The shadows dissipated, returning to Kade’s side, but my stomach dropped when I finally saw his face again.
His eyes were blacker than night. The darkness within him was feeding off the mass amount of death he’d just inflicted.
“Kade!” I jumped up, running to him, my light eager to touch him once more and rid that evil from his body. “I’m here.”
His shadows immediately extended toward me and swirled around us. I could hear Ian shouting from behind me, but I ignored him. I needed to rescue Kade from his own mind.
I leapt into his arms, touching any part of his body I could, and called upon my light magic to flow into him. It was so easy with his shadows there, waiting for me. As simple as breathing in and out.
“You are okay,” I reminded him. “I’m here. Come back to me.”
My light glowed around both of us, and slowly, Kade’s eyes returned to their stormy grey as relief filled his gaze.
“You will always be my savior, Illiana.” Kade wrapped me in a tight embrace. “You have saved me in so many ways, so many times.”
Looking up at him, I smiled and stood on my tiptoes, softly placing my lips against his. “I’d save you a thousand more times if it means I get to have you as my partner. I am forever yours, Kade Blackthorn. We are stronger than the darkness within us.”
Chapter 22
Lana
The distraction worked perfectly.
Not only had Kade eliminated a large portion of the dark ones remaining in Ellevail, but our army now easily marched through the city.
Now, we stood outside the final gates enclosing the palace. It wasn’t often growing up that my parents closed these gates. But now? They were locked, covered in chains. Bushes of thorny shrubs lined the perimeter of the wall, daring anyone to risk its wrath if they tried to climb in. Andras could try all he wanted to keep us out, but he would not succeed.
I would return to my home through its front door and reclaim it as its rightful heir. There would be no sneaking in through the back or hiding in the shadows.
We split our forces between the front and the back of the palace. Storm, Jax, Corbin, and Raya took half of the army around to the other side, while Ian, Kade, and I remained out front. Leif had already returned to the palace, tricking the guards with his fake tattoo to let him through. Hopefully he’d had enough time to rally those who remained loyal to me and prepare them for the fight ahead. It was a risky move, but he was determined to gather as many allies as possible.
As our army lined up, Ian soared above Ellevail, surveying the scene from the sky and preparing to report back on his findings. He disappeared from our sight for several long minutes, no doubt alerting Storm, Raya, Corbin, and Jax of what lay ahead.
The evening rays of sunshine slowly dipped below the horizon, and despite the summer heat, an icy breeze swept through the air.
Assessing the entrance to the palace filled me with sorrow. My family prided ourselves on our gardens; the landscape surrounding my home was always warm and inviting. Lush and vibrant, Fae traveled from across the kingdom to witness its beauty. But now? Now it appeared dark and uninviting. It had lost all its vibrance and what remained was a threatening feeling. A place I wouldn’t want to be caught in the dark.
Except that was exactly what was happening.
Storm’s fire magic would certainly be useful right now to just burn all these thorny terrors to ash, but it didn’t matter. Fates only knew what they were dealing with. Storm’s group would have to enter through the kitchens and work their way up from the lower level of the palace.
There were only so many places for Andras to hide.
Ian’s hawk form appeared once more and circled above us for several minutes before he descended, landing a few feet away. Running his hands through his golden hair, he jogged toward us. “The dark ones are stationed at all the guard posts and remain hidden along the walls of the perimeter. They’re waiting for us.”
My heartbeat quickened. “We will not go down without a fight.” The magic now coursing through my veins clamored to be released, but I would wait. I’d hold on to my secret as long as I could, not wanting Andras to have time to further prepare. He would underestimate me just like he always had. “The earth Fae can bring down the gate with their magic.”
Kade chuckled. “A wonderful thought, my queen.” His shadows pooled at his feet. “But I think my shadows can unlock those chains quicker than the earth Fae. We can conserve their magic for the battle.”
Ian nodded in agreement. “We want them to hold onto as much of their energy as possible. We likely have a long night ahead of us.” He paused. “Are you sure this is how you want to do this? We could sneak in through our hidden entrances, just like we used to.”
I shook my head. “This is my home—our home. It ends tonight.”
Ian bowed his head. “As you wish it, Your Highness.”
Rolling my eyes, I shoved him in the shoulder before he threw me a wink. “Guards are lined most heavily around the throne room from what I could see through the windows,” Ian said. “That should be our goal.”
I nodded. “On your orders, Captain.” I smiled at my best friend. My rock. He went to step away to voice our plan, but I leaned forward, grabbing his arm before crushing him in a hug. “Let’s win back our home.”
