Page 187 of The King is Dead
He wrapped me in his arms, one hand over my head as if he’d tuck me under his wing. But his wings weren’t there and then…
And then there were no more.
We were clinging to each other, both of us panting, shaking, eyes darting left and right… and there was nothing.
Nothing but weary, shaking Nephilim smiling and standing side by side. Nothing but a circle of men, some with wings, others without, all of them wiping brows, smiling, clasping hands… and all of them with green eyes.
Grass green. Deep emerald. The bright green of a caterpillar. The pale mint.
And as Melek staggered to his feet, pulling me up after him, they all smiled in disbelief, then their beautiful eyes widened. Then they laughed… and then chanted.
“Long live the King!”
“Long live the King!”
“Long live the King!”
He raised a hand to acknowledge them, but his eyes remained on mine.
“Are you well, Love?” he rasped.
Through tears of joy, I nodded.
He lifted a dirty hand, stroking my cheek with his thumb to wipe them away. “Then why the tears?” he murmured.
“Because I’m so proud of you,” I whispered back. Then smiled wider.
Gripping his weapon straps, I pulled him closer, tipped up my head for a kiss and reached for his mind.
‘Long live the King,’I sent as he descended on me, wrapping me in his arms.‘May he live forever.’
70. The Weight of the Crown
~ MELEK ~
It had always bemused me the way war created work.
In the wake of a battle adefeatedleader inevitably found themselves gathering what survivors remained and desperately trying to bring them to safety.
The surprise to me had always been the burden of victory. The triumphant rank and file could walk away—riding the high of adrenaline that only life-and-death battle achieved—to celebrate their win and the fact that they were given another day to breathe. But a winningleaderwould find themselves suddenly overrun.
Decisions were needed on how to treat and travel the injured.
Judgment calls must be made over who was to rest, and who must remain alert, guarding against spies or allies of the defeated enemy that may yet try to infiltrate.
There was a hierarchy to be affirmed—Officers promoted to replace the fallen, soldiers rewarded for demonstrating heroism, and recognition of courage in the ranks.
And always, a true leader’s mind turned to the immediate future.
The next step.
The next battle.
Avoiding the next defeat.
This battle was no different. As soon as the surviving Nephilim stopped screaming to prove to themselves that we were all still alive, Jann stepped up next to me, clapping a hand to my shoulder.
We embraced as the cheers subsided, but the hubbub didn’t die completely. Jann leaned into my ear to be heard over their continuing celebrations.
