Chapter 38

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

SAGE

M y vision blurs from the tears streaming down my face.

Anger strangles me, but it's more than that. It's grief, it's fear, and I can't stop crying from the devastation I just saw in the city.

I'm instantly surrounded by all three of my true mates in the woods. They hold me, staring at me with confused looks.

"What's going on? And why the fuck is the castle on fire?" Wolfe's voice trembles, his hand gripping mine.

Their gazes search mine for answers, but I'm staring over the tops of the trees in the distance at the flames claiming the castle, remembering that devastation in the city.

Despite his injuries, Killian holds me tighter, more concerned with me than himself, while Nyko's brow furrows, and he pushes strands of hair out of my face. The wind that's picking up just pushes it back, and he keeps brushing it aside.

"It's Clay," I finally say. "He's rampaged into the kingdom, taking over, killing the locals, and he was…" I pause to catch my breath, my body shaking. "He was carrying my father's decapitated head around, parading it."

Silence. It's as though they're all processing what I just said. Then Wolfe stiffens, snarling like a beast.

"I'm going to fucking murder Clay," Wolfe shouts, his fists clenched. "Who the fuck does he think he is?"

I can't concentrate on the three of them bursting into anger over Clay. Right now, I hate myself for crying over my father's loss, but it's not just about him—it's about everything I never got to ask, everything I'll never know about my past, my monster side.

Nyko fiercely pulls me into his embrace before the other two get a chance, hugging me. "Princess, I'm so fucking sorry. I know your father's an asshole, but you didn't deserve to see it the way you did."

Killian's embracing me, too, as is Wolfe, our breaths heavy and fast.

"Sage, I'm so sorry," Killian murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.

I cling to them, shaking my head. "I'm worried about my sister," I choke out. "And I can't stop seeing his severed head."

"You shouldn't have experienced any of that," Wolfe murmurs, his brow heavy with furrows, his shoulders bunching up in fury.

Nyko exchanges a quick, grim look with Wolfe. "I never trusted that bastard."

Wolfe's heaving for breath. "He kept going on about making those who stuck with the King pay for their betrayal, and now it appears the fucker is trying to start a rebellion, and we need to stop him." His expression darkens.

"Fuck him," Killian swears under his breath, his jaw clenched. "We need to get back to the city… now!"

Wolfe and Nyko practically carry Killian, who's struggling to keep up, his injuries slowing him down. My adrenaline numbs my pain and terror. Branches scratch my skin and tug at my hair, the dense underbrush making every step a struggle. The descent is brutal.

Wolfe grunts as he slips on the wet ground, his arm shooting out to steady himself against a tree trunk. Nyko curses under his breath, one hand on me so I don't fall.

My breath comes in ragged gasps. The forest is dense and oppressive, the canopy above blocking out most of the light, casting everything in eerie shadows. We move as fast as we can, but it feels like a slow-motion nightmare.

Fear for my sister gnaws at me. I can't lose her. Not after I just found out that I have an extended family.

"We're almost there," Killian grunts, his face pale from the effort. "Just a bit farther."

I nod, swallowing hard. The terrain is treacherous, the ground slick with mud and leaves. I slip, my feet sliding out from under me, but Wolfe's quick reflexes catch me before I hit the ground.

"Careful," he coos, helping me back up.

"Thanks," I whisper.

The forest begins to thin out, the trees giving way to open space. Shouts and screams reach us, the smell of smoke heavier. My heart sinks as we burst out of the woods, the city sprawled out before us in utter chaos. People are running desperately in all directions, their fear cutting into me.

Far across the city, the castle is falling apart under the flames.

Wolfe's grip tightens on my arm, his eyes scanning the scene with grim terror. "Where the hell is that motherfucker?"

Nyko nods, his expression hard.

Killian, despite his injuries, stands tall, his eyes burning at the sight. "Let's move," he commands. "We have to stop him before he destroys everything."

As we push forward, I scan every person, every home we pass for Elara's familiar face. I lead them to where I roughly remember seeing Clay last, though in all honesty, the streets look alike, and I have no idea if I'm going in the right direction.

