Her voice broke in a sob, angry and hysterical. Her eyes narrowed. “But you were so caught up with Kitane and Kaughlin. The golden boys. And when Kitane turned you down for a human, you settled to reign beside his twin.
“And I strived to get Kanzi’s attention, once and for all. I offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse. All the pale-eyed wolves, wolves treated like scum with Hati’s Sight, I offered them a sanctuary among the Rashti. I offered them a life, to be something more than mere Omegas. Most of them went willingly. Still, Kanzi saw me as just a business partner. So I offered him more. I offered to carry his heir, a dual-eyed child that he could raise as a blood heir, to follow in his footsteps.”
She gave a bark of harsh laughter and looked up at Chase. He looked broken by this turn of events. She snorted at him. “You truly believed his children were yours. Blind fool. And you!”
She struggled against Sikta’s vice grip, pinning her glare on me. “You had to come looking for me when I want missing. I took Kanzi his daughter—a blue eyed, beautiful little girl—but our son… He was unacceptable. Golden eyes, as bright as the sun. And as tempting as it was, to bring back a child with Skoll’s Sight, to have Kanzi’s son someday usurp you on the throne? I had to kill him. He was filth. And you had the gall to cry for my loss. My loss! I killed my son with my bare hands and then you made me regret it. I’m still haunted by him…”
Her eyes narrowed. “And Altehrei is so blind. I was the one to kidnap Kitane; I attacked him while he had his guard down. I drug him back to be a play-thing for Kanzi while we decided when we’d take down Altehrei. I never figured Tallys would bring a half-blood into the picture. It just proved that he was weak. I was the one to burn your precious Den to the ground. It’s just a shame that more people didn’t die.”
My head spun. All along, I’d trusted her. She was the one responsible for everything, and I’d trusted her. I’d cried for her. My heart clenched painfully. We couldn’t let her go. If we let her free, she’d just rally the Rashti in a couple of years and the war would start all over again. She was vindictive and fueled by years of hatred and pain.
I turned to Sikta, turning the knife over in my hands. “What should we do with her?”
“There’s only one thing to do with her.”
“We can’t kill her.”
“Oh, you’re going to let me live?” Lyra sneered. “I’m so honored.” She lunged then, swiping out with her good hand and catching Sikta off guard. Claws slashed against Sikta’s face and the woman gave another shriek and dived for me. I stumbled backwards, the blade outstretched to protect myself.
Lyra threw herself onto the exposed steel as it sliced into the soft flesh of her stomach. She gasped, tipping her head back as she clung to me, hands wrapping around my throat, tightening. Impaled on the blade.
I shuddered as Sikta pried her off of me. The dagger slid out of her gut with a sick, squelching sound and blood gushed to the surface, a grisly fountain.
“Oh, Hati, I’m coming home.” She swayed on her feet. She met my eyes one last, determined time and with a moan, collapsed onto the ground. She clamped both hands around her stomach as she bled freely, crimson soaking the snow and the earth.
I wrenched away, a hand clamped over my mouth. It was over. I swallowed hard. Over. I looked up at Sikta, to her pale face. Chase had both arms wrapped around himself, his eyes pressed shut. He’d just lost his mate—a mate he’d always believed was loyal. I was sure her betrayal stung worse than her death.
I took a deep, shuddering breath as Lyra took her last. And I faced the Rashti.
“I…I hope that this is over. That no one else has to die. I’m sorry that it had to end this way, but some things are unavoidable.” The Rashti made no moves, their gazes locked on me. “I will lead you into peace, if you will let me. I promise you that.” My voice came strong and I bowed to them.
I felt a rush of pride as the Rashti began to mirror me and bowed back.
“Thank you.”
***
I leaned against the end of my shovel as I took a break from digging a hole. Or rather, a grave. The metal tip burrowed into the cold ground. I reached up and wiped sweat from my brow.
All around me, people were digging, throwing all their weight into their work. Everyone was so damn quiet, and the quiet gave birth to thoughts I’d rather not dwell on. Aliel. He’d saved my life and I didn’t even know if he was alright or not. Oh, what I would’ve given for a vision right about then.
