tracking the soaring ceilings, the intricate stonework, the way the light seems to emanate from the very walls themselves.
This is years of work, maybe centuries worth, built with care and artistry that speaks of a civilization, not savagery.
Her expression shifts slightly, something like understanding dawning in her eyes.
"No, you definitely are not," she agrees quietly. She huffs out a small breath, running a hand through her hair in a gesture that speaks of exhaustion. "What happens now?"
"I get to know the warrior that brought our Omega to us," I say simply, starting to walk again. She follows, and I can sense her confusion at my answer. "You intrigue me, Solace. You've intrigued me since I first watched you ride through our gates with Kaia in your arms."
"I was just protecting her," Solace says, as if it's that simple. "That's my job. That's always been my job."
"Most guards would have hindered that journey," I point out, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.
"Most would have kept her safe at home, locked in the castle where she couldn't get into danger.
But I can see it in your eyes how much you love her, and also how much you want to see her succeed.
I can only imagine what kind of strength it takes to fall in love with the one person you can't have. "
Solace gasps slightly, her steps faltering. I've hit a nerve, exposed something she thought was hidden. When I stop and turn to face her fully, I can see the vulnerability in her expression, quickly masked but not fast enough.
"How did you—" she starts, then stops, unable to finish the question.
"It's written all over you," I say gently, stepping closer.
"The way you look at her, the way you touch her, the way you'd burn down the world to keep her safe.
That's not just duty or friendship. That's love, all-consuming love.
And yet you brought her here, knowing that the prophecy spoke of Alphas for her.
Knowing that finding her mates might mean losing her to them. "
"She deserves to be happy," Solace says, her voice rough with emotion. "Even if that happiness doesn't include me the way I want it to. Her freedom, her choice, that matters more than what I want."
The selflessness in that statement makes my chest ache. This Beta loves our Omega enough to step aside, to give her up if that's what would make Kaia happy. That kind of love is rare, precious, and it only makes me want her more. Want them both more, if I'm being honest with myself.