He roars with anger. His Storm surges. It recognizes the name, and I think he hates that it does.
I curl around Jovie as a hand stretches out to me from the watching crowd.
The woman’s eyes blaze like mine. She pushes back the hood of her bloodied and charred cloak, a portal of gold light fading behind her, exposing the hangar with the Denarsoan ship.
She’s been here, fighting alongside us.
“Hello, my son.” Ephinium smiles with shaking lips like she’s so happy she might cry.
I take her hand, and our Storms merge in the air like a powerful, gently pulsing star.
Genesis members whisper. Even some Royal guards salute us.
Ephinium rests a hand on Jovie’s shoulder, making us a circle of Storm light so strong and steady that I feel like I’m being hugged by the sun. “And my daughter-by-bond.”
“He took me from you, didn’t he?” I ask.
“Yes. But I have always known where you were. That is the affinity of a Torchbearer’s Storm. We know where our family is so we can form a path for those who follow. Now, let me care for your mate while youend this.”
Ephinium,my mother,as witnessed by all survivors in the plaza and viewers on the motherships far away, collects Jovie and guides her into the shelter of Fieri, Blaize, Talros, and Eluni.
Jorusk joins them, flipping a bloodied talon in the air. I think he’s won his battle. Now it’s time I win mine.
I turn to my father as our Oramma orb fades. “You and Avarylis couldn’t have children, could you? That’s why I have no siblings. So you found another way. You listened to your Storm and made me, then shoved Ephinium in a hole to die while Avarylis pretended to be my mother.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he defends.
“You abducted me from myhome. I am descended from Torchbearers. Neither of you are. But Ephinium is.” I point back at her. “My Storm recognizes hers. You lied to me, but worse, to our people!”
His anger lights up as the crowd murmurs with distrust. He crackles, throwing arcs around him. “I was going to let you live. I hope you’re ready to die for them.”
It’s not easy to look my father in the eyes, knowing he is my father and that this may be the last time I see him. But I remind myself of all the injustices my people have endured for the kings’ agendas. It’s clear my father is the mastermind. “If dying is what it takes to ruin you and save them, I accept that sacrifice.”
Jovie strains in the arms of my mother. “Aura, no!”
I open my hands and let my Storm take over. Heat rises. Tingling energy surges in my bones.If he is alive, they are in danger.
And he has no idea how furious my Storm is, how long it has waited for this moment. With Jovie alive, my first child within her, and my mother watching my back, my purpose aligns. It coalesces my Storm.
He throws the first bolt. The other kings and Royals join in his effort to destroy me. I’m not surprised.
I take the assault but have to lean into it to hold my position. My Arkus shield holds.
“Aura!” The cry of my mate, Jovie’s sweet voice, fuels me.
“Shield!” I shout.
But her green light never comes. What I see instead is white light, angry hazel-green eyes, and my friends, my mother, Genesis, and converting Royals on our side, joining hands with each other, turning into a wall of Storm power.
Dampeners crackle and fail.
Talros gives someone a thumbs-up.
The masses unite their Storms into one wave. As the tidal pulse rushes outward, I finally let every barrier and blockade fall. Every reservation holding back my Storm drops. I pull out memories of battle with the Vinym, Sol Federation, Helsvians, Thorians, Mindor, Denarso, Novarks, and Nebs and pair that pain and anger with the need to protect my people and my true family from the ruthless Royals. I let it all out in one last arc I throw at my father.
I prayGravionholds together. I doubt it has ever seen a Storm battle of this magnitude.
A wave of electric arcs floods the room. The air sizzles and fizzes. The ship is a flurry of lightning.
