Battle cries and clashing of metal filled the air. Just as I was about to engage another enemy, a victorious yell turned my attention toward the center of the room. Relief washed over me like rain in the desert. I watched Dominic deliver a final, deadly blow to Juls, severing his head with a swift, clean stroke. The magical cage that had confined them vanished in an instant, sending a clear message to the minions who were now scattered in disarray, their leader was defeated.
Dominic had done it. He’d really done it, I thought, nearly in tears.
Before I could take another breath, another shout pierced the tumultuous noise—Mal’Zak charged toward Everett and the emperor. Everett raised his hands to spell something, but he wouldn’t be able to defend them. This was going to be bad. Without hesitation, I raised the sword high, feeling its power surge through me like a current. With a fierce scream, I swung the blade and prayed this worked. A burst of light energy channeled through the sword and swirled through the air, directly hitting Mal’Zak. The impact was immediate and brutal; he was sent hurtling through the air like a leaf in a storm, crashing into the far wall of the throne room.
As Mal’Zak fell, all eyes, including those of the emperor, turned towards me. Surprise was etched deep on Oz’s face, his eyes widening in what seemed like recognition and astonishment. Not allowing the moment to settle, Oz stood, his presence towering as he unleashed a roar that resonated through the very foundations of the realm. The power emanating from him was overwhelming, forcing even the fiercest of warriors to their knees.
“Enough!” Oz bellowed, his voice booming like thunder, silencing the clash of battle instantaneously. His command was absolute, reverberating through every corner of the room. Every demon, including Dominic and myself, found ourselves compelled by his power, brought to our knees by the sheer force of his authority.
The fighting stopped as abruptly as it had escalated, a heavy silence falling over the throne room. Everyone, friend and foe alike, was now bowed before the emperor, waiting for his judgment, his next words to dictate the fate of all present.
“Jul’phanar, Martag, and Mal’zak have fallen. Their attempt to overthrow the crown has failed,” Oz announced, his voice reverberating with a solemn gravity. The word “failed” echoed ominously, causing many of the minions to bow even lower. “Those that fought for them will be punished.”
I was so enthralled by what the emperor was saying, I gasped in surprise as strong arms spun me around.
“Are you okay? Tell me you’re alright,” Dominic’s voice was thick with worry.
I nearly cried at the sound of Dominic’s worried voice. Dropping the sword, I leaped into his arms, wrapping my limbs around him. “Dominic, you’re alive.” I didn’t give him a chance to reply and slammed my lips to his. I had my mate in my arms.
That thought caused me to jump down and scan the room. “Where’s Talon? Is he okay?”
My heart banged in my chest as I spotted Talon kneeling over someone. Who had fallen? My stomach knotted with dread. As I watched, a lion approached them, its form shifting and contorting as it transformed into human form—it was Tessa. She reached their side just as she reverted to her human appearance and cried out in alarm, “Dad!”
Dominic grabbed my hand, pulling me swiftly towards Talon. When we reached him, I saw the grim reality: Talon was desperately pressing down on a gaping wound, his fingers slick with blood that refused to stop flowing. Seb’s breathing was ragged, punctuated by coughs that speckled red.
“Dad, hold on, please. We’re going to get you help,” Talon pleaded, tears streaking his cheeks.
Seb shook his head weakly, a faint smile touching his lips. “It’s too late for me. I’m just glad I could do this last thing for you. I hope it’s enough to make amends for my mistakes—for how I treated you and your mother,” he whispered, his voice fading.
“I love you, princess,” he said, turning slightly to Tessa, who gripped his hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Then his gaze shifted back to Talon. “And I love you, son,” he managed, his voice a mere breath as his strength seemed to fade.
“Stand aside,” came Everett’s commanding voice, cutting through the tension.
Talon jerked his head up. “Can you help him?” he asked, hope shining in his glistening eyes.
“As long as there’s breath, there’s always hope,” Everett replied, extending his hand towards Seb. His tone was clinical, yet not without a touch of urgency as he chanted softly, weaving a spell with his fingers. Light gathered around his palms, casting a warm glow over the wound.
Everett’s fingers danced intricately through the air as he chanted, his words a soft murmur barely audible over the hushed murmurs of the crowd. The light from his hands intensified, enveloping Seb’s wound in a warm, healing glow. Gradually, the bleeding stopped, and the torn flesh mended, though Seb’s breaths remained shallow and labored.
After a moment, Everett lowered his hands and stepped back, his expression unreadable. “He needs rest and time,” he announced.
“Thank you,” Talon whispered gratefully.
“I’ll add it to my bill,” Everett quipped, casting a smirk toward King Edward, who responded with a solemn nod.
Everett scanned the ominous surroundings and shuddered dramatically. “Man, this place gives me the heebie-jeebies.” He turned to Oz. “Can you open a portal, or do you need me to keep protecting your royal ass still?”
Oz growled in response but complied. He gestured dismissively to the other demons in the room. “All are dismissed except for Prince Dominic and his duša.” As his hand waved, a shimmering portal appeared where the caged ring once stood. “Does that work for you?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Perfect,” Everett grinned, his demeanor nonchalant.
“Damn witches,” Oz muttered under his breath before raising his voice, “And don’t you dare summon me again.”
“We’ll see,”Everett retorted with a cheeky smirk. He effortlessly hoisted Talon’s father, his slight frame belying the strength within, and stepped towards the portal. “Let me help you with this guy.”
The rest of the family and the Pride lions moved towards the portal. King Edward paused, his gaze fixed on the emperor. “I expect all my members to return to my pride unharmed.”