We enter a center square, an open area surrounded by flowering trees and benches, with a platform on one end for performances or announcements. The area is large enough to fit several hundred Shadowfen. Now, it's marred by chaos, with locals frantically dashing across it.

Then I see him across the open space.

Fucking Clay.

He stands there with a sickening smirk on his face with only half a dozen guards. Back in my vision, he had dozens following him… are they all scouring the city for us now?

But I forget them when I find my sister, Elara, chained around the neck, being tugged along like a dog by Clay. She's clawing at the chain in her monster form, crying to be released. I'm caught by her appearance as it's my first time seeing her true form—skin shimmering with a translucent glow, almost like moonlight filtering through water, her eyes a deep purple, her hair matching and flowing down to her thighs. She has a human figure, yet she looks more ethereal, especially with the sparks of sunlight bouncing off her body, almost giving her a glow.

Seeing her struggling with the chain, being shoved to keep walking by a guard from behind, has fury boiling inside me. I feel it radiating off my true mates as well. Wolfe's growling under his breath like a hound about to attack, Nyko's chest heaves rapidly, and Killian suddenly materializes swords in his hands.

"Clay, you fucking idiot!" Wolfe roars across the square.

Elara's eyes lock with mine, and I see the terror in her gaze. Clay turns to smirk at Wolfe, his expression mocking.

"My Lord, I have done your duty for you," he says sarcastically as he gives an overexaggerated bow.

I tremble with anger, my hands shaking.

"What the fuck did you do?" Wolfe snarls, stepping forward. "Who gave you instructions to invade the kingdom? To kill the locals? Look at all the dead!"

We move toward Clay, and the spindly, spiderlike guards following him move in our direction, covering him from either side.

Around us, several bodies of fallen monsters lie scattered, their blood staining the ground. My heart shatters at all the loss.

"They betrayed us, or have you forgotten what happened to your father? How you watched him murdered in cold blood," Clay barks. "And I did what you couldn't." He points to my father's head, being held up by one of the guards.

I struggle to stare at it, grimacing.

"You have no idea what you've done." Wolfe's fists are trembling, his eyes locked on Clay. "We lost so many people during the Great Desolation, and there are so few Shadowfen left. And you butcher more? You fucking maniac!"

Nyko's face twists with anger. "Can I kill him now?"

Several more guards step closer to Clay as we close the distance between us and them.

"These Shadowfen betrayed us when they took the false King's side, and you appear weak by accepting this," Clay keeps arguing. "And now his daughter will pay the same price."

He glances at Elara, who tugs against him. My fury blinds me, and I step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. I stare at my sister.

Don't do anything crazy, or he's going to kill me , she pleads suddenly in my mind.

The ache in her voice leaves me trembling.

No, he's not , I reply firmly. You're not going to die, Elara. But Clay will. The moment we make a move, you tug from his grip and run to us. I'm not going to lose my sister. Not going to happen.

Thank you , she says, her voice filled with a mix of relief and fear. Whatever happens, thank you for being kind to me. Not many have been.

I'm getting teary, and I want to hug her. It kills me to see her chained up. At the same time, I sense my monster lingering inside now, like a growing emotion; it's a part of me.

Just hold on. I promise they won't hurt you.

I trust you.

I nod subtly. The sight of her chained and helpless fuels the fire inside me, but I need to stay focused. For her. For us.

The argument with my true mates and Clay returns me to the present.

"You might reconsider having her on your side," he snorts, glaring at me, his tone dripping with disdain. "Because you're sleeping with the enemy, Wolfe. She will backstab you. I should have tried harder to get rid of her when she escaped the Sylar." He scowls at me.

I'm burning up. "You asshole tried to kill me!"

Clay chuckles, sounding more like an annoying bird squawking.

Killian snarls dangerously in his direction.

All while Elara's eyes plead with me, and I can't stand the thought of losing her. My mind races, trying to come up with a plan, a way to save her and stop this madness.

"Enough of this!" Wolfe roars, his voice echoing through the square. "Let Elara go, and we'll discuss this… you and me. Enough blood's been spilled."

Clay hesitates, his gaze flicking between Wolfe, Nyko, Killian, and then me. We're standing only a couple of feet apart from him now.

