To my surprise, John stepped forward. “I’ll take my rightful place if you’ll allow me and my mate to remain together.”
Halle-frickin-leujah.
“Absolutely,” Rage said.
John faced the rest of Daybreak and said, “Unless any of you want to challenge me?”
I silently cheered when the entire clan took a knee and bowed their heads. Even Mallory. I suspected it wouldn’t be long before someone tried to challenge his place.
Then, John faced Rage. Taking a knee, the alpha of Daybreak bowed his head, “As alpha of Daybreak, we pledge fealty to Courage Midnight as alpha king.”
The room exploded into cheers, and I sagged with relief.
It was done. My mate was alpha king. Now we could finally move on.
Someone tapped on my shoulder, and I turned to see Reyna. Her face was ashen, beaded with sweat as she spoke in a shaky whisper. “Master Geoff needs to speak with younow.”
Oh, yes. He’d been trying to tell me something last night in the barn. I’d forgotten.
“I’ll be right back.” I kissed Rage on the cheek and followed Reyna to the stage. As we passed, I noticed Kian speaking hurriedly to a young man, the spitting image of himself. My stomach churned, and then I stumbled as my gaze zeroed in on his robes. Seafoam green.
“Who is that?” I asked, my voice hoarse with shock. Please … somehow, let me be wrong.
Reyna’s attention followed my gaze, and a low growl emanated from her throat. “Julian. Kian’s heir.”
I was about to ask more when she opened a door at the back wall of the stage and went through.
Okay … weird. Apparently, this meeting was super-secret style.
I followed, crossing the threshold, and my gaze fell to the old mancrumpled on the floor. Grandpa heaved with each breath, his body curled in a ball as if he’d just fallen.
“Grandpa!” I ran forward and fell to my knees.
“Reyna, fetch the healing wine! Justice has it right out—”
“No.” Grandpa’s voice was strong—much stronger than I imagined it would be, given his state.
“What?” I asked, confused.
Reyna gave him a nod and then left the room.
“Is she going to get something to help…?”
“There is nothing to help what I have…” Propping up on one elbow, he gently grabbed my face. “I hate to ask this—especially of you. To put this pressure, this burden on you,” he wheezed. “If I had any other option…”
My heart beat frantically in my chest, but dread sank into my gut, tethering me to the stone floor. “What is it?”
He sighed. “Sweet Nai … I’m dying.”
“What? No!” I tried to stand, intent on grabbing the healing elixir, but he yanked me back down with surprising force.
“There’s nothinganyonecan do about it. I have reached my end. One thousand years old.”
Holy mother! That was … older than I could even contemplate.
“Every high mage comes with the same expiration date. Millennia. As I near my birthday in three more moons, I’ll continue to grow weaker … until I finally expire.”
Oh mage.
