Page 99 of King Elijah (The Zemiran Chronicles 2)

“Alright!” Elijah said, his voice filled with panic. “As King of Zemira, my army is yours. I give you Zemira and my crown as the rightful heir to both.”

Elijah dropped his power and reached out toward Janelle.

“Hurry,” he said, extending his fingers out to coax her to hurry toward him. She clambered to her feet, stumbling over the grass before falling into his arms again, still weak from what Kieran’s poison had done to her.

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” Kieran said, reaching up to touch his gouged eye as if he was just now realizing what damage Janelle had done. “I was beginning to think you’d go back on your oath,” Kieran said. “Now, I command you”—he gestured to the Zemiran soldiers again—“to kill your former king!”

The sorcerer glanced around at the Zemiran army, who stood like statues behind him.

“What are you doing?” Kieran screamed when they didn’t move. Even his own army looked around, unsure of what should be done.

The Zemiran soldiers were stronger in numbers, and Kieran’s coven knew it. They had magic, but the Zemiran army was ten times their strength in brute force. They would be foolish to attack without Kieran’s power protecting them.

“You’re to protect me now, your new king!” Kieran ordered again.

“Oh, sorry,” Elijah said, his lip quirking upward in the corner. “Technicalities. You’re not their new king.”

Lincoln turned as light radiated behind them along the shore. Ten hybrids stood ready at the shoreline, but they kept their powers dimmed as the shadow drew closer to the mansion. They linked their light hand in hand to create a border near the Sybil Curse at the docks. By keeping the shield power low, the Shadow Creature wouldn’t be able to detect the hybrids and would continue its path toward Kieran.

Both men on the grass were unaware that the Shadow Creature was almost upon them. Elijah was so blinded by his anger that he couldn’t see the imminent threat looming closer behind them.

“You’re breaking the oath then by not making them follow their new king?” Kieran’s frown turned up into a smile. “I guess you’re about to die anyway at the hands of the Oath Gods.”

“Kieran,” Elijah said amusedly, “I cannot make them do anything, as it wasn’t my kingdom to give.” Elijah glanced at Liam.

A smile flitted across Elijah’s lips as Liam stepped forward again, opened his coat, pulled out the Zemiran crown, and placed it upon his own head.

“King Liam of Zemira,” Elijah started, “respectfully declines your bargain.”

Janelle looked up at him, her eyes growing wide with shock. She realized what was happening.

“Sorry, love. I had to keep this from you to protect you.” He leaned in and kissed her on the lips with rough eagerness, then slowly moved her behind him.

Kieran scowled. “What the fuck is this?” His breathing was heavy as he reached to his side and gripped the bloodied dagger that took his left eye, his remaining eye growing so dark it turned pitch black.

“I realized before we left Zemira that you’d stop at nothing to take my people, even entering a blood oath to make sure I stood by my word. But my word is void when handing over something I don’t hold a right to.”

Kieran stepped forward, a mix of fury and confusion flitting across his features.

“You made an oath with a Zemiran who holds no title, Kieran,” he continued. “I’m just a little rich boy with no crown, right?” Elijah smirked. “I gave up my crown to the head of my guard, Liam, before stepping foot on your land. For he is the new King of Zemira now. The oath should have been done with him. Not me. What we agreed upon in blood is not binding. So, I have broken nothing; I was simply keeping the throne warm . . .” He turned to his friend. “For a much, much better man.”

Liam held his sword in front of him and smiled back at Elijah, giving him a brief nod of assurance. He would protect his people and their country, ensuring that the sorcerer never hurt another soul again.

The Delamere bloodline to the Zemiran throne had ended. Lincoln and Elijah were finally free from their father’s legacy.

“Elijah, it’s here. We have to stick to the plan,” Lincoln said more urgently, finally drawing Elijah’s attention to look over at the grass, spotting the creature coming their way.

“As the King of Zemira,” Liam shouted, “I command you to seize that man.” He lowered the sword and pointed it at Kieran.

Kieran reached into his pocket frantically, fumbling around. When his hand felt nothing, he looked up.

“Where is it?” Kieran growled through his teeth.

Lincoln smirked. “Where’s what?” He knew what he meant.

“The Kroneon,” Kieran fumed. “Where the fuck is it?”

Before the Zemiran army could move forward, magic shot out of Kieran’s fingers, surrounding him with darkness, forcing the soldiers to give him a wide berth.

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