Chapter 15
Nicholas wasn't sure whether he was happy or angry that they had been right. Sure enough, as soon as they reached Cole's room, they knew that Thomas and Cole were inside. And from the crashing, his father was likely in there as well, in dragon form.
“Should we?” Nicholas asked. Alexander nodded, glancing to Peter for agreement. Ariel stepped as far back as she could, and they stretched their necks, giving each other room.
“I'm impressed with how you can control your powers,” Rosa said, as the princes began their transformation. “I didn't realize it before. But being around you, you are completely in control and you can flex it. That's rare.”
“Practice,” Ariel said, grimly. “More than I would like. In the recent months, I've tried to control it even more around Alexander, just in case.”
“Hopefully, all that practice comes in handy at the moment,” Rosa answered. Ariel winced, watching, with her arms crossed.
“They say practice makes perfect,” she said. “But to what end?”
Once the three dragons were standing in the hallway, they checked in with each other, waiting half a moment.
And then they stormed the door, breaking it down.
King Richard was standing in the middle of the room. Both Thomas and Cole were bounded as Alexander had been. They were injured, but alive, frantic for help.
Ah, my boys are all together. Richard looked at the three majestic dragons in front of him. His long neck swiveled down to look at Rosa. His eyes flared, recognizing that the magic had finally reached its peak. Immortality.
Is that really what you want, Father? Peter distracted him with a slight step to the left. The throne is terribly exhausting.
Of course, you think that. You were never properly prepared. You hate what you are.
Do I? Peter cocked his head. Or did I just hate what you tried to make me?
Richard focused on Peter for a moment and then turned his head back to Rosa, trying not to be distracted.
You fashioned him into a tyrant, Alexander put in, circling him. When in truth, he's a much better king than you could ever dream to be.
Richard snapped at Rosa, and she jumped, trying to be brave. Nicholas got in his way, his nostrils flaring.
Why don't you give up, Father? He asked. You can't win.
You forget, boy, Richard said. I taught you everything that you know. I know how you move. I know how you fight. I know how you think.
Do you? Alexander taunted him. Do you think we take after you?
I think we take after Mother, rest her soul, Peter said.
The conversation was hard to follow; Richard's head going every which way. Ariel pushed herself up against the wall, taking a step and then another one and another. She was edging behind Richard, moving carefully, one leg behind the other.
Rosa snuck toward Thomas and Cole. She didn't dare take off their bonds for fear that Richard might notice. But she thought she could channel their power better if she was touching them.
She didn't need to touch Charity, for they were forever bonded as mother and child. Even apart from her, she could feel Charity's heartbeat in her own and feel her life force growing stronger with every moment.
She crouched down very slowly, almost not moving. Luckily, Cole picked up on what she was doing and leaned in, touching her. Thomas did the same, and she felt their magic flow through her.
This was much different than when she had two bodies of magic in her. Those didn't belong there and had made her sick. But this way, it flowed through her and out her fingertips, growing every second. A gift, rather than a duty. A choice, rather than a punishment for being alive.
She could see the scene in her head half a second before it played out. She knew, somehow, that Peter was going to step to the right and Alexander to the left.
Ariel had made her way behind Richard, and had her arms spread out, ready to grab his massive sides.
Rosa nodded very subtly to her, and Ariel tensed.
This was it; it was now or ever.
Peter did exactly as she predicted he would. Nicholas ducked, Alexander moved to the other side, and she shoved every bit of magic forward.
To her surprise, it was white as well–pure.
“AHHHH!” she cried, as it shot from her hands and hit Richard square in the chest.
It was an explosion; it was fireworks–pain and pleasure all at once. He rose half a meter off the ground, Rosa's magic filling him.
This was for Charity, for the Halloways, for all the carapaces that he had murdered. This was for Nicholas, for Peter, for Cole and Alexander. This was for her sisters-in-law who had to live in the hell Richard had created.
She wasn't sure how long it was. Her arms grew tired, but she didn't waver, focusing on her goal.
And then, in another second, it was over. Richard was gone as if he had never existed, fading quickly.
Ariel fell backward, her head slamming into the wall. The windows shattered, and the bedframe collapsed with a terrible crunch.
And then there was silence.
“He's gone,” Rosa said, in shock. “He's just gone.”
She turned to take Cole's gag off, operating on autopilot. He sputtered, shaking his hair.
“Into the Other,” Cole said. “I felt it.”
