Page 29 of The Dark War

Melina, striding in on Osirus’s pet dragon, saved us all. She blew the whole shit up in no time. No doubt Osirus was going to be pissed she put herself in danger, but her blue and green wings, the paleness of her hair, and the determination in her eyes let me know she wasn’t just a human anymore. She had mated with the fae becoming something entirely different.

“Alpha Kane,” Alaneo’s voice broke my thoughts as he strode toward me. Osirus had taken Melina out of the burned ruins, along with his dragon. They spoke quickly to each other, mounting the dragon and taking off into the air. “I wanted to give you this.” Alaneo pulled out a parchment stamped with the royal seal of the fae.

Grunting and trying to be gentle with my claws, I opened the parchment. It was the coronation of Melina, the lost princess of Atlantis and King Osirus.

Well, I’ll be damned.

“Two days,” Alaneo spoke loudly as if I wouldn’t listen. I probably wouldn’t have anyway. Clara was more the diplomatic one. I was a man of simple taste and would give my left nut not to attend this petty coronation.

I take that back. I need it.

Rumbling, I handed it to Marcus, shoving it in his pouch. “Why the fuck are you carrying invitations around during a battle?” I spoke harshly.

“Osirus wanted me to thank you for your appearance today. It was most appreciated,” Alaneo said, completely ignoring my question. My warriors brought out other wolves that were burned in the fire. Some groaning, some not moving at all. Gripping my fist, my eyes didn’t leave them. They were all good wolves, and I didn’t want them to perish over poor planning on Osirus’ part.

“We lost many of our soldiers before you arrived. The magic they held was powerful,” Alaneo mused, watching the rest of the warriors leaning hurt wolves against trees. “After storming in the ruins, I realized that the entire area was subdued of all of our healing abilities as I saw your wolves not regenerating. It seems they are healing themselves now, however. It’s like a ripple. Now that Sorceress Prinna is no longer alive, the magic will fade.”

“Fucking hell,” an all too familiar voice came up behind us. Jasper, bare to the world, joined us, watching the flames.

“I thought it was surely some joke, but a Dark Fairy passing by told me the whole thing. A sorceress? A rogue sorceress?” I grunted in agreement while Jasper shook his head. He rubbed the stubble on his face, his hair a mess.

“Where are your soldiers from? Do you not have any scouts?” My voice rumbled through my chest. The sharp stings of the wounds that I had sustained now healed.

Thank the gods.

“We’re short,” Jasper murmured. “We don’t have the manpower. I run along the southern border between the territories during the day while Taliyah works with the Parliament to figure things out.” I rolled my eyes. Fuck, they were in deeper shit than I thought. If they didn’t have any soldiers just to scout the area of their kingdom, their nation was nothing but skin and bones.

“Prince Jasper.” Alaneo pulled out another parchment and handed it to him, no doubt another invitation. “For the coronation.” Jasper’s eyes widened, taking the parchment and holding it to his chest. “Queen Taliyah has already claimed you as a prince. It looks like you didn’t know.” Alaneo smirked, fixing his armor on his chest.

“Uh, she hadn’t told me she had announced it.” He scratched his head. “I’m a little shocked.” I hummed, now feeling static in my head. Someone was trying to mind-link me and was having trouble hearing the voice.

“Ka—” my mate’s voice crackled.

“Could the magic ruin the mind-link?” I growled out. Alaneo stood back, watching Torin flicker his eyes.

“Quite possible,” Alaneo mused. “This is a deeper, stronger magic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Prinna cast something to block out communications.” Growling, the warriors that were once hurt shifted and gathered around me.

While in beast form, I had the ability to speak. I hardly ever used the mind-link, just shouting out orders to those who needed it. What if a warrior needed me? I would have never received the message! Fuck!

“That is something I need to talk to you about, how their magic is stronger—” I cut off Alaneo, now concentrating on my mate.

“We’re leaving!” I yelled out. Wolves gathered, watching me approach the woods. “I’ll be in contact, Jasper, Alaneo.” The long list of questions continued to grow longer. The sorceresses—and possibly sorcerers—that were now helping the rogue vampires were a problem. A big one.

My paws were buried in the stained soil of blood. My maw breathing heavily, letting the soft wisps of steam flow over my face. Clara’s call continued to weaken the further away we traveled from the center of the battle.

The magic was still strong here, waiting for the ripples of magic ceasing the outermost parts of the region. The bond still held true, not able to break by some deep magic. Clara and I were too strong to have that break us. No magic ever would.

A howl ripped through me, letting her know we were coming. I felt her pain, her worry. Did she know that I was in trouble from so far away? Sure, bonds were powerful, and maybe the lack of healing of my shoulder proved to worry her more.

Fuck, she ran all the way from the Crimson Shadows pack just to find me?Growling, we pushed forward, almost meeting halfway home. The magic extended far and wide, much farther than any magic should. Nature trembled in fear, Torin radiating the power we held until we stepped into a small clearing of mud and debris.

Warriors, the fastest of our pack, stood by. Their build was not as large, but their swiftness catered just to the luna herself. One hung over her, naked, pulling my mate’s claws away from her face. Giana’s body shook, clawing at her ears.

Static infiltrated my own ears, trying to hear her call. My voice sunk out of Torin’s maw, which ceased Clara’s rapid movements. Kneeling before her, I pulled her into my arms. Her warriors stood back, kneeling, baring their necks. I hummed into her ear, her body covered in dirt.

“I’ve got you.” I pushed away the mud from her face. “Everything is all right.” She clung to me, only to open her eyes, feeling over my shoulder. So she did feel it, every bit of my pain.

“Rest,” I urged her. She rested her head next to my shoulder, my arms so large it covered her tiny body. “Skye,” she murmured. “Dust. The powder.” Clara’s hand touched my chest, her cold body a stark difference from the warm glow that invaded my heart.

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