31. Maggie

Chapter 31

Maggie

D avon's hand remained firm around mine as we rushed down the hall and exited out into a battlefield of Veerenads fighting the king's forces. The cavern had been transformed into a nightmarish landscape, with the echoes of combat reverberating off the stone walls. Veerenads clashed everywhere, their snarls and roars punctuated by the clang of metal and the hiss of claws lashing out. The smell of sweat and blood hung in the air.

We remained near the outside of the wall, moving as fast as we could, avoiding the wild swings of combatants locked in their own battles. Davon shielded me with his body, his eyes scanning the madness for a clear path. I kept my footing on the uneven ground, my heart pounding in my throat.

We left the enormous cavern and wove through a series of tunnels, slowly making our way higher. We stumbled out of a small cave where two males battled, their snarls echoing in the open room, their claws grating on the stone floor.

“Valdar is the true king,” Davon said. “His uncle killed Valdar's father and stole his throne. Watch as Valdar finds his revenge, as he reclaims his birthright.”

I gaped at the two grappling Veerenads, their muscles straining and snarls ripping up their throats. Valdar was clearly stronger, and it seemed as if he was toying with the king—who was not the true king.

Their blades were a blur as they struck and parried with deadly precision, and their claws slashed out to gouge across the other's chest, thighs, and arms. The ground beneath them grew slick with blood. This fight was pushing both warriors to their limits.

I held my breath, watching as Valdar feinted to the left, then drove his sword forward with a roar. The king attempted to counter, but he was too slow. Valdar's blade found its way past the king's, slicing through scale and sinew. The king's guttural cry rang out in the room and his weapon clattered to the ground. He glared up at Valdar as he crumpled onto his knees. Valdar stood over him, his chest heaving, a grim smile on his snout.

“Finally,” Valdar snarled. He lifted his blade and slashed out, severing the king's head from his neck. As it toppled to the stone, Valdar tipped his own head back and released a hoarse cry that was echoed by his forces still fighting within the caverns.

Silence descended right after.

“They know the king is dead,” Davon said softly. “ Those who heard have surrendered.” He squeezed my hand. “It's over.”

“This is your mate?” Valdar asked, sheathing his sword at his side and striding over to join us.

“King Valdar, this is Maggie,” Davon said. “Congratulations on your victory.”

“Maggie.” Valdar lifted my hand and gently squeezed it. “I'm sorry for everything.”

“Your uncle takes all the blame but thank you.”

“Go to the palace,” Valdar said. “Once we've cleaned this area, we'll join you. We must celebrate, and then I'll help you return to your clan.”

The two males braced their forearms.

“Remain safe,” Davon said.

“You as well.” Valdar's gaze shot to the tunnel on the opposite side of the cave. “Watch out. Some won’t know that my uncle is dead. They'll hunt you if only to reclaim Maggie.”

“No one will touch her,” Davon growled, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade.

We left Valdar and hurried into the tunnel. As we traveled closer to the surface, we dodged fighting Veerenads, their tails and blades whipping around them in a deadly ballet. Davon kept a tight grip on my hand, his protective instinct as palpable as the danger around us.

We were almost there, the entrance to the caverns was in sight. The dank air of the underground gave way to a faint breeze carrying the scent of fresh earth and freedom. My lungs ached for a deep breath of untainted air, for the feel of the sun on my skin .

As we burst from the mouth of the cavern, the world opened up around us. The sky was a vast expanse of lavender, beautiful when compared to the darkness we'd left behind. Shielding my eyes, I blinked against the brightness, and with Davon guiding me, we hurried along the wall, passing through clusters of spindly trees. The sounds of battle faded behind us, replaced by the pounding of our hearts and the rush of wind in our ears.

The warm breeze wrapped around us, a wonderful contrast to the damp chill of the caverns. I leaned against Davon as we paused to catch our breath. The sun warmed my skin, and fresh air filled my lungs, chasing away the remnants of fear and exhaustion.

Large shadows swept across the ground. I gasped, my eyes widening as I looked up, taking in the enormous birds soaring in a fleet of at least twenty overhead, their wings sweeping grandly, their feathers shimmering blue, green, and lavender. Their sharp golden beaks gleamed in the sunlight. Awe and fear jolted through me.