“I killed him.” She had never killed anyone before. It felt shocking, and yet, peaceful. He couldn't stay here; he was ruining their lives. He didn't belong here.
She hadn't expected to feel this way the first time she killed someone. She knew as a witch, a supernatural creature, it would eventually happen. But now, she was in peace, knowing that she had done the right thing for her child.
“You sent him back to a place that he had already gone,” Cole replied. “That was all. Welcome back, Halloway.”
“Ariel!” Alexander had shifted back to human and rushed to his wife.
“Ah.” Her eyes were fluttering open. She had gotten a good knock on the head, but she was already moving. “Damn it.”
“You did so well, my love,” he kissed her head. Rosa smiled as Nicholas came toward her.
“I think that is the first time that Alexander has said he loved her.”
“We dragons are loving creatures,” he took her in his arms. “Very loving. I am so proud of you, my love.”
He wrapped her in a hug as Cole moved over to undo Thomas' bonds.
“I can't believe that we did it,” Rosa said. “I can't believe, all these years….”
“This is what you were meant to do,” he said. “You saved us.”
“Not just me,” she said, humble as ever. “We all played our part. And we couldn't do it without each other.”
“Ah, my love,” he couldn't stop holding her, kissing her. He never wanted to be separated from her again. “I love you. I love you. I can't think of anything else to say.”
“Let's go see our daughter,” she said into his ear. “That's all I want to do.”
“Yes, I agree,” he finally managed to tear himself from her neck and shifted to let her take his arm.
All around him, everyone was standing, recovering. In a reverse of power, Ariel was in Alexander's arms. He was taking no chances with her head, although he looked like he'd rather cuddle her all night than take her to the sick bay.
“I can't believe we are finally free of him,” Cole said as they walked. “Although, it is just like him to come back uninvited.”
“He won't come back,” Rosa assured him. “Not with the four of us here. Even if the Other spits him out again, it won't be hard. Your rule,” she turned to Peter, “is secure.”
“For now,” Peter said, with a soft smile. “No rule is ever secure. But I think mine is as safe as it can be.”
“I want to thank you all for not throwing me in with him,” Thomas suddenly spoke up.
“And how will you repay us, Thomas?” Yvette turned to him, a small smile on her face. She knew that there was good in him, deep down. Thomas only wanted a life where he was treated well; where he could be himself. He had never meant to hurt them. He only wanted to be free, and now he was.
Thomas surprised them by getting down on one knee, his head bowed.
“I promise you, I shall be your loyal servant. In anything that you need.”
“Mm,” Peter said, hugging his queen. “Since you did provide us such information, perhaps I can trust you again. In a position closer to the palace.”
“What?” Thomas' head shot up.
“Yes,” Peter mused, looking to Yvette. “Perhaps you would like to resume your post as a warrior in my army.”
“My Lord,” Thomas sputtered. “I would be honored.”
“Excellent,” Peter said. “Then rise. You shall return to your position as a lieutenant in the army.”
“Thank you,” Thomas said, rising.
Yvette and Enya had kept their promise, and they proudly handed Charity back to Rosa, safe and sound.
“Thank you,” she said, and Enya smiled.
“I have a feeling that we have a lot more to thank you for.”
The moment that Charity was put back in her arms was the happiest moment in Rosa's life. She felt complete as she turned to Nicholas.
“We will make this world a beautiful place for her,” he said, as the others gave them a moment to be reunited with their child. “A beautiful place that she can rule over, with a fair and just hand.”
“I just want her to be happy,” Rosa said. “And free.”
Nicholas kissed his wife's head. “I will always give her those things, no matter what our position in this world.”
The others came forward then to revel in the newest heir to the throne. Nicholas convinced Rosa to let her go for another moment, drawing his wife into his arms.
“Well,” he said, “when she grows up, we can tell her quite an entertaining story about her birth.”
“Not a story most children want to hear,” Rosa rubbed her nose against his. “But I think in this case, we can make an exception.”
“She and her siblings will have quite the experience,” Nicholas grinned. Rosa choked.
“Sorry, her siblings?” she asked. “Nicholas, she's not a day old.”
“Well,” he replied. “We better start planning at the very least. I want so many that the throne room will be full.”
She chuckled, leaning in to kiss him. She didn't know what the future held. She was sure there would be more challenges. They might even see Richard again, if they were so unlucky. But whatever the future brought, she knew they would be able to stand tall and face it together. Together, with Charity between them, they could do anything they set their hearts to, for love could conquer all.
***THE END***