Chapter 40 #2
She gasped with a mix of amazement and anticipation when she realized what was happening. The glimmering strip was his moonstone marker, the one he showed her on his ship after the crash. The one he explained would only bind to those guilty of a crime.
Please bind! Please bind! Please bind!
The room settled into a tense silence once more as all eyes focused on Mordrick’s wrist with keen intensity.
The shimmering strip encapsulated Mordrick's wrist, hardening into an unbreakable shackle.
Mordrick stared at his marked wrist in shock, his grey eyes widening, his jaw dropping. The look of utter disbelief twisting Mordrick's normally composed features, was the most satisfying sight she had ever beheld in her entire life.
“Mordrick Valentine Amberlene,” Reyne started to say, his lips tugging at the edges. “You have been hereby marked by the Ramachii for your many…and I do mean many, crimes against the people of Talear.”
Kendra released her breath, her shoulders relaxed, and she loosened her death grip on the chair, allowing blood to return to her almost numb fingers.
"Is that so?" Mordrick questioned once he regained his composure. He shifted his shoulder to crack his neck, spun his sword in a vertical arc, grabbed the hilt with both hands and advanced on Reyne.
Before he could execute his attack, two guards intervened with weapons drawn and stepped between them to shield Reyne. More guards rushed forward, positioning themselves behind Mordrick, surrounding him on all sides.
Murmurs circulated the room in a low buzz.
Captain Asher rushed forward, holding chains and two sets of heavy shackles, like the ones Kendra had seen forced on Reyne before he was dragged to the chamber of white sands and tortured.
“Captain, tell your guards to stand down,” Mordrick demanded with haughty arrogance.
“You know I can’t do that, Mordrick,” Asher pointed out. “You have been marked and found guilty. Taleari law demands that you be taken into custody until sentencing for your crimes.”
“I am your lord!” Mordrick bellowed. “I demand your men move aside. Now!”
“You may be our overlord, but you are not our king. We haven't had a king in centuries.” Asher’s loyal guards advanced, tightening the circle. “And only a king, one with royal blood, is above the law.”
Mordrick hesitated with a look of agitation but eventually released his sword in surrender. Asher secured his wrists and ankles, then bound them together with a short tether. Mordrick’s gaze narrowed on Reyne, his lips curling into a venomous sneer. “Well played, nephew. Well played.”
“I’m not finished yet.” Reyne flipped open his communicator. “Odin, blow the gates.”
“With pleasure,” Odin announced as he strode into the great hall, flanked by Garrett and Quinn. Even though they still looked like a frightening mess, bruised and beaten, dressed in rumpled Taleari uniforms, they were a sight for her sore eyes.
Kendra sagged in relief.
Odin held up a small device and pressed a red trigger.
A series of coordinated blasts shook the entire fortress, causing everyone to struggle to maintain their balance.
The sound of crumbling rock somewhere below was followed by the deafening roar of rushing water. The fortress continued to vibrate from the pressure of water escaping from a spring several floors beneath them.
Unable to wait a moment longer, Kendra rushed at Reyne and threw herself into his waiting arms and buried her head against his chest, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks.
Mordrick’s expression melted into confusion.
“The first event was your shield disintegrating,” Reyne clarified, his arms circling around Kendra’s waist. “The second was the water gates being blown to smithereens. A fitting end to your rule, wouldn't you agree?"
Kendra watched Odin approach Mordrick with a determined stride. “Your tyrannical reign of terror is over. The water has been restored to the people.”
"I should have known Reyne would free you," he sneered, sending a heated glare in Reyne’s direction. "Reyne is weak. Just like my sniveling brother."
Reyne stiffened in her arms, forcing her to hug him tighter.
Odin’s unrestrained punch landed on Mordrick's jaw, the sound of breaking bone filling the silence. “That’s for stealing Dante and Marleana’s child and then lying about their deaths. You killed them, not the rebels.”
Still smug, Mordrick’s swollen lips tugged at the edges. “You can’t prove that.”
“I don’t have to,” Odin pointed at the hardened shackle circling his wrist. “The moonstones already did.”
Out of nowhere, a figure from the Taleari side of the room rose to his feet. With a deliberate clearing of his throat, he drew the attention of everyone present. “Now what? Who is going to rule?”
Odin nodded towards Reyne. “He’s Mordrick’s nephew.”
Mordrick laughed, his chains clinking. "His blood is no more royal than mine.”
