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Chapter Eighteen

Laurel said something bad would happen if Milana didn’t come to our side. I honestly forgot all about that. I was working hard to get her for me, not for some bigger purpose, even though that pushed me to go and fight for her.

“I love you,” I say, pushing her long, blonde hair off her face.

“I love you more,” she replies, looking up when Zython stands in front of us.

“The royal guard is approaching them from behind. We will go out the side gates and cage them in. Let’s do this,” he calls out, and everyone cheers.

One of the guards brings me Bear, my horse I’ve had for as long as I can remember. “Milana, this is Bear. Bear, this is my mate. Look after her.”

He neighs like he understands. I lift her on him first and then jump up beside her. “You ready for this, love?” I consider asking her to stay behind, but I won’t be able to focus if I don’t have my eyes on her. No one will let anything happen to her, and even though she’s still learning to fight, she’s still magically powerful.

I smile when Astrid casts her shield over us all, another reason I won’t have to worry.

When Rave’s shadows start to appear, suffocating the air beyond the walls, we ride through the side gates and toward Rion.

I jump off Bear when I see Rion’s army and help Milana down. I draw my weapon and put her behind me. Axe and Kai are soon at my side, and we all run into the thick of it, standing around Milana in a protective circle. When Axe reaches out and drains the magic from a vampire, he spins around and flashes a smug grin at Milana, whose eyes widen.

“I’ve always wanted to try that,” he states.

“You’re a booster too?” She gasps, surprised.

“No, I’m not,” he replied, smirking.

Her brow furrows, confused. Then her eyes widen with realization. “You’re a mirror?”

It’s a rare magic that lets Axe copy magic from someone nearby.

Axe simply shrugs, like the cocky shit he is, while Milana stares at him in surprise. I hope she’s not thinking that maybe they were a good match after all, with their magic being somewhat similar. They both use other people’s powers against them by channeling their gifts.

Rion steps out into our view with those same men who came into my cell with him at his side.

“Milana!” he calls out, sparks flying from his palms. “Your father would be turning in his grave if he knew what you have done.”

She shifts on her feet. Even though she’s done the right thing, I know this must hurt her.

Astrid zips in next to me, staring down at Rion. “Rion, I’d say it’s nice to see you, but that would be a lie. And to think I thought we were friends after I saved your mate from the vampires.”

“Don’t speak about her. A lot has happened since then,” Rion replies, his red eyes flickering with something that looks like pain before he can mask it.

“Leave now, Rion, or you’ll be the reason for many unnecessary deaths,” she says to him, a ruby-hilted dagger in her hand. “The rebellion died with Declan. Milana is safe with her mate. There is no reason for this to continue.”

“Hand over Milana, and we will be on our way,” he replies.

“She’s mine,” I bark, gritting my teeth. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Milana steps forward, bracing herself for a fight. Her legs are in a stance like I showed her, and her fingers clasp a blade. “It’s over, Rion. I’m where I’m meant to be. Please, just leave so no one else has to die.”

Rion laughs, and it’s an ugly sound. It’s only then that I notice his wrists. The once gold mating bands, like mine, are black. I remember noticing that when he was torturing me.

He lost his mate.

That explains the crazy glint in his eyes because no male would be sane after that.

Death would probably be a kindness to him.

“What happened to your mate?” I ask, and everyone goes quiet, the tension picking up.

Rion roars sparks flying in every direction. “She died defending her kingdom. She died when you all returned to the Demon Kingdom. It’s your fucking fault! Bane wanted to kill his brother, Xan, and in the process, I lost my fucking mate.”

Pain and torment radiate from him, and the thought of losing Milana sends a cold shiver through me. It would be the only thing capable of breaking me—and despite everything, a flicker of sympathy stirs in my chest.

“I’m sorry you lost her, Rion,” Milana says, tears gathering in her eyes. “I had no idea. But surely you can’t expect me to leave my mate, to know that pain, to fight in a war I don’t want to be a part of. I’ve found my place, and now you need to find yours. Let all your soldiers go. Tell them to leave before they get hurt. Save their lives!”

Rion simply fires his magic at Milana, but Astrid’s shield blocks him. I zip in front of her, pushing her behind me.

When the shadows start drifting from the ground upward, I know shit’s about to get real dark.

Before they start to distort my vision, I rush forward at Rion.

I’m going to make sure my mate never has to hide again.