by T. F. Walsh
Luna. Embrace me. Fight for me.
Everything I stood against crashed in my mind… the injustice, the lost lives, and so many humans and faes at risk of dying because of this moment. My decision. And the princess was right. My life didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, or Axel’s, or the leaders’. I had to embrace my destiny. With nothing left to lose, I drew on every cell in my body to harness the energy.
I uncurled and opened myself up. The next charge that hit, instead of crumbling, I inhaled the power through my mouth and pores. Tears rolled down my cheeks. Numbness owned me. My thoughts tore between fighting and giving up.
Feed on the power, and let it fill you.
Adrenaline awakened in my body as every molecule crackled with sharpness.
Standing over me, Acura grinned, his lost shoulder regrowing before my eyes. But I couldn’t allow him to win. “You don’t belong in Kutia Hollow,” I said and jerked an arm toward him. I unleashed the overabundant flow of force within me.
Golden streaks blasted from my fingertips and collided into Acura’s chest, pushing him backward. His eyes grew wide with horror; his upper lip twisted, and fists clenched. A scream of pain pierced my brain. The room shook, but I was too far gone to bother with fear. If I was going down, he was coming with me.
Now is your time to rise, my dear.
I staggered forward while the crypt seemed to tilt beneath me. No stopping me. I was finishing this now.
Several feet away, Acura’s shoulders curled forward and predatory yellow eyes locked onto me. His body transformed into an enormous mass, expanding by the second, ready to bury the room.
I raised both hands, pinpricks fluttering down my flesh. I glanced over at Axel who no longer stood, but now hunched against the wall like a sack of rice. Lifeless… The fuel of rage pumped me with a sense of revenge. I snapped toward Acura, “No one wants you here, fuckhead.”
He lunged at me.
The magic within me felt natural and tangible. In a flash, golden light rushed from my hands and barreled into Acura, burrowing a hole through his expanding monstrosity. I hardened my laser-like attack, shredding every inch of him.
The gelatinous form collapsed to the ground, and I zapped everything I had into the foul creature. He contracted in size and burned to a crisp.
Enough, child.
Nothing was ever enough. I’d drive him into the center of our planet, bury him so deep that no one would find a trace of his existence.
Acura now resembled a three-inch black stone, but I wasn’t stopping.
When someone set a hand on my shoulder, I startled and spun, my strength short-circuiting, vanishing. My insides emptied of power, and I lurched on my feet.
Princess Kutia held onto my hand, warmth radiating up my arm. She was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Flawless skin, long lashes, and softness in her expression made me lose myself in her eyes, imagining a world covered in greenery, abundance, and life. I swallowed past my dry throat, unable to find my voice. In her presence, should I bow or curtsy? I couldn’t remember a single thing from my studies. But it didn’t matter when her smile eased everything.
Behind her, the freaky apparition’s wings folded tight against her back and stared down at me, smiling as if she approved of my actions.
“What is that behind you?” The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.
Kutia’s radiant smile widened. “And extension of my pure form.”
The few candle lights that remained danced across Kutia’s narrow face and white hair skirting to her bare breasts.
In her presence, an aura of ease folded around me. She somehow made me forget the hatred, the pain, the anger.
She patted my hand and slid a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Luna, your strength comes from your heart. Always remember that.”
Dropping my hand, the princess seemed to glide closer to Acura’s stone and picked it up. But I couldn’t even respond. I craved her touch again and the ease she made me feel as if I were a protected child.
When she faced me, her eyes gleamed with joy, and for those few seconds, I swore I stared at my sister. If she were here, she’d be jumping into the princess’s arms, yet I couldn’t string two words together and remained awestruck, which was unlike me because I always voiced my thoughts. But now, I didn’t know where to turn to next. We’d defeated Acura; the princess was back… so why did tears fill my eyes? I glanced over at Axel and hobbled to his side.
My head swam with regrets of not doing more to protect Axel or spending more time getting to know him. I’d concentrated so much time keeping everyone at a distance, and the short time I’d had with Axel would haunt me for a lifetime. I collapsed down next to him and pushed the hair off his face, remembering his smile, the way he stared at me with desire, and even the way his laughter turned me on.
Tears fell fast and angry, and I lowered myself to his chest, crying. The ache ate at my heart as if a vlko was tearing into me.
“You can heal him,” the princess said, her voice delicate and soft, yet carrying authority.
I lifted myself and wiped my cheeks. “Heal?” I hiccupped. “He’s dead.”
The princess kneeled on the other side of Axel on her bare knees, her apparition reaching out a hand toward my cheek where a tear rolled free. But her hand passed right through me. “Death is merely a state,” Kutia said. “It is his physical form that needs rescuing.” She was a small female, five foot three, but she carried herself with strength and confidence.
“While I can’t undo all your losses, I can help with Axel.” She placed a hand on his chest. “Touch his brow.”
I bounced with anticipation and excitement that maybe, for once, I might have something amazing go right in my life.
