27. Vale

Chapter 27

Vale

E choes of the battle ricocheted through the cavern, an ear-splitting clashing of spells and roars of fury. Kian’s fiery gaze darted toward me, his wings half-unfurled, shielding me from an incoming blast. Freya fought like a dervish, her twin blades carving through the onslaught, but their numbers were relentless. I was shielding them as best as I could but there were so many.

Then the air shifted.

It wasn’t just the chill of magic. It was the oppressive weight of something darker. The mages faltered, their violet eyes wide with fear as shadows coalesced at the far end of the cavern. Even they feared what was coming, which could not be a good thing.

And from the darkness, a familiar mage emerged—one I hadn’t had a chance to kill. One who’d escaped before I could end him.

Malvor’s presence was suffocating, his black robes flowing like living shadows. Inky magic slithered along his fingers like snakes as his pale lips curled into a cruel smirk. Even Freya paused, her grip tightening on her blades.

“Well, well, well,” Malvor drawled, his voice sharp enough to cut stone. “The little queen survives. How… disappointing .”

Freya stepped in front of me, her silver blades gleaming with magic. Kian snarled, his dragon scales shimmering as his claws flexed. But Malvor’s eyes were locked on me, cold and unrelenting.

“You should have listened to me,” Malvor hissed, his voice calm and condescending. “I told you not to break the curse. I warned you what would happen if you meddled. But you just couldn’t resist playing the hero, could you?”

“I did what needed to be done,” I said, forcing strength into my voice. “The curse is broken. Idris is whole. Rune is?—”

“Dead,” Malvor interrupted, his smirk twisting cruelly. “Your little pet is dead, and you’ve unleashed something far worse in the process. The chains are breaking, little queen. Every realm trembles because of what you’ve done. But don’t worry—you won’t live long enough to see the full extent of the consequences. I’ll make sure of that.”

Before I could respond, Malvor’s hand shot out, grave magic surging toward us like a tidal wave. My power ripped through me, flooding from my skin as I tossed up a shield, but the spell struck with enough force to send me stumbling.

“We need to move,” Freya barked, her eyes darting toward the cavern’s exit. “If we stay boxed in, we’re dead.”

Kian didn’t hesitate. His claws wrapped around my arm, and with a powerful beat of his wings, he propelled us toward the cavern’s entrance. Freya followed, her blades flashing as she deflected spells from the mages still pursuing us.

The moment we burst into the open air, Idris and Xavier were already there, their magic wreaking havoc on the Girovian forces. Idris—still in dragon form—let out a roar that shook the ground, his crimson scales shimmering under the pale light of the moon.

Xavier’s ice-blue eyes burned with fury, and frost crackled at his fingertips as he unleashed a barrage of ice spikes at the approaching mages. Several impaled the oncoming barrage, running them through like swords.

But something was different—something I couldn’t ignore. Xavier had never wielded frost magic before. His flames had always been blue, searing and precise, but now, ice seemed to flow from him as naturally as breathing, carving through the air with devastating precision.

My breath hitched. The lifting of Idris’ curse—it had done more than restore the king. It had freed all of us in ways we hadn’t even begun to understand. Whatever chains had bound Xavier before were gone now, leaving his magic raw and unrestrained. He was stronger than ever—and the Girovian mages didn’t stand a chance.

“ Vale .” His voice cut through the chaos, relief and urgency mingling as his gaze found mine. He moved toward us, his magic forming a protective barrier as more mages descended from the tree line.

There were too many. How had they gotten so many to fight?

Idris, however, didn’t speak. His golden eyes burned with fury as he turned his massive frame toward Malvor, his claws digging into the earth as he unleashed a blistering flame.

“This ends now,” he growled inside my mind, his voice a deep, resonant snarl that sounded so much like Rune it made my heart soar.

Malvor emerged from the cavern, his expression almost bored as he surveyed the chaos. “Ah, the king.” He sneered, his gaze flicking to Idris. “Or should I call you half a king? You may have your dragon back, but you’re still nothing compared to what’s coming. You should have stayed broken. Now we’re all dead.”

Idris lunged, his claws slashing through the air, but Malvor vanished in a swirl of shadows, reappearing several feet away. His laughter echoed as he raised his hands, summoning tendrils of black magic that lashed out like whips. But those whips weren’t aimed at us.

No, they landed on the fallen mages, each one rising from the snow, their bloody limbs and broken bodies brand-new fodder for Malvor to use.

“Do you like my warriors? I know I do. You should have never meddled in this, little Luxa. Because she’s not coming for me and mine—not yet. She’ll be coming for you and yours. Every shadow, every darkened corner, every time you fall asleep, she’ll be there. The best I can do is stop her before it’s too late.”

As one, the fallen mages attacked, their forms mingling with the live ones as they moved to box us in. With the steep slope at our backs and the caverns in front of us, there were little options left.

Kian growled, his claws raking the ground as he moved to flank Malvor. Xavier’s frost magic collided with the shadow tendrils, severing them from the fallen mages, but the live ones still pressed closer, their own spells raining down like a storm.

