“You are going to be okay,” Jaxon whispered, again and again. His gaze was fixed on her, eyes wide as if he were in shock.
“Help me send them to Julian,” I said sharply, meeting Aria's gaze. Her breaths were sharp and fast as her body continued to shake, but her gaze cut to Agatha, and a whimper left her lips.
“Agatha too, Aria,” I reassured her, and I took a deep breath. Shadows emerged but they were weak and I exhaled as I felt Jaxon’s magic brush against mine.
“You are going to be okay,” Jaxon breathed. “You both have to be okay.”
Chapter 37
Zara
The acrid stench of burning flesh filled my lungs as I clutched my injured leg. My body was now free from Morgana’s binding, and I fought to suppress a scream. She had melted the damn charm, and it had burned through to the bone at my ankle. Thankfully, the silver chain slipped off before it could sever my foot, and now lay glinting in the grass at my feet.
I glared skyward at the monstrous form taking shape in the air, watching as Morgana’s bones snapped and reformed. She transformed into a beast similar to Xavier, vanishing into the cloud she had compelled me to create.
That thing in my chest loosened its grip as a pained roar ripped through the air. I held my breath, my eyes wide as I watched my mate fall from the sky, blood gushing from the claws Morgana had plunged into his stomach. I screamed, my knees digging into the earth as I struggled to stand. My injured ankle wouldn't let me put any weight on it, but I couldn’t help myself crawling in his direction, reaching out for him again through our bond. My left arm throbbed, causing me to winceas I glanced down to find the vines pulsing and dancing on my skin as if in warning. Fear ignited through me again, and I pounded on the barrier between us, demanding to be let in, but he still refused to open it. I couldn't breathe.
Xavier was back in his fae form, clutching his stomach as men and creatures tried to break down the shield that was now surrounding him. He was too injured to flee, and Morgana was taking her time, reveling in his agony as she continued her slow, deliberate approach.
“Help him! Do something!” I begged, turning toward my father, who was watching the scene with a pained expression on his face.
“You know I can't,” he whispered, and my brow furrowed as my attention shifted back to the battle, back to Xavier. Tears streamed down my face as I watched men and women fall, ogres and pixies dropping lifelessly to the ground.
So many unseeing eyes stared blankly into the sky.
I shook my head, a sob escaping me.How had I let this happen? Why?
Morgana's head snapped forward, her attention leaving Xavier and I followed her gaze.
“Lana!” I choked out, and my father snarled beside me. He strode forward, his back to me, but I saw his body tense, his fists clench at his sides as he stared across the field.
She was dead.
They had killed her, and although I desperately wanted to kill Jaxon for it… I understood. I had seen what they saw, and I knew what this meant. But it didn't lessen my pain. She didn't deserve to die, to be ripped away from her mate. None of this was fair.
Where was the balance?
Everyone was suffering and dying, except the one person who should be, and Morgana didn’t care. About me, about Lana, about anyone, and I refused to let Lana's life, her death, be for nothing.
Morgana was already in the air, roaring and charging toward Jaxon.
A cry pierced the air, and my eyes widened as I saw Aria on the back of Agatha slam into Morgana.What was she thinking?!Flames erupted, and I had to look away as a loud, anguished cry sounded. I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to witness the griffin burning, Aria dying.
It was just more deaths, more pain that I had caused. Because I caused this… it was because of me Morgana was here… these deaths were on my soul just as much as hers.
A chuckle sounded behind me and my head whipped to the side.
Duke Wellington had appeared and he was watching what was happening with a disgusting smile on his meaty face. He glanced down at me in the dirt and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. It reminded me of Atticus and the way he used to look at me. I shuddered.
Control, power. That was all these people cared about.
The duke adjusted his pants before turning and putting his back to me.
He was getting off on this. The bloodshed. He wasn't even fighting, just watching as his people got murdered, as innocent lives were lost.
I tried to stand but shouted as the pain in my ankle returned. He was still walking away, getting away, just like he did with everything. Just like how he got away with hurting all those children. I wanted him dead, tortured, but I couldn't kill him.Morgana had forbidden it, and that thing in my chest coiled tightly as if knowing my intention. But I was already smiling manically, because I found a loophole.
“Geoffrey,” I snarled, making him stop. He looked over his shoulder at me, his smug smile faltering as he took in my wide manic grin. Shadows erupted around him, and his pupils blew wide as he tried to run. “I hope your death is violent.”
