He looked at me and narrowed his eyes. “I’m, I’ll—” He cleared his throat. “Someone needs me.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Kade’s shadows wrapped around my arms and as I turned, he embraced me. “You never cease to amaze me, Little Rebel."
I looked into his eyes, feeling hopeful. My body ached with fatigue, and I knew we still had to deal with Andras. I had to face him one more time, but seeing at least some of the nobles stand up, knowing I’d laid down my expectations for what our world would be lifted some of the weight off me.
It was one step closer to the world I dreamed of ruling.
“You better keep up,” I said. “I’ll need a king by my side.”
He smiled, leaning down and kissing me gently, though his tongue swept into my mouth like he possessed me. Fates, I suppose he did.
“You don’tneeda king, Illiana,” he whispered against my lips. “But I will stand by your side in whatever way you’ll have me. I’m yours.”
“Mine,” I echoed, and for a brief moment, I closed my eyes and let Kade hold me before facing the next steps for the final battle looming ahead.
Chapter 25
Ian
Istared at the bloody blade in my hands.
They trembled as I clutched Corbin’s sword and my eyes welled with tears.
Fuck.
This was my first moment alone since his death. I hated that I’d never see him again. I sucked in a sharp breath that felt more like a dagger to the chest than a breath of air.
I turned the weapon over in my palm. I’d gifted it to him years ago, when we first agreed to be a part of the Hidden Henchman. The fact that he still fought with it to this day filled me with a profound sense of admiration, yet cracked my heart in two at the same time.
Corbin had been the first one on board with the Hidden Henchman. I watched him for months and walked away each time in awe of his loyalty to the crown. Where some gossiped, Corbin didn’t just ignore the comments, he put people in their place for speaking ill of the royal family. He spoke highly of the king and queen, and especially of Lana.
He’d seen right away her love for her people.
I’d trained him first, befriending him to get to know him, and he never wavered. Not once. Corbin was always himself. Therewere never masks or fake niceties to contend with. What he portrayed to the world was truly who he was.
And Casimir had snuffed him out.
I winced as a wave of pain and regret clawed at me. Had I ever expressed how much he meant to me? How grateful I was to him for his friendship and all that he did for us?
The blade fell from my hands, clattering against the marble floor. I rubbed the heels of my palms against my eyes, leaning forward as I let go of the emotions desperate to be free and grieved my friend.
The door to my chambers clicked open and closed quietly. I didn’t look up or even try to gather myself.
As the footsteps shuffled closer, this newly formed bond inside of me tightened.
I finally lifted my head, and Raya reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder before she sat next to me.
Her touch calmed the agony in my chest enough so I could breathe again.
I inhaled deeply before wiping my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Ian,” she whispered. “He was a good man.”
I nodded. “A great man.”
“What can I do?” Raya asked, tentatively running her hand in a circle on my back.
I closed my eyes, simultaneously so grateful for her presence while also wanting to rage. To punch something.