“Enough of this,” Malvor roared as he raised his arms. The shadows around him expanded, forming a dome of writhing darkness that swallowed the narrow battlefield. For a moment, the world went silent.

And then the screaming started.

But it wasn’t us—no, it was the souls of the fallen powering Malvor’s magic, the darkness swelling from his body, filling the narrow space with inky blackness that reminded me of Zamarra’s magic.

“Kian,” I shouted, clutching at his arm as the shadows closed in around us. “We can’t fight him like this.”

Kian’s molten eyes met mine, a flicker of determination cutting through the chaos. “Then we won’t.”

He raised his hands, and the air around us shimmered, twisted. The oppressive darkness wavered, and suddenly, it was as if it were no longer there. The shadows moved past us, searching, but they couldn’t find their targets.

Kian’s illusion magic had cloaked us, hiding us from Malvor’s magic. His amber gaze met mine, determination flickering behind the strain etched into his face. A bead of sweat slid down his temple, his claws flexing. “It won’t last long,” he said through gritted teeth. “He’s too powerful. You need to end this, Vale.”

“Protect him,” I snapped at Xavier and Freya as I stepped forward, the warmth of Lirael’s magic surging through me. Golden light flared in my hands, cutting through the illusion just enough for me to confront Malvor.

“You think you can stop me?” Malvor sneered, his gaze locking onto me as the illusion faded. “You’re nothing but a child playing with powers you don’t understand.”

“Maybe,” I said, my voice steady, despite the storm raging around us. “But even a child can end you.”

I unleashed a flood of golden light, brighter and stronger than anything I’d ever conjured before. It collided with Malvor’s shadows, burning through them with an intensity that made him stagger. He snarled, his dark magic flaring as he countered, but Lirael’s power swelled within me, knocking him to his knees.

“You’ve grown stronger,” Malvor admitted, his tone laced with pain. “The goddess’ touch suits you. But even her light won’t be enough to stop what’s coming. You think breaking the curse was the end of your troubles? Zamarra is clawing from her prison as we speak, little queen. And she’s already set her sights on your precious baby sister.”

My heart froze. “Nyrah?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “What does Zamarra want with her?”

Malvor’s smirk widened. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. But by then, it’ll be too late. Zamarra doesn’t just want you, Vale. She wants everything.”

His words sent a rush of fear and fury through me, and I lifted my hands, golden light pooling from my palms. “She won’t touch her. And neither will you.”

Malvor laughed, a cold, mocking sound. “You can’t protect her. You can’t even protect yourself.”

With a roar, I unleashed the full force of my magic, golden light exploding from me in a blinding wave. Malvor tried to counter, his inky magic surging to meet mine, but it wasn’t enough. Lirael’s light burned through his defenses, driving him to his back.

He gasped, his eyes wide with shock as the light began to burn him. “Y-you think this changes anything?” he rasped, his voice weak but filled with venom. “Zamarra’s game is far from over. And you… you’re already too late.”

Rage burned through me, and I poured every ounce of my magic into my next strike. The golden light speared forward, piercing Malvor’s chest. His eyes widened in shock as the light consumed him, his body trembling before it collapsed in on itself, burning to ash and dust. The gust of his magic shattered his withered form, his ashes floating away on the bitter wind.

The moment Malvor fell, his connection to the Girovian mages shattered. Many screamed, clutching their heads as their spells backfired, their noses and eyes bleeding as they collapsed into the snow. The ones who survived fled into the night, their retreat chaotic and desperate. Idris let out a final roar, his crimson wings flaring as he slashed through the last of the stragglers.

The silence after the battle was deafening. It pressed against my ears, louder than any roar of magic or clash of weapons. The Girovian forces were gone—those who hadn’t been destroyed fled into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of shattered lives and broken ground.

Freya sheathed her blades, her sharp gaze scanning the battlefield. “Well, that’s one way to start the night,” she muttered, though her usual bite was absent. Her steps were sluggish, her stance tense as though she expected more attackers to come crawling from the darkness.

Xavier moved to my side, his frost-blue eyes surveying the scene with grim determination. Idris stood a short distance away, his massive dragon form glowing faintly in the moonlight, steam rising from his nostrils as he surveyed the chaos. Kian leaned against a tree, his wings tucked tightly against his back, his amber eyes locked on me.

“Back to the castle,” Idris growled through the bond, his voice resonating through my mind like a command. “Now.”

I nodded silently, my body moving before my mind caught up. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the devastation around us. The clearing that had been our battlefield was littered with bodies, the snow stained red. The air smelled of charred flesh and magic, the acrid tang clawing at my throat.

We moved as a group, the weight of our silence heavy. Idris shifted back into his human form, his magic weaving armor from thin air, his posture unyielding. He walked ahead, his strides purposeful, but I could feel the simmering rage rolling off him in waves. I felt all of it, his emotions too big to hold in, and yet, he hadn’t so much as looked at me once.

