All Chapters of His Royal Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

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

“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’

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

“And Navarrah City will certainly help with financial support. As you can see, my father has already sent over troops,” I assured Aria.“Perhaps we can let those troops into the city,” Aria said. “I know there is magic keeping anyone who isn’t a Midnight Moon Pack member out, but Lex and Sire Vanoire are here, so obviously the magic can make concessions.”“What do you think?” I asked Sire.“Aria and Halo would have to make the allowances,” he explained. “I believe that the magic shielding Onyx Rah will listen to them.”“Let’s try it,” Halo said as we made our way to where the soldiers from Navarrah City were camped out.As we approached the troops, each soldier stood and saluted in a grand gesture of respect for Aria and Halo. Spread out in a sea of uniforms, the three hundred troops Navarrah City had sent looked very impressive.“Greetings,” Aria started. “Welcome to Onyx Rah. While it isn’t much yet, I appreciate your commitment to protecting us and our vision of what the kingdom wi

“Looks like we’re home,” Lex teased.“You look like home,” I said, turning to him and wrapping my arms around his middle.“That’s because I am,” he said, clearly not giving the implications of his words much thought.I knocked my head against his chest. “I can’t use magic for everything. I’m going to have to get Midnight Moon Pack descendants here. I hope they don’t mind helping us.”I bit my lip, thinking of the lives I would be asking them to lead. I was once a servant. I already knew what it was like to feel less than others.“I know what you’re thinking,” Lex said, stroking my hair. “But remember, these people will not be indentured to work for you. They’ll be ancestors coming home, becoming part of the tapestry of their restored kingdom. And they will not be servants. They’ll be paid, have private living quarters, and will come and go from work as any other citizen might, just like you suggested in Navarrah City. Now is the time to make that dream a reality.”“You’re right,” I co