Page 299 of The War God’s Favorite

“I’m so sorry.”

Those three words were spoken so softly, no one else could hear them. The Water God let out a long, low-pitched sound that resonated within the garden walls and beyond. It was as if it had been waiting for this moment. Then, it leaned down to Cassandra, its head right next to hers, and took a deep breath in. When its mouth opened again, it exhaled a very thin, white mist.

They were confused at first until they realized the white mist was slowly coating Cassandra. The air chilled some more, turning the mist on her skin to ice as the layers grew thicker. Soon, her skin turned whiter than it had ever been. It was like seeing a ghost disappear in the snow. Her lips turned purple and then blue.

Kairen wouldn’t take his eyes off her until the Water God stopped the ice forming. Then, with an angrier and louder growl, it suddenly moved closer and wrapped its body around her. One of its paws grabbed her arm to keep her in place, but the Creature’s eyes were on Kairen the entire time. The War God didn’t seem to notice though, and he didn’t dare to retreat from the closeness of the Creature either. He just watched it take her, unmoving.

With a final, long growl, the Water God slowly slinked back into the Lake, taking Cassandra with it and disappearing just like that. After a while, the surface of the water hadn’t moved again and went back to being a quiet, peaceful Lake.

Shareen sighed. So it was over. Whatever that thing was...it had taken Cassandra’s body down, deep into the lake. Shareen didn’t know what to feel anymore, it was all just too much to handle. She took a deep breath and glanced towards her mother. Lady Kareen was looking at her son wearing the saddest expression, but she didn’t go to him. She knew there were no words she could say that would console him. Her eyes fell to Kassian then, who was still crying a bit, though it seemed that he had tired himself out too much to keep on wailing.

Anour and Opheus had the same horrified expression on their faces. Everyone was staring at Kairen, left there alone to face the quiet Lake. No one knew what to do next.

Krai was the first to move. The Black Dragon walked to its master’s side and curled up around him. It seemed like the dragon and Prince were one being at that moment, facing the quiet Lake, united in their loss.

That sight seemed to sober Shareen up. She shook her head and walked over to her mother.

“I’ll go take care of the crap outside and make sure we are done with everything... whatever’s left.”

The Imperial Concubine let out a long sigh and nodded. Her eyes went down on the baby in her arms. She left a long kiss on his forehead while, at her feet, Kian curled up around her, his eyes turned towards the Lake. It looked like the Baby Dragon was confused about what had happened and didn’t dare approach. Instead, it stayed with Kareen who was patiently waiting for her son to come out of this trance. She would wait no matter how long it would take.

Opheus and Anour walked up to Shareen. The Fourth Prince was wiping his tears, clearly shaken up. They hesitated before speaking, almost at a loss for what to say.

“What now?” asked Anour.

“You’ll stay with Missandra and Phemera.”

The Sixth Prince’s expression sank.

“But... if she wakes up...”

Shareen glared at him.

“If she wakes up, you’ll tell her the truth, Anour. Stop being such a baby, or we can trade and you can be the one to take care of the fucking mess outside and deal with the politics. Your pick.”

He looked down, defeated. Indeed, he was the one closest to Missandra, and he wouldn’t be able to help anywhere else... it didn’t make his task any easier though. Anour nodded and, with a sigh, the youngest Prince glanced at Opheus and left with a solemn expression.

The Fourth Prince crossed his arms.

“You were a bit harsh on him.”

“I’m not in the mood to indulge anyone’s sensitivities right now.”

Her brother frowned a little, glancing towards Kairen and the Lake.

“I can’t blame you... Lephys is dead. What do you need me to do?”

“Gather all those damn ministers, counselors, and whomever. It’s high time that things change around here, and it’s starting today.”

“Do you think they are going to listen though?”

“They listened to that rat. So now, they either have an open ear for us, or those bastards can join him in hell. I’ll send them there myself. They should start working on it now if they want us to let them live another day after what happened here. Those damn... tsk. Anyway, you can bring Lephys’ body along if they need help being convinced. At least that bastard can be useful for something.”

“Got it.”

They split up to take care of everything that was left after the battle.

Once those three had left the garden, everything was silent once again. Kareen was left alone to contemplate her son’s loneliness. In her arms, Kassian had given in and was sleeping, his little eyes still red and puffy from all the crying. His grandmother sighed. The poor boy had no idea what a hero his mother was. Cassandra had never been a fighter, but she was someone who would sacrifice herself for others to survive, and in the end, she had given her life to save theirs.

---