Page 62 of Devastation
I tack on, “It’s true. I can’t think of anyone better suited to take this on…” I pause, giving her a moment to process before I ask, “So, do you accept?”
Concern crosses her face, dousing her previous excitement. “Do you really think I can do this, Lana?”
The fact that she holds my opinion in such high regard warms my heart as I walk to her and grab her shoulders gently. “I think you areexactlywhat this realm needs. It needs your love, your kind and gentle heart, and your desire to always do what’s right, even if that means it isn’t the easiest path.”
Raven shocks me by reaching out and patting Noreen on the back, “Hey, just because you’re queen, doesn’t mean you’re alone in this. I’d be honored to be of assistance to you in regards to our armies, and you know many others here love you and will help you in whatever way they can.”
So, shecanbe genuinely kind. I suppose it makes sense though, as Raven was the one to take Noreen off of the battlefield forty years ago and take her under her wing when she had no family left.
“We don’t expect you to know everything right now,” I soften my voice and reassure her.
Determination fills her out of nowhere, visibly pouring from her now. So much so that I take a step back, dropping my hands from her.
“I would be honored to take on this role,” she inclines her head in my direction. Suddenly, the baby pink tether flares to a glorious, burning hot pink, cementing the tether connection.
Wow. Is this what manners look like? She’s so professional. Very queenly.
I cough, trying to bring the same level of decorum to the figurative table as I answer, “I’d be honored to have you.”
Raven loses it at that point and slaps her knee as she bends over in laughter. She wheezes out, “Lana attempting to have manners. What a sight to see.”
My facade falls away and I glare at her, “I’ll have you know that I can be polite when needed.”
“Sureeee you can.”
Grannie’s tinkling laugh sounds as she walks back up to my side and pats my back comfortingly. “It’s okay, Lannie. We can all agree that it isn’t your strong suit. We love you regardless.”
Slightly offended, I huff out, “At least I’m funny.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Zedd
Being back in the fae realm is a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, this was our home for our first lifetime, but on the other, it symbolizes a dark time for our family inthislife. There's such an odd mixture of memories from the two different lives that it's hard to remember that it is, in fact, the same realm in both.
We give Lana time to make her rounds alone with the fae she needs to speak to, staying huddled off to the side as she does so. I can't help but wonder what Ash is going through right now.
Tapping Hale on the arm, I ask, "How long did Elizabeth say Ash would be like that?"
"She didn't know for sure, but the minimum is 12 hours."
A worry gnaws at my brain, and I ask, "What if he isn't out of it in time for the war? I think we're at a turning point right now and that it could happen any day. Preparations are almost complete, and Lana wants to take the fight to them."
"I don't know if any of us will be able to fight with singular focus if he’s stuck in a different realm without one of us looking over him," Hale admits, jumping on the train of thought I'm riding.
Luke blows out a breath of air and shrugs, "All we can do is trust that everything will line up the way it’s supposed to. Agonizing over a stressful situation that may or may not happen is no use to any of us."
To some, the grin that crosses my face at his statement would be completely disconcerting given the topic. However, his words show me that the twins took my words about just being them and not worrying about putting on a show for us to heart.
In the past, when things got stressful, they were the first to crack a joke to pull people out of the heaviness in their minds. But this time, Luke gives calm and valid advice that settles nerves in an entirely different way.
I'm proud as hell.
Leo chimes in, continuing my proud brother moment. "He’ll snap out of it in time, and when he does, he’ll know more about using his skills to protect himself in battle. We will all be truly ready then. I just know it."
Hale looks at them like they've just sprouted two heads each, causing the three of us to laugh good-naturedly as Lana approaches us.
"We're going to gather with Noreen, Raven, and their army right now to discuss the battle. Do you guys want to come along or stay here?"
