Chapter 75
Chapter 75
75. For Those We Loved
MORGANA
We had won!
A trumpet sounded, along with the howling of wolves ringing in the air. I knew for miles around it would be heard, resounding our victory. The fae seemed to realise what had happened and began t o fall back. Kian shifted back, motioning for our men who were chasing the fae to stop. Yet his eyes didn’t leave mine.
My heart thumped seeing him, completely fine… alive… We had made it.
I knew he was probably angry at the reckless move I had pulled but when Reuban had pulled me from the thick of the battle, I had shouted at him that I needed to go back. That was until I saw Kian’s wolf in the midst of the fire. I rode on his back until I came to where Kian was fighting the final of the four commanders. The idea had come suddenly to me, and seeing the opportunity I had gone for it.
“That was fucking crazy.” He growled, his eyes flashing, as my stomach fluttered. “But…”
I blushed faintly, realising he was completely naked as he pulled me into his arms.
“But..?” I asked, my heart pounding as I held on to him tightly.
“But fucking incredible. Just don’t fucking do that again.” He said huskily before his lips crashed against mine, sending rivets of pleasure coursing through me. I locked my arms around his neck, not caring that we were both covered in dirt and blood. The pain that I knew we were both feeling at the loss of our friends, family and people remained, but right now, all I needed was his touch to tell me it was all ok…
“We have won.” He whispered against my lips. I smiled softly, moving back as I stared into his eyes.
“We have.”
He pulled away, looking around at our people. Vampires, elves and werewolves were gathering. I saw the two captains of the vampire armies, Orrian, Ajax and Reuban. Where was Luca? I looked at Kian questioningly as one of his men gave him some pants, and he shook his head, my heart clenched.
Som
We lost him…
“As one… We defeated this enemy… In the process, we lost a king… a beta… and many more. Each loss was not without cause. From this day forth, I promise that our kingdoms will always unite with yours. The Kingdom of Elandorr and The Sanguine Empire will always have Clair De Lune by their side, in hardship and when in need, we will be there for you. Today, victory was ours, yet it cost us greatly. Bury our dead and burn the enemy!” He said. I turned to the sun that was now in the sky, putting the burning fire around us to shame.
We had done it.
Two weeks had passed since that day. We had lost many, including Luca, Corbin, and to my surprise, even Sage. I knew Kian would always feel guilty for her end and I understood that. She truly loved him… and she had died for him…
And Azrael? I had gone to break the news to Anastasia… I will never forget the way she fell to her knees, crying for the loss of her beloved. I remained there by her side for two nights, promising to take care of my nephew and to always be there for him.
a
Azrael had died to save me. Despite his wrongs in life and his attitude, in the end, he had somewhat redeemed himself and did what was right. I would make sure Remiel became a king that both his father
and mine would be proud of.
Anastasia would remain queen and run the kingdom alongside the royal advisors, until Remiel was old enough. I made sure to let Anastasia know that I would always be there for them when they needed me.
I had returned to Clair De Lune, we had my coronation with only the vital members of the council a s witnesses, and I took my oath as Luna and Queen. A celebration would take place, but not until things were settled and the mourning period was over.
I now looked at Liana, who sat on her bed, her face pale. She looked lifeless. My heart clenched for her, for I knew that she wouldn’t last long. It broke me to learn she had been pregnant. Kian’s words from earlier rang in my ear. ‘She won’t last long after the baby is born.‘
“How are you feeling, Liana?” Kian asked, sitting on the edge of her bed as he took her limp hand i n his own.
“Dead.” Came her hollow reply came as she stared past us out towards the window, unseeing.
“I know…” Kian said quietly. “The doctor said the baby is doing well…”
“An orphan.” Liana whispered, now turning her gaze to Kian as I sat next to her pillow, wrapping m y arms around her shoulders.
I knew Luca’s death had affected Kian, no matter how strong he acted. I can only imagine what Liana was going through. Just thinking of losing Kian made my chest squeeze painfully.
Kian sighed.
“It won’t be an orphan; I will raise Luca’s child as my own. I promise you that.” He said quietly.” Your child will always have the love of parents.”
Tears started streaming down her cheeks and she nodded. *
“Thank you…”
She knew she’d die soon, I too promised silently to always take care of this child.
Kian’s gaze turned to mine, and I gave him a small sad smile as our eyes met. Time doesn’t heal
everything, but it does make things easier…
KIAN
The aftermath is worse than the battle. Knowing how many we lost, how many more we would lose as they follow their mates… how many children will become orphans? There is never enough strength to handle it all.
