Page 53 of Secrets of Ruin

Standing in the front row, Ryker watched Lexi and occasionally nodded. In the days since their return from Doomed Valley, he’d spoken with Lexi and Cole about his king, and they’d agreed to help him.

Soon, they’d return to Doomed Valley, but first, they had things to take care of here. Ryker couldn’t promise his king would swear fealty to Lexi, but because Ryker had helped Brokk and Kaylia, Lexi vowed to help him.

Kaylia believed there was a good chance King Leo would swear allegiance to Lexi if they managed to rescue him from the ophidians. He would definitely be grateful to be free of those monsters.

When the meeting came to an end, Lexi rose from the throne. “Before we all go to lunch or return home, there is one more thing I’d like to discuss.”

The hall fell silent as they all focused on their Queen. “We will send an army into Doomed Valley to rescue the amsirah king. We’re looking for volunteers to help in this fight.”

The crowd shifted as they cast uneasy glances at each other, but Kaylia was certain some of those here and from their realms would volunteer. Many immortals sought glory, even if it was in a place as atrocious as Doomed Valley.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Brokk tried to ignore his festering hunger as he strolled the halls with Cole, Varo, and Orin. There was something so right about being with his brothers again.

They’d clashed, killed, partied, trained, and been friends and enemies throughout their lives. The brothers were all a different mix of immortals who had been torn apart by wars… and united by them. They’d lost five of their other brothers and their father, yet they remained standing, stronger and closer because of it.

For so long, he’d been angry at Orin and Varo for siding against their father, and being a part of his downfall, but not any longer. Being trapped, beaten, and nearly killed had a way of making old hurts fade.

Life was too short to retain so much anger for two men who, despite their faults and their pasts, he loved very much. They were his brothers and no matter what happened, they would all be there for each other.

The power swirling between them crackled against his skin, and he had no doubt others could feel it too. While they remained united, they could take on anything.

It was so good to be home, where he belonged, but his time here was soon ending. With the help of many other immortals, they formed an army to lead into Doomed Valley.

He didn’t know if the ophidians remained but suspected they did. The Valley was their home, where they felt safe and believed they could withstand anything that tried to come for them.

They had no idea the wrath he and his brothers would soon unleash on them. Despite his lingering weakness, he was excited to hear those fuckers scream.

The ophidians had probably moved on from the pyramid, but they would find them, even if they had to root them out from the earth’s bowels.

Tomorrow, they would return to Doomed Valley. He wasn’t in the best condition for that place, but he’d survived the dungeon and would survive this too. Once they freed King Leonidas and destroyed the ophidians, he’d never return to that forsaken jungle again and would focus his energy on finding Fabian.

Yesterday, Maverick, who possessed an artistic ability Brokk had never known about, sat down with Kaylia and drew two pictures. Together, they worked to create a portrait of Fabian and the so-called brother who arrived at her door.

While surveying the pictures, he kept his lips pursed and his face emotionless, but hate festered inside him. If given a choice, he’d go after Fabian before the ophidians; that was how much he loathed the man. He’d choose his death over the monsters who tortured him and Kaylia for months.

However, he would honor his promise to Ryker and return to the Valley in search of his king. He owed him that much.

He wouldn’t be solely focused on Doomed Valley while they were there. Brokk had recruited a few trusted dark fae, lycans, and dwarves to search for the man while he was gone.

He hoped that by the time they returned from Doomed Valley, he’d have some leads into Fabian’s whereabouts. And then, he’d hunt, and he’d destroy.

This time, all his brothers would enter Doomed Valley with him. Cole didn’t like the idea of leaving Lexi, but he didn’t plan to be gone long, and Lexi had the dragons to watch over her. He also planned to leave some shadows behind for protection.

If something happened while they were gone, the shadows or Alina would let him know, but Lexi insisted she’d be safe. No one was going to risk the dragons’ wrath, and she could set fire to anyone who tried to attack her.

The memory of Amaris’s betrayal was still fresh in all their minds, but Lexi insisted Cole go with them. She needed to show the rest of the realms she didn’t require his constant presence in Dragonia to ensure her safety and control of the realm.

Cole tried to argue, but she told him that instead of him remaining behind, she’d go to Doomed Valley instead… with or without him. Brokk smiled as he recalled how swiftly that ended their disagreement.

Besides, the giant, Gibborim, would also stand watch over the land while they were gone, and he had a big soft spot for Lexi. She would be perfectly safe remaining behind.

Two hundred men and women had volunteered to enter Doomed Valley with them. They could have taken more as many had stepped forward to help, but two hundred should be more than enough to accomplish this mission.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

When he and his brothers arrived in the garden, Brokk felt a little jolt at seeing the beautiful, blooming plants. The first time he saw this place, it was barren of anything living… or so he’d believed.