Page 157 of Lethal Souls

“She’s alive,” some whisper.

“Our queen lives!” others cry out.

Hassha pulls away from her first in command, eyeing me and Caz. “It’s nice seeing you two like this.” A grin splits her face as she peers up at us. “Love of Vakeeli. Was I really that tall?”

Caz laughs. “Oh yeah. You were, trust me.”

Hassha winks. “Suits you.”

“How did you manage this?” he asks, looking her over.

“By separating the energy from the body,” she answers. “I created a commoner version of myself a long time ago. It was simply a vessel waiting to be used. It had no life. No purpose. I hid it in Kessel, deep in on of the caves. My physical body and energy may be stripped away, but my mind remains. Can you imagine me forcing my thoughts onto my daughters? They’d curse me for the rest of their lives.”

I laugh.

“I wish Yuri would’ve considered that,” Caz chuckles.

Hassha steps closer, clasping Caz’s face in her hands. “This is your world to lead now, Caspian. I have full faith in you.”

He nods. His emotions are all over the place. “I’ll do my best to make this world worth living in again.”

“I know you will.” Hassha’s eyes slide my way. “And I’m sure your mate will support you in every endeavor you take.” When she steps in front of me, she takes my face in her hands too and sighs. Her bottom lip trembles, and I can’t fight the blur that blocks my vision. I blink it away, but the tears accumulate again, despite it.

“What about Korah?” I wonder. “Will she come back?”

Hassha’s face saddens. “I’m afraid not. You have her energy and you are her vessel. Her thoughts will come to you soon enough.”

“Oh.”

“But don’t worry,” she goes on. “This is exactly what she wanted. After what happened to Warren, she wanted nothing more than for you to survive. Don’t think of this as a sacrifice. Think of this as a union. Korah lives in you—I feel her now. I see her. So long as you do what’s just, so long as you spread the good and fight for what’s right, she’ll aways be there.”

Before my tears can fall, Hassha reels me forward and hugs me. Her words bring me so much comfort and joy. And after spending time with Korah and training with her, I realize she was preparing me for this moment.

These powers.

This magic.

This energy.

She was investing herself in me because she considered me worthy.

Hassha leaves me to hug and speak to everyone in her tribe. She kisses the heads of her warriors, and though she’s simply a commoner, she still drips with royalty.

Regardless of having none of her power, she will always be respected. And now she gets to enjoy a normal life, all while teaching her daughters how to harness the gift she’s given them.

I can see the twins now. They’ll grow up and become powerful leaders. They’ll be unstoppable, and if they ever need anything, Caz and I will be right behind them.

When the time comes, I wave goodbye to the tribe as the ship departs. Caz holds me closely, stroking my shoulder as he waves too. This isn’t a permanent goodbye, but seeing them go makes our reality much clearer.

We’re the beings in charge now. We’re the protectors of this world. And, by The Regals, we’ll do everything in our power to restore the peace.

I look up at Caz as he looks down at me. “You ready to take this new journey with me?” he asks, stroking my chin.

I smile, craning my neck to kiss his soft lips. “You better believe I am.”

NINETY-SIX

WILLOW