Page 301 of The Lands Defying
“Thank you, Heir of Zahariss.” I go to tell him my name is Rhea, but he’s already closing his eyes to rest.
I move on to the next one as the battle wages on behind me, and I can tell those defending the injured are beginning to be pushed back.
Shit.
Every now and again, I join them, sending the rogures back to the below where they belong, only to be called over to help another injured as more beasts appear.
I don’t know how long we keep going, but the sun is peaking on the horizon in the distant mountains when I bend over, hands on my knees as I breathe heavily.
My power is waning, and the rogures and beasts don’t seem to be stopping.
“Darius,”I say down the link.“We are getting nowhere.”
“They are appearing in the distance too, Zakith will be overrun with them soon.”
My blood runs cold.
Charles is dead, we should be celebrating, not fearing for our lives as hounds still plague the lands.
“Why are more appearing, how is it possible?”
“I think they have completely lost all control. The below is out of control.
“Fuck.”
He takes a moment to answer.“We will figure it out, we just have to keep going.”
“How,”I croak out, dizziness overcoming me, and Josh having not left my side, makes me sit down as he rubs my back.
“I told you I would keep you safe, and getting rid of these creatures will do that. There is no other option.”
“I know.”
“So they will be gone from the lands, Vihnarn. I vow it.”
The determination in his voice would settle me, but another body just dropped to the floor and I rub my tired eyes.
“When this is over,”I say, breathing a lot slower now.“Take me to the lesia flowers?”I ask, looking at the blood staining my hands.“Take me away from the bloodshed and carnage. I want to play in the flowers you gave me, while you watch over me. Like you always have. I want to run and feel the freedom we deserve. I want to watch the moonlight shine down on us and start a simple life.”
Darius doesn’t answer straight away, and I look up, like I can see him through the legs of people and creatures.
“Darius?”
He answers in a soft tone, one that makes me blink a few times at it.
“I will make sure you go to the lesia fields, Vihnarn, and you can play there until your heart’s content. You will feel the ground beneath your bare feet, because you prefer it that way. You will look up to the moon shining down on you, because you love to bask in its light. Then you will run, and spin, and smile before feeling the petals at your fingertips, because you like to make sure it’s real.”
I hum down the link, smiling at the image. It truly is my favorite place.
A place he made for me.
Just for me. For Us.
“I can’t wait,”I tell him as I stand, nodding in thanks to Josh.“Let’s get rid of them quickly, Dar. We are tiring, and I want to sleep with you under the moonlight surrounded by my flowers.”
“As you wish it,”he whispers back.
I jump back into it with another sword that I picked up. I don’t want to know if its owners are dead as I stab a beast in its leg,waiting for it to turn so Runa can jump on it. It goes down with a tumblingthudand Josh and I end it. The battle wages on, rogures die and more people are injured, but we still don’t stop. And neither do the creatures.
