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“I can,” he says. “Are you publicly executing him?”

“I am,” I say. “He thinks I’m forgiving him though, so don’t say anything.”

“I see. I won’t say a word.” Vash chuckles.

We walk back to City Hall and stop in front of the news reporters. Once everyone is quiet, I begin speaking. I explain the prophecy and how we really didn’t know what the ending would be, but with my visions, we knew that someone would get ahold of me. We go through the events of the week we were held captive but leave out the graphic details as well as what the witch forced my mates to do. I explained my magia reserve and the years of abuse that led to a buildup of it, so once I was able to grasp that magia and control the flow, I was able to free us. I don’t explain how Zypher and Morwen died, but I make it clear that they got what they deserved. I move on to explain the betrayal by Fermin and my plans to execute him. I receive an overwhelming amount of support for my decision. I think that if everyone had rejected that idea, I might’ve changed my mind, but the fact that everyone demanded his head made me feel like I was doing what was right.

The thing is, I don’t want to be the monster who executes people in public… but I will be. I will make him an example of why you should not betray those who are trying to help you. Arenie and Alasdair set up everything for his execution, while I stand back and watch. I’ve chosen to have him beheaded. At first, I was going to do it. I think that Daemon should get to do the honors. Out of my three mates, he was the one who was most affected by being forced to assault me. He did the most damage to my body.

“You are good to go. Vash is on his way,” Alasdair says.

“There he is,” I say as I watch Vash walk a very confused Fermin to us.

“What is this?” Fermin asks.

“Fermin Radi, you have been accused and found guilty of treason. The punishment for that is death,” I say simply.

“Wait. Wait a minute. You said I wouldn’t be killed. Lilith, please,” he says tearfully as he panics.

“And now you know what it felt like to be betrayed by someone you trusted,” I say through gritted teeth. “You had countless opportunities to come clean before you walked me into my kidnapping. All that pain and trauma that I endured is just as much your fault as it was theirs. You are no better than them. Today… you die.”

“Lilith. Please. Please, I’m begging you. Please don’t do this,” he pleads, dropping to his knees.

“Do you think begging for mercy kept Zypher from raping me? Do you think it stopped him from whipping me bloody? Do you think he listened when my mates begged him to stop hurting me?” I ask, raising my voice. “Any last words?”

“I’m sorry, Lilith,” he says, crying.

“That’s not good enough,” I say before turning to Vash. “Put him in place.” Vash nods and sets him up so that he is knelt over the block. Maybe I should feel some sort of remorse for this, but retribution is the only thing I’m concerned about.

“I love you,” I say to Daemon. “I know you still blame yourself. With his death, I want you to move forward. He is the last piece of the puzzle before we can put it all behind us. You are a victim, just as much as I am. We are all survivors. Take your revenge and move on with me. Stop blaming yourself.”

“I love you too, Lilith. I will work on moving forward,” he says before kissing me.

Vash hands Daemon the massive ax and he grips it in his hand, getting a feel for the weight of the weapon. Kael, Callum, and I are by his side as he lines up the ax, with the back of Fermin’s neck. The only thing you can hear is the sound of his sobs echoing off of the buildings around us. They soundalmostas pained as mine and my mates.

“I hope you found peace with what you did… That you regret the things you’ve done… Of all of the things I have done, this won’t be one,” Daemon says to Fermin before drawing the weapon above his head. With a grunt, as he swings the blade down, Fermin’s head is easily separated from his body. As it rolls a few feet to the side, the crowd of onlookers starts to cheer and shout in celebration of his death.

Daemon drops the ax before turning and hugging me tightly. “Thank you,” he murmurs into my neck. I gently stroke his head, and I hold him. Kael and Callum join us in our hug as everyone continues to celebrate.

“You’re welcome, baby. I wanted you to get your revenge also. Not that Kael and Callum don’t deserve to seek retribution for what happened, but I think you are the most deserving of it,” I say before cupping his face and kissing him.

I pull back and smile when the crowd cheers louder. “I think they like you,” Daemon says with a smirk.

“I think it’s the big strong man chopping the head off of the treasonous man,” I laugh.

“My Queen,” Alasdair says as he jogs over to us.

“Stop calling me that,” I frown.

“What?” he asks. “Oh. Sorry. Lilith, I have them in custody. They are being transported here as we speak.”

“Good job,” I smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he says. “They are here in the city. Presumably, they were here for the news conference.”

“Ah. Wonderful,” I say. “Twenty-one executions in one day should make for a memorable event.”

“How would you like things set up?” Alasdair asks.