Page 88 of Crowned

“Summer!” I scream, but there’s no answer. “Summer, please, no?—”

The world fades away, leaving only her. I feel the last of my strength slipping through my fingers as I cradle her in my arms, willing her to come back, to fight through the darkness.

My heart shatters as I feel the weight of her loss. The battle is over, but this victory feels hollow, the cost too great. The Shadow Legion is defeated, but the price has been far too high. I look down at her pale face, her body cold, and my world crumbles.

“Malia…”

I hear Yemaya’s voice again, softer now, as if she’s reaching for me from the depths of the sea.“You are not done. You are stronger than this. Your strength is not just in the magic you wield, but in the love you carry for them. You have the power to heal. You have the power to save.”

I close my eyes, holding Summer tightly. The grief is unbearable, but Yemaya’s words stay with me. I pull from the last of my strength, summoning every bit of magic within me. It’s not just for victory. It’s for love. For Summer.

And in that moment, I know what I must do.

I kiss Summer’s forehead, my heart breaking as I whisper a prayer for her. I channel all the magic, all the power, into her, willing her to come back, to fight through the darkness. Her body stirs, a soft tremor running through her, and I hold my breath, my heart racing.

And then, slowly, her eyes flutter open.

“Summer...” I whisper, my voice breaking.

She smiles weakly, the light of life returning to her eyes. “I’m here, Malia…I couldn’t let you do this alone,” she says, her voice resolute.

I smile through my tears, relief flooding my chest. The battle is won.

But just as I begin to let myself rest in the relief of this moment, Summer shifts in my arms, her voice low but firm. “Malia, go. Go to your guys. They need you now. I’m not going anywhere.”

I pause, my heart tugging between the fierce need to stay with her and the urgency of her words.

“They’ll be fine, butCove– he’s not.” Summer’s eyes meet mine, and for the first time since I saw her, she’s strong. She gives me a small, knowing smile. “Your fight isn’t over yet, Malia. Go. Save him.”

I blink, my chest tightening at the weight of her words. She’s right. The victory of this battle, this moment of life returning to her, means nothing if I don’t fight for the ones who are still standing – those who need me.

I nod, swallowing back the lump in my throat. “I’ll be back for you,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead once more.

With one final glance at Summer – her form steady now, her strength beginning to return – I turn toward my men.

Vance, Bhodi, and Reef are already moving toward me, their eyes scanning the aftermath, their faces hardened but relieved. But I don’t stop to talk to them yet. I focus on Cove. He’s still lying there, too still.

There’s no time to waste. I can feel the magic building again, and this time, it’s not just me – it’s forthem. I won’t let this victory be hollow. I won’t let anyone else fall.

Aerwyna lies in ruins. What once was a kingdom full of life and vibrancy now rests in the eerie silence of destruction. The palace, once a symbol of our strength and unity, now stands as a hollow shell. The walls are cracked, the air thick with smoke and sorrow. It feels like a wound that may never fully heal, no matter how much time passes.

I don’t even know where we begin to start rebuilding, and my heart aches for the losses the people of Aerwyna have suffered. My people.

It’s only been a day but the survivors have begun to regroup already, even though the weight of loss hangs over us all. Some are silent, their grief too great to voice. Others move with an eerie determination, rebuilding the fragments of their lives, but nothing feels whole. How can it, when the cost of victory has been so steep?

I stand in the infirmary, looking out over the devastation that stretches beyond the broken windows. The view that once seemed so full of life – lush fields, bustling streets, and vibrant colors – now lies in silence, dotted with the charred remains of what used to be. I should feel relief – the Shadow Legion is gone, their grip on Aerwyna broken – but instead, all I feel is the crushing weight of responsibility. The faces of the fallen haunt me in every corner of this palace, in every corner of my mind.

Was it worth it?The question gnaws at me, relentless, as if it could be answered with one simple thought. But there is no simple answer. There’s only the aftermath.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, warm and steady. I turn to find Vance standing beside me, his expression unreadable, but his eyes heavy with something deeper – concern, sorrow, perhaps even guilt. I know he’s not just checking on me; he’s checking on all of us.

“How are you holding up?” he asks, his voice low, his gaze never leaving mine. His concern is evident, but there’s something else, something burning beneath the surface.

“I’m here,” I reply, though my voice trembles. “But I’m not sure how much of me is left.”

Vance studies me for a long moment, his lips pressed into a thin line. Then he sighs, his voice quiet but filled with urgency. “There’s something you need to know. Something I discovered while you were…dealing with the aftermath of the battle.”

I furrow my brow, the mention of it immediately making my chest tighten. “What is it?”

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