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Fight.
Get up.
His muscles burned. His broken ribs shifted and ground against each other.
Get up.
His father approached, sword raised. With a grunt, Killian rose and staggered to his feet, gripping his sword pummel tightly.
Killian turned slightly to Zalina, pointing his blade at her. “Leave my father out of this. My fight is with you.”
Zalina pushed off the wall, her sashaying walk discordant with her monstrous body. “Very well.” She waved a casual hand at the king, who dropped his sword. With a quick pull, she grabbed the king by the lapel of his jacket and flung him over the balcony edge.
Screaming, Killian dove after him, but was too late. The king was airborne. At that moment, Zalina released her mental hold on the king. Killian watched, frozen in time, as his father’s every feature blanched in terror. They held each other’s gaze, then the king fell out of sight.
Killian whirled and rushed toward Zalina.
“You killed him!” he yelled as he slammed the sword at her, but she blocked it with the scales on her forearm.
Hissing, she slashed back with her claws. “If only you would consent! You bring this upon yourself. Just marry me already!”
He slammed his sword, bashing her backward a step. “Never.”
“Phineas will be next. Then Jax.” She growled, her vicious face pinched taut. She pulsed her wings, moving backward before landing and throwing herself at him again.
A coal of anger ignited to flame in Killian’s chest, and he cried out as he leapt forward. He threw nearby vases and a tapestry at her as he ran, ducking under her claws. Slipping a dagger from his waistband, he stabbed her tail, pinning it into the wooden floorboards. He flipped around, still on the ground as she turned to free herself. He feinted, and she fell for it in her haste. Lunging, she threw herself at Killian, and the sword in Killian’s hand slid into her chest.
Zalina gaped at the sword hilt-deep between the scales in her breastbone. Her voice was gargled. “I will end you. I will kill them all!” Blood speckled her lips as she laughed. Wrenching the sword down, Killian pulled it free and held it above his head.
He called for the light. A solid beam pierced through the swirling clouds, through the balcony opening, and onto his sword. The whole weapon seared his palm and with a cry, Killian swung downward. In an explosion of light and purple smoke, the monster collapsed to the floor.
Killian held his sword at the ready, waiting for some final curse or magic to revive her. He regretted the need for violence to stop her, but there was no other way. The light brightened as it landed on her sickly form, and with a sizzle and a sudden snap, her body collapsed into a pile of ash.
Seconds passed. Then minutes. Killian stood, sword drawn and muscles ready for another attack. But it never came. The ash remained. Slowly, Killian relaxed his sword and softened his stance. Zalina was defeated. He only wished he had ended this in time to save his father.
Killian slowly approached the edge of the balcony, afraid to look over and see the sprawled body of the king. Afraid to take account of the losses his men suffered. Afraid for Phineas and Jax and the aunties. But if he were king now, it was time to bear up under the weight of truth. So he looked.
On the far side of the gardens, the wall of vines shuddered and faded like a storm that had passed. Illusioned soldiers and servants were recovering. Some shook their heads while others held their heads in their hands, finally released from Zalina’s spell. The swirling clouds above dissipated, revealing a deep blue sky. The light of the sun flooded the land. The goblins all looked toward the light and, as one, closed their eyes and faded into dust.
Auntie Toru stood with her arms out, protecting the awakened servants by the orchard, and Jax and Phineas stood beside the fountain with some of his men. Phineas glanced up at him and smiled. In the fountain behind him, a very wet, very grumpy king emerged sputtering from the pink waters.
His father lived.
Killian laughed, which drew the eyes of the people of his castle. Even those who had not been submerged in the magical water had been freed by Zalina’s death.
He raised his sword to the sky. The magical light fixed on it and reflected out in a thousand beams.
“We’ve done it! Zalina is defeated!” Killian shouted. The people below cheered with raised fists. Auntie Mo grabbed the waist of an embarrassed-looking soldier in a massive hug. Auntie Toru grabbed a kitchen girl and spun her around as she danced. Sauntering to stand by Phineas, Auntie Shou held onto his arm as she nodded upward, her gaze flickering up toward the central tower.
Raela.
Chapter 24
Failures
Killian
Killian’sheartpickeduppace as he turned back toward his castle. With a burst of energy, he ignored his wounded leg and ribs and rushed through the halls, passing the confused servants. He ran up the many stairs to the solarium at the top of the tower.
