Old men wept without hiding their emotions, women bowed deeply before Kaelric, and children clung to their parents in confusion.
Kaelric did not smile. Although this was exciting, it had come at a cost. He lifted his hand once, and the crowd hushed.
“Anyone who lays down their steel tonight will live to see morning,” he said. “But if you raise a sword or tooth againstmy people, you will meet the Creator by sundown. Make your choice.”
One by one, blades clanged to the stones. Guards came out of alleyways and basements. All fell to their knees.
Through it all, I stood with my hand on Valkaryn and watched the city wake. It felt like standing in a forest after a fire when the first green shows through the ash. It felt like new life.
“Brynn,” a familiar voice called my name. Godric limped inside the gates with his sister’s arm threaded through his.
“Aunt Maelis!” Kaelric and I ran together, he into the arms of his aunt and me into the arms of Godric.
He squeezed me tightly. “You did it.”
“Thanks to you,” I told him honestly, pulling back.
“Little nephew,” Maelis said, stroking his cheek like a beloved child.
He bowed his head to her as tears built in his eyes, and I knew this woman was once like a mother to him without him having to tell me. “Elia is alive and well. She is on her way here now with her husband and children.”
Maelis’ mouth dropped open. “Husband and children? I’m a grandmother…?”
Kaelric grinned, nodding, but then his smile faltered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get you out sooner.
She shook her head. “Let’s not look at the past.”
Sage advice.
Godric leaned into me while Kaelric and Maelis caught up on lost time.
“Where is Mind Render?” he asked.
“Broken,” I said. “Twenty pieces.”
“Good,” Godric said, and then put a hand on Kaelric’s shoulder and squeezed.
“There were innocents in the prison with me. Permission to set them free?” Godric asked his alpha.
Kaelric raised his head and looked across the crowd to some of the old guards who had dropped their weapons. “Where are the prisoners from the lower cells of the castle?” he called to them.
“Still locked up, Your Highness,” one of the men answered nervously.
“Release them. Release them all!” Kaelric demanded, and two of the men went running.
The last of Harrow’s black sun banners came down. Wolves dragged the iron crest to the fire and fed it in sections. The heat sent a film of sweat across my face.
Kaelric’s gaze fell to my hand. “Did you not like the ring I gave you?”
Confusion—then realization hit me. I held up my bare hand. “I had to hide it from the metal Elite.” I grasped his hand. “Come, we will get my ring back. And there is someone I would like you to meet.”
His eyebrows raised. “Did you make a friend while you were infiltrating my city?”
I nodded as we walked towards the tavern where I had hidden my ring. “Many friends, in fact.”
He frowned in bemusement, and we walked hand in hand, mates, husband and wife, king and queen. What were we not at this point? When we reached the place with the potted plant, I was relieved to find my ring still there. Kaelric bent down and slipped it back on my finger, kissing the top of my hand and peering at me with adoration.
“Are you hurt? You’re bleeding. I can meet these friends another time. I want to make sure your wounds are clean.” He began to tug me toward the castle.
