Chapter 40 #3
Magnius tried to slither past them, but Garrett cuffed his ear, holding him in an unyielding grasp until several guards arrived to take him into custody.
Magnius fell to his knees, pleading. “Please Reyne, my lord, er, I mean your highness. I only did what was asked. I beg of you, spare me and I will serve you loyally.”
Reyne glared at Mordrick's lapdog, “Your pathetic attempt at leniency is sickening.” He turned to Asher. “After they have recovered from the chamber, have them both escorted to the penal barge Rhygarion Three, where they will serve life sentences for their crimes against the people of Talear.”
Asher's guards tightened their grip on Mordrick’s chains and began to escort him from the hall, the clinking of the metal links echoing through the vast room.
“You haven’t heard the last of me, Reyne.” Mordrick sneered as the doors were thrown open. “You will be overthrown in no time, and I will return.”
“We shall see.” Reyne turned to Asher. “Please remove their clothes first.”
Asher nodded with a sly, knowing grin.
Once Mordrick and his horrid advisor were out of sight, conversations erupted among nobles and commoners alike, all speculating about the future of Talear under Reyne’s new rule.
"Well, if I am to be a king, I suppose I will need a queen," he remarked with an exaggerated sigh that was so prolonged it could rival Quinn's theatrics.
“You suppose?” She questioned with a raised brow, her lips twitching with mirth.
Reyne dropped to one knee and pressed his lips to her knuckles while his gaze locked on hers. “Kendra, I love you with all my heart. You are the light to my darkness. King or not, my life going forward would be meaningless without you by my side. Will you marry me and become my queen?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she responded with a choked sob. “Yes, of course I'll marry you. I love you, Reyne.”
He rose, palmed her cheeks with both hands and wiped away her tears of joy with his thumbs, then kissed her again.
A soft chant coming from the glowing moonstone interrupted their embrace.
Kendra pulled back and looked at Reyne with a knowing laugh. “Oh my. I guess this means we are going to be memorialized by the keepers again.”
“Hopefully, those meddlesome grobets have learned how to draw.”
Kendra chuckled with amusement. “Are you seriously still salty over that image?”
Reyne smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Yes, I told you. I’m a stickler for details."
Odin cleared his throat and addressed the Valerian lords who were watching the scene with a mix of awe and relief. “Does anyone present have objections to a marriage between Reyne and Kendra?”
The Valerian’s conferred together in hushed voices. Ambassador Marekum spoke up. “I speak on behalf of all of us here: Valeria has no objections to this marriage.”
Kendra caught Reyne glancing at a beautiful woman with long dark hair who had been among those to kneel before him. The question she almost asked died on her tongue when Reyne spoke.
“Lena, you are free. From this day forward, everyone is free. There will be no more slaves on Talear.”
“Thank you, my king,” Lena said with a shy smile, before hurrying to Quinn and embracing him in a tight squeeze. “I’m so glad you are alright.”
Quinn held up his left hand and wiggled his stump. “Just missing half a pinky finger.”
“Oh no, you poor thing. I believe that needs tending to.” She kissed his mangled knuckle, then folded into his embrace.
“See, I told you I was irresistible,” Quinn said to Garrett before he feathered several kisses on Lena’s cheek. “You can now apologize for doubting my prowess.”
“Apologize?” Garrett rolled his eyes in disbelief. “Fuck off, Quinn.”
The heated look Odin flashed them spoke of death by strangulation.
Kendra tried to stifle a laugh as she squeezed Reyne’s hand.
Some things would just never change.
“Since you look so good in uniform, and you already have the implant, you are welcome to take my place as a hunter for the Order of Ramachii,” Reyne offered.
"No thanks. But we can discuss that later," Odin replied. "For now, let's celebrate this momentous occasion.” He snatched up Mordrick’s chalice and leapt on top of the table. He held the wine in the air. “To Reyne and Kendra.”
“Hear, hear!" someone called out.
“And to the healing of our realms.”
"Hear, hear!" Glasses clinked as everyone raised their cups in a toast, their faces glowing with joy and contentment. Musicians grabbed their instruments and struck up a lively tune. Servants eagerly refilled drinks. The dancers returned and coaxed the ambassadors and lords into joining them.
Kendra squealed as Reyne swept her off her feet and spun her in a playful circle.
His lips brushed her throat as he whispered in a low, raspy voice that sent a shiver through her.
“You look so beautiful right now. I want to toss you over my shoulder and take you to my bed. I have so many wicked things I want to do to you.”
She met his heated gaze as she slid down his body. “More wicked?”
“Oh yes, what we shared was just a mere taste.” He leaned down and whispered some very explicit and shocking things into her ear.
Kendra’s deep blush reached her toes.
Reyne and Kendra eventually slipped away while the celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and stories of past adventures carried on into the night. The bond between the Valerians and Taleari grew stronger, as both realms embraced the promise of a shared future.
From his vantage point below the fortress, Kildar and the townsfolk of Mombassa stood outside in amazement as water, clear and pure, burst forth from the fortress. The unleashed gush was so powerful that water billowed high into the sky, then fell like rain over the dunes.
At that moment, the desert seemed to come alive.
The water continued to cascade down the smooth slope, its roar a symphony of renewed life.
The dry riverbed that had been a scar across the desert's face began to transform.
The parched earth drank deeply, and the first hints of green began to emerge, timid yet hopeful.
The air, heavy with the scent of damp soil, carried the promise of new beginnings.
Kildar leaned on his cane, smiling with satisfaction as the cool mist caressed his wrinkled face. He glanced at the fortress, to the veranda above, where a man and woman stood hand in hand. Although he couldn't see their faces, he knew they felt immense pride and joy.
This water symbolized more than survival—it represented the return of life to Talear and her people.