“Do your worst, Finn,” he rasped, trying to lighten the mood, but I still couldn’t catch my breath.
Once Gage carefully removed Jace’s shoulder armor, Finn dropped to his knees on his other side. He then pulled out vials of herb-infused liquids and salves, pouring and smearing them onto his gaping wound. I watched silently, barely breathing, as my brother went to work to save my mate’s life. His fingers worked quickly as he stitched the wound close, the once-flowing blood ceasing.
Jace let out a hiss at the contact.
“He needs to drink this—it will help with the pain and loss of blood. It was extracted from sedaeyo leaves.”
My husband gave me a subtle nod, finally admitting he needed help.
I took the vial from my brother and carefully lifted Jace’s head into my lap. Bringing the vial to his lips, I slowly poured it into his mouth. His cloudy eyes remained on me as they gradually started to clear—his fading heartbeat growing stronger with each beat.
“My Lia,” he rasped as a small smile leisurely tilted the edge of his lips.
Zaela and Gage let out shuddering breaths of relief as they remained at our side.
Sobs escaped me as I wrapped my arms around him tighter. “Thank the gods,” I whispered. “I thought I was going to lose you.” My tears formed a puddle on his skin.
“Never,” he answered, and a smile tilted my lips as the tears continued to rush down my cheeks.
One of the promises we had always kept to one another. That we wouldneverleave each other, andalwaysfind a way back to the other. In this realm and the next.
I lifted myself from him and hovered over his face. His hand moved to wipe the tears from my cheeks. A quiet laugh escaped me as I stared into his hazel eyes, never being more thankful in my life to still have him with me.
“Are you okay?” I asked in a whisper.
He gave me a knowing look with a half-smirk as he tried to hide his pain. “It’s just a flesh wound.”
I barked out a huff of a laugh. “Gods, that isnota flesh wound.”
Jace pressed his lips firmly to my forehead, and I felt his touch tremble as relief settled into the both of us.
When he released me, I turned to the others. “Okay, now you can help get him up.”
They didn’t waste a second as they each aided him by lifting his back, being careful of his wounded shoulder.
“Gods, that’s fucking brutal. I thought he pushed it straight through me.” Jace let out a hiss as they moved him, but his eyes remained on my face the entire time. “Is it really over?”
“It is,” I answered and then looked over my shoulder, across the battlefield. The gates caught my attention as they started to open, causing my eyes to widen.
Soldiers, both mortal and fae, watched from a distance, waiting to see the final command I would make. My eyes drifted over our enemy fleet, whose weapons remained laid down in surrender at their feet.
Then hooves sounded from our opposite side.
I turned to face Bruhn and crossed my arms, a single brow lifting at the sight of him. “Nice of you to show,” I taunted him.
Jace’s amusement tiptoed down the tether as he stood a pace behind me.
The centaur scoffed. “Watch it…Heir of the Realm.” He paused for a moment. “Or should I now call you Queen?”
A smile curved my lips. “Lia will do.”
I took in the sight of his powerful body, covered in lacerations. My people weren’t the only ones who suffered loss today, but he came for me. The creatures of the realm came to aid their rightful queen.
“Thank you,” I whispered as my eyes softened.
He huffed at me as if thanking him was a waste of time. “Do you have orders?”
I blinked at him. Shoving down the confusion of him being so cooperative, I cleared my throat. “Gather those who remain and bring them into the city. They will be given a choice. I will not slaughter those who surrendered.” My words paused for a moment. “I’m not her.”
