by Dahlia Leigh
He nodded. “Good to have you back, Asteroth.” Then Darien strode to the castle doors.
“I see I missed quite a bit in the short time I was away.”
“You make it sound like you went on holiday,” Ashlynn said then sobered at the reality. “You could have told me you might one day disappear. I missed you. I did all I could to protect the castle, you, and the veil.”
“Ashlynn, I am very proud of you. You have done well. And you decided to have a team to strengthen your role as the Sentinel. I couldn’t be more proud at your growth and ability to save us all. I always had complete faith in you. You just needed a push to believe in yourself. Your parents would be proud as well.”
Ashlynn nodded, overcome by emotion. She could almost feel her mother smiling upon her as she touched the pendant heating once more at her chest. She didn’t know if that would ever get old but, for now, the warmth was a comfort. Looking at the pendant, she couldn’t help wonder what other power the pendant would offer.
“Your bonds with your team will continue to grow and be tested, but you have chosen wisely with those warriors.”
Ashlynn countered him. “You were the ass who had chosen them for me.”
Asteroth laughed and mumbled something about semantics.
“But seriously, thank you Asteroth.” She carried him inside to celebrate with her and her team.
“I bet you could find another small statue to bring into the dining hall with you,” Asteroth complained.
“This one will do just fine.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Salvator
From below the cave containing the cracked crystal, the demon Roz knew as Salvator beckoned the shadow part of what was left of Rozalind. Her essence was bound to him by her blood oath and now she would spend eternity serving him in the Void.
“You just had to be a stupid shifter and go off on your own to prove you were strong enough, didn’t you pet?” He crooned enticingly as the essence of her shadow beast probed the entrance of the crack in the top-side crystal. He pulled her through the cracks with barely more than a finger twitch straight to him and thought of all the Griever minions he sent to her. Such a waste. “Of course, you weren’t strong enough, were you? No, you were just my pawn in a much bigger game.”
He smirked as he pet the shadow, causing her to seductively curl around him. “And now you belong to me forever. But don’t worry you will regain your beast form the longer you are down in the Void.”
With Roz’s shadow secured, the demon, Salvator, strolled away from the sister crystal, though dark and purple on his side. “It was not all a loss, at least I have a greater idea of the Sentinel’s power so far. She was stronger than we originally thought, but they would just have to adjust their plans accordingly. Knowledge is power and that will only benefit me in the end.”
At least he had another shadow to serve him. For now, the demon returned to his home in the Void. He had and update to give and further plans to make.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Ashlynn
Ashlynn entered the dining hall for a much-deserved dessert to find her men standing around the table, drinks already in hand, chatting and waiting for her. Their eyes lit up when they noticed her entering the room and seeing them warmed her heart. Ash set the garden gnome on the table. She looked up to find Hijinx, back to his singular self, watching from solid wooden beams, eating his own dessert. The sounds of camaraderie and laughter filling the castle felt natural, like family. For the first time, when she thought of family, the word didn’t make her uneasy or back off. Instead, the word made her want to explore what having a family could mean, how she could nurture one, and protect her own.
Ashlynn’s gaze roamed the dining hall and wondered to herself, not for the first time, who could have betrayed the castle, her parents, and the entire army by letting in the horde of the Void those fifteen years ago, and what their purpose was. The anniversary of the massacre grew closer and closer. She vowed in her heart, to the castle, and to her family, she would discover the treachery and avenge their deaths.
But for now, she grabbed a glass from the table and joined her men; her team. She raised her glass. “A toast to all of you. Thank you for your assistance with the Unbound, the Shadow Shifters, and the Grievers. I couldn’t have protected the castle the way we all did together without you. Helluva team competition, right?” She winked in response to their laughter.
“How is Asteroth?” Edmund inquired.
“He is back, and the castle’s magic is stronger but still not fully functioning.” However, in response to her words, the castle magically unrolled large tapestries of each of the Sentinels and their teams on the walls. They were the same images hanging in her library.
Taegen laughed. “I think that’s his way of saying he’s functional enough.”
