Page 174 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“By the goddess,” I blurt out, crawling around the two of them.
Shayan has turned Royan on his back, gently securing his head. Royan’s eyelids are only half-closed. He seems to be completely out of strength. His hand shivers and seems to move towards the girl. I lift his hand carefully and put it on her.
“What’s with her?” I whisper. “Can we help?”
“I am not sure.” Shayan just shakes his head, his eyes clouding over in sadness. “She made her own bed, but still… this is too much.” He looks at me. “Is everything under control outside?”
I nod. “Yes, don’t worry.”
“Is a healer with you?”
“Aylin came in person,” I say.
He turns his head to the dog-lion-wolf, whatever. “Cù Sìth, please, a last favor.”
The dog lowers his head slightly and nods. “What is your wish, warrior?”
“Find our allies outside, find the witch, and bring her here.”
Cù Sìth bows and raises his head as if he were nodding and then runs off. Meanwhile, I brush the dirty and bloody hair out of Royan’s face. His skin is so cold. With Shayan’s help, I try to do first aid as much as I can, but Royan needs more than that.
“It’s the wolfsbane,” Shayan explains quietly. “And, the witch tortured him.”
I raise my gaze as anger fills me. How can one single person be so cruel? She doesn’t value any life but her own. She committed genocide against the species of the dragons. What for? Just for power? She doesn’t look powerful now though, as she kneels on the ground, her hands clutched around her throat while the black dust keeps entering through her mouth and eyes. Black blood seems to seep out of her nose until she breaks down lifelessly. Cailleach returns to us but stays at a safe distance. “I bound her mind for the deities to do as they please, and to find a punishment for her. She rattled this world to its core and attacked us directly.”
I nod. “I’m not sure if that will be good enough for those she hurt,” I admit. “But, if it means she is no danger to this world anymore, it’s enough for me.”
“I can’t let the wolves or dragons have her,” Cailleach explains. “We need answers, because her power, so far, is unmatched and not that of a normal witch. Also, the deities are furious. If there is one thing you need to always remember, it’s not to anger the deities.”
There is not much I can say against that, so I just nod.
“Yrsa, an alpha’s daughter,” Cailleach says all of a sudden. “Inga, an omega but with a driving force and a strong sense of justice, and Leif, a strategist and beta’s son.”
I blink at her.
“Three werebears that are trustworthy.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Don’t thank me,” she says bitterly. “I brought enough desperation upon these lands. I will see if your Ice Wolf Prince needs help, and then return to the dragons; make sure their lands are safe for their return.”
I watch her disappear, my heart feeling heavy at how many lives were ruined due to Penelope’s doing.
Royan groans slightly, and I move my hand back to his forehead and neck, trying to keep him warm. In the distance, I can already hear footsteps approaching, accompanied by the growls of Cù Sìth. Hopefully it won’t be too late.
The girl in Royan’s arms stirs slightly, looking at him, heavy-lidded. I gently help her turn her head to see him. “I’m so sorry,” she weeps. “Roy. I wanted it all,” she chokes. “But most of all, I wanted you.”
Royan doesn’t say anything. I’m not even sure if he heard what she said, but his hand remains on her while she takes her last breaths.
fifty-five
The End is Near
*AZADEH*
Thick snow petals fall down on us. It’s silent, almost like nothing ever happened. Like there wasn’t just a battle, like our whole existence wasn’t almost shook to the core.
It feels peaceful.
