Page 34 of Caged Love

She nods and smiles at August.

“What’s the plan, Lolly,” Shadow asks his mate, his hand on the small of her back.

She stares out at the mountains. “We’re going to kill Rion. And many of his army. And then they will disband and give up. Declan is gone. Milana is gone. They have no hope or direction left.”

She turns back to August. “If Milana were standing on the other side with Rion, this war would have a different outcome. Declan wasn’t just a leader. He was everything the rebellion stood for, and with him gone, that now fell to you. Without you, there is no rebellion.”

My eyes widen. I don’t know how I could have made such a difference in a war. I don’t even know how to fight yet. I guess, in a way, because of my father, I was used as the poster child for it. Without me, maybe they feel like they have nothing to fight for.

Without my father, there is nothing.

Rion is fueled by revenge, but honestly, I don’t even know why. I know my father took him under his wing and that he wasn’t always so full of hatred.

All I know is that now, I stand with my mate.

Where I should have always been.

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.

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