Page 52 of The Queen of Ash and Magic

“Oh shit,” he says.

“Julianna was further along in her pregnancy than she told anyone. She told Eyrx that their bond was severed because he kept choosing me, but it had only been a day. She was fine until we went to handle the flyers. When we got back, she induced labor and then murdered Erin,” I continue. “I don’t think she died today. That spell… it looked like a fatal one but… they could have simply just done a light spell so that she could disappear… I think she’s with Aldric.”

“Oh Eyrx,” Mom says tearfully as she hugs him. “I’m so sorry. That wretched cunt.”

“If she’s alive…” Eyrx says when he eventually pulls away from her hug.

“If she’s alive, she won’t be for long,” Drake says matter-of-factly. “Either you kill the bitch, or I will.”

“I will,” Eyrx says calmly.

“This changes everything,” Drake says.

“No,” I say. “It doesn’t. We tell everyone the truth. We let them be as angry as we are. Someone we all trusted murdered a newborn baby. Mate bond and magic considered, no one forced her to do that. There is no spell to make you do that. That was calculated and evil. That evil was already there, and he just built off it.”

“Are you sure they…”

“Even the most despicable people wouldn’t support that,” Mom says. “Fuck, I doubt Rystar and Isolde would.”

“Aldric is so much worse than Rystar, so he probably praised her for it,” I say.

“Let’s tell everyone then,” Eyrx says simply.

“Are you okay?” I ask. “I know that’s a dumb question but…”

“I’m okay,” he says. “Thank you, Lysa. Truly.”

“Always,” I say as I go up to my tiptoes to kiss him.

“Sorry you heard your dad power fucking your mom,” he says with a grin.

“Hey, on a positive note. They’re definitely trying to give you a sibling,” Drake says.

“Yep. Knotted and everything,” Eyrx says.

“Alright, ham hock. I don’t need the visuals,” I say, but squeal when he abruptly grabs the backs of my legs and picks me up. I wrap my legs around him

“I love you, brat,” he says before kissing me.

“He’s definitely going to destroy you,” Drake chuckles.

“Eh. He can try,” I say, winking at Eyrx

“Well, she’s just like her mom, and Unika sure did just take a lot,” Drake says but laughs when I frown at him. Eyrx laughs and sets me down.

“Us girls are resilient,” Mom teases.

“All of you are annoying,” I laugh. “let’s go do this.”

We go out and let a few know to gather. Within a few minutes, everyone is gathered. “Evening, everyone. I know we are all tired, but we have a development that needs to be addressed immediately…” he says. “I am going to give it to you bluntly because otherwise I’ll get wrapped in my own emotions.”

“Take your time,” I encourage. He nods and takes a second to just breathe.

“My sister Julianna was thought to have died today, being the only casualty… That is no longer thought to be the case,” Drake says as he tears up. He takes a second again, a tear rolls down his cheek. “When Eyrx and Lysa became mates, Julianna was the most supportive of everyone. She encouraged Eyrx to focus on their bond. The next day, we all handed out the flyers. Upon return returning, she went off on her own. That is when she decided to induce labor. She was further along than she had stated in an attempt to surprise me…. So the baby was viable… Julianna then murdered her child before cremating her. Those remains were given to Eyrx, and he was forced into silence by a threat of making him look guilty of his daughter’s death. In no way is Eyrx at fault and I know in my heart that you all will feel the same way… It is our belief that when Julianna and Aldric came face-to-face, for the first time, they became mates. We suspect that Aldric used his powers to sever her bond with Eyrx. Her response to this was to murder her child. Although she is a victim of his influence, she is still a murderer… Given this information, we believe that the light we saw was simply a distraction and not fatal. This means that Julianna is alive and with Aldric.”

Rage and sadness flood the group, and Drake waits for them to settle. “The plan is very simple,” Drake tells them. “Lysa, Eyrx, and I will go in alone. There are a few powers that Lysa has that only the three of us know about for this very reason. Trust in us and I promise, baby Erinwillget justice. When we return, we will hold offering to the Gods in memory of her.”

“We will be in our tent for the remainder of the evening,” I say. “If anything should arise, go to either of my parents and they will let us know.”

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