The Final Prophecy (The Oracle Series Book 3)

by N. J. Cooper

  “You are not my son. You are a disgrace and I wish I had never bore you.” She spat but Zarek didn’t even flinch at the words, despite Kyla wincing. She felt all his heartache, the crushing weight of having nothing left and it radiated off him in a way that she was pretty sure only she could feel. She was connected to him and she knew he was going to need her later just as the King had said. Zarek didn’t respond to his mother, instead he nodded to Shemar who braced her wrists with shackles that were chunky and weighed her slender arms down, cuffs she had never seen before. The Queen cried out as Shemar placed another clunky onyx belt around her waist and yanked it tighter. Zarek ignored it and turned to Velatem.

  “Velatem Realm, thank you for bearing witness to today’s events. It has been enlightening, and a tragedy at the same time. I am so sorry for the actions of my mother and she will be punished for them. We must carry out those punishments and escort her to the portal room, so I’m afraid we have to end today’s proceedings here. I hope you are all happy with the outcome of the Elder Trials and what they mean for the High Council. I do want you to feel safe despite what has transpired here and will broadcast the rest of the events, so you know that the punishment has been carried out. Please go home, be with your families, have some refreshments and put your feet up. It is a new day tomorrow. I will see you then.” Zarek announced and before he could turn away the audience erupted in applause, cheering and whistling as Zarek grinned, his cheeks turning red under their attention. She smiled as the realm saw him how she did, as a leader, as their King and she knew they would support him from then. There would be no more questioning whether he was ready, whether he could rule them, now they knew. Kyla grinned and turned away with him.

  “Nice speech, your Majesty.” Kyla winked. Zarek grinned then turned to his mother who was wrapped in onyx and being held by Shemar, his glow dropped.

  “Yeah but there are still some things to do before we can go,” He sighed. Kyla nodded and slid her hand into his.

  “And I’ll be here for you the entire time.” She promised in a low voice. He smiled and kissed her cheek.

  “Thank you.” he said. Kyla nodded and moved forward with him. They stepped off the stage as Shemar followed with the Queen. Centaurs surrounded them as they made their way to the portal room. It wasn’t far away but it felt like forever. Kyla knew the Queen was still burning glares into her and she was sure if they were alone, there would be one hell of a confrontation but that was where the Queen had gone wrong. She had assumed that her following was loyal because she was their ruler, but fear didn’t work that way. As soon as the creatures that she had following her weren’t scared anymore, Kyla knew they would bolt. Not like Zarek, who was steadily gaining all the respect that his father held and then some. Kyla had never been more proud, her heart swelling as she looked up at his face while they walked. Kyla followed him through to the portal room where Sky was waiting with a grin. Inside the portal was Kasyn and they both had their hands in front of them waiting for the order.

  “Sky, Guardian of the barrier between Outlands and Shadow Realm. Kasyn, Shadow Ream Keeper, thank you for your assistance. This crossing is one of great importance, but I trust you with the enormity.” Zarek said formally as he came forward and the centaurs placed Queen Lena in front of the portal. Sky came forward with a nod, yanking on the Queen’s chain with a wink at Kyla.

  “Of course, your Majesty. We understand the magnitude. We’ll take great care of your mother. Do you want her stuck in the Outlands or the Shadow Realm?” Sky asked, the option to take the souls she and Kasyn ferried to either world, rested with her and the amulet she wore. It gave her more power than any of them had guessed she would be able to harness but Kyla was grateful. It meant she was back with them and got to see Kasyn and work for the royals, which Sky said was a huge pay cheque in power and came with a wing in the royal mansion. Also, with the perks of Kasyn being able to visit from his world whenever she wanted, she was happy and there was a light in her eyes that Kyla hadn’t seen in a long time. She was glad that Sky had been able to pull through after everything that had happened to her. Sky pulled the Queen to the front of the portal, waiting for Zarek’s order.

  “The Outlands. And lock her there. With Onyx in the Shadow Realm, even without power, I don’t want them to have any contact.” Zarek grated out a clenched jaw but the Queen gasped.

  “Son. Please. Don’t send me to the Outlands. My powers will be stripped. I’ll be a sitting target.” She begged going to step forward, but Sky held the chains tight as Zarek recoiled from her touch.