“Davon,” I whispered, clutching his arm. “Those birds . . .”

He shaded his eyes with his hand, and a smile played on his lips, making his thick tusks gleam. “They're Zuldruxian ryvars, and they carry friends. Magnificent creatures, aren't they?”

“Ryvars?” He'd mentioned that the Dastalon Clan used them for travel, that . . .

That the traedor of the Dastalon Clan had mated with my sister, Talia.

Hope burst in my chest, and I started to cry .

“What are they doing here?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Tears trickled down my face. Would Talia and I finally be reunited?

Davon's arm wrapped around my shoulders, and he pulled me close. “I bet they’re emissaries, here to negotiate the treaty with the Veerenads.” His smile widened, and he pointed to the lead bird. “See that warrior riding at the front? That's my friend, Firion.”

I strained to see and . . . Yes. Someone rode on the ryvar with him, someone slighter and with dark hair glistening in the sunlight. She leaned back in his embrace, and I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Talia.”

Her head shot around, and she stared in our direction as the birds continued flying toward the palace.

“It's her, Davon. My sister,” I cried. “I've got to get to her.”

“This way, love.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “I'll take you to her.”

We rushed towards the Veerenad palace and soon made our way through the back entrance of the wall. As we approached the main building, the birds began to descend, landing gracefully on the vast lawn between the back of the structure and the wall. Zuldruxian warriors dismounted quickly, weapons glinting at their sides.

My eyes scanned the group, locking on one, precious person.

“Talia!” I shouted, waving my arms wildly.

She turned toward us, her eyes lighting up as she spotted me. Her face glowed, her mouth stretching into a wide, tearful smile. My twin sister rushed forward with her arms outstretched. I squeezed Davon’s hand and ran to meet her. We collided in a tangle of arms and rocked together, our laughter and sobs intertwining.

“Maggie,” Talia choked out, her voice thick with tears. “I thought I'd never see you again.”

“Me too,” I cried, holding her tighter. “I can't believe you're here.”

We pulled back to look at each other, our faces streaked with tears, our smiles mirroring each other's. Davon came up beside me, his hand dropping to rest on my shoulder.

“Firion,” Talia cried, stretching her hand back to the Zuldruxian warrior striding our way, his rapt gaze locked on her. He was tall and broad, made up of bunched muscles, though he, like all the other Zuldruxians, was smaller than my Davon. But my love had already explained that he was bigger than every other Zuldruxian. He took after his father, who’d been larger than everyone else too. “Firion, it's Maggie, my sister.”

He joined us, wrapping his arms around my sister from behind, and when she looked up at him, I saw so much adoration there it made my chest ache.

“Maggie, this is Firion.” Her voice came out breathless. “He's my mate. I love him.”

My face ached with my grin, and I leaned into Davon. “This is Davon.”

“We met,” Talia left Firion, barreling into Davon, giving him a hug. She looked up at him. “Your brother sent word that you'd found my sister, that you two . . .” Swallowing hard, she turned her wide eyes my way. “He said that you were his mate.”

“It's true.” I stepped over to them and Davon swung his arm around my back, tugging me close. He kissed the top of my head. “Davon and I . . . We fell in love. He saved me.”

“And she saved me,” my love said, his voice a low grumble. “I would not have survived without her.”

“Mates,” Talia breathed.

Firion and Davon braced their forearms, grinning at each other like true friends.

“Well done,” Firion said. “Very well done. You said you’d find Maggie and you did.”

Davon dipped his head forward. “I love her. I’ll soon make amends and then we'll talk about the future of my clan and the others.”

“Our offer stands open,” Firion said.

“You’re sure?” Davon sounded skeptical.

“Always.” Firion shook his head. “We understand. Aizor understands. He’s ready for you to visit and give back his sword.”

Davon’s face darkened. “I shouldn’t have taken it.”

“Did you want to?” Firion asked.

“Never,” Davon breathed. “I . . . I didn’t know what I was doing.”

He sounded so bleak that I tightened my arm around him, reminding him that I was here, that I loved him. That I’d always love him.

