Page 181 of Reign

“Don’t you dare cease,” Fitzroy snapped, panting as he battled the searing heat.

I raised my palms once more, knowing I couldn’t relent until Regina lay dead or the entire Kingdom of Lyonesse lay ablaze.

Through the glaring light, I saw the white dragon falter—its scales crisping like autumn leaves under the beating sun. It floundered in midair, shrieking as though engulfed in flames. Just when I thought it would plummet, the beast lunged forward, locking its jaw around the red dragon’s neck. Together, they crashed into the sea. Enormous waves surged from the impact, rolling onto the shore and engulfing nearby ships. The white dragon’s motionless wings floated atop the water, its once taut skin now mangled and useless like torn sails on a ship.

I lowered my hands, and the sun’s heat swiftly cooled.

A profound silence fell.

Soldiers, knights, fae, and goblins alike—regardless of allegiance—waited in tense anticipation to learn whether the royal siblings had perished. The stillness of the water spoke louder than words.

As Regina’s allies retreated to the sea, frantically fleeing to the Isle, I began to believe the Silver Witch was dead.

“She’s gone!” Billy cried, his voice a raw blend of anguish and joy.

“Thank the gods,” Emma cried out from behind me.

Tears streaming down my face, I stole a glance over my shoulder and met her gaze.

Emma stared at me with childlike fear, as though expecting my anger.

“I’m sorry,” she mouthed. “I had no choice.”

For a moment, I held her terrified gaze, wondering why she was apologizing to me—was she truly saddened by my loss?

She spoke as if she’d played a role, yet she’d no part in his death…

Then it struck me all at once: Emma had seen a vision of Bash’s fate.

“You knew,” I screeched, slamming my palms into her chest so fiercely she stumbled. “You foresaw this!”

She shook her head, tears flying from her bloodshot eyes. “I-I-I…” she stammered.

“Is that why you offered us your chamber?” I pressed, recalling our night together—how Bash invited me to the Headlands, confessed his love for the first time, and made me feel happier than I ever had.

I doubled over, choking as sadness nearly drowned me.

“You knew it was our final night together,” I managed to utter through my tears.

“What was I supposed to do?” Emma pleaded, clawing at her plait like it was rope and she was dangling over a cliff’s edge.

“You could’ve warned him! Told him to not board that ship.”

Emma shook her head, squirming in her skin.

“I-if Bash hadn’t died, Regina would’ve w-won,” she stuttered. “His death gave you the strength to cast a spell stronger than Regina’s—”

I refused to listen further, silencing her with a swift unsheathing of my sword, wanting an eye for an eye.

Dog appeared beside me and growled at Emma, baring her teeth at the terrified witch. The fear on her youthful face revealed what she tried to hide—how young she truly was.

Fitzroy grabbed my arm, his gauntlet cutting into my skin.

“That’s enough,” he said firmly. “She betrayed you, but she saved Lyonesse. You may hate her, but I won’t allow you to hurt her. It might feel justified right now—but it’ll stain your conscience.”

I collapsed into his arms, weeping and wilting like a willow.

“Niamh,” he whispered into my ear. “Be brave—you agreed to be brave. Remember?”