“You talk as if the sword is alive,” Irene said questioningly.
Justice shrugged. “It is in a way. It has a will, and I can feel it.”
“Well, I hope it’s in the mood to kill.” Jasper smirked, and Justice grinned.
“That’s something it’s always in the mood for.” Justice chuckled. He walked up to Lucie and stopped right in front of her and Derrick. “Please be careful.”
Lucie stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his free arm around her and leaned his head against hers.
“You be careful too,” Lucie whispered and stepped away from him.
“Luuuccce, I’m a guardian. I eat nails for breakfast and wash it down with gasoline,” Justice said cheekily. He looked at Derrick and gave him a small nod. “You two stay safe.”
“Alright, we should go before they begin to move out,” Jester said, giving Jasper a small nod. Irene and Jester silently vanished. Jasper walked up to Lucie and Derrick, hugging them. “You two be safe.” His brown eyes lingered over the two of them for a second before he turned to Justice. “Alright, time to see this guardian strength of yours in full force.”
Lucie and Derrick were left alone to wait for the fighting to start. He spun her without warning and crashed his lips against hers. The kiss was desperate, rough, a claim more than a kiss.His tongue swept against hers with a heat that bordered on savage, like he was trying to memorize her through his mouth before the world went sideways.
“I love you, Lucie. No matter what, you stay safe and keep our baby safe. Promise me,” Derrick panted against her mouth as he held the back of her head.
“No matter what, we all need to stay safe. I’m not losing anyone else.” Lucie met his amber eyes and smiled. Those damn eyes of his that captured her from the first time she felt the mate pull. Back when she thought he was her forbidden fruit. She had fought the mate pull, fought her desire for him. He knew who she was the whole time, but he never had a private moment to explain things. To be fair, she never really gave him the chance to explain things.
She smiled and looked up at him. “I was mortified that time you were able to see my dream.”
Derrick chuckled. “Honestly, I almost climbed on top of you right there. I barely had any self-control. But when I saw your tears … it was enough to hold me back. You were so devoted to me. Even with the mate pull, you were determined to honor the treaty. Your loyalty to me really touched me … and frustrated me.” He chuckled and ran his fingers through her brown locks. “I’m so thankful that you’re mine, Lucie. I still can’t believe I got to fall in love with you first. The woman I love more than anything will always be by my side. And now, you’re carrying the proof of our love inside you. You both are my treasures, Lucie.” He reached down and rubbed her stomach gently.
“We need to think of names,” Derrick said with excitement.
“Well, better start with girls. Fairy magic will make sure I have a girl first.”
“We’ll pick out one of each. You never know. You’re a twin, and so is your father.” Derrick raised his eyebrows up and downas she giggled at him. “You pick out the boy name, I’ll pick out the girl name.”
“Deal. But I need time to think.” Lucie bit her bottom lip as she smiled up at him.
“Lenora. If it’s a girl, let’s call her Lenora, since she’s our little light.”
“I love it.” Lucie lightly pecked at his lips. “I love you, Derrick. You and only you.”
The sound of fighting rang out in the distance. This was their signal to go. Their eyes met, and their minds reached out to one another, instantly revealing everything left unspoken. Derrick grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers together. Then they both sprinted toward the sound of the battle, where their family was already fighting.
Lucie glanced up at the setting sun as night drew near. When the sun came back from hiding, everything should finally be over. Because if the Count was working with the witch, she might be here too. And if she was, it was time to capture her as well.
CHAPTER 73
Jasper bit his thumb and blew on the tip of his finger with force. A red cloud formed and swarmed over the ghouls. Their shrieks and cries filled the air as the red cloud pooled over them.
A bright orange glow beamed down and burned a hole right through the ghouls and dark elves. Justice turned his sword, slowly moving the beam. It disintegrated the enemies it touched instantly. From the corner of his eye, he watched as Derrick and Lucie ran behind them. The desire to follow them was strong, and he would as soon as he’d cleared all the loose ends up.
Justice was about to turn back to his battle when his eyes widened. Another army was approaching Derrick and Lucie … an army of the voidless. He turned his gaze to the new legion and pointed his sword in their direction, shooting a long beam. It was like his sword extended past its full length and devoured the enemies in its path. The moment his sword’s light reachedthe voidless, they evaporated. Derrick nodded once in gratitude as he continued to pull Lucie along.
If this kept up, Justice would be able to join them shortly. He watched Jester and Irene mercilessly kill the dark elves as Jasper’s red cloud ate through the ghouls. Dark blobs began to move toward them from a distance. They looked like ogres, only their skin was the color of ebony. They seemed to be more tainted with demon essence, and the putrid smell of rotting flesh wafted in the air. A high-pitched whinny rang out, and a large black horse slowly moved forward. The creature walked through the red dust untouched. The tall, dark shadow stepped out from the cloud and set its gaze on Justice.
It looked like a midnight-black unicorn that had been dead for years. Its skin dripped off of its body, showing the bones through its skin. Dark, thick blood oozed from various parts of its body, clinging to the hair and hooves. Its eyes were black and deeply sunken, and an inky aura pulsated around its horn.
The ogres charged, and the vampires were now having to fight for their lives against multiple strong opponents. Justice directed his light toward the dark unicorn, but to his surprise, the creature blocked his beam. Unicorns were creatures of pure magic. They belonged to the fairy kingdom. They were creatures that couldn’t be evil … not of their own accord.
Justice raised his sword defensively as the creature shot a black beam toward him. The orange light of his sword met with the darkness, and he felt his whole body shake. It blocked it, but it took a lot of effort. He readied himself for the next attack, gripping his sword tightly. He was going to have to give this everything he had.
Lucie ran behind Derrick,still holding his hand. He was an excellent tracker, so she let him have full control over the direction they were going.
