Page 62 of Clash of Kingdoms

“Atticus is okay too,” she added.

All of that was good news, but there was still someone left. “Aurelias? His brothers?”

Mother went quiet, like she was speaking to Storm. “He said he’s not sure. He’s not familiar with them.”

I had so much to be grateful for, but I felt like I’d been delivered horrible news. I turned to look at Larisa, Clara, and Fang as they stood near one side of the table. Their eyes were heavy like mine. “Can you ask Storm to go back? We need to know.”

“They’ll be on their way back by now,” Grandmother said. “Everyone is in need of sustenance and rest. If they are alive, they’ll be here soon.”

My heart had plummeted into my stomach, because that could take at least a day.

“I’m sure they’re okay, Harlow,” Mother said. “Of all the soldiers on that battlefield, they’re the strongest.”

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if Aurelias had died because I’d asked him to protect my father. His death would be my fault, and it would eat me alive from the inside out.

“We’ve emerged victorious, and our loved ones are returning to us,” Mother said. “We have much to be grateful for.”

“How many men did we lose?” Grandmother asked.

Mother hesitated, communicating with Storm in silence. She closed her eyes as she told us. “Over half.”

“Oh no…” I inhaled a slow breath, the loss like a whip across the back.

It was silent, the news devastating.

We’d won the war, but we’d lost our people. Even if the demons were truly vanquished and peacetime had arrived, it would take generations to rebuild our population, generations for families to heal.

I knew my father’s heart, and I knew he hurt more than anyone else. He hurt as much as the mother who’d lost her son. The father who’d lost his daughter. The brother who’d lost his twin. He hurt as they all did, just as he would have if he’d lost us.

I knew he was broken. Completely and utterly.

The next day, we heard the horn to sound their arrival. The gates opened to allow the survivors inside HeartHolme. Riders rode in, all of the soldiers weary on their steeds, their armor dented and covered with mud.

I witnessed the aftermath of war firsthand—and it felt nothing like a victory. Every soldier wore a haze in their eyes, like all they could see were the horrors they’d witnessed. Some were injured, their arms in slings. Some had faces so bloody they could barely see.

I pitied them, but what I cared most about was one face in particular. I stared at the soldiers as they entered the gate and waited for that face to come through. I stood with Larisa, who had Fang around her shoulders, and Clara beside me.

Larisa spoke. “Fang says Kingsnake approaches with both Cobra and Aurelias. They’re at the back of the line.”

I closed my eyes and felt the painful ache of relief. It’d been the longest day of my life waiting for that news. More soldiers filed in, and finally, Aurelias and his brothers entered last, just as dirty and banged-up as everyone else.

The relief I felt at the sight of him…was indescribable. I wanted to swallow his body with mine and be connected forever. I wanted to feel him in my arms and never let go. The urge to bring us close together was irresistible.

His eyes locked on mine, and I swore I could feel exactly what he felt.

He dismounted the horse and handed it off to the stable hand before he walked to me.

Fang had already left Larisa’s shoulders and slithered rapidly across the ground to snake up Kingsnake’s body and wrap around his shoulders, squeezing his neck to hug him.

I rushed into Aurelias and collided with his armor. It was covered in dirt and it transferred to my clothes, but I didn’t care. I rose on my tiptoes and kissed him hard on the mouth, not caring that my mother and grandmother were there to witness the inappropriate display of affection.

Aurelias didn’t seem to care either, because he cupped my face and kissed me just as hard, his arm circling my waist to bring me in as close as possible. The sound of the soldiers coming home was quiet now that we were locked together, as if we were all alone.

Aurelias was the first one to pull away, his hand still on my cheek.

I stared into his eyes and treasured the sight of his handsome face, the brightness in his dark eyes, the drops of mud on his cheek. “Thank you for protecting him.”

“He’s a strong fighter. Held his own well.” His hand dropped from my cheek.