“I think you’re right.” Darien agreed.
Ashlynn nodded and stood taller. “This is where they should be hung, in a place they can be seen and remembered. Well done, Asteroth.” Ash looked from the tapestries to her men. “Originally, I thought I could choose one of you, but I found I desire to keep each of you close to me. Though I warn you, it would be a new challenge for me to learn to rely on more than myself, and Asteroth. However, I want to, and I want to choose all of you.” Ashlynn paused and took a drink. “I don’t know how being a Sentinel team fully works yet, and my feelings are still being sorted out—as far as any kind of relationship other than a working one—but I want to explore the possibility and see where it might lead. I didn’t actually get the chance to formally ask you, but would each of you be willing to join my team officially?”
Without words or instruction, each warrior bowed and took a knee.
“I desire to remain at your side in any form of relationship I am granted,” Taegen said with a pledge.
“I, too, would be honored to serve you and the castle,” Edmund said and bowed his head.
“And I vow to serve you faithfully in every capacity,” Darien added though she already knew his heart. “So, you know where we stand: we have talked amongst ourselves, and I speak for us all when I say we want more with you. Not just as team members, but we each want relationship with you as well. However, we are willing to wait as long as necessary, even if it means sharing your affections.”
Ashlynn blushed but nodded, accepting their offers. She raised her glass once more. “To my men, my team, and my new family. You have taken root in my heart and I feel my love growing for all of you.” She glanced once more at the portrait of her mother and the men surrounding her. She didn’t know who was her father and remembered Sentinels sometimes took several lovers on their teams; their relationships were normal in her world. Wondering if she’d be like that, too, Ashlynn eyed each of her men and realized she would be entirely all right with that. Only time would tell how their relationships would grow and, for the first time, she looked forward to exploring her options.
Epilogue
Taegan
Taegen agitatedly paced in front of the window in his room. Seeing the blue skies, the trees, and all the color and life top-side had become a favorite past-time of his. To ruin his moment, however, his brother had contacted him again—during Ashlynn’s speech no less, adding further frustration to his irritation—looking for an update. All the Void royals have the knowledge of certain crystal magic enabling them to contact each other even across realms. When contacted through his crystal, his bond with the magic instilled in it sent him a minor electrical shock, whether on his person or not.
In the privacy of his room, he pulled out the dark purple, amethyst crystal and placed his fingerprint on the smooth, glass-like surface of one facet. His brother Ezarach’s face appeared. His brother’s eyes were so like his own, for a brief moment, Taegen missed parts of his home.
“Tell me your news, brother. Father needs an update on how your mission is progressing.”
“Ezara, I’m not going through with it anymore. I’ve decided to stay and wis
h no harm to the Sentinel.”
His brother shrugged. He knew Ezara couldn’t care less what his twin was doing, he had his own responsibilities in the Void. In fact, Taegen thought his brother would be overjoyed at the chance for him to get to prove his worth to his father and perhaps rule in Taegen’s absence.
“I’ll let father know. He won’t be happy, T.”
Taegen counted on that much, and reluctantly nodded. He was used to letting his father down.
“Ezara out.” His brother sent him a friendly wave then the image blinked out.
The outcome of his father’s unhappiness was what he was unsure of. He didn’t want to bring more down on Ash, she already had so much happening with the castle. His father would contact him. He had to be prepared for when he did. Taegen couldn’t let the mission happen. He cared too deeply for the girl he was supposed to kill, and he would do anything to protect her.
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About the Authors
DAHLIA LEIGH
Dahlia Leigh is a lover of all things fantasy and paranormal especially when romance and magic intertwine. The men she writes about are dark and sexy warriors ensnared by the strong and fierce heroine who learns to love, protect, and fight alongside them. Dahlia's goal is to draw you into fantastic worlds and relationships with magical imagery, adventure, and passion.
OLIVIA ASH
Olivia Ash spends her time dreaming up the perfect men to challenge, love, and protect her strong heroines (who actually don’t need protecting at all). Her stories are meant to take you on a journey into the world of the characters and make you want to stay there.
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