  “As were we, when you warned Onyx of what we were doing. As were we, when you allowed us to walk in to traps and as were we, when your actions got my best friend and Orion killed!” Zarek growled, his fist clenching as his face flushed in anger. Kyla bit her lip; he was different when he was hurt, and she wasn’t sure whether his powers were going to react or not. The Queen shrunk back at her words, her first sign of remorse before she sighed.

  “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean it.” She tried but Kyla rolled her eyes. Zarek scoffed.

  “C’mon Mother. You have more pride than that. You did mean it. You still mean it and you would do it again.” Zarek said then turned to Sky, “Take her through the Shadow Realm to the Outlands. Make sure her powers are gone before you leave.” He ordered then turned to Zarek who was still listening from the portal, “Kasyn, when she is there, find her somewhere safe, block it off. Isolate her. She talks to no one. She sees no one. She has no one. Can you do that?” Zarek asked as the Queen’s face drained of colour.

  “Zarek…” She stumbled but he ignored her, looking straight at Kasyn for an answer. Kasyn nodded.

  “Got it. Will do.” he said. Zarek nodded.

  “Good, then do it. Goodbye Mother, I wish father and I could have been enough for you.” Zarek whispered then stepped back without a faltering face and nodded at Sky. She gripped Lena tighter and dragged her to the portal. Queen Lena resisted, screaming and crying but her begging fell on deaf ears. Sky yanked the Queen by her chains, through the portal as Kasyn helped her and the centaurs followed them. As soon as they were gone, Zarek turned to Kyla and wrapped her in a tight hug that she didn’t expect. She gasped at the tightness of his embrace then sighed into it, hugging him just as tight. Kyla clenched his hair in her hands as he buried his face in her neck and she said nothing as hot tears wet his cheeks against her skin. He held her that way, until the tears stopped then pulled back. Kyla swallowed the lump in her own throat and waited for him to say something.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I should have.” He whispered. Kyla offered him a soft smile.

  “I forgive you, Z. I just wish it could have been different. I wish that everything you’re going through, wasn’t happening.” Kyla said stepping in to hug him again. Zarek nodded then looked over his shoulder at the cameras that were still rolling. He looked back at Kyla then at the camera again and she frowned. She had no idea what he was thinking or why he kept looking over her and the camera, but she waited to find out. She held her arms as he turned fully to the camera.

  “Velatem. The punishment has been decreed and carried out. The High Council has been reinstated with new Elders and we are once again at peace. Now I wish I could take the credit for that, but it turns out that it is not mine to take. We owe our peace to,” Zarek paused and looked back, summoning Kyla forward. Her heart stopped. What the hell was he doing? She didn’t want credit. She wanted to stay out of the limelight. Kyla’s face drained of colour and she clenched her jaw, walking forward stiffly so she wouldn’t get seen disobeying the King in front of the whole realm. She gave him a tight smile and then looked at the camera with the same expression.

  “We owe it to Kyla Rhodes. The Oracle and defender of our realm. She has fought for us, bled for us, been arrested by us and for us, so I think it is time to make things right by her.” Zarek said looking down with a smile. She tried to offer one back, but she was pretty sure she was trembling.
>
  “Uh, thanks. But it’s fine, I’m fine. I’m just glad Velatem is now safe.” Kyla offered with a shaky voice. Zarek grinned.

  “Thanks to you. So, if this was a normal situation and you were a normal supernatural of our realm, I would be offering you a spot on the council, making a spot for you. You passed the tests and you deserve it but I’m not going to.” He said then stepped back, grabbed her hands in his and looked at her. Kyla frowned, butterflies fluttering in her stomach at why he was being so weird and why did he have to do it on camera.

  “Why aren’t you going to?” She asked. Zarek smiled.

  “Because you can’t be Queen and an Elder on the council.” Zarek grinned with a raised eyebrow, letting go of one of her hands and reaching into his pocket.

  Kyla watched the movements and even though she understood what he was saying, it wasn’t translating in her numb brain to a point where she could process it.

