It is a beautiful sight, even if it is not what I dreamed of. Genesis is finally fighting back.
I regain control of my voice. “If you hate me so much, Father, you wouldn’t play games. You would kill me with your bare hands. This is about something more than me.”
My father smirks down at me as kings from other ships portal-in around us. The plaza fills with Royals, including delegates and Elders. Drones hover in, recording the situation, no doubt playing the feed on every mothership that hasn’t joined the party.
“Disloyalty to Amphir is a punishable offense,” my father says smugly. “All who step out of line must meet their fate.”
“I agree.” Eluni steps out of a portal among the guarded Royals and warring Rogues and Denarso. Something drips onto the floor. She walks toward me and works her mouth around like she’s trying to find words.
I focus on the head that hangs from her hand by the hair. “Is that King ofEvalar?”
Eluni lifts her nose at my father. “Catianna is free. She has joined Genesis.”
My father throws an arc at her.
Eluni blocks his attack with ease, and another from a nearby king with a hand, then throws a vibrant pulse that flings them both back. I think Eluni’s more powerful than she ever mentioned.
She hangs her head. “I am sorry, Aura. I have failed you.”
“What are you talking about?” I strain to roll onto my side so I can look at her straight on.
My father makes another move toward Eluni. A bullet launches out of a rifle somewhere in the crowd. It hits his Arkus shield and shoves him back, but it’s enough that he takes a minute to himself.
Eluni smirks for a barely visible second. “Kings think they’re above the law.”
“You’re a Savage!” King Eikener bellows from where he picks himself up.
She barely spares him a glare over her shoulder. “Piss off, Bruit. My savagery protected you for years.”
“Eluni.” My chest feels like it’s collapsing. Tears blur my vision. “Tell me it isn’t Jovie.”
She sways. “Talros took her to Allele. We came to look for you.”
“Is she alive?”
Eluni lifts a shoulder and sways her head. “I don’t know. I left to get vengeance. Jorusk went with them.”
Someone throws an arc at her from the crowd outside the prison colonnade. It bounces off of a shield like an Arkus, but it’s different. It shimmers a bit bluer. “I am not a worthy Keeper of Viestria.”
An arc launches out of the hand of a delegate in green robes. Then more Royals attack Eluni’s shield until she is forced to her knees, hunkered inside it, shuddering.
“I am sorry, Aura!” she cries out. “I could not protect your mate. But I will protect you.”
In her hand is a grenade that swells with light so bright that she looks like an Archangel from the history books.
Viestria would not be ashamed of her.
I am shattered and distraught, knowing my mate has likely left this universe. Eluni disobeyed an order, but watching her take the hits as if she deserves them isn’t right.
I can’t stand the thought of her sacrificing herself. I know it’s her plan when she focuses hard on the crowd of Royals gathering in a corner of the plaza behind me.
“I forgive you,” I say.
There isn’t much else I can do where I lie Storm-arrested. A cavity has opened up in me. I don’t know what my father has planned for me. But I know Genesis needs soldiers like Eluni. And I don’t think I have long.
Her eyes dart to mine like she doesn’t believe me. So I say it again, even though I am adrift in a black hole of pain I didn’t know could exist, cracking my chest, fracturing my Storm’s strength.
My heart beats heavily and slowly. When my soul leaves me, I want the last thing I did to be something good.