When I touched his cold forehead, energy tickled down my arm and slid into Axel. The princess whispered something.
I added my own to whatever she was saying. Come back, please. I need you. I miss you. I love you so much.
Nothing. I sighed and slouched. Taking another breath seemed impossible as I waited.
Princess Kutia’s forehead creased, and my earlier hopes dwindled. I dropped my hand and head. She was wrong about being able to save him. I’d lost the chance to enjoy his company, his conversations, his embraces. In my heart, I took back all the bad things I’d ever said to him. My chest ached because no one could ever replace Axel, and no one ever would.
Someone gingerly touched my hand.
I lifted my gaze, expecting Kutia. But instead, Axel stared at me. His face was pale and his eyes glazed over, but behind them lay my Axel, filled with life.
“Axel?” I grasped his hand in mine, squeezing, and then glanced behind him to make sure there wasn’t an energy cord connecting him to the princess. When I found none, I turned to Kutia who studied me with the most radiant smile. “Is this real?” I asked.
“Of course, child.”
The lump in my throat swelled, but I didn’t care. I hugged Axel hard, pulling him against me. “I’m never letting you leave my side.” The blanket of darkness drowning me had now faded and a flicker of hope swept through my mind. This was happening. I hadn’t lost him.
He choked a laugh and coughed. “Y-you bet.”
And as we sat there, lost in each other’s gazes, I kissed Axel’s chin, his nose, his brow, his lips.
A corner of his mouth curled upward. “Feels like a truck hit me.” He seemed to notice the princess for the first time, and his mouth gaped open. His gaze drifted upward to her apparition, which I guessed was part of her god-like stature.
“You did just come back from the dead.” I chuckled because my words sounded insane, but considering the crap we’d gone through, I wasn’t sure I could ever call myself a skeptic of anything.
“Luna and Axel,” the princess began, “I must tell you something about your link.”
And there it was, the bomb about to be dropped. “Do I want to know?”
Axel tightened his hold of my han
d. His warmth coating me reminded me of younger days where the world swam with possibilities. I hadn’t felt that way for so many years that I’d forgotten how uplifted it left me.
“The only way to resurrect him was to connect your souls. Think of it like the binding the council leaders implemented. Your lives are forever connected, and your previous binding with the council member has been replaced with Axel. When you or Axel dies, so will the other.”
Such news should have shaken me at the core, but it didn’t. It was the best bombshell ever. I leaned over Axel and embraced the princess. “Thank you. Does this mean Axel’s binding partner will also be brought back?”
Kutia shook her head. “This isn’t the way it should happen, but I bestowed this gift only on Axel for you. As a reward for defeating Acura.” Kutia rose to her feet and marched to the council members. “Now, we have a lot of cleaning up to do. We’d better get started.”
My gaze settled on Axel, and I lowered my voice. “When she says, we, do you think she means you and me… or the world?”
Axel chortled and broke into coughs again. “I don’t care as long as we’re together. Can’t let you out of my sight now. We’re linked.”
I couldn’t resist smiling and falling into the happiness I hadn’t felt since I’d lost Nyx, along with a desire to embrace life and make it what I’d always wanted… a comforting place to call home. “Come, let’s get you up.”
Axel drew me closer to him instead, arms locked around my back, and he whispered, “I love you too.”
Chapter 34
“Everyone, please stay back,” I called out to the crowd gawking at the last of the freestanding section of the Moscow city wall. At the princess’ command, our first instruction was to tear down the stone structure, to eliminate any barriers between the races. A young girl was at my side, staring at a man retreating from an explosive he’d set up, her eyes wide in awe. Change was always terrifying, except we now had Kutia in our world, providing support, hope, and a brighter future. She stayed in Saint Petersburg, fueling her magic into our Hollow, to encourage growth and healthy harvests. The princess chose to calm people and teach them we were at the start of a new era in our lives. Nothing would ever be the same again. Yeah, no one said it would be easy or quick, but with time, Kutia Hollow would morph into a harmonious home.
I guided the child behind the barricade to her mother’s side. “You’ll be safer here, angel.”
“Okay, people.” Santasha’s voice boomed from my right. “For your own safety, stay back.” She raced along the perimeter for a final check. Her chestnut brown curls bounced across her shoulders. Once she reached me, she slowed her pace. “Hey, you and Axel still coming over for dinner at my house tonight, right? Got a board game for us to play… Truth or Dare.” She waggled her eyebrows.
I laughed. “You bet.” She blew me a kiss and ran down the line, ensuring the spectators remained out of harm’s way.
I turned to the Outlands. With the city exposed, the place had lost its constricting feeling. I breathed in the fresh air, and the sun warmed my head. Small patches of grass covered the land. Two weeks had passed since Kutia had been resurrected, and already trees sprouted new buds. Dried gardens revealed the birth of vegetation. Birds flew overhead, chirping.
