Page 81 of Ruined Kingdom

I pulled out the pink rose and watched in terror as the last petal detached from the bulb. “Oh, Gods. No.”

But with the despairing dread came sudden clarity.

I know what I have to do now.

24

SOPHIA

“Your reign of terror ends tonight,” the Fae Queen said as she ripped the Fae King away from Kaine and stepped between them.

I was about to run over to Kaine, who was badly bleeding by now, but a gentle hand grabbed me, stopping me. I turned to see that it was my mother.

“Sophia! What are you doing?” Tears filled her eyes as she searched mine, looking for an explanation.

“Mother, I have to do this. Please,” I begged her as I writhed against her hold.

Finally, she let go of me, and I heard someone scream.

“Watch out!” Someone shoved into me, not enough to knock me over, but enough to rattle me.

I turned to see that a spear had gone through Yenisey’s shoulder. A spear that had been intended for me, I realized.

“Yenisey!” I cried out.

“I’ll take care of her. You have to go!” my mother sobbed, hating that she was pushing me toward the danger, but she knew how important what I had to do was.

I looked at Yenisey, wanting to thank her, but she just shook her head, her brows furrowing in pain as she breathed, “I’m sorry...”

“Let’s save the apologies for when we all make it out of here alive,” I said and smiled with more confidence than I felt.

After a nod of agreement from her, and one of encouragement from my mother, I turned my back to them to analyze the path to Kaine.

It was riddled with Dark Fae and mortal blood alike, but I couldn't let that stop me.

I rushed onto the battlefield, fueled by duty and love.

A Dark Fae creature dived toward me from the sky, and I managed to dodge it just as something came flying past me from behind. It was an arrow, and it pierced the minion right through its chest.

It let out a horrible scream as it disintegrated in the air.

I looked over my shoulder to see Lexi wielding her bow. I gave her a thankful smile before I continued making my way to my mate.

With her watching my back, shooting a few more creatures out of the sky above me, I was able to make it to Kaine without much delay. He stumbled toward me, holding his stomach.

I grabbed his arms to steady him. “Kaine, I know how to save you now.”

He shuddered and looked at me with horror as if he’d just seen a ghost or something. But I had no time to try and figure out why he’d reacted to me that way.

Instead, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and went within myself to attune with my powers the way my mother had shown me to.

“No! Get away from him!” the Fae King screeched as the ground began to rumble.

Rotted roots shot up from the ground.

Dirt went flying and sprayed down like rain onto our heads.

I felt a sharp pain rip through my chest, and my feet were no longer touching the ground.

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