46. Laia

46

LAIA

T he morning sun rises, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The sky is a pale blue, and the air is still cool with the remnants of night. I stand before Eryndor, my hand gripping the handle of a heavy axe. My body is still weak, but my mind is clear, and my purpose is singular.

Eryndor hangs from the post, his body battered, his eyes sunken and wild. His mouth moves, but no sound comes—his voice stolen by Kael’s blade.

My heart racesbut it’s not fear I feel anymore. It’s power. It’s control. For the first time since my capture, I’m the one with the power.

Thalos, Irix, and Kael stand behind me, silent sentinels, their presence a wall of strength. They’re here with me, but this moment is mine alone.

Eryndor’s eyes meet mine, and for a fleeting moment, I see something that almost looks like remorse. Almost. But it’s too late for that now. He made his choices; now he faces the consequences.

I tighten my grip on the axe handle, feeling its weight in my hands. My arms tremble slightly—not from fear but from exhaustion and anticipation. I take a deep breath and step forward.

The air is thick with tension; every breath is a reminder of what this moment means. It’s not just about revenge—it’s about reclaiming my life. My freedom.

“Do you remember?” I ask him, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “Do you remember what you did to me? To my friends?”

Eryndor’s eyes widen slightly but he doesn’t respond. He can’t respond. Kael made sure of that. Kael pinned his tongue on the top of his head.

I take another step closer, the axe feeling like an extension of myself now. “You took everything from me,” I continue, my voice gaining strength. “But you didn’t break me.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I see the fear in his eyes grow. He knows what’s coming.

I glance back at Thalos, Irix, and Kael—my protectors, my family—and draw strength from their presence. They nod in silent support.

I step forward, my gaze locked on Eryndor’s twisted form. The courtyard is silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the morning breeze. The air smells of earth and iron, a grim reminder of what’s at stake.

“This is for every life you’ve taken,” I say, my voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “For every scar you’ve given me. For every moment you tried to break me.”

Eryndor’s eyes widen, his body trembling in the chains that bind him. He tries to speak, but only a faint gurgle escapes his lips. His fear is palpable, almost a tangible thing in the air between us.

I raise the axe high above my head, feeling its weight shift in my hands. The morning sun glints off the blade, casting a brief flash of light across Eryndor’s face. His eyes are wild and desperate—filled with a fear he’s never shown before.

With one swift motion, I swing the axe down. The blade slices cleanly through Eryndor’s neck, the force of the blow sending his head tumbling to the ground with a dull thud. Blood splatters across the dirt, pooling around his lifeless body.

For a moment, I stand still, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The world feels different—lighter. His tyranny falls with his severed head, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I’m liberated.

The chains of my past shatter around me, leaving nothing but open air and possibility. I look back at Thalos, Irix, and Kael—my protectors—and see their faces softened with pride and relief.

I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I drop the axe to the ground. The sound of its metal clanging against stone echoes through the courtyard.

It’s over.

Thalos steps forward, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. “You did it.”

I exhale, my body trembling but my heart steady. “I killed him.”

Then, I turned to the dark estate looming behind me. “Let’s burn it all to the ground and destroy everythin Eryndor held close to his heart.”

My minotaurs smiled at me, letting me take the lead.

___

The estate burns behind us, flames licking up the stone walls, consuming the place of my torment. As the fire roars, I lead the humans out, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude. Their chains clink as they shuffle forward, blinking against the light of freedom.

“Thank you,” one whispers, her voice choked with emotion. Tears streak down her dirty face, but there’s a spark of hope in her eyes. “You saved us.”

I smile faintly, my heart swelling with pride. “You’re free now. Just like I am.”

We move away from the burning estate, the heat of the flames warming our backs. Thalos, Kael, and Irix stand by my side, their presence a fortress of strength and solidarity. They’ve fought for me, bled for me, but now we stand as equals. Our bond has been forged in fire and blood, and it’s unbreakable.

As the flames rise higher, casting a fierce glow against the dawn sky, I look at them—my protectors, my family. Thalos with his unyielding strength, Kael with his quiet compassion, and Irix with his fierce loyalty. My heart is full.

I’m not just their lover. We’re finally on equal footing.

Together, we turn away from the burning estate, ready to start our new life—together.

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