There would be time served for certain crimes, but those who only followed out of fear would be let free. Trials were set for those with more severe crimes, from both the Vanir and the Panateia.
It took time, but once thesystem was in place and people were put in charge, it was one less thing Lennox and I had to worry about.
A group had volunteered to help round up the remaining Dhampirs that had dispersed themselves across the continent after Adreona died. Luce and some other witches created a potion that was embedded into the group’s weapons. When the Dhampirs were impaled by the potion, it would render them unconscious while they were transported back to the Mystic Court, where they would be held until Luce and her witches came up with a way to reverse their condition.
Or until they died. Whichever came first.
Tomorrow, we’d finally head back home, to Alethens, as everything we could settle now was finished.
Anything else we could do from home.
From Alethens.
“Have you heard much from your cousin?” Lennox asked as she stood by the dresser and began removing her weapons.
Even though the war was over, we didn’t stop our routines. We were still armed to the teeth every day.
It was hard to reconcile this was all over. That we didn’t need to be looking over our shoulders at every turn. Now that death and war didn’t loom over us.
“Not much. I think she’s been overwhelmed by everything.” My cousin Isolde’s new title as Queen of the Blood Court had come as a shock to her when we’d sent her the letter all those weeks ago. She was so far removed she never thought she’d be queen, let alone a queen of a court who had been usurped and its people used against one another. The Blood Court had a lot of rebuilding to do, and although she might be overwhelmed now, I think she’s the perfect person to breathe new life into the court.
A fresh start is exactly what the Blood Court needed.
“It is too bad we couldn’t meet her, that she couldn’tcome to the court meetings with everything going on.” Lennox toed off her boots. “We’ll have to pay her a visit once everything is settled.”
She made her way toward me on the bed, where I lay with my arms behind my head. “Later, not anytime soon,” I told her as she crawled onto the bed and straddled me, placing her thighs on either side of my hips.
“Once we get home, I’m locking you away for a week, at least.” I braced my hands on her hips, letting my fingers drift under her shirt to the soft skin beneath.
“A week, huh? I don’t think I’ll be able to walk if you hold me up for a week.”
“That’s the point, Sweetheart.” She shifted as I sat up to meet her gaze.
“Maybe we should get started now.” She dusted her lips over my jaw before tugging my earlobe between her teeth.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
84
LENNOX
There were some days when I never thought I’d see Alethens again. Dark days when I was locked up by Adreona and never thought I’d make it back home. Days when battle wore so heavily on my limbs I'd thought I’d never make it back alive.
But there she was, my beautiful city lay before me, just as I remembered her.
How long had it been since I’d seen my city? Months? It was the longest I’d ever been away from it.
But I made it back.
The war was over. My people are safe.
I made it back.
I was finally home.
“Nol!” My voice echoed in the foyer, my boots clacking on the floor as I called for my brother. “Nol!”
“Nol, we’re home!” Kara echoed. We had been in communication in the weeks since the war ended, he should have been expecting our arrival. Even though he was probablysafe, I couldn’t stop the seed of worry from taking root in my gut.Where was he?