For a moment, the world seems to hold its breath. The tension is so thick it's suffocating, and the weight of everyone's stares on me is unbearable.

Clay suddenly shoves Elara to the ground with his foot and lunges at Wolfe, his blade flashing in the light.

Nyko and Killian charge in at his back, Killian wincing, but it doesn't stop him.

Wolfe meets Clay's lunge head-on, wrestling to force Clay's blade away from his body. To my surprise, Clay is a lot stronger than he appears. At that same moment, two guards charge at Killian, who's already injured and struggling to stay on his feet. He parries the first strike but is knocked back by the second, blood seeping from his wounds.

Nyko, in his shadow form, moves like a wraith, his figure shifting and blurring as he attacks the guards targeting Killian and the four coming for him. He wraps his shadowy tendrils around one guard's neck, yanking him back and slamming him to the ground. The other guard swings wildly at Nyko, but his blows pass harmlessly through the shadows. Nyko materializes behind him, delivering a swift, lethal blow to the back of the head.

I can't look away, not when my true mates are in danger. Wolfe shoves Clay to the ground, lunging after him while ripping the blade from him, wielding it himself. There's no pause, just sheer savagery. Clay snarls, his face twisted in rage, kicking him in the gut. It's enough time for him to roll and scramble up, snatching a blade from a fallen guard.

My attention swings to my sister's cries. Her leash is held by a huge furry Shadowfen, and he's raising a blade behind my sister, who's staggering up to her knees.

Terror grips me.

I burst with a power that buzzes down my arms, and instantly, a shadow double of the guard materializes behind him. It wields two swords, and without pause, he sinks the blades into his back. He grunts, crying out, trying to reach his back while falling over.

I duck and run to my sister, who's now screaming from the guard who tumbled half on her, shoving her back to the ground. Frantically, I move my shadow to roll the man off her. I desperately grab her arm, drawing her to her feet just as my shadow falls away to the wind like ashes.

"Sage!" Elara sobs, her cheeks red. "Take it off me, take it off."

I fumble, trying to find where the chain on her neck is connected. At the back, I unlock the latch, and it falls to her feet.

She's sobbing, and I hug her, quickly rushing her away from the fight, needing her safe.

"I was going to die."

"It's all right. You're safe now. I promise," I whisper, bringing her to a bench at the corner of the square, far from the battle.

"I saw them kill Father," Elara murmurs, choking on her words. "It was horrific… I hated him, but I didn't want to see that…"

"I'm so sorry," I say, my heart breaking for her, for us. "But you're with me now." Her cries continue, and I try to comfort her, but I need to help my true mates. "Give me a moment."

When I glance back, I find all three of them standing from the fight, splattered in blue and green blood.

Clay lies on the ground at their feet, broken, twisted, his head snapped backward and in a pool of his own blood.

He's dead!

A few enemy guards survived, and they've dropped their weapons, heads bowed. Locals from the city are gathering around us; they must have watched the battle, seen it all. More of our guards and those belonging to the kingdom emerge, and there's no hesitation from them in falling to their knees for Wolfe. Clearly, they weren't loyal to my father or Clay at how quickly they give in.

"Anyone who stands with Clay does not belong here," Wolfe growls. "I do not condone his actions, and for that, he paid with his life." His breathing is heavy.

I stare at him, loving him more than I thought possible.

Nyko has Killian leaning on him, and he's walking him over to a bench where he sits him down. He lifts his gaze in my direction and blows me a kiss, leaving me swooning, then he returns to Wolfe's side. Elara and I get up and quickly move to join Killian, my sister clinging to my side.

"You're hurt," I say, taking in how much more blood he has on him, but not all of it is his.

"I'll be fine. I mean, that hurts like a bitch, but it's worth it," he mutters, wincing as he shifts and tries to twist toward me. "Besides, we can't leave just yet."

I glance over at Wolfe, who stares at those surrounding the square.

"King Bren is dead. His torment and tyranny end today. My family and I…" He glances at Nyko, then over at us on the bench, directing everyone's attention our way. "We will restore order to this kingdom, but we need everyone's help. We're here to protect you, not to harm you."

