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MIKAIL

CHARM BEACH, GAYA

S tars, what is a samroc doing in Gaya?

I’d just gotten my legs under me, and now my knees are weak as the enormous black bird flies toward us.

Memories of the attack in Fallow resurface as the smell of blood and fowl returns.

I can almost feel the grit of the desert sand on my hands, hear the hamels cry in my ears.

Only this time, I don’t have Euyn to shoot it.

Fighting the logical urge to run, I plant my feet. This is my home—I won’t flee. And what’s dying again, anyhow?

The creature comes even closer, the iridescent feathers at its neck shining in the sun. I pull my sword from its scabbard, and the blade flames to life. It won’t do much against this beast, but I can try.

It flies closer until its shadow covers me, Royo, and the entire overlook. Just as the longbowmen pull back to fire, a man falls from its claws. The body rolls onto the ground, and the samroc soars away.

Everyone except the man dropped from its talons remains silent as the samroc disappears from view.

I blow out a relieved breath and try to stop trembling. Lord Yama, I think Euyn’s bolt was still in its eye. But no, it can’t be the same creature, right?

I shudder off the thought as Seok flails, screaming like he’s still falling, even though he’s on dry land. Rune strolls over to him.

“Seok, my old friend.” He smiles down at the would-be king, beaming as if he were responsible for our victory.

I stare at the southern count as he bleeds on the grass. Seok crowned himself king of Yusan, poisoned all those girls, and kidnapped Sora. But Aeri, as the Dragon Lord, just delivered him at our feet. Seok is swarmed by guards and put into chains, but where is Sora?

I clench my jaw. If he hurt her, I’ll drop him into a samroc nest myself.

My pulse pounds as I search through the spyglass. Where is she?

Almost in unison, the men in the boats turn and kneel to someone. Even the Weians. Following their direction, I find who they are submitting to.

Just one woman stands on the deck of a Yusanian ship.

My heart leaps. Sora! She’s alive, and so is Tiyung. He’s kneeling closest to her.

Praise the gods—somehow, they made it through.

I’m so overwhelmed with joy and relief at seeing her, it takes me a moment to notice the red crown on Sora’s head. My breath catches, my pulse skipping.

Aeri made Sora the queen of Yusan.

Stars.

I’d never considered it, and now my heart drums as I think of the possibilities. It was supposed to be Euyn, then Seok took the palace, and Rune warred and schemed to grasp at it, but Aeri chose Sora to sit on the serpent throne.

For the first time in a while, I feel hope bloom inside my chest. It feels…warm, comforting. Aeri might’ve been the wisest of us all, because if anyone can change things for the better, it’s Sora. Maybe, just maybe, she and I can make all of this worth it. Or at least we can try.

We were both ready to die, but perhaps it’s braver to live on after loss.

I look down at the beach, no longer shaking. We have two realms to watch over now. It’s the time for strength and valor.

Queen Sora the First. May there be many more.

I take a knee, and everyone on the overlook follows suit.

Well, everyone but Royo. He’s standing still, too heartbroken to move.

He has remained frozen ever since Aeri levitated off the ground.

I ache for him—for his pain that I know all too well.

We only won by him losing the person he loves the most. It’s not much of a victory when it costs your heart.

We’re all still kneeling when Aeri returns. There was no one there a second ago, and now she’s here, standing in front of Royo, surrounded by flames.

She’s so bright, it hurts to look at her, but also, I can’t take my eyes off her shimmering god form.

“Royo.” She smiles.

He steps forward and seems to take his first breath since she rose to join the Dragon Lord.