I looked up when an arm reached for me, pulling me into a warm hug. I grinned tiredly up at Scythe, a smile playing on his lips as he took the shovel from me and gave me a little nudge.
“You’ve done enough for the day. You need to rest, milord. Why not go soak in a hot bath and take a nap before you head back to your world. You look like death warmed over.”
“Gee, thanks.” I chuckled, then paused. “Hey. I mean it. Thanks.”
“I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who saved the day, Kia. I was just back up.”
“Yeah, but…you helped. You did. You believed in me,” I said, scuffing the toe of my boot against the pile of dirt. “So, thanks.”
Scythe nodded and gave a shooing motion with his hand. “Get lost before I sic this shovel on you,” he said, good-naturedly waving the wannabe weapon in the air.
I agreed, stuffing my hands in the pockets of my pants and heading for the village. There would be no luxurious baths this time; the buildings we were currently using as our living residence only had tiny bathrooms, but it didn’t matter. Clean and warm was clean and warm. It would do until we could rebuild.
“Mind if I join you?” Sikta’s voice was raspy around the edges and I jerked my head up to look at her, pausing mid-step. My mind was on a bath and I was thinking that was rather forward of her when she shook her head. “Walk, Kia’la. I would like to walk with you.”
“Oh.” I gave a soft laugh as heat rose to my cheeks. She looked at me like ‘what are you smoking?’ before shrugging and falling into step beside me. She was silent for a moment. I was the one to break it. “What did you need?”
She hesitated, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment in a way that made her look like a little girl. “To apologize,” she said finally, staring a hole into the path as our pace slowed. “I underestimated you. I’ve treated you like a criminal—hell, I tried to kill you. And you did nothing to deserve it. For that, I’m sorry.
“I’ve always loved Kitane. I grew up adoring him, idolizing him. He was so carefree, where his brother was rough and dangerous and…I don’t know. I was two years younger than them and when Kitane was eighteen, he headed off to explore the other side. Your side. I came so close to gushing my feelings to him before he left, but I was afraid. So I decided to wait.
But when he came back, it was with news that he’d found a human mate. That he loved her, and that she was carrying his child.” Sikta didn’t bother to hide the bitterness in her voice. “But I had to ask. I asked him to be my mate and promptly got rejected. Oh, he had stars in his eyes, but not for me.
“And so I was hurt. Kanzi asked me to be his mate—and I was angry. My father was Alpha. I had hopes of being queen someday, and loving Kanzi just wasn’t in my agenda. I suppose I could’ve loved him, had I given him the chance. I rejected him. To prove my point that I wasn’t interested, I asked Kaughlin to be my mate and he agreed. I was queen for a short time. I suppose this entire war is my fault.” She laughed softly, but it was without humor.
“Oh, if I only knew then what I know now. Things would be easier.”
“Always.”
“I didn’t think you had it in you. I saw you as weak, as a human play-acting as a werewolf. Sure, you had your father’s eyes, but how was I supposed to know you had his spirit? And yet, it was your plan that ended Kanzi’s reign of terror. My hands, but your plan. And…it was brilliant. I would’ve led us into a massacre. You saved everyone, Kia’la, and for that, I’m honored to call you my king. You have
my loyalty, and my trust.”
I stared at her, my mind unable to come up with anything to comprehend my shock. I finally settled for an awkward, “Thanks,” and her eyes narrowed.
“Oh, don’t let this get to your head, Silverwind.”
I smiled. “I’m not. But while we’re at the whole compliment game... Your act was flawless. I was worried that maybe you were serious, up until your sneer as you killed the man. Swift, perfect, and totally Sikta. And you reacted faster than me with Lyra—had you not, more people might’ve been killed. I can’t believe she was the traitor, but I guess it makes sense.” I shook my head.
“So I’d like to make you an offer you can’t refuse. I can’t offer you a crown, but I can give you the next best thing. I’d like for you to be lead huntress in Lyra’s place. I want you as my Beta, at my back, in case something happens and the Rashti rebel once again. I pray they won’t; I pray this is over, but…it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. What do you say?”