His words are met with murmurs and nodding heads, along with a few skeptical glances. The Shadowfen in the kingdom must have seen my father's brutality… I recall seeing them running around the city terrified, guards at every corner. That's not a peaceful way of living but one of being controlled.

After a moment, Nyko steps forward, his presence commanding.

"The true King from Silvercrest Kingdom, the son of King Roan, has returned to claim his throne." He steps aside, casting a hand toward Wolfe. "Wolfe Roan will take his rightful place on the throne of Blight and will now lead us into a new era! We will hold a coronation to make his title official and give the city a much-needed celebration. Soon after, there will be a royal marriage to arrange." Nyko and Wolfe are staring at me, and I'm flushing all over. Did I just hear right?

Marriage?

I might be swooning.

Crying.

Killian's laughing, an arm around me.

"We've been planning when to best ask you," he says. "Seems this is the perfect moment." He chuckles, and I lean against him. Reaching up to kiss him, I blow my other true mates a kiss each. I have so many questions about what that entails, but there's time. First are the city and the kingdom.

Even more Shadowfen begin to gather closer, some clapping, others cheering, the shock giving way to realization. Someone shouts out that they recognize the old King in Wolfe's face and that they look alike. That he wants the old ways returned. And slowly, one by one, they start to bend a knee to Wolfe, bowing their heads in submission and respect. The weight of their acceptance is beautiful.

Killian's swaying on the bench. He's going to pass out soon, and he can't wait any longer.

Elara moves to his side. "I know who can fix your injuries, but we need to go to the medic room now!"

Killian just smiles, even though he's pale and bleeding blue everywhere. He looks up at her, his smile widening. "I finally feel like I can breathe easy," he admits. "It hurts like a son of a bitch, but I haven't known this kind of peace since I was a kid."

"Peace?" my sister asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"We're off the vessel, on land we'll make our home. I have my true mate, and the two assholes in my life are dead. It sounds like a perfect day to me."

I giggle, unsure how I'm even laughing, seeing so many others who lost their lives. Death is all around us. The sight of the fallen, the blood-soaked ground, infuriates me.

More guards and other locals start to emerge from their homes, chattering, eyes wide with shock. Some ask Wolfe and Nyko questions.

Killian's whining, and I can't even tell if he's bleeding more or is covered in blood from the battle.

"All right, let's go get you healed." I get up, and my sister and I help him up.

As we start to move, the crowd parts for us. I glance back at Wolfe, his gaze meeting mine with a determination that has me grinning to see him take back what was always rightfully his.

Finally, we reach the medic room in a nearby building, and Killian heaves himself up on the bed, groaning in the process before he flops onto his back.

Elara's liaising with the doctor, who's already studying Killian's wounds, before quickly getting to work.

I'm at his side, clasping his hand, staring into those deep blue irises. "You better heal," I tell him. "We have so much to do in this kingdom." I watch as Elara tends to Killian, my heart aching with gratitude and love for my true mates, who've fought so hard for us.

"I'm proud of you," I whisper to Killian as he winces under the doctor's care. "You've been so strong when I know you're hurting."

He chuckles weakly. "Takes more than a few scratches to take me down."

"The injuries will need stitching up," the doctor states. "They're deep, and you've lost lots of blood."

"See? Told you," Killian gloats. "I'm perfectly fine." But the moment the doctor starts to clean up the wounds with a liquid he sprays across his stomach and chest, Killian flinches, shouting, "Fuck, that stings!"

"It'll stop you from getting an infection," the doctor says, continuing to work. Killian's hissing. "I am going to have to put you to sleep as there are plenty of scratches, and you might pass out from the pain once I glue you back together."

"Pain doesn't scare me." Killian's sweating and tries to shrug but cringes from pain instead. "But… I could do with some sleep."

I chuckle, as does Elara. The doctor gives Killian a light sprinkling of blue dust over his face. Within seconds, Killian's eyes flutter closed, and he passes out, his body finally relaxing.

I move to the corner of the room, giving the doctor space, Elara at my side.

"I never thanked you for saving me in the mountains."

"I should have done it earlier," she replies, shrugging. "But I didn't know you needed my help. I assumed you knew your power."