I’d betrayed him—I’d betrayed all of them—and I had no idea if he could forgive me.

Xavier followed close behind, his hands glowing faintly with residual frost magic. Kian brought up the rear, his gaze flicking toward the shadows as though expecting an ambush.

When we reached the castle gates, my heart sank. The walls bore the scars of the attack, great gouges torn through stone and steel. Guards were strewn across the grounds, some injured, some completely torn apart. Faint cries of the wounded drifted through the air, mixing with the crackle of dying flames.

I stopped in my tracks, my chest tightening as I took it all in. This wasn’t just a battle—it was a warning. A declaration of war.

“Vale,” Xavier said, his voice softer now. He placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me. “We need to keep moving.”

I nodded, though my legs felt like lead. As we stepped into the castle courtyard, the full scope of the damage became perfectly clear. Soldiers rushed in all directions, carrying the wounded, shouting orders, and extinguishing magical fires that seemed to burn without end. The once-pristine cobblestones were smeared with blood and ash. The air buzzed with the hum of strained magic as the wards were being hastily repaired.

Freya let out a low whistle, her expression grim. “Looks like they hit harder than we thought.”

Idris spun toward me, his golden eyes blazing. “This is what happens when we’re distracted. When we’re not prepared.”

But I hadn’t been the one to demand a wedding. I hadn’t been the one to throw a party in the hopes that war wasn’t coming.

“This wasn’t distraction,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “This was a message. Malvor knew exactly what he was doing.”

“And he used us to do it,” Kian muttered, his claws flexing. “He wanted us divided, focused on him while his forces tore through the castle.”

Xavier’s gaze darkened. “It worked.”

I swallowed hard, guilt clawing at my chest. This wasn’t just about us—it wasn’t even just about the castle. It was about the realm. The chaos Zamarra wanted to unleash had already begun, and I’d played right into her hands.

“I need to see the wounded,” I said, my voice firmer now. “I need to see who we lost.”

Idris hesitated, his jaw clenching. “Vale, you?—”

“You already blame me. I can fucking feel it. Why not let me see it for myself?” I cut in, my eyes locking onto his. “They fought for us, Idris. They fought for this castle. They need to see that I at least know what it cost.”

He stared at me for a moment, his expression hardening with each passing second, but then he nodded. “Freya, go with her. Kian, Xavier, see to the defenses. I want every ward restored, every weak point fortified. We won’t let this happen again.”

Then he turned, dismissing me as if I hadn’t married him hours ago, as if I hadn’t sacrificed everything for him, as if I were nothing. Except for the brief hesitation, the flicker of something I couldn’t name in his golden eyes before he walked away.

If it had to be that way, fine.

The courtyard was a sea of chaos, but as Freya and I moved amongst the injured, the reality of what we’d faced hit me like a blow. Soldiers with burns and broken limbs lay on makeshift cots, their groans of pain echoing through the air. Healers worked tirelessly, their magic glowing as they mended wounds and whispered reassurances.

“Vale,” Freya said softly, her gaze scanning the courtyard. “We won, but we’re bleeding.”

I nodded, my throat tight. This wasn’t victory. It was survival, and barely that.

As we reached the great hall, my steps faltered. The long tables that usually held feasts were now filled with the wounded. The room smelled of blood and desperation, and the low hum of healing magic thrummed in the air.

Freya placed a hand on my arm, her sharp eyes softening. “You don’t have to?—”

“I do,” I said, cutting her off. My voice steadied as I straightened, scanning the rows of wounded. “This is my fault, Freya. Malvor warned me, and I still?—”

“Enough.” Freya’s voice was sharp, slicing through my spiraling thoughts. She moved closer, her face a mask of determination. “You think you’re the only one who made mistakes? The only one who underestimated them? You think Idris, Xavier, Kian, or I had nothing to do with this?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “But?—”

“No buts.” Her voice lowered, but the intensity didn’t fade. “We all knew they were coming. We all thought we had more time. You think this is your fault because Malvor pointed a finger at you? Fuck that. You don’t get to take all the blame just because it makes you feel like you’re in control of the chaos.”

Her words hit me like a slap, and I opened my mouth to respond, but she held up a hand, silencing me.

“You feel guilty? Good. That means you give a fuck about this kingdom. But don’t stand here and act like the rest of us didn’t make the same damn miscalculation. We’re bleeding because this is war, Vale. It was never going to wait until we were ready.”

Freya’s hand fell away, and she exhaled a sharp breath, glancing over the hall. “You can’t save everyone in war, and thinking you can, will get you killed. You want to help? Then stop blaming yourself for things you couldn’t control and start doing something about the things you can.”

Her words should have been the slap in the face I needed, but they weren’t. Not when I knew the truth. Not when I could feel Zamarra’s presence creeping closer, not just the threat in Malvor’s words but in the way the air seemed colder, heavier. Like she was already reaching for me, her claws sinking into every single thing I cared about.

Freya was right about one thing: I couldn’t save everyone.

But I could save one.