Page 84 of Ruined Kingdom

My heart ceased to beat and plunged like a flaming sky rock to my stomach, exploding into a thousand pieces there.

I didn’t need it anymore, anyway. Not without my love.

“Soph...” I scooped her up in my arms, holding her close to me.

Come back. I don’t want to do this without you. I love you.

I felt something fidget against my tight grip.

“Kaine…” The sound was almost inaudible, and I might have missed it if it had not come from right next to my ear.

I pulled her body away to see that her faded green eyes were open, her cheeks regaining their color.

Her eyelids wavered as if they were too heavy for her to keep open for too long. I knew that she was fighting to be here.

“Soph… Oh, Goddess. I thought I’d lost you,” I cried, smiling as hot tears welled up in my eyes.

“You didn't really think you were going to get rid of me that easily, did you?” She managed a very weak smile for me.

I let out a small, breathy laugh as I kissed her forehead.

Then Sophia looked up at Helene. “Did I do it how I was supposed to?” she asked, her voice still weak.

“Dear Sophia, I am very pleased with you… I’m glad—you’re still here.” A crystalline tear dripped from her eyes and landed in Sophia’s hair, causing a streak of white to run through her otherwise fiery red locks.

Helene quickly wiped her face and nodded. “I best get back then. I’m sure I’ll have a lot to answer for after tonight.”

She stood up straight, her chin lifting to a proud angle—ready to take whatever punishment lay ahead for her.

“Thank you, my Goddess.” I bowed my head to her, so overwhelmed that I couldn’t think of what else I could say to her.

She looked down at me from over her shoulder, her smile soft and adoring like that of a mother. “Sometimes we Celestials need to intervene to see that light prevails,” she said as she slowly began to walk away from us. “But all of you were the ones who did all the work. So, I thank you, my children.”

Then she was gone.

26

SOPHIA

Iturned over in my bed.

The itchy hay scratched over the surface of my skin, drawing me from my slumber.

I sat up to find myself in my room, the one in my family’s cozy farmstead. I could hear my siblings already running around, laughing and playing.

The morning light bathed the room in its golden light as I jumped out of bed and threw a shawl over my shoulders.

I rushed out of my room to the dining area, where I found my mother and father setting up breakfast together. All my siblings were already sitting at the table, and I took a moment to just take the scene in.

As the smell of spring rushed in through the open front door, I sucked in a big gulp of it through my nose, smiling from ear to ear.

“Good morning, everyone!” I all but broke out in song, overjoyed by the sight of my family, complete and happy.

I took my seat and basked in the warmth and conversation at the breakfast table.

I’d been here for a week now, and even though I loved every moment of my time with my family, I missed Kaine desperately. He was away hunting down the Prince, and I couldn’t help but worry.

Without the aid of the Fae King, Nikolai had gone into hiding, but he still needed to answer for his crimes—and Kaine wanted to personally be the one to bring him to justice.

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