“I’vehad every noble in the mist district open their homes to those fleeing inward.Butwe can’t keep our gates open much longer,”LadyBogatainserted.IfeltJunshift with surprise next to me.
“What’syour next move,Commander?”Iasked.
“Clearthe sea district and secure the perimeter of the mist district before launching our attempt to push the enemy out.”
“Whatdo you need for that?”
“Togather our scattered cohorts to the mist district’s three bridges, and maybe a miracle.”Heturned to look back at the plaza whereAbraxasspun wildly, launching multiple soldiers into the air at once. “Luckily, it looks like you brought one.”Underhis helmet,Isaw his teeth flash. “Yourorders,YourMajesty?”
Notime to hesitate now. “I’llhead to the garden district and get as many out asIcan.Commander, you head to the market district and do the same.Donot engage unless absolutely necessary.Gathertroops and retreat towards the bridges.LadyBogata, you head to the main bridge and keep the mist district open as long as possible; save as many as you can.”
Shenodded, andInoticed the broken piece of wood she held like a club.Bloodcoated the tip.
“Junyou—”
“Iwill go withLadyBogatato hold the bridge.”Ididn’t want him out of my sight, not again, not with so many enemies around us.
“Jun…”
“Gosave who you can,Tori.”Helooked over atLadyBogata. “Maybethey aren’t all bad after all.”Somethingpassed between the two, and she nodded.
“Iwould sayIwould protect him with my life,Princess, but seeing what you can do, myPrince,Idoubt you need me.”
Jun’sface was still stern, but he nodded again, and they headed out with half of the soldiers following behind.
Taliuseyed the remaining troops. “Ican send a dozen with you,YourMajesty.Youcan’t go alone.”
“Oh,Iwon’t be alone.”Weall turned towardsAbraxas.
Theplaza was now almost completely cleared of enemy soldiers; many were lying dead or dying on the ground, covered in blood and burns.
Onemore lay trapped underAbraxas’ claw, screaming and trying to free himself.Abraxasslowly lowered his jaws before snapping the man’s neck; the screaming abruptly stopped.
How’dthat taste?Iinquired, half joking.
Delicious.Hesnaked his long tongue over his teeth and lips, licking up the remaining blood.Avery primal fear gripped its fist around my stomach as he stalked forward.Hewas too big and powerful.Comparedto him,Iwas tiny.
Hiseyes glowed with so much rage as blood dripped from his fangs.Ifelt the soldiers shaking, their armor rattled as they looked up at the monstrosity straight from nightmares.Iwas afraid, butIwas also his mate, and he would yield to me.
Changeback.
What?
That’san order.Iplaced my hand on his snout and let the mana flow through me.Thewind kicked up to a gale again, and slowly, his scales receded, and he shrunk until only the fae stood before me.Hiseyes still shimmered that deep, violent gold.
Thesurrounding soldiers stood straighter, butIcould still sense their hesitation.Taliusstepped forward, passingAbraxashis sword. “Y-yourMaje-sty.”Abraxasgripped the weapon, and the soldiers all took a step back as he swung it violently before him, as if remembering how to move.Hewas still the beast.Icould see it.Hewouldn’t care who ended up on the other side of that blade like this, lost to the violence and rage inside of himself.
Istepped closer and whispered in his ear, “Let’sgo save our people.”Isaw the beast hesitate.Hisface softened, but his grip on the sword was still harsh, and those eyes remained.
“Staywith me,Abraxas?”Thegreen returned to his eyes.Ireached my hand out to cup his cheek.
“Untilthe sky burns,Tori.”
Chapter 37
Pallas
Theship buzzed with nervous energy as the soldiers bustled about, readying for our landing and the battle ahead.
