Chapter 140


    50. Stronger Together


    THEON.


    The mages continued to hold the illusion as we made our way closer to the outer wall. I could see the


    warriors on the watchtowers seem to hesitate, scanning the grounds. We stopped far behind.


    The battle ns were in ce, and when I was about to give the finalmand to march onwards,


    everyone seemed to be distracted. I sensed them before I even turned to confirm it.


    The imperial sirens. Even with legs, they still didn‘t pass as humans; their beauty was different, and


    seeing them in such arge number made them stand out even more than the fae. These were the


    imperial sirens of the emperor... Yileyna‘s family.


    There were over a thousand, for sure. Their armour was a shimmery metallic blue silver. At the front


    were two men and Deliana. The three held tridents, whilst the rest behind them wielded swords or


    whips.


    The Naga tensed, and no one spoke as the man that was beside Deliana looked at me intensely. The


    imperials were watching the Nagas, but neither species said anything.


    “Ie to assist my granddaughter, the heart of Kadia. She has proven herself efficient. Tell me, as


    the queen‘s mate and champion, will you ride into battle with the pain that you hide?”


    All eyes turned on me and I looked back at him, my eyes shing. “It has not held me back, even when I


    went with Yileyna into Naran.” I replied firmly.


    “Strong and stubborn. Pride fit for a king, boy. However, your pride will not help you.” He stated


    arrogantly. He shifted his trident in his hand, the power radiating off it was obvious, and I could feel itText property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    sending waves through the crowds, but there was nothing dark in it...


    He raised it and pointed it at me as several of Hunter‘s men tensed, ready to protect me if need be. I


    raised a gloved hand, stopping them. It was obviously Hunter‘s orders.


    “A small injury will not hold me back, it never has and it never will. We must continue on.” I stated


    clearly.


    “And we shall.” Queseidon said as a st of light left his trident. I didn‘t move, not that there was time. A


    blinding light struck me and I felt the rush of power pour through me, then it felt like the pain had been


    lifted. Energy returned to every inch of my body, and my eyes shed powerfully. 1 I had almost forgotten


    what it felt like to be without this pain, I had grown ustomed to it, and to be honest, I didn‘t think I‘d


    ever be fucking free from it. “Thank you, your majesty.” I replied seriously, lowering my head slightly to


    him. I never thought the day woulde where I‘d be having a civilised conversation with a species I


    once hated. “Just do not hurt her again, for a siren‘s attack is indeed deadly when she is scorned.” 1


    I saw Hunter smirk ? “Understood.” I almost growled. He gave a curt nod, gesturing to the man beside


    him. “You already know the queen of the Aethirian Ocean. Allow me to introduce my son, King Earendor


    of the Metiolodia Sea.”


    I stepped forward and held my hand out to him, his hair was ming red and his eyes a sharp aqua


    green.


    He took my hand, and we exchanged a firm handshake.


    “Thank you foring to our assistance.” I said, “‘We work towards a better future.” He replied in a deep


    voice.


    “My job is done.. I will return to the ocean. Happy? I healed him.” He muttered, ring at Deliana. 3


    Her smile was faint, and she lowered her head to him.


    “Yes.”


    It was because of her that I was healed. I wasn‘t sure how to feel about that. Seeing her again wasn‘t as


    hard as it was down by the coast, but perhaps the fact she was in human form helped.


    He gave a small nod, motioning to his army of imperials before arge wave of water swirled around him.


    He turned, walking away, his cyclone of water growingrger before he disappeared into the darkness.


    For a moment, I had wondered if the men would get distracted by the sirens, but they were not here to


    y, their attention on theirmanders.


    Hunter, who had just bid farewell to Charlene, looked more emotional than I had ever imagined he would,


    but the fear of not knowing if we‘d make it back alive was inside of every man and woman, regardless of


    how brave they were or appeared to be...


    I nodded before getting onto the ck stallion that awaited me. Although many would be attacking in wolf


    form, there were some who would shiftter, but for now would go on horseback


    As Champion, I had to give a word offort and confidence. I wasn‘t made for this... but for her, I would


    do it.


    I looked around, not everyone was in my line of sight but I spoke loud and clear, my voice powerful and


    full of certainty. “Our army is powerful, with every race on this ready to fight for the middle


    kingdom. An honour many would only wish to witness. Together we raise our swords against the enemy,


    but remember, we do not harm the women and children, but those who raise a weapon towards us. We


    fight for the betterment of our ownnds, and for the queen who has shown us nothing butpassion


    and kindness. May this union spread past our borders to other kingdoms! Tonight we ride for victory, for


    justice, and for a new dawn!”


    Only the shouts of support and confidence followed. Zarian, Hunter, Earendor, Darshian and Deliana all


    stepped forward. Ready to lead their ranks


    into war. Raiden would aim to free some of the Silver Storm on my signal, and lead them from within...


    We were ready.


