Sex protected us; sex was a fight we could both win. Love had endangered our hearts and made them vulnerable, and yet, at that moment, it was all I could feel.I moved her damp hair from her ear to say the words put us on a perilous path, but I didn’t care. “I love you.”Her hand took mine and brought it around her body, cinching me in closer as I spooned into her back, enveloping her. Her thumb lovingly stroked my hand, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. Her mind must have been a whirl of thoughts and feelings.I understood the magnitude of her transformation. With it had come answers she’d always craved, but there were questions, too. Questions neither of us had answers for yet.It didn’t take long for sleep to claim us. As night became morning, I woke several times, panicked that Aria might be gone, only to find her still nestled in my arms. Noticing how good she felt in my embrace, I brought her in closer. She unconsciously held me tightly as we fell back asleep, exha
“I still want my money, Redveign,” Lara said to me in greeting, standing up from a table holding a beer she was drinking much too early. “Your beta’s son was quite the spender, and I have no intention of turning a blind eye to his debts. We welcomed you Navarrah City royals to the Obsidian Valley, and Ulryk considered this place his home away from home. You will pay his debts, or we won’t be so generous with our dear royal neighbors in the future.”The frothy beer had the same red hue as Lara’s hair. Both glistened in the early morning light streaming through the window. While her beauty didn’t rival Aria’s, Lara was busty and curvaceous, and she wore both assets proudly. Donning her signature leather pants and tank that barely covered the globes of her breasts, she sauntered over to us, her body language threatening. Ulryk Bevata had owed her for drugs and other things her criminal network provided before he died, and she was trying to secure her money.“As I said before Lara,” I beg
“Our parents died trying to bring Onyx Rah back to life again,” Xavier said grimly. “What are your assurances that we won’t meet a similar fate?”“Polonius has killed our people so that he can steal the kingdom from us. We don’t have the means to defeat him,” Halo added, pushing half-eaten meat around her plate. “I worry that we’ll raise the kingdom, only for Polonius to steal it from us.”“You’ll have a full armada of soldiers from Navarrah City behind you,” I reminded them.“I like my role in politics here in the Obsidian Valley,” Xavier cut in. “Democracy suits me. I don’t want to be a part of an arbitrary monarchy when I’ve been ruling in a democratic government. And I don’t have to resurrect a kingdom to fulfill my role.”“I’ve got a good gig here,” Lara chimed in, taking a long sip of her beer. “No way I want to start my ‘businesses’ elsewhere. We’re established, and things are fine.”“Yes, but this isn’t your kingdom,” Sire added, having held himself back as long as he could.“
For several years, Polonius had his warriors shovel out debris and chip away at lava-encrusted buildings to excavate the artifacts that Polonius used in his experiments. At that moment, I was grateful he had never found the key to raising the city. We were there to locate the one magical thing that would bring the kingdom to life.“What is that?” Lex asked, looking mesmerized by all the archways made of brick and the towering buildings that still stood. “It feels like some kind of electricity in the air.” He moved his hand around his face as if he were touching a living entity.“It’s magic,” I replied. “The Tombs are filled with it. I believe there was a great deal of magic here once, and it remained as if it knew one day it would have a purpose again.”“That’s probably true,” Halo chimed in. “My father used to tell me about all the celebrations they had. Colors swirled in the air, and the wind seemed to sing.” Her face lit up with joy at the memory. “I have to say, I do feel more com
“I agree, but Sire is right. We have no idea what Polonius might be up to. Let’s get a move on,” I said as I slapped his bare behind.Making love to Lex after seeing Harlance’s ghost had been a sweet reward. Lex was finally able to understand more of the magical realm that would soon become a bigger part of our reality.We dressed quickly and halved a long bread roll. Filling it with meat, cheese, and sauce, I created a sandwich that we shared, eating it on the run after filling our water flasks.I thought we might take the helo vehicle again, but instead, we drove in a massive truck with several others following behind us, carrying the supplies we’d need for our rebuild. The journey was long and arduous. We were going to have to stay in Onyx Rah for some time to save us all the time traveling back and forth between the ruins and Sire Vanoire’s house.After traveling for most of the day, we arrived at the Tombs, and Harlance’s ghost was there again. I didn’t think Halo would ever trul
“Come,” Halo said to me, outstretching her arm. “Let’s do this together.”I took her hand, and we walked into the spring. The water was warm from the stifling heat and humidity around us. Sulfur, tinged with an aroma of death, permeated the air, but the soft liquid swirling around us had a calming effect. We continued to submerge ourselves until we were waist-deep in the water.“I will start with an incantation,” Sire said, moving to the edge of the water.I held onto Halo’s hand when Sire started chanting in a low, melodic cadence.“Oh, heart and soul of the people whose bodies are now part of your earth, bring forth their spirits, commence their rebirth. From the ashes you fell to the sprouts you will spring, raise up Onyx Rah greater than our imagining.”Over and over again, Sire said the same thing until his words petered away and he entered a meditative trance. When he did, the denseness in the stifling air dissipated, and a cool breeze danced on my skin. I didn’t let go of Halo’
We walked towards the castle in the distance, surprised to see that it had been structurally restored. It still needed reinforcements, embellishments, and furnishings, but like the rest of Onyx Rah, the bones were there. I took Lex’s hand, feeling a rush of energy surge through me.Just then, a spike of adrenaline jolted both of us. Something was wrong.“Something’s here,” I said, my hair standing on end and my wolf awakened.“Behind us,” Halo agreed as she whipped around to see what had come out of the shadows.There, surrounding us from all sides, were Crypt Claw soldiers. They materialized together, two deep in two rows, with their weapons raised. I half-expected to find Polonius among them, though I didn’t see him. Lex and I took position in front of Halo and Sire, getting ready to fight. I was struck with worry that we would never have peace, but our people deserved to return home. So, I was ready to shed some blood.I was prepared to use magic to protect us, but once the soldier
Aria and I once again prepared ourselves for battle. Despite what Harlance had said about there being a protection spell on the kingdom, none of us were sure exactly how it worked or what our threats might look like. Had Polonius already gotten Amadeus to perform magic strong enough to break an ancient protection spell?“Prince Lex,” a voice from over the gates boomed. “Prince Lex of Navarrah City. We have brought your reinforcements.”With a flash of relief, I recognized that female voice. While it had been many years since I’d heard that loud and gruff tone, it couldn’t be mistaken. She was one of the only women in our military. While women were not allowed in the Royal Guards, they could join the military that patrolled our kingdom.“Wait,” I said, holding my hand up. “I know that voice. It’s the troops from Navarrah City.”I didn’t know how to rely on magic, and probably never would. But I always could count on my troops.As I turned to inform Harlance’s ghost, I realized that he