The smallest of blushes crept across her cheeks, flowering like a cherry blossom, before a smirk overrode it and she was the haughty, deadly-beautiful Sikta once again. “I’d be honored, milord.”
“Hey. Kia. Just Kia.”
She met my eyes and smiled. “Kia. Go find your queen.”
***
It was bittersweet, being home. Hearing the rush of traffic as cars blew past me, horns blaring. The sounds of stray dogs barking. The gleam of store fronts as I entered Rockfell Plaza. I knew I should’ve slowed down, taken it all in—I was home, after all—but I had a one track mind. I needed to make sure Aliel and Kitane were okay. And I needed to see Arii. Those were my top priorities.
I pulled a few hundred out of my savings using my PIN number, receiving a wary look from the bank teller for my endeavor, and walked the rest of the way to the hospital. The building beamed down at me, a giant metal structure with a glass face, and I felt the tiniest tremor of not belonging as I strode through the doors.
I leaned against the reception desk, trying to ignore the pungent scent of lemony cleaner that masked the stench of antiseptic. I shook my head.
“I need a couple of room numbers,” I said. She blinked, then asked me a few questions, and ten minutes later I was headed for the elevator to room 307.
Fluffy brown teddy bears with patchwork hearts sat in the window of the gift shop. I hesitated, pondering bringing Arii a stuffed toy, something to cheer her up. I slipped through the gift shop door unnoticed as the receptionist behind the desk rang someone up.
I passed racks of t-shirts, books, and beanie babies, reaching instinctively for a fluffy black wolf with golden eyes. The fur was velveteen against my fingers and I smiled. I turned my head, catching something shiny out of the corner of my eye, and found myself staring down at a case of gemstone rings. The one second to the end of the third row was a thin golden band with a sapphire heart set in tiny prongs with a cluster of diamonds. I picked it up, warm from the light beaming down on the case, and imagined Arii wearing it.
A smile pulled up the corners of my lips as I remembered Zephyr’s words from long ago—”She’s a loyal, stubborn little spitfire, but it’s obvious she adores you. You may deny it, but give it a few more months. I’ve got a natural eye for the art of love.”—and I gently placed it back into its black cushion case, grabbed it, and headed for the checkout.
“Is this everything for you?” The peppy blonde woman behind the counter offered me a brilliant smile and when I nodded, she wrapped everything up and stuck it in a neat little gift bag. “Thanks,” she said and I grasped the bag, turning for the doorway. I slid the ring box into my pocket, but kept the wolf stuffy in the bag.
“Kia?” The word came out in a rush as I turned the corner, right into the path of a girl. Her hands wobbled, her Styrofoam cup of coffee sloshing and splattering the tile before she dropped it completely. I felt hot warmth soak my shoes, but I was too busy looking into the face of my little sister to care.
Her auburn hair was long now, pinned up in a bun with a wave of bangs. She wore tight blue jeans and a scrub shirt with flowers on it. She looked at me, her face pale as I reached for her.
“Shae.”
With that one word, she lunged at me, colliding against my chest in a fierce hug. I embraced her back, rocking her gently as she gasped for breath. Then ferocity rose in her like a tidal wave and she jerked away.
“Where the hell have you been?” She barked the words loudly enough to have several people in the hall turning their heads in our direction. “We’ve been worried sick!” She began to rant and I clapped a hand over her mouth, muffling her angry outburst.
“Shh. Please, I’ll explain everything, just shut the heck up.” Her eyes widened, but she shut her mouth and I shot her a smirk. “Good girl. Come with me.” She nodded and I looped my arm in hers, tugging her down the hall towards the elevator. We found room 307 with ease and Shae’s brow furrowed as I knocked on the door before sliding it open.
The room was small, done in pastel blue and green with a flowered border that was just gag-worthy. Aliel lay sleeping in the bed, sheets pulled up snug under his arms, and Arii was sitting in a chair at his bedside. Her eyes darted first to me and then to Shae.
I thrust the bag towards Arii in a peace offering and watched as she melted. “Oh, Kia.” She beamed, gripping the little black wolf tightly to her chest. She placed it at Aliel’s bedside and then reached for me. I wrapped both arms around her, squeezing her tightly, and then cleared my throat.
