Chapter 46 #2
But what about the princess and…she argued some more, but I ignored her.
Up on the stage, Radan used his telekinetic powers to force the frogs away, but his eyes didn’t glow.
He wouldn’t risk taking his focus off the amphibians to call upon the God of Wrath.
Kaius inched his way back to his nephew with the dagger still in hand.
He took great care not to antagonize the frogs, which was a shame.
“Go, Darrow!” Jacthor urged.
The crowd from the field was surging toward us as they fled the leaping amphibians, but behind us, more dark elves came from other parts of the city. Someone had summoned them here. I didn’t have the time or the power to stop the collision of forces.
Rage exploded inside me, giving me a slight boost, but not enough. It would never be enough in this chaos. I used my sword to take a few more enemies out before I gave them one last look.
“Good luck.”
“Tell our son we love him, and it was worth it to save him,” Lillian said. Then her husband and the guard took position on either side of her as they fought off the incoming waves of dark elves while city residents ran past us.
The newly-crowned king had nearly reached the boy on the stage. Time was up.
Regret burning in my chest, I teleported up there.
The moment my feet touched ground in the only open spot free of lethal frogs, I used my powers to throw Kaius far into the crowd, where hopefully the hopping yellow creatures or city residents would finish him.
The throng of frightened people was so thick and full of screams that I lost sight of him in seconds.
Frogs hopped on people’s heads like they were lily pads to avoid being crushed.
“Darrow!” Radan bellowed from across the stage, eyes burning with fury. “I don’t care what my father says, you’re dead.” Keeping one hand uplifted to hold off the venomous yellow tongues, he raised the other toward me.
Kill him, the God of Wrath whispered in my head. He is too repugnant to live.
“You first,” I said to my uncle, resisting his power as it pressed against my body.
All the magic I’d used had made my muscles tremble with exhaustion. My skin felt too tight, and my bones ached from my uncle trying to crush me with his mind—all while the deity pushed another dose of power into my overtaxed body.
Wrath took care and didn’t give a lot, but it still hurt.
I was certain that much more right now would kill me, but he fed the right amount for what I needed to do, whispering encouragements.
After sharing a body and our wives, he didn’t feel the same as before.
We’d formed a connection I couldn’t begin to understand.
I almost swore I felt an odd protectiveness coming from him, as if he fought the urge to join this fight for my sake.
This was my revenge, though.
I stared into Radan’s gaze and smiled maliciously. “See you in the next life, Uncle.”
Lifting my arm, I closed my fist. His head exploded from his body. Blood, pieces of skull, and brain matter splattered everywhere, landing on the frogs, the stage, guards, and a little on me. His body fell with a thud onto its side like useless waste.
I laughed. I was finally free of that man and the trauma he’d brought to me and so many others. I only regretted that I wouldn’t be there to see my grandfather’s reaction when he found out what I’d done to his only son. How furious would he be? Would he come after me for it? Let him fucking try.
Dark elf guards rushed the stage, only slowed by the venomous frogs.
They carefully tiptoed to avoid upsetting the creatures, but even at their slow pace, they’d reach us soon if I didn’t hurry.
I began maneuvering toward the boy, who sweated profusely as he dropped his trembling arms, unable to continue pushing his magic any longer.
I didn’t know how he’d managed as much as he did in his condition, but it had to be the strength of his Frostdar side helping him.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jacthor go down with a cut-off shout. The royal guard was already out of sight. Dark elves had converged on them, slashing and hacking. The princess let out a mournful scream, calling her husband’s name.
She disappeared right after that, and my heart stopped. For a moment, it was as if the entire world froze. No, not her. She was a noble woman with two children who needed her. Please, dear nameless ones, save her. Seconds later, they lifted her limp, bloody body into the air with a cry of victory.
I cannot, Wrath said. She isn’t mine to protect.
Dark elves pulled at her armor, removing it even as they continued carrying her away.
Some even hacked off strands of her loose, chestnut hair.
They treated her like a trophy when she was so much more, and I hated that I couldn’t do anything about it.
An ache formed in my chest that I couldn’t push aside.
The taste of failure coated my tongue. I should have found a way to save them all, but I only had enough energy left for one.
Grabbing Zelthor, I poured all my concentration into getting us out of there.
My head throbbed with the pressure of using that much magic again, even for a short distance.
