AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It blows my mind to contemplate the differences between the two areas. Surely sharing food, wealth, and resources would mean they could all live happy lives, not this…division.
Here, the differences are obvious. People stare at us, but they almost seem resigned. There are no screams or running. They just watch and wait for their fate. It’s sad really.
Aria leads us through shadows as much as she can, taking us through run-down buildings, over unsteady walkways, and down littered streets. The fact that this area is worse off than our city doesn’t escape my notice either, and when I glance down at Talia, she seems sad as she looks around.
“Almost there!”
I put on a burst of speed as we take to the walkways in the sky, the wall looming closer now. I’m so close to getting my mate home.
Rumbling fills the air, like the sound of the humans’ machines they call cars, and when I look back, I see soldiers advancing across the bridge—many of them. Snarling, I turn back around, refusing to let them catch us.
I flinch at the sound of their weapons, and Talia whimpers, curling into my chest. I bend over her, protecting every inch of her as I grit my teeth and follow a confident Aria and Akuji. With an epic leap, we land before the door we came in through, and Akuji rips it open, his eyes hard and determined.
“Go!” Aria yells to us, looking back at the place around us sadly.
Tally slides down my body as I protect her back, hurrying to her friend’s side before hesitating. Aria pushes her towards the door, and I head there as well. It’s selfish to go first with my mate and leave a friend behind, but when it comes to Talia, I’m selfish. I’m selfish with her time and with her life, even if she won’t be.
I push her through the door and yank her to my side, burying my face in her neck and relaxing as the familiar feel of our city welcomes us home.
We did it.
We made it.
The slamming of the door has me looking up to see everyone is back through the wall.
Everyone is alive.
Everyone is well.
And that’s when I see hundreds of monsters moving from the shadows and stepping into view.
Waiting for us.
FORTY-SIX
TALIA
Iwatch in astonishment as the child we saved is reunited with his father. They embrace, and when the father thanks Aria, I can sense how uncomfortable she is, but I almost whoop when the monster drops to his knees before her and then more follow until they are all on their knees facing her.
Shock and wonder cross her features, and I know she deserves this. I’m happy to be invisible at the side, but my friend, the woman who grew up in the slums, fighting to survive, and protected these monsters without a second thought for herself, deserves all the recognition in the world.
She deserves a family and happiness, even if she didn’t know she was seeking it.
“I owe you my life. I offer my loyalty and my weapons until I am dead. I bow to you, our queen, our versalis.”
“Queen?” Aria whispers, looking at a shocked Akuji. I grin up at Cato, and he smiles knowingly down at me. I may not know exactly what is happening, but I sense their love and respect in every bowed head.
“They are crowning you. That is an honour which has not been given since the war. It’s a name for someone who protects our race, who fights for them with no tribal allegiance. It is for someone who is just loyal to our species.” He meets Aria’s eyes, the pride he feels for his mate evident in every line of his face. “You are our versalis.” He drops to his knees before her, pressing his forehead to her hand. “My mate. My saviour.”
Her head jerks back before she looks out at the gathered crowd. She doesn’t think she deserves it, but that’s okay. Akuji will spend the rest of their lives teaching Aria that she deserves the world. That she’s an incredible person, even if she doesn’t know it now.
She truly is a queen in every sense of the word.
She drops to her knees before them, unwilling to stand while they kneel, and it only makes me love her more. Unlike most people, Aria will never be happy being worshipped. All she wants is loyalty and friendship.
“We are equals here,” she murmurs, trying to force the words from her throat. “No humans, no monsters, just people. A community, one I’m proud to kneel to.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
