Page 14 of Kiss of Death
I carried the guilt of my decision…the guilt that would haunt me as long as I lived. A ruler had to make decisions that no one else wanted to make—and I’d made the most difficult one of all. Even when decades passed, I would still look in the mirror and despisemyself for what I’d done, even if I knew my father would have given his blessing if he could.
I was able to reach him for a moment. Told him what had to be done.
I stepped away from Hawk, my hand covering my mouth to stifle my cry.
Hawk’s panicked eyes looked into mine.
What did he say?
Tell them I love them all…
I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for. For my mother’s screams to come from the castle and across the courtyard…for the world to tremble with the passing of my father…for time just to stop to honor the absence of a great man.
The battle raged on in the sea below. Streams of fire broke out. Ships burned on the surface until the flames were extinguished as they plunged below the water. I hoped my father would somehow arise and take control of the battle and bring us to victory.
But now I knew I would never hear his voice again.
The last words he’d said to me would be with me always.
Defeat them, Lily.
Hawk’s face was as pale as snow as he waited for the moment we heard the news…that our father was dead.
My mother had been devastated by his injury. She would never recover from his death. Just as he wouldn’t have recovered if she’d been the one to pass first. My parents had publicly loved each other, and while it had made me uncomfortable as a child, it had taught me how to love as an adult.
It reminded me of what I had with Callum…who wasn’t here.
Who wasn’t present to comfort me in my darkest hour.
My thoughts were shattered by the sound of horns, a booming sound that came from far in the distance but was still loud enough to announce a formidable presence.
My eyes immediately went to Hawk’s.
His eyes were already on mine.
With tears still on my cheeks, I ran to the stone railing at the edge of the courtyard. I looked out into the sea to see what was happening on the battlefield. Ships were still on fire, dragons that were friend and foe still attacked one another, and it took me a moment to understand what had changed.
I gripped the railing as I peered into the darkness, seeing an enormous fleet of ships sailing from the west. A rush of breeze moved through my hair and flicked my tears to the stone below.
Hawk came to my side and stilled when he saw what I saw. “Who are they?”
“I—I don’t know. But there must be at least three hundred ships…”
“The vampiric dragons are headed their way,” Hawk observed. “Now our dragons are attacking the Barbarians without distraction.”
Zehemoth, I need you.I stepped away from the railing and moved to the center of the courtyard so he would have room to land. Then I reached my mind to Khazmuda.Another ally has arrived to the battle. Is it too late?Had they already let my father go? If I were just a second too late, I would never forgive myself.
No. Many dragons resisted my order.
The breath of relief I took was so immense my lungs nearly popped.They have three hundred ships. We’ll crush them at sea.
But who are they?
I don’t know.
You assume they’re your ally, but you don’t know for sure. Could be another kingdom taking advantage of a vulnerable moment. All your allies are here. So who else could it be?
I did call for the vampires from the north…
