Page 71 of Her Royal Blood

“I hate Pitaya,” he grumbled. “I want all of it destroyed, and toss those Crypt Claw over the falls,” Bastien said as he waved his arm towards the thirty or so Crypt Claw warriors who had been caught.

One by one, they screamed and protested, but that didn’t deter the Arsenal Fang pack members who had shifted back into their human form from throwing each and every one over the falls. I shivered as I remembered what a terrifying and harrowing journey to death had been.

Hawk came over to us, buzzing with adrenaline. I watched as he helped the Arsenal Fang pack gather up and fight the Crypt Claw, with Bindi and Derringer at his side. My father had joined Bastien perhaps to discuss what had just happened.

“That was close. It looks like all of us got out unscathed and Polonius disappeared from sight. So the party is over, I’m afraid. We can no longer avoid the battle.” Hawk was advising us, but I already knew that the precious few hours I had to enjoy being Aria’s legal husband, fated mate, and king were over.

“As soon as Sire recharges, Navarrah City is going to be very vulnerable. At the moment only Jarvis is there with the military. I believe that Polonius is still on the march to Navarrah City, which makes sense. If he saw the broadcast of the wedding, he must have been close to Angeline Falls, which means his troops are also close to Navarrah City. We must concentrate on the fight there,” Amadeus said, looking extremely worried.

I had a plan and so I stepped forward to share my thoughts.

“We also need troops to protect Onyx Rah as he will want to fortify his hold on Aria’s kingdom. And now that Angeline Falls has been attacked we need a group of soldiers to stay here and support the Arsenal Fang Pack. The members who came to our rescue today are just regular citizens, they have lives and jobs.” I wasn’t sure how we were going to divy up our already scarce resources, but we had to make sure Angeline Falls stayed safe.

“I can keep us safe,” Bastien said as he approached our group with Lara, overhearing our conversation as we still stood in front of the altar near all of the empty chairs.

Dimitri also joined us as did King Helix.

“When was the last time you fought a battle between kingdoms?” Dimitri asked, with respect and a grave seriousness.

“I have not been in battle,” Bastien’s confidence waned slightly. “But I am a powerful mage.”

“I don’t doubt that you are, however, I have seen countless battles with warriors as fierce or more so than the Crypt Claw. I can stay with you in Angeline Falls and help protect your city.” By the way Dimitri offered, it was evident that he wasn’t planning on taking ‘no’ as an answer. “My troops can stay in Navarrah City to help keep the ports safe and I will remain here, to magically shield your city and keep an eye out for an invasion from any direction.”

“That sounds like a good plan, Prince Dimitri,” Aria said with a gracious smile. “I must go back to my people while Poloniusand Sire march on Navarrah City and make sure that Polonius won’t be able to breach our gates again. We also need to get the Crypt Claw out. Bindi, Halo, Lex, and I will return to Onyx Rah, and do our best to fight off those who remain there. I can only assume that Polonius took most of his guards with him, he had to, his forces have been spread so thin.” Aria was determined, but there was a touch of worry in her expression.

“As soon as we defeat Polonius in Navarrah City, I will send my troops to you,” King Helix offered. “I promise that you’ll not be left unguarded. Many of our troops have been in hiding since the attack on Onyx Rah. They were recovering and guarding those who were not able to go to the safe houses. I shall have them commanded to return to you and for now that should be enough to push the Crypt Claw back.” Helix gave Aria a look that was almost fatherly.

He’d always seen her as a daughter, but was never allowed to treat her as such. I never thought about the fact that my father might enjoy having Aria as a daughter in law, and that the two of them could build a powerful bond with one another.

“So,” Amadeus looked at Bastien. “Lex, Aria, Bindi, Derringer, and Halo will go to Onyx Rah. Cheyenne, Janaya, King Helix,” he nodded to the King. “And Queen Delia will go back to Navarrah City with me. Lara, you will return to the Obsidian Valley to make sure Polonius doesn’t attack. Will you and your brother be comfortable doing this on your own?” Amadeus turned to Lara and asked.

“Yes, we can take care of ourselves,” she said, with pride.

“That leaves Hawk.” Amadeus’ gaze slipped to him.

“I’m going to Brahman’s peak to recruit forces to protect Onyx Rah and make sure that the Crypt Claw stay where they belong.”

“Good. Well then. It was nice to have us all gathered for such an important occasion, but it is time to end this war. Bastienand I will teleport you to where you belong. You’ll be at your designated places in moments. It might be disorienting at first, but you’ll have at least a half day lead over Polonius, baring him using a similar magic.” Amadeus looked worried for only one moment.

“Well we have warships now and he doesn't, so we’ll be able to attack as soon as we see them,” Cheyenne added. “Polonius didn’t take a warship here, but he may have a few that weren’t destroyed, however, since we now have a fleet of them, thanks to the Lupine Coalition letting us use their airspace to test them, we are armed and ready.” Cheyenne was taking charge, just like the king he would one day become.

“Then it is time for goodbye.” Amadeus raised his arms and like that we were magically teleported back to Onyx Rah….back to our new home.

Chapter 24

Aria

The palace was still being guarded by Crypt Claw warriors, but Bastian had teleported us to Onyx Raw with Halo, Bindi, Derringer and about thirty Navvarian warriors. We landed inside of the gates of Onyx Rah much to the surprise of two guards manning the entrance. I used my sword to kill one and Bindi used hers to kill the other. We were both still dressed in our wedding attire and we winked at one another with blood spattering our beautiful dresses. We were back home and back in war mode.

“Go to the dungeons with Derringer and free the rest of guards being held there. Lex and I will fight the warriors above ground,” I said to Bindi and she ran off quickly, not wasting a minute of time. “For the rest, unleash your wolves and kill any one who doesn’t surrender.”

I brought my sword out in front of me ready to start walking through the city and kill as many Crypt Claw as I could find but Lex's hand gently touched my forearm stopped me from moving forward.

“You are the queen, Aria. You cannot blaze into battle. Let the soldiers do their work and you and Halo find a way to magically protect us.” Lex’s wisdom rang true. “Polonius willcome for you. When he discovers that you’re not in Navarrah City with the rest he will be here, we can guarantee it. So our job is to restore the magic that protects us and wards the gates and boundaries against anyone who isn’t a member of the Midnight Moon pack, thus restoring my father’s protection spell that Polonius broke when he captured me and used my blood to breach the gates.”

“You’re right. I was so ready to charge in,” I felt a little guilty about that, it was much easier to be a fighter than a queen, but I was both, but with Lex which made being either thing easier. “But warding the kingdom is imperative. We need to protect it from anyone, even Midnight Moon pack members who might mean us harm. Polonius is persuasive, he might be able to force a Midnight Moon pack member to open the gates for him.”

“You’re right. I think I know what to do,” Halo came forward, still so elegantly dressed in her velvet green gown with swirls of silver magic wind embroidered in clear crystal. “We need to redo my father’s spell. I have his grimoire and his journals in our workshop. We can find how he created the original protection spell.” She was brilliant, I was so happy that she was going to be our kingdom’s mage.

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