I pull her into a quick hug.

"I should thank you," she says. "You saved me, so we're equal. Actually, you saved me twice… from our father and death just then." She's grinning as we pull back, and she looks exhausted, her face smudged with soot from the fires, her breaths ragged.

I can't believe how everything turned out. It's all surreal, like a dream that hasn't fully settled into reality, yet I know it's real. Reaching this point of success was brutal, but I'm not sure I'd change a whole lot. I've learned a great deal and discovered that I have a bigger family now. It hits me that this might mean I'll get to see my mother soon. I'm desperate to see her, having so much to tell her.

T wo days later, my true mates, my sister, and I hurry through Silvercrest Kingdom, heading toward the open front gates. So much has passed since the day we arrived.

Cleanup of the city and castle has commenced.

We welcomed the Shadowfen from our vessel to their new home. Finding them accommodations has become a chore in itself, but the locals have been so embracing, offering to share their homes until repairs to the city begin and more homes are developed.

Now, we're emerging onto the shores outside the kingdom, where we stand on the rocky shore of the ocean. The beach is packed with Shadowfen all the way down the edge of the sea in the curved bay where we'd first arrived.

The dual moons hang high in the sky, casting a pinkish hue over the landscape.

We follow Wolfe to the steps in front of the crowd, where the soft water laps close to my feet, and my gaze lifts out at sea, like everyone else.

Our vessel is floating in the distance, partially destroyed as a result of Clay's rampage. He sabotaged the ship to ensure Wolfe couldn't leave.

The horn suddenly blows, its sound deep and mournful, echoing across the water. Someone shoots an arrow into the vessel, and the moment it strikes, it bursts into flames. The explosion is fierce, flames licking the sky, reaching for the heavens. The vessel, already battered and broken, splinters further, pieces of it crashing into the water below.

No one says anything… it's eerily peaceful from the Shadowfen. The heat from the flames reaches us, even from this distance, and the smell of burning wood and metal fills the air. The fire reflects off the water, more beautiful than it should be, considering what it represents.

Once a home, it's now a ship of the dead, a farewell to everyone who passed in the recent tragic event. Even my father is there and Clay, all of them being sent off in the blaze.

My sister clings to my arm at my side. Killian, now completely healed, holds my hand, Wolfe's at my back, and Nyko stands close at my shoulder, his hand on my arm. We stare at the flame as the horns blow a few more times to send them off.

I hate seeing it burn, but Wolfe had said they've salvaged everything from it, including Howler's technology, something he'll add to our castle once it's rebuilt. That part about living in a castle is still surreal to me.

Killian leans in, his voice a soft whisper in my ear. "In Shadowfen customs, it's believed that we are born from the universe, and when we pass, we return there. I believe that's why your monster form is revered by so many now, why many are talking about you. You are a window into our past and our future, into where life begins and ends." He kisses my cheek.

I smile, loving his tenderness, though his words surprise me. Locals are talking about me, but most importantly, does my monster form have significance? I'm not going to lie to myself… I love that!

"It does feel amazing when I'm in my true form, but it also still feels strange," I whisper as I'm learning so much about myself, even while in my human shape at the moment, I'm still getting used to having two sides to myself.

"There's time," he whispers in my ear. "We have all the time in the world now."

We stand there, the five of us wrapped in each other's warmth. Wolfe, Nyko, and Killian, all close, forming a protective circle around Elara and me.

The fire roars, the heat washing over us, and the smell of smoke and ash fills the air. The flames leap higher, consuming the vessel piece by piece.

I glance at Elara, her eyes reflecting the flames. She's been through a lot, yet she stands strong beside me.

In this quiet, powerful moment, I realize how much my life has changed. From a village outcast to a Queen, from a girl who never felt like she belonged to a woman who has found her true family. Sure, the Queen part will happen at the coronation, but that will take place once the kingdom is built… which is a while away. It gives me time to practice, to learn how to be Queen.

"We're finally home," I whisper, my voice filled with conviction. For the first time in my life, I feel comfortable being just me and truly happy.

It's a strange, bittersweet feeling, knowing that we've lost so much but gained even more in return.