  “Zarek, I’m not Queen. I don’t… I don’t…” Kyla stumbled when he kissed her on her forehead and bent down on one knee, pulling out a gold box. Kyla gasped and stepped back, tears streaming down her cheeks as her heart exploded in her chest. She was so overwhelmed by the immediate knowledge of what he was doing that she was sure she was going to pass out. If it wasn’t for his hand holding her up, she’s not sure she would have stayed standing, “What are you doing?” Kyla whispered in a half squeal. She wasn’t even sure why since she knew exactly what he was doing, but she couldn’t get her mind to work as her heart was still racing a million times a minute and taking over her senses.

  “Be my Queen Kyla. Marry me.” He said boldly with a winning grin that her body automatically responded to. Kyla grinned through her tears and nodded with a barely audible whisper.

  “Yes.” She cried and watched through blurry vision as he opened the box. She gasped at the intricately woven gold ring with the diamonds encrusted in the band that lay inside. The cold metal was heavy on her finger, but she loved it. She laughed as he stood and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground as he did. She clutched his body to hers then looked up at him when her feet finally touched back to the ground.

  “Zarek, are you sure?” She asked as he leaned his forehead against hers.

  “Yes. I know everything that has just happened is a lot, and I know what it will mean for me and my role in Velatem, but I know I won’t get through it without you. I need you Kyla, in my life, by my side and as my wife.” He said looking directly into her eyes. She stared back at his blue eyes that were shimmering with all the pain and happiness that made up his life and knew that she couldn’t be without him either. She needed him just as much and she wouldn’t have been able to get through her transition from human to supernatural without everything he had done for her. She wanted to see that through with him. She wanted to stand by his side as his Queen and spend the rest of her life with his love encompassing her. There was no other answer. She was his and he was hers, there was nothing else that mattered in that moment. Kyla smiled against him then leaned in, pressing her lips against his as a clapping sound from the other side of the room drew their attention. Shemar stood surrounded by centaurs who were watching, clapping. Sky had come back through with a grin and was clapping along as Kasyn smiled from the portal. Wyatt appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame in his casual way as his hands joined the chorus. Kyla grinned. She was happy, her friends were safe, the prophecies were fulfilled, and she had her Prince Charming. Even with being the Oracle, Kyla couldn’t imagine ever predicting the amount of happiness and love that would come into her life after everything that had happened, and yet it had. Kyla Rhodes was going to be Queen and was going to marry her soulmate. Maybe happy ever afters weren’t just a myth after all, because Kyla had definitely found hers.

  EPILOGUE:

  The Wedding

  “Mom! Mom! Come in here!” Kyla screamed, looking in the mirror with a pale face and wide eyes. She couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to anymore. It was a bad idea. She should never have agreed.

  Kyla’s mom came rushing in, hair curled on top of her head, wearing a beautiful gold sparkling dress.

  “Kyla. You can do this, okay? If this is about more of your nerves, I don’t want to hear it. You are about to marry the love of your life in front of the entire realm and as the parent giving you away, it is my duty to talk you out of your cold feet so make this easy on me and stop trying to change your mind.” Her mother scolded softly with a small smile that let Kyla know she was joking. Kyla nodded and drew in a deep breath, touching the curls that surrounded her face again. Her hair was beautiful, her make-up was perfect, her big white dress was one that she had never dreamed of being able to wear. Everything was perfect, the whole realm was waiting and yet all she wanted to do, was run from the mansion as fast as she could with Zarek and elope like a human.

  She couldn’t run though, she was going to be Queen, she had to be able to do it. If she wanted Zarek then she had to. Kyla smoothed down her dress and looked at her mom who handed her flowers over.

  “Mom, this is terrifying.” She whispered. Her mother nodded.

  “Yes, but once it’s over you’ll forget how you felt now, and you’ll be Zarek’s Queen.” She reassured as Sky burst in wearing the gold maid of honour dress.

  “And I didn’t just put ten cans of hairspray in my hair for nothing, so you better walk down that aisle.” Sky bit walking behind Kyla with a bold stride to fix her straps. Kyla chuckled.

  “Fine, but only because of the hairspray.” She teased. Sky grinned.

  “That’s my girl. Now are you ready?” Sky asked. Kyla nodded.

  “I think so. Are they?” She checked. Sky nodded once.

