75. The Pain Inside

ROYCE.

The only way to end this… is his death.

The moment is before me as he lays there

bleeding out, and it hurts.

Despite everything he has done and I know he deserves what is coming, but… he is still my

brother.

I look at her as I pass her the sword, hiding the pain in my chest.

For her, I need to stay strong.

You’ve hidden your emotions for years, Royce. What are a few more moments?

I look into her eyes, which are now green, but they remain cat-like.

“Let’s do this.” I say.

I look at Aleric as he lays there on the floor, trying to get up when he sees us approaching, but he is beyond the point of recovering, and it’s clear Apophis is focusing on the barrier…

The darkness that is pushing against the barrier is spreading from Aleric.

“Break his tie from this world and it will

weaken him.” Skyla murmurs.

“For the Gods,” I say quietly as I place my hand

over hers.

We raise the sword as one and I look down at

him. Our eyes meet and I remember the little

boy who once played by my side. 5

The one I sparred against, the friendly competition, the pranks we’d pull… the way he always tried to protect me.

“Apophis!” He hisses. The darkness seems to spread, returning around him with vengeance and he begins laughing brokenly.

Too weak to do anything, but his confidence in the snake god remains.

“Kill me then, if you can,” Aleric says, his eyes locked with mine.

you took everything I

wanted… you even

nothing more than

my mate… you are

selfish… you always have

been…”

brings me from my thoughts and I realise I’ve frozen. “We

glance around and see

blacked out.

a shaky exhale. I could talk big, say I will kill, but when the time is

I say quietly, as I close my eyes and we raise the sword. My hand is over hers, and her power surges through the blade as we plunge it

chilling voice that makes me ill every time I hear

‘NO!’

and stare into Aleric’s

lighten around us are shrill and ear-splitting, but I’m unable to

is staring back at

before my eyes. 13

think I’d

on her hand and the sword as I fall to

down, cupping my face, and I look into

so sorry.” She

shake my head. This is

as I press my fists to

truly is no victory

SKYLA.

to see him so broken; he was acting strong when

the life of my sibling, even if someone is bad… they are still our loved

feel that guilt every time

his mother…

had no option, but that is something he will carry with him for

even

pain.

stopped, but his

bowed.

shake my head. Even if he’s injured, now

sorry, your majesty…” one of the

man says quietly. “We

out, kissing Royce’s neck from behind as I keep my hold on him tight until I sense Catherine approaching. That is when I let go of him. No matter how hard it is, they need one another

as

did what you had to.” She says through

into her embrace. 3

my back on them, to give. them space to mourn their loss, unable to stop my own tears from

why must they suffer… at least

hug her tightly, trying

time in

something

what it means when they say, every life you take stays with

Solaris King, was

away from Mama as I stare at the man who has spoken.

Are they that stupid?

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