Chapter 9 Kieran
KIERAN
The wind caught our wings as we rose, the others close behind, their beats steady and sure in the morning air.
Bastian quickly took the lead toward the castle, black wings cutting through the bright sky.
Niz flanked my right, his massive shifted form streaked in black and green, stark against the golden morning light and blue sky surrounding us.
Steele and Gabe held the back, while Ronan drifted alongside my left side.
Below us, Alfemir stretched wide. The area where my execution and the battle had taken place was already under repair.
Scaffolding climbed along the broken walls while Elementalists directed currents of wind to lift fallen stone into place.
Nearby, Beast Tamers guided their pegasi through the streets, the creatures steady under the weight of timber strapped across their flanks. The city still stood, steady and alive.
The castle of Alfemir rose ahead, its white spires gleaming and upper towers catching the light off the clouds.
The sight of it rising in the distance stole my breath as memories battered my mind.
It was where I’d run into Gabe once again and we’d proceeded to break into the archives and found the book the fallen army needed, along with my dagger.
The same place I’d once run to for escape through the portals within its walls, where Bastian had caught Ronan and me mid-escape plan.
Back when Niz had just been Ronan’s adorable beast.
So much had changed since I’d last set foot in the halls, where we were now about to hold a council meeting for those willing to discuss restructuring Alfemir’s hierarchy and leadership.
Nervous energy bundled in my stomach. While we had undoubtedly overcome many challenges already, there were still many to come.
I could only hope that we had the right people around us to question new processes and structures to leave a lasting, peaceful legacy for the future.
One where wyverns, fallen, and angels could all coexist in harmony, as it used to be.
As we descended, the great doors stood open to greet us. We all touched down, waiting a moment for Niz to touch down nearby and shift.
“Take your time, wyvern prince, we’re on your schedule,” Bastian called out as Niz’s large clawed feet touched the ground. “Should I just carry you in my arms next time to avoid the shift?”
I rolled my eyes, though a smile still managed to slip through. The banter between those two that had evolved from Bastian once trying to win over Niz in his wyvern form was hilarious.
Niz’s massive form folded inward as scales rippled into skin and the sickening sound of bones crunching and shifting echoed through the air. The last shimmer of magic faded from his shoulders as he straightened to his full height.
In all his naked glory, he lifted a hand before flicking Bastian his middle finger. “I think you just don’t want Kieran to be reminded of how much better I look than you.”
My cheeks flamed with being put on the spot like that–especially when I was already struggling desperately to keep my eyes on Niz’s face and not the rest of him. It was hard when he had an impressive display in all facets.
Bastian let out a mock scoff of indignation as Ronan tossed the clothes to Niz. “I’ll have you know that I am quite confident in my appeal to my Darling.”
His eyes cut to me, as if wanting me to confirm that in front of everyone. A heavy sigh fell from my lips as my head shook and I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Niz was tugging on his clothes as I gave each of them a stern look. “Don’t drag me into any of your spats. I am a neutral party that has equal love and needs for all of you.” Bastian’s lips pursed like he was going to drag this out and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t do it.”
His lower lip stuck out in return as he blinked back at me. “But, Darling…”
Steele let out a sigh as he lifted his hand to rub at his face harshly.
For a moment I expected him to snap at Niz and Bastian for their antics, but instead I was shocked to see his lips tugging into a smirk as his hand fell.
“There’s really no need to argue over this.
Gabe and I satisfied her enough to not even think about needing you all for some time. ”
Gabe lifted a hand quickly in an attempt to smother his laugh as my mouth dropped open, but it wasn’t fast enough.
My eyes lifted to meet Ronan’s, quietly begging him to help me wrangle these unruly men.
I saw the way his eyes narrowed on Steele slightly, as if not quite accepting him entirely yet, but he buried it quickly.
“There are important people waiting to meet with us, so maybe we should table this conversation…” my head nodded in agreement, but then quickly stilled as he continued, “until we are in private and can settle this with who brings Kieran to an orgasm quickest.”