He looked down at me with such a stark expression that I wanted to cry. It would take time for him to accept what he’d done and to forgive himself, but I’d bet anything that once he’d given Aizor his sword back along with an apology, Davon would start seeing that he was worthy, that he had so much to offer not just himself, but me and his clan.

“Firion and the other traedors have offered the Browze Clan a chance to join with the others living below the Indigans,” Talia said with a sweet smile. “The small clans are moving in with each other for protection and . . . well, we're not the only women here, and the others have also found mates in Zuldruxian warriors.”

“Earth women,” I said.

She nodded, biting down on her lower lip. “It's . . . amazing. Everyone’s so happy. I was angry when the robocops stole us and pissed off at the aliens the Zuldruxians call gods, but now . . .” She took Firion’s hand and squeezed it. “I don't want to go back to Earth. My life is here with Firion. Maybe, just maybe, this was the way it was supposed to be.”

I was beginning to think she was right.

“I won’t leave Davon,” I said, holding him close.

“I don’t think we have to.” Talia shrugged. “I understand the gods, which is the easiest way to refer to them, told Vanessa they’d send her back if she wanted, but she loves Aizor, and she told me she can’t imagine being without him. There are others like us, some who’ve fallen in love and others resting in stasis pods on the central island, waiting, I guess, to be gifted to Zuldruxian warriors.”

“I don’t know what I think about that. ”

“Neither do I, and I haven’t given up on telling them that they need to release the women. If they’re destined to fall in love, they will. I don’t like how they seem eager to force this.”

We’d talk about this more. I wouldn’t give up either. No one should lie in stasis, waiting to be given to someone. Those women deserved the chance to make a choice about whether they wanted to remain here or return home. And if they chose the latter, the “gods” needed to respect their decision.

I’d make sure they did.

“We have a treaty to negotiate,” Firion said, waving to the palace.

“About that . . .” I looked between the two, tall, handsome males, equally gorgeous and fierce. I could see why my sister loved Firion, and I was sure she could tell why I adored Davon. We needed to talk. We had so much to share about what had happened since we last saw each other. But we weren't completely safe here.

Davon quickly explained what had happened, finishing as Valdar emerged from the woods behind us flanked with other Veerenad males.

Introductions were made, and Valdar urged us to come inside.

“Things will be a little rough,” he told Firion. “But I welcome your visit. I'll handle the negotiations now that my uncle . . .” His snarl rang out. “He had met his just end.”

Firion’s gaze met Davon's. “I came to negotiate with the king, and that’s you, I presume?”

“Very much so,” Valdar said with a grim smile. “Come. I'll arrange for your rooms and a meal. We have much to celebrate tonight, not only the defeat of a tyrant, but our city's upcoming treaty with your people.”

We started walking toward the entrance, following Valdar, but Davon paused, holding me back. He tugged me into his arms and lifted me, his mouth meeting mine. In his kiss, I found hope, a future, and the promise of a lifetime of love.

As we rejoined the others, the sounds of celebration rang out around us. Veerenads and Zuldruxians began to intermingle, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

I looked up at Davon, my heart swelling with love and happiness. He gazed down at me, his eyes reflecting the same emotions. We'd made it. We'd fought, and we'd won. And now, we were together, surrounded by family and new friends.

The sun shone down on us, its warmth hinting at a brighter future for us all. As we stood inside the grand ballroom, the only place everyone would fit, I leaned into Davon, his arm around me, holding me close.

“What now?” I asked, looking up at him.

He smiled, his eyes filled with love. “Now, we go to the desert. We join my clan, and I brag about how wonderful my mate is.”

“I'll do the same.”

His grin widened. “Then we'll travel to the Indigan clan where we can talk about joining them—or not. No matter what, we'll make a new life, Maggie. Together.”

I nodded, a soft smile playing on my lips. “Together. ”

We stood off to the side, surrounded by the joy of a new start for the Veerenad city. I'd visit with my sister, and we'd talk about how we could remain with our mates but still see each other as often as possible.

Davon would give Aizor his sword back and make amends, and I'd stand by his side while he did it, proud of this male I'd claimed as my own.

While the road ahead might be uncertain, he and I would face whatever came our way together.