    I gave the signal, before breaking into a gallop...


    Yileyna‘s cry for help had made me speed up, as we broke through the defence around the wall with


    ease. Arabe‘s spells resisted, but with thebined effort we blew up part of the wall, allowing us


    ess.


    He had his men on alert, and even when the bells of war rang in the air from the tower of the temple of


    Selene, we didn‘t slow down.


    I saw the st of power fill the sky from the castle far ahead, and my heart skipped a beat. It was


    followed by a blinding light. One that I knew was Yileyna‘s.


    I‘ll handle Arabe.‘ Her voice came through the bond.


    ‘I will meet you soon. Take care of yourself.‘ I replied before I rode faster.


    If she was using her power, it meant they had removed the cor.


    I was halfway to the castle when I felt the re of Arabe‘s power erupt in the air once more. The horse


    neighed and I pulled its reins, trying to calm him, before I cut through two of Theoden‘s men, feeling the


    darkness spreading.


    “Finally.”


    I turned to see Thea yielding a sword, cutting through another warrior as she burst out from the castle


    gates.


    “Be careful, I‘m going ahead. This battle ends if he dies.” I replied quietly.


    “Take care.” She whispered as she spun around. “Go, I‘ll hold them off!”


    I was worried for her, but I had to leave. I saw Ryan and Raiden jump from the wall and I felt a little more


    at ease.


    Blood sshed everywhere as I yed Theoden‘s men, galloping through to the courtyard.


    Alphas were sprawled on the floor, some bloody, some simply unconscious, whilst others engaged the


    enemy. My heart raced when I spotted Yileyna, encased in a shimmering shield of what looked like ice,


    her power radiating off her. She looked like a goddess, and if the matter wasn‘t so fucking dire, I would


    have spent a little more time admiring her.


    Parts of the castle walls were destroyed entirely. Wolves and men were fighting all around, to the point


    where I did not know friend from foe.


    I sensed him before I heard him, and I spun around, my eyes zing as I raised my sword that was


    coated in my ming aura. An aura that had turned into a deadly fire–like energy since she marked me.


    “You betrayed me.” He seethed, his eyes were filled with blistering rage as our weapons met.


    I looked at him with unmasked hatred as our weapons shed once more.


    “You betrayed me, Mom, Thalia, Thea, our entire fucking pack! You killed them all, and you


    think I would stay loyal to you? That I‘d never fucking find out?!“” His eyes zed orange as he stared


    into mine, with clear confusion and anger on his face. He killed the horse I was riding, and I jumped off,


    bringing my weapon down, but it was met by the barrier of darkness around him. I could see Yileyna


    fighting against Arabe but I could also see that thetter was holding strong. We needed to kill her first,


    and together, she was fucking powerful... “What are you?” Theoden hissed venomously as I blocked


    another swing of his sword.


    “The Queen‘s Champion, and the one who bears her mark.” I replied coldly. 1


    Anger shed in his eyes, and I mmed my sword down on his shoulder. It hit the shield of darkness


    that was coating him, doing nothing but send shock waves of pain through my arm. He cackled


    manically.


    “I will never die, Theon… Never!”


    “We‘ll see.” I challenged quietly. ‘Yileyna, encase him in ice, we deal with her first.‘


    ‘Got it.‘ She replied, raising her hand she turned her attention to Theoden.


    Arabe let out a cry of rage as she lunged at her, and a menacing growl left my lips. I was in front of


    Yileyna in a sh, bringing down my sword, she blocked, her eyes flitting to Theoden.


    Protecting him had been rooted so deeply into her. “Arabe!” Theoden hissed. She backed away from


    me, creating a shield as she whispered something, and that same darkness we felt in the forest began


    weighing down on us. She darted for Yileyna, but I intercepted her as Yileyna worked on the barrier of


    ice around Theoden, who was trying to get away. He shifted, roaring menacingly as he made to lunge at


    her. His powerful aura swirled around him, but I blocked him. 1


    A Naga came into view, and I almost prepared to defend myself on reflex, when he went for Theoden,


    but his teeth didn‘t prate the barrier.


    “What on Kadia...?” Theoden hissed as he pushed the Naga away. “Naga… here in Astalion...”


    Yileyna seemed shocked before a smile graced her face although she was still attacking Theoden. “We


    will fight by your side, Alpha Queen.” The Naga said, his strength immense as he knocked Theoden to


    the ground. Yileyna nodded turning her gaze back to 1 “We are not alone, Theoden. Truly every species


    is now here to defeat you.” She said icily


    She aimed a wave of ice shards at him but they simply deflected off the barrier. Taking the chance, I and


    the Naga pinned Theoden down. 1


    “Now!” I shouted.


