Page 81 of Crowned

Vance takes another step forward, his hand reaching out to gently touch my shoulder, the gesture both tender and grounding. “And you did it well. I’ve never seen anyone handle a crisis like that. You’re more than just a queen. You’re a leader.”

His words hang in the air between us, a mixture of admiration and something deeper, something I haven’t fully allowed myself to acknowledge. My heart stutters in my chest, and for a moment, I think I might collapse from sheer exhaustion, but his hand on my shoulder keeps me steady.

“You should rest,” he adds, his voice softer now, a quiet concern threaded through it.

I glance at the door, knowing there’s still so much left to do. But my body feels like it’s shutting down without my permission. The energy I’ve been running on all day has evaporated, and the thought of collapsing in bed, with nothing more to do but sleep, is almost too much to bear. Almost.

“I will. Just…not yet,” I murmur, my gaze flicking back to the injured being cared for in the next room, the work still left undone.

Vance’s eyes follow my gaze, his expression softening. “You’ve done enough. And when the time comes, I’ll be right here. No more fighting. Just…rest.”

His words settle over me, a promise, a reassurance. For the first time all day, I let myself lean into the moment, just a little. It’s not much, but it’s enough. Enough to let me know that, maybe – just maybe – I won’t have to carry all of this weight alone.

Vance doesn’t move, just stands there, watching over me with a quiet intensity. And for the first time since this battle began, I allow myself to breathe.

The stillness between us stretches on, and I can feel the weight of Vance’s gaze on me, his silent presence grounding me in the aftermath of the chaos. My hands, which had been steady as I helped others, now shake slightly at my sides, the adrenaline finally starting to drain from my body.

Vance steps closer, his presence a steady force beside me. Without a word, he reaches for my hand, his fingers warm against my cold skin. It’s simple, this gesture, but it feels like everything.

“You need to rest,” he says, his voice soft yet commanding, the concern in it undeniable. “The battle may be over, but you’re not invincible, Malia. You need to take care of yourself.”

I glance up at him, meeting his gaze for a beat longer than usual. He’s right, of course. But I can’t quite let go just yet. There’s too much left unsaid, too much I don’t know.

“Vance,” I say, my voice rough from hours of directing people and offering reassurance. “How did the battle go? Are the others okay?” I can feel my pulse quicken, the unease creeping back into my chest. “Where are they? What happens next?”

His expression softens at my question, and he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “The battle’s over for now. We held the line. The reinforcements are here, and the perimeter’s secure. But there were some casualties,” he adds, his voice lowering. “Not all of them are as lucky as we were.”

I swallow hard, the weight of his words pressing on my chest like a stone. I can’t allow myself to dwell on it. Not yet.

“But the others? Are they?—?”

“They’re safe,” he interrupts, his voice firm with certainty. “Everyone is accounted for. The ones who were injured are being treated. They’ll be alright.”

The relief floods me, though it comes with an ache in my chest. The thought of all those who’d fought beside us, those who had suffered, is never far from my mind. But for now, I’ll cling to the knowledge that we’ve made it through.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the present. “What happens next?” I ask, my voice quieter now, the exhaustion threatening to pull me under. “What’s the plan?”

Vance’s eyes flicker with something unreadable before he answers. “Next, we regroup. We’ve got to assess the damage, make sure we’ve got enough supplies for everyone. There’s still a lot of work to do, Malia. We can’t let our guard down yet. But for now, you need rest.”

I want to argue, to insist that I’m needed out there, that there’s more to be done. But the exhaustion is overwhelming, and I know that he’s right. If I don’t rest, I won’t be able to help anyone. I won’t be able to help us.

I nod, too tired to speak any more, and let him guide me gently toward a nearby cot. As I lower myself onto it, the soft mattress feels like a luxury I never thought I’d appreciate. Vance pulls the blanket over me, his touch gentle but firm, as if he’s unwilling to let go of this fragile peace.

“You’ve earned this,” he murmurs, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “And when you wake up, we’ll handle the rest together. One step at a time.”

I close my eyes at his words, the quiet promise in them soothing some of the rawness I’ve been holding inside all day. There’s still so much left to do, still battles to fight, but for now, I finally allow myself to rest.

And in that moment, the tension in my body starts to ease, even if only slightly. With Vance beside me, the weight of the world doesn’t feel as heavy. It feels like, maybe for the first time in a long time, I don’t have to carry it all alone.

I let myself smile just a little, despite the exhaustion still pulling at me. Maybe – just maybe – there’s still hope, still something worth fighting for, even after all of this.

The air reeks of smoke and ash, heavy with the scent of blood and sweat. Every breath feels like a weight pressing against my chest, thick and suffocating. The palace walls tremble under the impact of the assault, each explosion rattling the stone beneath my feet.

Aerwyna is still under siege, and everything we’ve fought for hangs by a thread.

I stand in the central chamber, surrounded by frightened civilians, their wide eyes reflecting every flickering lantern and distant flash of battle. Children cling to their mothers, their small cries swallowed by the constant thrum of chaos outside. My heart clenches at the sight. They’re all looking to me – people I’ve never met, people who don’t even know who I really am – but they trust me. They have to.

I force my shoulders to square, even as my pulse pounds like a war drum. “Everyone, stay calm,” I say, my voice sharper than I intended. “We’re safe here.”

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