“Shae.”
“I expect an explanation. You don’t just…disappear off the face of the earth like that without telling anyone,” she scowled. “Mom’s tired and depressed and she cries, Kia! You’ve broken her heart. How were we supposed to know you weren’t kidnapped and raped and dumped in a ditch somewhere, huh?” She jabbed her finger into my chest, drawing out a wince. “Damnit, Kia. It better be good.”
“You’re not gonna believe me.”
“Try me.”
I did. I told her everything—about Altehrei, about werewolves, about Arii and Aliel. I told her about the Rashti and Kanzi and anything I could think of that had happened in the past few months. She wavered on her feet and Arii helped her ease down into a chair.
“Easy.” She offered her a glass of water.
Shae took it, sipping gingerly. “You’re right,” she said after several minutes. “I don’t believe it. Not a word. None of that exists, it’s just a pretty story you’re using to cover up with. Just admit it—you and Arii got hitched; you eloped. We wouldn’t have judged you. You could’ve had a huge wedding, Mom would’ve been happy!”
“I mean it, Shae. I can prove it, but I want to prove it to everyone. Can you call Greyson?” The name of my friend felt foreign on my tongue as I realized I hadn’t thought of him much in the past few months. What kind of a friend was I? I shook my head.
“Call Greyson and get him to meet us at our house when Mom gets home. Can you do that? I’m begging you, just wait a little longer. I can prove it to you, but not here.”
Shae frowned, then glanced from Arii to me, then to Aliel’s sleeping form. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment. “Fine. She gets home at ten. I’ll call Grey. You’d better not poof on me, Kia, or I swear to God… I’ll hunt you down and stake you myself.”
“Vampires get staked. Werewolves get silver bullets.”
She huffed. “What-the-hell ever! Ten. No later.” She stood and strode from the room, the door slamming shut behind her.
I looked to Arii. “Think we can do this?”
“I think we’re gonna have to.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her close to me. She merely nuzzled her face into the side of my neck and sighed.
After saying goodbye to Aliel for the day, we checked on Kitane. He was fast asleep, but we sat beside his bed anyway as the IV dripped and the machines around him beeped. They’d had to amputate his leg at the thigh and his shoulder was swathed in bandages, but the color had
returned to his face. He slept soundly. I brushed my fingertips across his forehead and Arii squeezed my free hand.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” The idea of exposing our secret put a dull ache in my gut, but I had the feeling Mom wouldn’t believe me if we didn’t show her. And they were family—they deserved to know. I linked my fingers in Arii’s and we left the hospital just before visiting hours were over.
We got something to eat at Lucky’s Diner—I’d missed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese, and ate with the intensity of a starving man. Arii giggled and offered me a napkin.
“You’ve got a little…yeah.” She grinned as I wiped grease off my cheek, then wadded up the napkin and flung it at her. She gave a little squeal and ducked as the napkin ball sailed over her head. This earned us a few glares from the waitresses, but it didn’t seem to matter. In a matter of days, we’d be headed back to Altehrei. Strange, how I missed it.
At 9:43 pm, Arii and I headed up the sidewalk towards my house. My small, one-level house with chipped paint shutters and a patchy roof. Home. Or at least it was at one time.
I took a deep breath, finding it suddenly hard to breathe, and Arii squeezed my hand again for good measure. “We’re good.” She raised her hand and rapped on the door with her knuckles.
The door swung open a minute later, revealing Greyson Meyer. He’d grown his hair out a little and there was a hint of stubble over his chin. His hazel eyes locked into mine, a frown on his face.
“Kia,” he said, as if he couldn’t believe it. Then a grin broke through his storm-cloud features and he reached for me, drawing me into a bear hug. His arms were tight around me as he slapped me on the back. “Kia. I knew you were alright.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. Just call it a gay man’s intuition.” He smirked, giving a wave. “I just knew that you were alive and well. I felt it…here.” He tapped his chest, over his heart, and then beamed at Arii. “And Miss Caldwell, you’re as beautiful as ever. What, you two go elope or something?”
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