Page 7 of Shadows of Light
“Orin,” Lexi warned. “Continued fighting will only get more of us killed and never heal the realms.”
“And rewarding those who fought on the Lord’s side will make us look weak.”
“Mending old wounds is not a sign of weakness,” her dad said as he strolled toward them. “It’s a sign of forgiveness, moving on, and learning to live with each other.”
She didn’t know where her dad was before this, but dirt streaked his face and blood stained his clothes. He must have been working to help bury the dead, but she was surprised he didn’t come as soon as a giant entered the realm.
Something more than the dead must have kept him occupied. When she frowned questioningly at him, he gave a subtle shake of his head and rested a hand on her arm before releasing her.
Lexi shifted her attention back to Gibborim when he spoke again. “You’re right, vampire, and the Shadow Realms need mending after the Lord’s rule.”
“A rule you helped him keep,” Orin retorted.
“That is enough,” Brokk cautioned.
Lexi rolled her eyes when he and Orin glared at each other. They would each kill anyone who tried to hurt the other, but sometimes, they would gladly murder each other.
“It is enough,” Lexi said before turning to Gibborim. “You want your queen.”
Gibborim bowed his head. “We would like our queen. You know why we didn’t stand with you against the Lord, though we did hope for you to win. Now, we ask you to find it in your heart to forgive us for choosing to save our queen from the Lord’s wrath.
“Our king is dead—the Lord killed him—but our queen lives, and we want to bring her home. She’s a fair ruler, loyal, and kindhearted. In return, if you should require anything at all, the giants will help you.”
“Who are you to promise such a thing?” Orin inquired.
Lexi wanted to tell him to shut up and stop trying to cause problems, but he had a point. She almost looked to her dad, but she couldn’t rely on others to help her rule.
Kings and queens had advisors, and she would have them too, but in the end, the final decision would always come down to her and Cole… if he ever returned. Besides, she already knew her dad’s opinion on this; he’d stated it as he approached.
“She is my sister, and while you’re right, I cannot promise she will follow what the others and I have all agreed to pledge to you, but I can promise to talk to her about it… if she disagrees. I don’t think she will.
“Things will be challenging for her without her husband. She’ll require time to come to terms with the loss, but she’ll also seek peace in the realms. It’s all she’s ever wanted. It’s why the Lord punished her and her husband and put the rest of us under his thumb.”
Lexi pondered this information. “And will you all turn against us if she does?”
Gibborim closed his eye and bowed his head. “No.”
He could easily break his promise, but it was something, and most immortals took their vowsveryseriously, which was why marriage was so sacred amongst them. But in the game of politics and pawns, things were much different than matters of the heart.
However, she believed Gibborim was a man of honor and his word. It would upset him to go against his queen and sister, but he would.
“I’m not sure where your queen is,” Lexi admitted, “but we will find her.”
“I will take you to her,” Alina said.
Gibborim’s eyebrows rose when Alina spoke. He might topple over if someone climbed up to push on his shoulder. She understood how he felt; she’d experienced the same shock when she first heard Alina talk.
“Thank you,” Lexi said.
Alina unfurled her wings and launched into the air. As she rose, two other dragons landed to stand near Lexi. They each took a position of guard and eyed the giant like they were about to slice out his other eye.
Alina turned to the side and headed back toward the palace. Her bright red scales shone in the sunlight, and her yellow belly glistened. She was a beautiful dragon, and pride swelled in Lexi as she watched her soar.
“Thank you,” Gibborim said before rising.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Lexi replied. “I have no idea what the Lord has done with her ortoher.”
A pained expression crossed Gibborim’s face before he nodded.