"That's not true," Kendra argued as she pulled away from the comfort of Reyne’s tight embrace. "The Taleari royal bloodline is alive and well, and I have proof."
“Proof?” Asked a different Taleari ambassador, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her. “What proof?” The weight of his gaze lingered, challenging her to substantiate her claims.
Kendra removed her necklace and held it up to ensure it was visible to everyone in the great hall. She stroked the moonstone. When it began to glow, she let her gaze sweep the room, meeting those watching her. “Does anyone here question my royal lineage?” She challenged them.
"No, my Queen," a Valerian responded while others beside him hurried to agree. "Moonstones don’t lie.”
Kendra waited until the moonstone returned to normal and thrust the orb into Reyne’s palm. “Show them,” she insisted, knowing what would happen when he caressed the stone.
Reyne tried to push it back to her, swearing under his breath. “I don’t want this.”
“Your people need you, Reyne.” Kendra thrust it back. “Please.”
“Show them.” Odin moved to their side and clasped Reyne’s shoulder. “Kendra is right, Reyne. Talear needs you.”
With lips compressed into a fine line, Reyne caressed the moonstone between his thumb and finger, and the orb gradually began to emit a soft, ethereal glow beneath his hesitant touch.
The revelation of the glowing moonstone sent a collective gasp rippling through the room. Some stared in disbelief, while others offered smiles. Yet, every face reflected expressions of awe as they recognized the moment’s importance.
“Perhaps worthiness to rule is not determined by blood,” Odin stated, gaining the room’s full attention.
“But rather the accumulation of one's deeds and the ability to lead with fairness and justice. It is possible that the moonstones have recognized Reyne as deserving of the Taleari crown, and what we are witnessing today is the beginning of a new lineage—a new royal bloodline.”
The orb's glow intensified, signaling the moonstone's unmistakable approval.
Kendra’s eyes burned with tears as she entwined her fingers with his. Reyne gave her hand a tight squeeze. Her gaze lifted and she found his beautiful eyes glistening, unshed tears clinging to his sooty lashes.
The room began to buzz with whispers and conversations as the tension dissipated.
Asher moved to stand before Reyne and ceremoniously dropped to one knee. “My oath belongs to you, my liege.” His fist pounded his heart.
Behind him, guards, Ramachii, nobles, commoners and slaves alike all followed suit, as one by one they knelt, leaving Odin and Mordrick as the only Taleari left standing.
Odin leveled his gaze on Reyne, then he crossed his fist over his chest to pound his heart and lowered himself to one knee. His voice rang out, clear and unwavering. “My oath belongs to you, my liege.”
Mordick's unexpected laugh echoed through the room. "This is absurd. Reyne is no king."
Refusing to allow one more of his nasty insults to pass, Kendra stalked over to Mordrick, balled her fist and landed a punch squarely against his stunned face.
“That’s for my missing pinky tip.” She pulled her arm back and struck him again, her fist hitting his nose this time with a satisfying crack. “And that’s for Quinn’s.”
She flicked her wrist to ease the pain in her knuckles.
Even clasped in chains, his face battered and bruised, Mordrick stood defiant, a slight curve to his swollen and bloody lips.
“Ah, Kendra, we could have been so good together.” He reached for her with his chained hands, but guards intervened, preventing him from touching her. “Your spirit is wasted on my nephew.”
She wanted to land another punch, instead she opened her palm and slapped him, adding a red handprint to his battered cheek.
She strode back to Reyne, whose gaze followed her with a mix of admiration and amusement.
He caressed her sore fingers before bringing each knuckle to his soft lips.
“Thank you, my love, I have been itching to do that for years.”
Kendra threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, needing the feel of his solid length against her. Reyne tightened their embrace while his lips seared hers, stealing her breath away.
Behind them, Asher cleared his throat. "Um…Reyne, I mean your highness, what shall Mordrick’s…I mean, the convict’s sentence be?"
Reyne’s face lit up with a wide grin. “For starters, ten hours in the chamber of white sand.”
Kendra observed movement on the Taleari side of the room. She caught sight of Magnius attempting to sneak out of the room. Reyne followed her gaze. “Him too.” Reyne pointed at the cowards retreating back. “I believe it is only fitting that Magnius share Mordrick’s fate.”
Before he could mount his escape, Garrett and Quinn intervened by blocking his path. Quinn tsked several times. “Not so fast, you odious little turd. Where do you think you're going?”