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The field glowed for a moment but spread out toward the mountains and trees, narrowing in on a spot part way up the rock face. All of it came to a point of focus on a massive outcropping of rocks covered in trees and huge bushes. A haven to hide a dragon.
My fire burned away rock and bushes, revealing Octavian as he ignited.
He let out a cry and tried to get into the air, but holes burned into his wings from the sparks of Zaria’s light in my fire, glowing intense white as they spread. He staggered and crumpled, and I didn’t let up my fire until he collapsed into a charred lump.
I stood over the singed remains of him with an empty feeling in my chest. I couldn’t get my head around any of it.
Would we ever know the extent of his crimes? I had to get back to the palace and start going through his office. The letter that started all this destruction was evidence, and I hoped there would be more.
I stood with Octavian’s remains until the horde of dragons caught up. Then I handed him off to them to bring back.
Right then, I didn’t have the energy to do anything except get back to my mate.
I couldn’t face the realization that if Octavian was a necromancer, this was about more than Dragon’s Bane and money.
EPILOGUE
Nyx
The capital was quiet in the weeks after Octavian’s death. Shock over the news of his betrayal was only overshadowed by the news that his crimes had cost the lives of two flights. The First Flight were a part of the city. The fae loved them, and their loss was felt deeply.
An official investigation was underway into Octavian’s wrongdoings, which I used as a distraction from dealing with my grief during the long days. But at night, we closed ourselves into our rooms and quietly mourned.
Zaria saved me in those weeks. I wouldn’t have survived them without her.
I delayed the ceremony that would officially swear me in as General and Head of the Dragon Council as a mark of respect to the fallen dragons. The city planned a memorial so we could collectively mourn our lost loved ones.
King Viktas arranged for a private memorial service in the palace’s temple for Kol before the military service for the lost Flights. Fae turned out in droves—everyone who knew and loved him. Word of mouth spread fast, and the little temple was standing room only as the priests made offerings to the Goddess.
We filled the front row, and King Viktas stunned me by sitting by my side. I hadn’t seen him attend a funeral since my father’s, and it made me feel some sort of way. Too many feelings were wrapped up in this moment. I shouldn’t have had to be here so soon after my father.
This was nothing like the way Kol and I swore to go out together. Living on without him felt like a betrayal to him and our promises. To our life, which was intrinsically joined.
I hated having nothing to return to the Goddess. I would do all I could to end the Vivi Mortui so that if he was turned after death, we could give him and all the other lost souls peace. I wouldn’t leave them trapped and wandering the Twelve Kingdoms for the rest of eternity.
Zaria squeezed my hand and laid her head on my shoulder. I didn’t deserve her, but I wouldn’t have survived this without her. She brought a peace I didn’t think was possible after such a loss. We’d get through it together.
I couldn’t give up now. I had a duty to the Twelve Kingdoms to protect them from the coming threat.
The priests finished their prayers and bowed to King Viktas before ending the service.
After the King was led out by his stewards, Zaria and I left the little temple to head out into the city for the celebration of the two flights we’d lost—the First and the Forth.
“Have you seen the city?” Zaria asked.
“No?” In the weeks since Octavian’s betrayal, I hadn’t left the palace grounds. I’d been digging through everything in his office to try and make sense of what he did. He’d either burned every scrap of evidence except the letter Zaria had pulled off his desk, or he had some hiding place I couldn’t find. There wasn’t a trace of money or bank accounts. No ledger or plans. His involvement in it all remained a mystery we may never figure out.
She wiped her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
When we stepped out of the palace grounds, instead of drab cobblestone streets and dark-colored buildings, every surface was covered in flowers. The walls of the palace were surrounded by them piled high with notes and little trinkets for those we lost to carry into the afterlife.
I stopped in my tracks. The weight of love the city held for my brother and the Flights overwhelmed me. I fought back emotions. If I lost it now, I wouldn’t have it in me to make it through the procession.
Zaria slipped her arms around my neck. I pressed into her, trying not to lose it. “You’re allowed to show emotion. You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to show you’re devastated. They won’t think less of you. They need to see you’re grieving with them. It will help the whole city heal and come together for the war.”
I cupped her face, resting my forehead against hers. “You are everything I didn’t know I needed. It’s hard to grieve so publicly, but as long as you’re with me, I’ll get through it.”
“I know. I’m proud of you.”