Farther ahead, Axel strutted out of the masses in his red Kutia Hollow uniform and spoke with an elderly man. They were too far away for me to hear the words with the buzz of excitement surrounded me. Kutia had started a new organization, the KPD, standing for Kutia Peace Division, determined to stamp out gangs, bring races together, and provide both with a fair life. Axel and I led the team. Even my old chief, Vassily, reported to me. Made me laugh each time I had to give him instructions, but I wouldn’t deny that I loved my new responsibilities.
Stepan, the surviving council leader, had retired and would live in the princess’ compound. Despite his strength during the attempt to resurrect Kutia, he now struggled with his decision to kill his friend Yakovich. But if he hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here today.
Still early days, so to say we had it under control or resembling any kind of sense was an understatement. But we had time to get it right.
Axel glanced at me and raised his chin, grinning. My gaze dipped to his pants and how incredibly well they hugged him. I swooned from his sexy strut, and his package had me melting. He wore a plain black T-shirt, his tattoos on full display, yet he insisted the tailored jacket constricted his movement. And well, with his muscles, I understood. I’d rather he had his guns out anyway for me to gawk at.
Up close, his radiant smirk had me beaming. “Saw you checking me out,” he teased.
“I ain’t denying it,” I purred.
A male voice streamed across the area, stating he had started the countdown to the final detonation.
Axel took my hand in his, our fingers intertwined, and his warmth danced up my arm. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so liberated and ecstatic. We slipped past the barrier.
I glanced up at him, a spark of tenderness and desire behind his eyes.
“Three,” the voice shouted, and people fell silent.
“You’re all mine.” I leaned closer, pressing myself against his chest, my arms curling around his waist.
“Two.”
Axel pressed his lips to mine, warm and gentle, and I opened my mouth with a soft moan. Magic. A tingle wormed its way down from our touch to the pit of my stomach and every corner of my body, from between my toes to the tips of my ears. His kiss wasn’t a peck, but a promise of much more to come.
A boom resonated, and the ground rumbled. People broke into a tremendous roar of cheers. But Axel and I remained locked in an embrace, with me floating beneath his kiss. In all honestly, the world moved for me each time he showered me with his affection. Only when I thought I’d lost him back in the council compound did I realize how much he meant to me.
For too long, I’d lived in a bubble. But in truth, I’d been drowning in grief. So I had fallen into a routine to stay sane. That wasn’t living. I’d lost too many family members and friends, and while those losses were irretrievable, I would make up for them with Axel. We had joined the Outland communities and had already chosen an apartment. It was one we’d helped to rebuild in the town where he’d grown up. That would be our home for now. From there, who knew, but it didn’t matter as long as we were together.
With Acura’s death, the vulsines completely vanished from our world. Unfortunately, the full scale of how many innocents they’d killed was still being discovered. Thousands of bodies had been found in the Outlands. But most citizens worked together to deal with the aftermath, the mass burials, the losses. Not to mention the nests of cockroaches underground. On a bright note, none I’d seen had the freaky eyes on their backs. A bug problem was a welcome issue compared to the vulsines.
Axel pulled back, his gaze drifting to the plume of dust. “The wall is down.” His eyes smiled, and the purple flecks in his blue irises gleamed in the warming sunlight.
“Feels surreal as if at any moment I’m expecting something terrible to land in our laps.” I turned to the cloud of dust rising on the wind.
Axel chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean. But if anything does happen, we’ll kick butt. We’ve saved Kutia Hollow once, so we’ll do it again. Well, except maybe for us having kiddies.”
Confusion blurred in my head because I wasn’t sure if I’d heard right. “Wait… What?” Faes and humans rarely got together or had children, and in my whole life, I’d only seen two families in the city trying to make it work. But those times were in the past.
I bounced on my toes, unable to hold back a smirk.
Axel wrapped me in a tight embrace, smothering me against his chest. “Just something I’ve been thinking about recently. If you agree, of course.”
“Damn, yeah.” Was that his way of proposing, saying he wanted a family with me? For the first time in forever, I didn’t worry about a dark future, and I savored this perfect moment, never
wanting to forget the way Axel’s love was so powerful and passionate. I wasn’t the only one who had been drowning in grief for too long. But the storm was over. And there was no other place I’d rather be than in his arms now and for eternity.
His grip tightened around my back, and he lifted me off the ground, our noses touching. “I love you.” I didn’t care if people stared… this was love, and I wanted to scream about it to the world.
“And,” he continued, “I was thinking at least four, maybe five kids. What do you think?”
I burst out laughing. “Let’s see how we manage with the first one.”
“Whatever you want, Luna, I’ll make it happen.”
Yep, no doubt about it, Axel was my future, my life, my soul partner. We’d face the future together.
Thanks for reading BINDING CURSE.
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Want more Charmed Legacy Dark Fae Hollows? This collection has over a dozen standalone titles. Learn more at the Charmed Legacy Dark Fae Hollows page.
Also by T.F. Walsh
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