Not him too.
I lifted my hands into the air, completely exasperated with them. “I give up! I’ll be heading inside now if any of you care to tuck your dicks away and join me.”
They all laughed before managing to pull it together as they encircled me once more, similar to our flight formation. Despite my stern tone with them, inside I was a complete puddle for how obsessive they were over my pleasure and desire for them.
Having Gabe and Steele together last night had blown my expectations out of the water, and I could only fantasize over what it would be like to let them all take turns with me in the same room.
My cheeks flamed with heat but I composed myself as we crossed the threshold, offering brief nods to the soldiers lined along the hall–a mix of angels and wyvern alike.
It was time to focus on important matters. Everything else could wait. Duty came first.
The corridor stretched wide and bright, branching toward the library, the archives, and the old portal chamber.
Our destination lay at the far end, inside the council chamber.
My pulse quickened with every step. Today wasn’t just about rebuilding—it was about facing the very city that had condemned me and deciding what came next.
Ahead, the low rumble of conversation drifted through the corridor, spilling from the open doors of the council chamber.
When we stepped inside, bodies turned toward us and silence followed.
Marble gleamed beneath our boots, polished to a reflective sheen.
Sunlight streamed through stained glass, scattering blues and purples across the floor.
As we moved deeper, the scale of the chamber unfolded around me.
At the front, near the podium platform, stood the wyvern king and queen, Conan and Nora, off to the side.
Behind them, their commanders lined the walls.
I was unsure if they refused to sit amongst the angels in the middle of the room, but whatever made them feel the most comfortable was fine with me.
I knew that old wounds would be hard to mend.
The main section we walked down the middle of was split into two groupings.
To our left sat the allied Archangels with Astor at the front.
I quickly noted that their robes were stripped of the Alfemir insignia in what felt like a quiet declaration of a new allegiance.
I didn’t recognize many faces—the ones who’d been my father’s friends had clearly refused to stand with Astor, or she’d sent them to the prison herself.
To our right waited Mithrie and Selene sat at the front of their grouping, and they both inclined their heads when our gazes met. I was unsure of what affinity angels stood behind them, but it didn’t matter. All were welcomed if they were here to support us.
Just behind the podium waiting for us on the platform was Noah.
His eyes found mine, and when his expression softened, something in my chest eased.
The nod he gave felt like it was full of pride–quiet and certain as his gaze steadied me.
At some point in this journey, he’d become important to me like a family member would.
It was impossible to ignore how much he and Amelia had quickly become a part of my heart in my time in the rebel camp.
Quickly we ascended the few steps to the platform, my men forming a steady line of support with Noah at my back.
My hands shook as I approached the front and center.
For a moment, I just stood there, palms damp, heart pounding hard enough that I swore they could all hear it.
But as my eyes caught on Niz’s mother, the strength reflecting back at me took me by surprise.
Ever-so-slightly her head inclined, and it felt like she was telling me I could do this.
Our relationship had been complicated since we’d met, but feeling her support here and now was a balm to my unease on where we stood.
I wanted her support and respect, especially given that I was the reason Niz refused to follow through with his arranged engagement.
A part of me needed to prove to her that I was worthy of him and of having a hand in shaping Alfemir’s future.
Nerves had no place here. Now was the time to prove that those gathered here weren’t wrong for giving me the time and place to speak to them. This was my moment to step into my purpose as I prepared us all for the coming prophecy.
When I finally spoke, my voice was strong and certain. “The last time you saw me, my father had placed me on a platform for execution—only to slit my throat himself once I began to unveil the horrors the Archangels were hiding.”
There were some grimaces throughout the crowd, but I refused to shy away from the grim details.
“To be honest, I’m not sure where exactly we go from here,” I said. “I don’t know if all of you believe me now after everything I told you, despite my father’s accusations against me during that trial.”