“So, you said everyone who has touched the roses has turned to stone?” Erin asks slowly, as if she’s still wrapping her head around everything. I don’t blame her. It’s a lot, even for me. “And when a petal falls, they also turn to stone?"
“I haven’t actually seen it, but yeah. That’s what Oziel said. Garvan made comments about it too, though he was able to touch them,” I explain.
“Because he was the harbinger of the curse, which probably explains why poisoning the river didn’t seem to have any negative effect on him. The Nephilim seek out those with the most malice in their heart and those easy to corrupt to do their bidding,” Allarick murmurs, seemingly lost in thought. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his fingers gently strum against his biceps absentmindedly. After a moment, he finally says, “I’m not sure it’s wise to risk you touching the roses.”
My face flushes with anger. “I’m not asking for permission,” I snap, the stress and events of the day boiling over. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Ender wouldn’t have chosen me if he didn’t think I could help.”
“And if you're wrong, your kingdom will be morevulnerable than ever before. No leaders will breed chaos. That’s exactly what the Nephilim thrive on,” Allarick argues.
“And my kingdom will be vulnerable if I do nothing!” My words sit between us, heavy and tense. Allarick’s nostrils flare, his body tensing as if bracing for a fight.
Before he can reply, though, Erin reaches out and gently places a hand on his arm. Almost instantly, Allarick’s shoulders relax, and his face softens as he turns toward her. “Yes, Sweet Girl?”
I can’t see his eyes, but I bet they look similar to those cartoon heart eyes. There is so much love in the way he looks at her, I feel like I’m intruding on an intimate moment. Still, I can’t look away.
“Isabelle is right. Ender brought us all here for a reason. If there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s to trust your heart. That’s what led me back to you, knowing you needed me, even when you thought the best thing for me was to be far away. If Isabelle believes this is what she must do, then we can’t stand in her way. Instead, we have to assist in any way we can,” Erin says.
I wait for Allarick to lash out. To tell Erin she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. And for her to cower before him. Perhaps I’m still thinking of the lost and beaten girl James turned her into.
Allarick’s hand reaches up, and I flinch, ready to attack the kraken king if he thinks he can hit Erin in front of me. But instead of hard, fast hands, he reaches out and caresses her cheek affectionately. “How did you become so wise, Sweet Girl?”
“I married a sweet and gentle kraken who gave methe opportunity to grow and heal at my own pace.” She smiles.
Now I know for certain I’m intruding on something.
Rustling behind Erin and Allarick signals Delmare’s arrival. He’s flanked by four other guards, all demons I’ve seen around the castle, but I don’t know their names. Definitely something I need to change after this.
As one, the four demons bow to me. When they straighten and take in my surroundings—including a very dead Garvan—I can see the unasked questions on their faces.
“Garvan betrayed our kingdom,” I announce, making sure my words are heard, and no one can mistake them. “He was the traitor poisoning River Hel, and he died a traitor. King Oziel…” My voice breaks on my husband’s name. I was doing so damn well until this moment. The severity of the situation truly settles in, along with the new responsibilities thrust upon me. It’s…a lot. Too much.
“King Oziel,” I try again, managing to keep the tremor out of my voice, “has fallen victim to the curse.”
At that proclamation, the guards’ eyes widen. Clearly, nobody has discovered his body. He’s alone, in his office, a man of stone. My heart aches for him.
“We stand with you, my queen,” a feminine voice speaks, followed by the grunts of the other guards.
My body sags in relief. Part of me was afraid they wouldn’t stand with a human queen. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear their belief in me.
“Stay with your queen,” Delmare barks. The older guard isn’t fazed by the cold looks the demons are givinghim, but none of them look keen on arguing with him either.
“What do you need from us?” Erin pulls my attention back to her.
“If this doesn’t work?—”
“It’s going to work,” Erin interrupts me.
“But if it doesn’t, I need to make sure my kingdom is protected.”
“Done,” Allarick says easily, like he’d have it no other way. “If one kingdom falls, we all fall. Your fight is our fight.”
“Thank you.” Tears sting my eyes, threatening to fall. I can’t fall apart now, not when I’m needed the most.
As Erin said, I need to trust my heart. Right now, it’s telling me to follow my plan. Even if it sounds crazy. It is, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. With my mind made up, I turn my back to everyone, training my eyes on the bouquet lying on the ground, calling to me like a flame to a moth.
The first step is the hardest. My entire body aches. The initial rush of adrenaline is now fading, leaving behind a trail of soreness from today’s events. Every movement sends a sharp reminder of what I endured, but I force myself to push past the discomfort.
I move forward, drawn toward the soft glow of the roses. Kneeling before them, I hesitate, my hand hovering just above the delicate petals. Fear tightens around my chest, whispering doubts and urging me to reconsider. What if I’m wrong? What if I can’t save the demons’ kingdom?