We arrived just inside the underground city tunnel.
As soon as the Veronnian soldiers identified us, they disarmed the traps they’d set earlier.
I urged the young Frostdar forward towards Aella, who had moved closer to us, expression filled with relief. He made it past her and sagged to sit on a mound of dirt, exhausted from his display of magic.
“Where is the princess?” she whispered, looking past my shoulder.
Dead, along with Jacthor. I didn’t dare say it aloud since their son hadn’t seen what happened. We weren’t out of danger yet, and I needed Zelthor to stay as calm as possible.
My wife covered her mouth. “No.”
Why didn’t you stop her? I asked because I knew Lillian could have entered the city only one way.
She wouldn’t listen to me. I even tried blocking her, but she ordered the guards and me to stand down. Aella gestured to the others down the tunnel. We couldn’t disobey her.
They sacrificed themselves so I could save their son.
Aella let out a whimper. Could you have done it without them?
Not without the princess, at least. No.
It was their last wish to free him. She blinked back tears. We have to honor that and keep their children safe.
I agreed and couldn’t blame her for not stopping the princess.
When it came down to it, I’d obeyed her for the same reason, so I couldn’t judge.
It didn’t ease my frustration that we’d come to rescue one and lost two.
My only consolation was that I’d managed to kill Radan.
The dark elves not only lost their heir but also the leader in charge of the invasion.
Of course, they had commanders to continue guiding the forces, but with luck, it would slow them down for a little while. I had high hopes that Kaius was dead as well, but there’d been no time to verify that.
Faina and the others finally climbed down into the tunnel to join us.
“Frogs!” my sister shouted as one dropped down behind her. “They followed us.”
The yellow creature hopped along behind her, golden eyes perfectly innocent, as she ran from it. My twin didn’t have a fear of them in general, but she hated anything venomous.
“Ribbit.”
Faina shrieked.
Aella screamed next as it came into view for her, nearly backing over the portal ring behind her. “Get it away!”
And I thought her dislike of the green ones was bad.
Zelthor waved a hand, and it disappeared. “It wouldn’t have hurt you. I directed them to focus on our enemies.”
Jax pulled the cover over the opening, so no more of the amphibians could join us.
“You can do that?” I asked, surprised. It wasn’t usually part of a frog charmer's capabilities, but most people who had the talent were lesser fae.
He nodded. “Yes.”
My sister glanced between Zelthor and me. “None of the dark elves saw us coming in here, but there was a whole crowd of fae running behind us when we came into this building. Karganoth soldiers are likely following them.”
“Get moving. I’ll seal enough of the tunnel so they can’t use it,” I said, and gestured at Zelthor. “Take him with you.”
The ten-minute break I’d had helped me recover a little.
Once everyone was clear, I began moving dirt.
It hurt to do it. My body had taken too much magic, and summoning more made my muscles burn from overuse.
I only managed to close enough to cover twenty feet before I was a breath away from burnout.
The God of Wrath whispered in my mind. Enough. I’ll let you reach your home before I exact my price—unless you’re willing to share your mate again.
No, take it all out on me.
He chuckled. Deny it all you want, but you enjoyed it.
I couldn’t refute that with him in my head because he could hear my every thought and knew very well that my dick hardened at the visual imagery he presented of us all together again.
It disturbed me how much pleasure I got from that joining.
The reminder distracted me enough that I nearly forgot all my present troubles, which may have been intentional on Wrath’s part. Or not, who knew with him?
Focusing on the situation at hand, I moved away from the dirt wall I’d created and hurried toward the others down the tunnel. Everyone had already left except Aella, who had kept the temporary portal open for me.
“Once we return, I will likely be unconscious for a while,” I warned her.
She swallowed. “Okay.
“No matter what, do not interfere. I don’t care what deal the nameless ones offer because you must allow me to take the punishment alone. Do you understand?” I asked.
“But…”
I took a step closer to her. “I can handle it. You need to help Lillian and Jacthor’s son and daughter through their grief. If anyone can understand their pain, it’s you.”
“Alright,” she said, regret flashing in her eyes. I could feel her sorrow as surely as she could feel my resignation.
I wanted to kiss her badly, but I wouldn’t break my vow not to touch her. She hadn’t given in to my demands yet. Would she ever? Or would I break first?