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The princess wails, a haunting sound, when she realizes she might be losing her best friend, too.
The portal closes for good, finalizing the plan.
Lady Isla’s hands are shaking as she marches up to King Kirian and Queen Quinn, her lips pursed with determination. “Reporting for duty.”
This woman has been through so much. I remember when she was part of a mass kidnapping at the end of Zarid’s rule. He wanted more females for his kingdom, and he made a dirty deal to obtain them from the Night Realm. Lady Isla was only fifteen years old when she was auctioned off to the highest bidder. I don’t know what happened to her during her days of captivity, but I can assume the worst.
After that, Lady Isla accepted a revered position in the castle as Queen Quinn’s personal companion, and she played a pivotal role in raising Princess Danyetta. Over the years, Isla became more than a caretaker or a teacher. She ended up being Princess Danyetta’s closest confidant, and those two are thick as thieves.
“I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.” King Kirian offers grateful words as he hands a flask of Glow to Lady Isla. “You, too, are one of us. Our family. We love you.”
Deeply affected by the acknowledgement of her importance, tears spring to her eyes. “Thank you. I love you, too.”
“Protect our home. Take watch in the belltower. Try to prevent anything from hitting too close to the palace.”
She nods before running off.
Ah, that’s right. She has the power of telekinesis, like Madden. I’m sure his power is a thousand times greater than hers, but if she has the assistance of Glow, she might be able to move the heavy rocks and make them fall in less damaging locations.
The sound of weeping draws my attention to the main fountain in the garden.
Behind some bushes, King Keryth and Queen Zella are holding each other as if it’s their last day together.
Because it is.
There’s no question that they’ve decided to give their lives, and when Queen Zella motions to the biggest chunk of the moon hurdling toward us, I realize she’s taking on the most lethal task. She’s leading the mission.
Go big or go home, as the humans would say.
An emotional farewell follows when King Kirian and Queen Quinn approach them, but they keep it brief because there isn’t time for long hugs. The rocks are getting closer, and the roar is growing louder, so the family gets a quick group embrace before Queen Zella takes her husband’s hand, and they fly away.
Unbearable grief stabs me through the heart.
Queen Zella and King Keryth will perish, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Dusk is gone now, and a sickly green cast emanates from the incoming masses of destruction.
The people are still pouring in from the city and rioting near the front gate. Some of the portals are being flooded so much that they collapse from the strain of accommodating too many bodies at once.
At the rear of the palace, Alosi is shouting the plan to all the Pyros he’s gathered. At least thirty of them are standing by some of the cannons, and it’s an interesting mix of warriors, city folk, and farmers.
Pointing up, Alosi instructs everyone to observe Queen Zella’s strategy so they can follow her example. She and her mate are just tiny dots in the night sky.
Soon, they’ll be turned to ash.
Anytime Armand could show us what we’re supposed to do, that would be great. I keep waiting to get a sign—some kind of clue about how we’re meant to escape this hellish game before I witness atrocities I can’t unsee, but my hope is disintegrating.
Suddenly, an explosion bursts far up in the sky with an orange flash. The light is so bright that it makes the Night Realm look like day for several seconds.
Everyone stops what they’re doing. Even the rioters pause to stare at the once-in-a-lifetime sight.
Most of the residents of this realm have never stepped foot outside of it. They’ve never seen a blue sky, the pure color of the grass, or daylight on their loved ones’ faces, and it’s hard not to gawk at the momentary beauty.
Then the warmth fades, and a deafening boom jolts everyone from their stupor.
The large fragment of the moon splits into five smaller pieces, separating as they continue their track toward Delaveria.
The former queen did it. She paved the way for all the other Pyros who aren’t as powerful and skilled as she is.
