Page 27 of Diamond Queen
“There is nothing you can do. Either hand over your crowns, or she dies.” He pushed the blade harder, causing a trickle of blood.
“You know we can’t do that.”
“She’s right,” Dimitra’s hoarse voice wheezed, “They cannot risk the kingdom’s for one life. You’ll lose even if you kill me. Onika,” Dimitra glanced at her cousin, “It’s ok. Onika, you’re the only one who can stop this...”
“What does that mean? Both of you could die!” Sarifena screamed.
“Remember – darkness cannot exist without the light,” Onika whispered into the air, her mother’s words filling her mind. “Are you sure, Dimitra?”
“It’s the only way.” Dimitra closed her eyes, bracing herself for what was to come.
Onika closed her eyes, her power pulsing like a heart. Helix’s eyes widened as he cried out. He fell to the ground, releasing Dimitra from his hold. Her body was covered in an ethereal glow, shielding her from the darkness surrounding them. His hands covered his ears, begging for Onika to stop. She pushed on, her power wrapping around him like a swarm of bees. Sarifena placed her hand on Onika’s shoulder, “That’s enough, Onika. It’s done.”
Emersyn rushed to Dimitra, tugging her into her lap. “Is he dead?”
“He might as well be. His brain is gone. The fear consumed him, causing his mind to crack.” Onika reached down, gripping his face in her hand, “Death is too kind for you.”
Jason rushed from the room, “What the fuck happened?” He dropped to his knees at Dimitra’s side.
“Helix tried to kill her, but Onika stopped him. Dimitra passed out when Onika’s magic wrapped around them. She was glowing… I’ve never seen anything like that.” Emersyn brushed Dimitra’s hair to the side.
Jason scooped her into his arms, “Emersyn, I’ve got her. Constable needs you. It’s Dante… He’s,” Jason closed his eyes, “it’s bad. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
Emersyn stood, “I’ll see to him. Have someone shackle him,” she pointed to Helix, “Sarifena, can you get one of the guards to get a car here? Onika,” Emersyn turned to her sister, “Make sure he doesn’t try anything funny.”
Onika jerked him up, and half dragged him down the stairs. A guard met her at the bottom and shackled his legs and hands. The glassy look in his eyes told Onika she’d fried his brain with her magic – he was no longer a threat to the six kingdoms.
The war was finally over, but the fight was not yet done. Rory was still unconscious, and now Dante fought for his life. Onika wanted to push more of her magic into Helix. To punish him for the hurt he’d caused. A death like that was too kind. Instead, she relished in the thought he would sit in prison, rotting as the vegetable he’d become.
Chapter 35
Rory gasped, startling Christine, who was seated beside her.
“RORY!” she stood, pressing her hands on Rory’s arms, “Oh my god, ANTHONY!”
Anthony burst into the room, skidding to a stop at the foot of the bed. His eyes held Rory’s as she smiled up at him from her perch against the pillow.
“Rory, my love.” He stepped beside Christine, resting his hand on her swollen belly, “you’re awake.”
“The babies?” her hand slid to her round abdomen, causing her to wince in pain.
“Take it easy. You were stabbed…” Christine sucked in a breath, fighting back the tears, “but Emersyn and the others saved you.”
“And the babies?” She huffed again, her eyes narrowing at Anthony.
“They’re fine. The blade missed your womb by mere inches. Had you fallen or moved any differently, we would have lost them.” He squeezed her hand.
“I’ll call Heath. He will want to know you’re awake. The babies are ready to come, but he wanted to see if we could wait until you woke up.”
Rory smiled, “Is it over?”
“Yes. The others are due back soon. They’ve caught Helix and retrieved Dante.”
“Wait…” She attempted to sit up but realized it was too painful and laid back down, “what do you mean caught him. I remember Dimitra killing him – or did I dream that?”
“No, she did kill the man who stabbed you, but it turns out it wasn’t Helix.”
Heath stepped in, “Rory, glad to see you’re awake.”