Nothing is ever as planned, even the battalions I had organised in hopes Morgana was at the safest point had thrown me fucking off. A mistake on my part, knowing that in war anything can happen. The worry I had felt for her when I couldn’t get to her had made me sick. Watching Luca die…everything…
Time… Time would make it easier.
We had already begun trade with the Sanguine Empire. The food was so shockingly scarce there that I was surprised they were even surviving, but it was clear Malachi Araton wanted to destroy their kingdom from inside first before pretending to raise them to great heights.
It was evening now and I was heading to the cells to visit Cain. He had requested a meeting with m e and so, I agreed. As for his mate, I had given her and their children a home. Cain would pay for his crimes, but his family were not part of that
I gave the guards’ curt nods before walking through the cold halls until I reached his cell. He was sitting on the stone floor, but the moment he saw me, he stood up, grabbing the bars and rattling them before letting go as the silver burned him.
“Let me out!” He hissed.
“You wanted to see me, I hope you had a reason because this is the last time I’m going to bother to ever come here.” I said coldly.
“You can’t keep me here forever, Kian! I will not let this slide!”
My eyes flashed, Thanatos’ growl echoed in the cell as he fought to take over.
“You will respect your Alpha!” I growled, our voices overlaying one another’s.
Cain looked away, and I knew, despite being an Alpha, Thanatos had an effect on him even if it wasn’t absolute.
“You are here because of your mate and children, otherwise, I would have killed you.” I said coldly.” You will never be free Cain, you will remain here until your last fucking day.”
“No! NO!” He shouted.
“We are done.”
I didn’t care. If he had nothing to say, then I was done. With those words, I turned and walked away. His shouting of promises to kill me and to ruin me followed, but that’s all he could do.
.
The weakest always bark the loudest…
I returned to my quarters feeling exhausted. The last two weeks had been hard. The few days Morgana had gone to the Sanguine Empire for had been the worst, I vowed to never let her go anywhere without me ever again.
I entered my bedroom to see her in a silk black nightdress with a criss-cross string back detailing. It revealed her smooth, creamy skin and those jutting shoulder blades as she sat upon her vanity stool, braiding her hair. Something I wanted to see her do every night… to return home every night, to her.
She turned, a smile crossing her face as she looked at me. Her eyes instantly softened with concern as she approached me, her hips swaying and fuck it, like always she captured my attention. I shut the door, pulling my shirt off, too tired to do anything but simply wanting to hold my woman and sleep.
She cupped my face.
“Want to talk about it?” She asked softly.
I snaked my arms around her waist, pressing my forehead to hers, relishing the sparks that coursed through me.
“Can I just hold you?” I said quietly.
For once, Thanatos remained quiet, probably understanding how fucking drained I was.
“When has my sexy hot chocolate ever asked?” She whispered seductively, making me fucking
twitch.
“Good fucking point.” I replied huskily.
I have no fucking idea how she can get me turned on, even with one fucking sentence, but she did. I groaned, tangling my hand through her hair, not caring that I was ruining the braid she had just done as I claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.
She guided us to the bed, breaking away to move the blanket back. She pulled me down, resting her head on the cushions, and tugged me down until my head was resting on her arm. I slipped my hand
under the arch of her waist, curling my arms around her as I pulled her flush against me. My head was buried in her breasts.
She stroked my hair.
“Sleep my love, it’s been a tiring few weeks for you.” She whispered softly.
“Hmm… I love you… You fucking know that right?”
“I do.” She replied softly, leaning over she turned the lamps off, plunging us into darkness as I inhaled her scent, enjoying the closeness to her. “Kian… your journals, can I read them?”
My journals? My thoughts… Scraps of paintings I had done… If anyone asked me a year ago if I’d ever let anyone read them, I would have scoffed, but Morgana? The answer was clear.
“Of course.”
“Really?!”
“They are spelled though. Only the keys around my neck can open them and only if I give these keys to someone willingly.” I replied.
“Damn, so even though I once wanted to read them… I wouldn’t have been able to. You really are careful.”
I could hear the amusement in her voice, I raised an eyebrow and stared up at her.
“Care to fucking share?” I asked.
“Let’s just say, I’ve wanted to see what secrets you were hiding in those journals for a long time.” She replied, kissing the top of my head.
“Yeah, well if they were that easy to get into, they wouldn’t just be lying around…” I murmured, raising an eyebrow, before reaching up and tugging her down.
“I guess that’s true.” She said, frowning slightly, her gaze dipping to my lips as I smirked. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
“Exactly.” I said, kissing her once more.