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you, Bevin. You re a good man and a loyal friend. We both know how stubborn Father was and for
all his faults he would have died a thousand times over to protect his people.
That he would, he chuckled. Thank god he didn t pass that stubbornness down to you.
Yeah, yeah, I m such a pain in the assets. I knew I was one of the most stubborn men on the planet.
That didn t mean I wasn t willing to meet someone halfway. As long as what they were saying made
sense, I was flexible. But I wouldn t bend on my values for anyone.
Your highness, more warriors have showed up, one of the fae informed Queen Magdalena.
Would they be willing to help us seal up the palace temporarily? I asked her as I pulled away from
Bevin. I think it safest to get everything locked up as best as we can and get out of here. I know it s
not the best thing since we have many dead, but I won t risk the rest of my people.
Don t hit me but I think we can make time to make sure their bodies are preserved before we go,
Bevin said quietly.
Yes, um, can you, well, yeah, I can t, I stuttered as I stared at my friend with tears in my eyes.
I ll handle it, Ry. You get us to safety and I ll take care of this until we can have a service for them.
Thank you. I turned back to the Queen.
My warriors are yours to command as you need tonight, King Rylan, she said gently. But if
someone escorts me to all the entrances, I can fortify the palace with magic so it s safe for now.
Thank you. I gave her a half bow, letting everyone see how much her help meant to me and my
people.
Bevin, this is Queen Magdalena. Give her whatever she needs and then go pack.
Yes, my King. He gave a full bow to the Queen of the fae and extended his arm to her like the
charmer he was. I headed back to the portal to see how many more we had coming through to the
palace.
I m proud of you, Ferris said quietly as he fell into step with me.
Why? I asked, staring at him as if he d grown another head.
You were fierce in battle, saw the task that needed to be done, and kept your head. I ve seen
warriors who have been trained not be that good in a fight. And now? The way you immediately
thought of your brother and your people first and getting them to safety before anything else is
amazing, Ry. You will make a wonderful King and I know your parents will be proud.
Thank you, I whispered. I turned and hugged him, not caring who was around or that we were
dealing with the aftermath of the shit hitting the fan.
Ferris, are there any wounded? Riley s on the other side of the portal in case he could help but I
wouldn t let him come over, a vampire warrior asked when we broke apart.
No, there were only a few but Queen Magdalena helped the ones that were able to be saved, he
answered quietly.
How many more are here? I asked, running fingers through my hair as I tried to figure out what to
do next. Then I looked back to Ferris. Who was I supposed to talk to about sanctuary again? Then I
glanced back to the warrior. I m so sorry. I m Prince I froze and started to shake. I mean, King
Rylan. My father was killed in the battle.
I m very sorry for your loss, your highness, the man said gently as he bowed.
Thank you. You can call me Rylan when it s just us. I m not into the whole formal thing unless I m
there representing my people like I was tonight. I rolled my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
Which you weren t at. Sorry, I m kind of all over the place and trying not to have a nervous
breakdown.
Elena Marius is who the Queen suggested, Ferris reminded me. This is one of her sons, Micah.
Riley is his mate.
Mother s on the other side of the portal with Riley. She s trying to keep him back and my father is
trying to keep her back. She might not be a warrior but she is badass all on her own and wicked
strong.
Well, there s no need to fight now anyways, I whispered as I glanced around the room, making sure
not to take in my parents lying there. It s over so it should be safe for them. But I ll go back through
the portal to speak with them.
I headed in that direction, not waiting to see if they followed. I just had to keep moving. If I kept
moving, nothing would overwhelm me. I repeated that mantra in my head, knowing full well I didn t
even believe it.
Once in my father s study, I stepped back through the portal, ignoring the intense squeezing feeling on
my whole body. And then the nausea as I stepped back into Bas s house. It was his face I saw first.
Are they ? he started to ask, his eyes filling with tears when I shook my head.
My parents didn t make it. Half of the people in the palace were killed, I answered, swallowing
loudly. Your grandmother is sealing it with magic but I feel we still should find sanctuary. It s not
safe. Once the demons find out that they didn t get what they wanted, they ll be back.
What did they want? a gorgeous woman with kelly-green eyes asked and I saw they were the same
as Micah s. This had to be his mother.
Us, I whispered. They killed those who fought back but I m sure the goal was to take as many of us
alive as they could.
But why?
I glanced around and saw all the people standing there. I will tell you, but not in a group. She
nodded her understanding but there were so many questions in her eyes.
I m so sorry, Ry. Whatever you need, okay? Bas said quietly as he hugged me. I bit back a sob and
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