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“From what my mother told me, our parents were as close as a true family,” Brax reflected, calling our attention to him. “I imagine it killed the king and queen a little each day to hear their people curse my father, their brother, but they withstood that anyway, because it was for a greater good.”
My guardian’s eyes suddenly shone with a reverence and loyalty so fierce that it seemed to consume him whole. Straightening to his full height, he placed a hand over his heart and fell to one knee before us.
“Long live Braxton Skystorm, Last Prince of Caelisium, and heir to theDracones Throni.”
His vow shook me to my core, revealing the one thing my overwhelmed mind had failed to acknowledge. Braxton was Raithian’s grandson, the Dragon Throne was his, not mine.
“Stop, Chief. Get up,” Brax protested just as I placed my hand over my heart too.
“Long live Braxton Skystorm, Last Prince of Caelisium, and heir—”
“What the hell are you doing?!” My mate stopped me before my knee could touch the ground, his hands lifting me into his arms. “Stop it. Both of you.”
“But you are the true prince,” I insisted, secretly hoping he would tell me that didn’t change anything. “You carry the magical bloodline of the Devenish. You are the ruler by birthright, and I—”
“And you are their queen as I’ll be their king… If I must.” He cringed dramatically, but for the first time, I noticed a gleam of duty dance in his eyes. Like he was finally owning his place in this world.
Braxton’s gaze softened while searching mine. For what? I wasn’t certain, but a sliver of humor entered his expression.
“If after everything we have been through together. After me sharing my heart with you, you still fear I would ever do something like that to you, then you don’t know me very well, Little Princess.”
My lips twitched with amusement, but a wave of relief coursed through me as I watched him lean closer to kiss me. Of course I knew who he was. Yet, the fear of losing my people, my kingdom, and everything my parents and aunt gave their lives to build and protect was so ingrained in me that it defied logic.
A loud throat clearing stopped us, and we both glanced next to us to find a seriously pissed off Kingston glaring at Braxton.
“Chief. Um, I kind of need to talk to you.”
Huffing, Kingston stepped away, but not before throwing a scary glare at my mate.
“I guess being theLast Prince of Caelisiumdoesn’t save me from the chief wanting to kill me.”
Laughter escaped me, and I pulled Braxton to me, stealing a kiss while my guardian walked away from us.
“Kiki, wait!” Braxton called after him, baffling me, and Kingston’s form froze mid-stride. “Okay, now he is really going to kill me.” His humor disappeared when my guardian turned around to face us.
“Only one person was ever allowed to call me that.” His words appeared harsh, but emotion briefly crossed his features.
“I know. My mom told me. I spent the whole day with her in theLake of Tranquility. That is where I was before you guys found me. She wanted me to tell you that she loves you, misses you, and hopes you won’t be too hard on me.” Braxton grinned, earning a new scowl from my guardian—but it wasn’t as strong as it would have been.
“How is that possible?” Both my guardian and I asked.
“My mother is a Soul Walker. It’s an ability all the Devenish women are born with, which allows them to walk between the land of the living and the ascended,” Brax explained, leaving us speechless. “She didn’t truly die. She chose to transition into her nextstate of being, so I would let go of the world I knew and follow Evie to my true home. She knew I wouldn’t have come here without her… and she was right. I would have never left her.”
“I heard rumors about that ability when I was a sentry in the Crimson Fortress, but never thought it was possible.” My guardian shook his head, his wonder and admiration mirroring my own.
I had read about Keira being a Soul Walker in her letter, but that didn’t explain how it allowed Braxton to go into theLake of Tranquility. “How does it work?”
“Her ability allows her to call me into the plane of the ascended, and by accepting her invitation, I can actually be there with her, hug her, talk to her, feel her as I do you. It was surreal, but wonderful. I really needed that.”
“I’m glad she is alright, and that she is with your father. If you see her again, please tell her I love her and miss her too.”
“Will do, Kiki.”
“Braxton, if you want to live…”
“Sorry, Chief.”
“Can we return home now?” my guardian insisted, all humor gone. “We have been out here for too long. It isn’t safe.”
Exchanging a glance with Braxton, I nodded at Kingston. “We will, but there is something important we have to do first.”
“What can be more urgent than getting the two of you to safety?” he argued, adding my mate under his overprotective watch—once reserved only for me… and Willow.
A pleased smile curved my lips. “Getting the proof needed to finally clear the Harbinger of Justice’s name.”
