AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d lost the power of resurrection. Not death itself. Right?
Closing my eyes, I shoved my fist into his chest as gently as possible. My blood illuminated the way to the small, trapped bird behind where his heart should have been. Most of his internal organs were already dissolved. I wrapped my fingers around his spirit and pulled it free.
My blood melted away the black goo trapping his wings.
I smiled through my tears and lightly stroked my index finger over his white head. “Thank you.”
He shook the long red tail feathers and spread his wings partially open but hesitated, his head cocked inquisitively.
“Go. It’s time. It’s okay.”
Nightwing Starlight hopped across the coral floor and sent me an image of many black wings flying away—with a single speck of blue in their midst.
“Yes, please. Show him the way out.”
He chirped a long string of high, sweet notes, and then leaped into the air. Nightwing cawed and swept back up the tunnel toward the surface where the rest of her murder waited.
My shoulders slumped and I let myself lean back against Rik. Just for a moment. Soaking in his unfailing, steady strength. Then I closed my eyes and willed my blood to burn.
Flames spread up through the hole in Thierry’s chest. Burning hot enough I opened my eyes and let Rik pull me to my feet so we could back up.
Lew came around Thierry’s burning body to wrap me in a fierce hug. “Thank you, my queen.”
“Thank you for bringing him.” I let out a long, shuddering breath. Undina and Nuri both stood waiting for me, listening and watching everything I did and said, so I switched to our bond. :I’m glad we did what we did in New York City before we came here. I can’t resurrect anyone now.:
Lew’s eyes flared.
Rik’s arms tightened around me. :Ever?:
I still felt a lump of guilt and shame in my throat that had nothing to do with sending Thierry to be at peace, and everything to do with losing one of my goddess’ gifts. :Despoina demanded my gift of resurrection as payment.:
:Fuck that bitch,: Mehen retorted. :She would have killed all three of you. What the fuck would that have cost her?:
:We’ll never know.:
:Damned straight,: Guillaume said. :Because our queen never loses. At least you gained her powers, my queen.:
:Oh goody. Now I can turn dead people into zombies and Blood into thralls with disgusting black leeches.:
I couldn’t imagine ever needing, let alone wanting, to do such a thing.
I walked closer to my knight and leaned in to kiss his cheek. My dragon. My kraken. I pressed my still bleeding hand to his wounded stump. :I’m so sorry.:
One of his other tentacles flitted up to lightly touch my cheek. :It’ll grow back. As Thierry said, it was worth it.:
I dropped down to my knees before my wolf and ran my hands over his flanks and chest. “I saw her stab you. Did we already heal you?”
:No mere knife could ever stop me from your target, my queen.:
I buried my face in his fur and wrapped my arms around his neck. Breathing in his scent. :I thought I might lose you today.:
:Never, my queen.:
Releasing him, I pushed back to my feet and reluctantly turned to the Dauphine’s body. Sekh stood over her, casually guarding her just in case she managed to draw breath again. Though her body was misshapen and lumpy in weird places.
“She swelled up with poison until her skin split open.” His lips twitched. “The dragon called dibs on her heart, or I would have taken care of this mess for you already, Your Majesty.”
:I didn’t know her heart would fucking melt into a fucking puddle of poisonous slime,: Mehen retorted.