  “They’ve been ready for the last half hour honey but don’t worry, Wyatt is keeping everyone occupied. Zarek looks as pale as you do while Shemar stands next to him as best man but looks more like a proud father on his son’s first day of school.” Sky laughed. Kyla grinned. Her nerves were slowly being replaced by excited butterflies when her mind seared with pain. Kyla winced then held up a finger to tell everyone to wait.

  “What’s wrong?” Her mom asked. Kyla sighed and held her head.

  “Vision, I think,” She said, “Give me a minute, I’ll see what it is then we can go.” She said then fell like a stone in water, into the vision. Kyla gasped as she woke up lying down on a hospital bed. She was in a gown, sweat covered her body, sticking hair to her damp forehead as her body held a searing, aching pain from the waist down. Her lips were dry and chapped as her heart raced and yet she felt happy. Kyla frowned and looked around the foggy hospital room as it came into focus. A smiling nurse came forward, holding what looked like a blanket as Zarek leaned in with a grin.

  “You did it, baby.” Zarek grinned, kissing her on the forehead, his hand in hers. He had stubble lining his jaw and his eyes were crinkled with joy but nothing told her what tense she was in.

  She wasn’t sure when she was seeing the vision or what it was, she had done just that whatever it was, hurt like hell. She frowned.

  “What? What’d I do?” Kyla demanded, trying to sit up but another nurse appeared at her side.

  “Just rest Queen Kyla. We’ll bring him to you.” She smiled wiping her forehead with a damp cloth. Kyla’s eyebrows drew closer together before everything came together in the form of a tiny, sweet cry that erupted from the blanket in the nurse’s arms. Kyla held a shaking hand over her mouth. The nurse smiled and handed the bundle over.

  “He?” Kyla whispered, her voice shaking.

  “Our son, Kyla. Meet our son, Derrik.” Zarek smiled, tears streaming over his cheeks as she accepted the bundle into her arms and looked down into the bright blue eyes of her baby boy. He was tiny, his cheeks plump, his nose slightly squashed but he looked up at her with such love, her heart filled to a point she never thought was possible. Her whole world shifted in that moment and she couldn’t hold back her tears. He was beautiful. She turned to Zarek.

  “We ha
ve a son.” She whispered hoarsely. He nodded.

  “We do.” He said kissing Derrik’s forehead before kissing her shoulder. Kyla wished she could have stayed in that moment forever, but her mind snatched the vision away, making her head spin until she was back in her room at the mansion, staring into the frowning faces of her mom and Sky.

  “Kyla? Are you back?” Sky asked waving her hand in front of her face. Kyla nodded and leaned forward from the seat she had been put in. She grinned remembering her vision. Her son.

  “I’m back.” She said quietly, still smiling.

  “What’d you see?” her mom asked, placing a hand on her knee.

  “Love. Pure, untainted love.” She smiled, looking at her mom with a meaningful stare that she hoped conveyed how much she understood their bond now and she wasn’t sure if her mother understood but something in her expression said she did.

  “Are you ready to go downstairs then?” Her mother asked with a soft smile. Kyla grinned and nodded, standing up and taking her flowers back from Sky.

  “Definitely. Let’s do this.” Kyla grinned and left the room with her heart full and her mind calm.

  She married Zarek, eventually had her son and lived happily ever after as King and Queen of Velatem Realm.

  Read the first chapter in the next book by N.J. Cooper:

  Haunted Sacrifice

  Book 1 in The Seven Sisters Series

  An adult paranormal romance based in the same world and following the same rules set by King Carrick Kalan.

  This is the first of seven stories based on the seven Taylor sisters, the hybrid traitors that are allowed out of hiding thanks to Kyla’s law change.

  ~ ONE ~

  H

  ayley checked her watch as she sat in the intimidating lobby of her new employment building, Benton Architects. It was stark and modern, decorated in dark colours to contrast the white marble floors. She checked her watch again. Her appointment with Mr Benton had been at 1:30. It was now almost 2:00 and she was getting impatient. Hayley sighed. She had driven all the way from Virginia for this meeting, making her tired and fidgety. She hadn’t met her new boss yet, but he had insisted on meeting her today. A Sunday of all days. She was meant to be starting tomorrow as his new interior designer and this meeting was so he could show Hayley her new apartment that came with the contract but if she had known how long it was going to take, she might have driven up earlier and just paid for the hotel. Well it was too late now, she was there and ready, if only Mr. Benton was.