Page 89 of Crowned

He lowers his voice further, as if to shield the others from hearing something they shouldn’t. “The Shadow Legion. Well, Summer’s parents. They didn’t just bind themselves to the Shikari through dark magic, Malia. They used Shikari blood to give themselves that power.” He pauses, letting the weight of the words sink in. “A blood-oath. They made a pact with the Shikari, using that blood-oath to fuel their strength. That’s why their magic was so potent, why they were so hard to break.”

I stare at him, my mind reeling. “But I…I destroyed them. My power?—”

“Yes,” he cuts in, his eyes narrowing with a mix of sorrow and understanding. “When you unleashed your magic, it wasn’t just about defeating them. It shattered that blood-oath, Malia. Their power was tied to the Shikari blood they’d stolen, and when you broke them…it broke the pact. It wiped out the remaining Shikari who were still bound to the Legion. They’re gone. The Shadow Legion is over, yes, but all Shikari are gone too. I believe Tanimola did the same, binding himself to the Shikari through blood magic, which would explain why his body vanished when the council went to retrieve it. Anyway...it’s over.”

I let the words sink in, the weight of them pressing down on my chest. The magic that had controlled so much of Aerwyna’s pain, the shadows that had loomed over us for so long – they’re gone. And it’s because of me.

But then – something stirs inside me. A flutter. Soft, faint, but unmistakable.

I place my hand on my belly, and for a moment, everything else fades. The pain, the loss, the weight of the world – all of it disappears as I focus on the faint movements beneath my hand. My breath catches, and I look up at Vance, who is already watching me with a knowing expression.

“They’re moving,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I can feel them.” The triplets. My children.Ourchildren.

Vance’s face softens, a small, tender smile tugging at his lips. His eyes, usually so guarded, soften with something else – joy. “You’re incredible, Malia. They’re so lucky to have you.”

I can’t help the smile that breaks across my face. Theyarelucky. But so am I. For everything we’ve survived, everything we’ve fought for, and for the family we’re building together.

The moment is broken by Bhodi’s voice, loud and unrelenting, even in the quiet aftermath. “Well, this is certainly a new chapter for all of us, isn’t it?” His attempt at lightness falls flat, but there’s a flicker of genuine affection in his eyes. “First a war, now a baby boom…I’ll be damned if I’m not a little bit jealous of the little ones growing up in a world this exciting.”

Reef, ever the quiet one, steps forward, his expression serious, but his voice cracked with emotion. “We’ve fought for this, Malia. This – this is what makes everything worth it. The future, the love, the family. It’s ours.”

My heart swells at his words, and I turn to Cove, who is still lying in the bed, his breathing shallow but steady. Despite his injuries, despite everything he’s endured, he gives me that trademark smile – the one that reassures me, even when everything else feels broken. Summer is in the bed beside him, resting and recovering too, though it’s more precautionary as she seems fine. There’s much we need to discuss, but for now it can wait. I’m just relieved to be surrounded by everyone I love.

“You’re not doing this alone,” he murmurs, his voice weak but steady. “We’re all in this together. And we’ll be here for you. Always.”

His voice is so steady, soCove, that for a moment, the weight of everything feels a little less heavy. His kindness and warmth fill the room.

And in that moment, despite the wreckage, despite the uncertainty of the future, I know – this is the beginning of something greater than any battle. It’s the start of our family’s next chapter. The war may be over, but the true fight, the one for our future, is just beginning.

Aerwyna is broken.

But not beyond repair.

The first days after the battle are filled with chaos. The smoke still clings to the air, the ground beneath our feet still trembling with the weight of what’s been lost. Yet, the spirit of the people hasn’t been crushed. If anything, it’s the opposite. There’s an undeniable force now, a surge of resilience that flows through every corner of this land. The ruins that were once filled with life are now starting to echo with the sound of rebuilding.

The people of Aerwyna have begun to come together in ways I never imagined. Families, friends, strangers – they all work side by side, lifting debris, tending to the wounded, restoring what little can be salvaged. And I…I stand with them, not as their queen, but as one of them, guiding, helping, offering the hope that was almost lost.

The healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s a slow, painful process, but as the days pass, I feel something new blossoming within me. The weight of responsibility that once crushed me has shifted into something more – hope. It’s a hope that Aerwyna can rise from the ashes, that we can rebuild not just the land, but the heart of our people.

I stand on the steps of the palace, looking out over the scene before me. The sun is beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the ruined kingdom. There is a stark contrast in the air now – the sharp edges of destruction softened by the promise of new beginnings. The smoke still lingers, but it’s no longer the only thing filling the air. There’s the sound of hammers and the sight of the first foundations being laid.

But what’s most important, what fills me with a sense of joy and warmth, is the life that stirs within me. My hand instinctively moves to my belly, where the triplets move – faint but unmistakable. I smile softly, feeling a swell of affection and anticipation. The land may have been ravaged, but within me, there is a new life. A new hope.

It’s a strange feeling, knowing that the world is being rebuilt outside, while a part of me is growing within. It’s a contrast, one that feels as though it’s meant to be – like the universe is telling me that despite the devastation, something beautiful is being born. And not just within me, but within this kingdom.

“Are you okay?” Vance’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look up to find him standing beside me, his presence a comforting anchor. His eyes are filled with both concern and something else – something I can’t quite place.

“I’m okay,” I say, my hand still resting on my stomach. “But it’s hard to believe it, you know? After everything…it feels impossible to even know where to begin.”

Vance steps closer, his hand reaching out to gently rest on mine. “You’ve already begun, Malia. The people – they’re looking to you for guidance. You’re the one who will lead them through this. And you’re not alone. Not anymore.”

I look up at him, my heart swelling. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt this much certainty. In the past, I always felt like an outsider, an unprepared leader thrust into a role she never asked for. But now, I can feel the bond between us all. The bond that’s not just about power – it’s about love, hope, and the shared determination to rebuild.

The guys have all taken on roles in the rebuilding effort. Vance has been working tirelessly with the council, leading discussions on the restoration of the kingdom’s government and ensuring that the people have a voice in the future. His quiet determination and sharp mind have been invaluable. But it’s his presence beside me that reassures me the most.

Bhodi, ever the hands-on one, has been overseeing the rebuilding of the city’s infrastructure. He’s been organizing groups of workers, moving between projects, directing the people with the kind of energy that could only come from someone who thrives on action. His infectious attitude has rallied the people, making even the hardest tasks seem doable.

Reef, with his quiet strength, has taken on the task of caring for the wounded. His deep empathy and patience have made him a constant presence in the healing tents, tending to the injured soldiers and civilians alike. I’ve seen him sit by their sides for hours, offering comfort and reassurance, his calm demeanor a steadying force in the midst of so much pain.

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