    Two sirens were attacking Arabe, and then I saw Zarian race towards her, a powerful st of air


    pushing her back


    Yileyna ran over to us, taking the chance with the distraction Zarian had created, grabbing Theoden‘s


    head, she frowned in concentration. I could feel the darkness burn my skin as I kept


    Chim pinned down. Ice began spreading from her hands, only for Arabe to rip me away from


    Theoden.


    The Naga hissed, his tail knocking aside two of Theoden‘s men.


    “I‘m fine!” Yileyna called as Theoden‘s anger rose. “Evil will never conquer!” She jumped back, avoiding


    his attack, but despite Theoden struggling with the ice that now encased half of his body, he was no


    longer able to move. He tried to shift, and Yileyna tensed ready to act, only for a roar of pain to leave


    him. He fell forward, breathing hard, unable to move or shift back.


    If he didn‘t change back, he wouldn‘t be able tomand Arabe... I saw her throw Zarian to the


    ground, blood pooling around him, and I wasn‘t sure he was alive as I fought the darkness, my aura


    around me seemed to be the only thing keeping it at bay.


    “Zarian!” Yileyna screamed at the same time Arabe seemed to realise Theoden’s situation.


    “Master!” She shouted, wiping blood from her face where Zarian had managed to leave a mark, her eyes


    full of hatred as she turned towards Yileyna. “You hurt him.”


    Her voice was sinister and full of hatred.


    But with Theoden out of the way, both mine and Yileyna‘s attention were now upon her.


    We fought the darkness, giving it our all. We were a blur of attacks and defence.


    Attack after attack she countered, I could see the wolves around us dropping, unable to stay upright with


    the darkness that had wiped out all light that once lit up the courtyard.


    We were thrown back once more, but we both grabbed onto whatever we could to stop ourselves from


    being thrown further.


    “Give me your hand!” I shouted to Yileyna as she tried to create ice to hold onto, and failed.


    Our eyes met, her hair whipping around her. Her crown was gone, and her hair had mostlye


    undone.


    “Ice and Fire?” She said softly, holding her hand out to me. 1


    Try what we had back in Naran?


    It might work...


    I nodded, taking her hand and pulling her close as I got my footing. Holding her tight, she raised her


    arms, summoning her abilities as she pushed against the darkness that was attacking us violently. We


    both looked at Arabe, who was beginning to chant something. We focused all our power together and


    gave it our all. The blinding light of our powersbined hit her powerfully, but I could feel the barrier


    that was now whirling around her. It wasn‘t working. ‘Help ising.’ Yileyna murmured through the link


    as we were both thrown back again.


    Flying debris filled the air, and I saw pieces of rock slicing into her bare arms. Theoden‘s roar caught my


    attention, and I realised the Naga by his side was dead. He was beginning to break through the ice. The


    pir I was braced against ripped into the air,


    lmocking us both to the ground. “Theon... mark me.” Yileyna said suddenly.


    “What?” I asked sharply.


    “It will strengthen me. Complete it!” She shouted as a dome of darkness crashed down around the


    courtyard, just as I saw the brilliant trident with electricity wrapped around it hit the dome. Deliana‘s


    scream of frustration reached our ears before she was thrown off.


    Fuck, we could have used another hand. I looked around as Theoden shifted back to his human form,


    his eyes burning with rage as he honed in on me. I had to do it. Arabe rushed over to Theoden, and


    they said something which I couldn‘t hear, before I looked into Yileyna‘s eyes. It was just us against


    them... “Shield.” Imanded quietly as I stood from where we had been brought to our knees. Yileyna


    raised her hand, and although Arabe was fast to act, a blinding circr dome of ice encased us and I


    slowly pulled her to her feet. My heart was racing as I realised if I marked her... we were tied forever... 1


    A dream that I didn‘t deserve...


    She reached up, the white glow of the ice dome made her skin sparkle as she cupped my face, her chest


    heaving “Theon, do it now.” She whispered, looking down.


    I took hold of her wrists and stared into the eyes of the one woman who meant everything to


    1. me.


    “Another unconventional ce.” I murmured, knowing I was stalling, but when Theoden began


    hammering on the dome, I knew we didn‘t have time.


    “With the one I love.”


    “I want to let you know that I loved you long before I ever admitted... When I left you at the cabin.... it


    fucking hurt. That is a moment I‘ll never forget and always regret.” 2


    A crack began appearing in the dome, but Yileyna smiled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.


    “Then let‘s go back to that cabin.” She whispered. “But this time,e home, tell me I cooked your


    favourite dish. Tell me that you love me every night, and when I awake, be there with me.


    “Even though I don‘t deserve you?” I asked quietly, my voice thick with emotions I failed to hide.


    “You do. You are the only man I want.” She whispered,


    “Then I may just be fucking selfish and take what I want.” I growled huskily.


    Tangling my fingers into her hair and tugging her head to the side, a little roughly just like she liked it,


    making her gasp. She twisted her hand into my hair as I leaned down, sinking my


    teeth into her neck just as the dome above us shattered..