"You've done good little bird, now fly far away from here and find safety." I release the Soul Keeper back out the window and unroll the parchment.
We will be there. By the time you get this letter, we will be approaching the gates. We will wait for dusk. I'm bringing help. -W
My head tilts back, and I stare up at the ceiling, feeling a wash of emotions. I hold the parchment to my chest as my breath quickens, and I pull back the tears I want to cry. We won't be alone, which makes this battle all the easier to walk into. It doesn't mean we will win, but it means we haven't been left behind. The people haven't been left behind.
With a shaking hand, I hold my palm out, placing the piece of parchment on top. I muster a small flame of my energy and watch as the paper floats up, burning until it finally falls to ash. I tap the dagger against my thigh and nod my head, resolute in the future. Right now, I need to find Kane and let him know what's going to happen. We need to be ready.
Hurrying out of my room, I go to turn right toward the tombs, figuring Kane is in one of the rooms along the way, but the sound of his voice stops me. Quietly I walk toward the throne room, pausing outside of the doors. Drogaem and Kane are arguing, which is something new considering Drogaem just usually tortures him.
"You fool," Drogaem bellows. "Why would you think that I give any care about the souls in this kingdom? The souls are the same that let me die. They are the ones that called for my death. They will find the same wrath that all the others do."
Kane laughs. "And then who will you rule upon? Who will your subjects be if you kill them all? Who will you bring to the underworld if all the humans are dead?"
Drogaem scoffs, throwing his hands up. "You think that I'm stupid enough to kill everyone? They will be my slaves. They will be my servants. They will live how I tell them to live. They will take the torture when I tell them to take the torture. This world will be mine, and everyone in it will fear me. I will take what I want and do what I want because I am the King."
"You'll never truly be the King," Kane replies. "Someone of your moral stature and inability to do what kings need to do may call themselves that, but will never truly be seen as that."
I grab the doorframe, ready to jump in as Drogaem charges at Kane. However, before I can, one of his soldiers walks up behind him, putting his hand on Drogaem's shoulder. He bends down and whispers into his ear, and I watch, wondering what he's saying. I need Kane to know that help is coming, and it's coming today. There's no use in picking a fight that will end in someone's death before the troops arrive.
Thankfully, Drogaem gives Kane a side glance and then walks away, exiting out of the back of the throne room. I step around the corner, and Kane shakes his head at me. "He deserves everything that's coming to him."
"Did you actually think that you could talk him out of it?"
Kane scoffs. "Of course not. The more time I can take of his, the less time he's planning. I don't know how long it will take until we hear back from Willem, if we ever do."
"We just did," I say, watching his eyes grow wide.
He hurries toward me, taking me by the arm gently and pulling me down the hall until we reach our room. He shuts the door, locks it, grasping my hands in his. "What did he say? How did you get a message?"
I glance over at the window. "The Soul Keeper brought it. Willem is coming, and he's bringing help. The message says that by the time we get the letter, they will be nearing the gates. They will attack at dusk."
Kane's head hangs, and I can see a bit of relief wash over him. He puts his arms out and pulls me into a tight hug. I lean my head against his shoulder, feeling his warmth and comfort. We both know we aren't prepared. We're tired, and not just physically but mentally. None of that matters, our love for each other, and our love for this kingdom, and all the others, means that no matter how exhausted we get, we fight on.
Kane pulls back and holds my face in his hands, pressing his lips to my cheek. He moves up, kissing my eyelids, across my nose, and then pulls me back into a hug. Of course, the heat and passion is always there, but this is the first time that he shows me affection that's felt emotional, beyond our rising passion for each other. My love for him has deepened. Our connection is stronger than it's ever been before. There is no doubt in my mind that it will continue to strengthen, and if I can't push Drogaem from my soul, our connection will eventually push him out. Of course, I don't plan on waiting that long.
"When the battle begins, and we know they'll be a battle, I want you to be safe. Don't be a hero. I want to know that you're safe."
I look into Kane's eyes, contemplating my response. I want to tell him that I will be at the front lines, but I know that's stupid of me. I nod my head and smile, giving him a kiss on the cheek. We share this lie, both of us fully knowing that when the battle is raging, I'm going to hunt Drogaem down. He knows that I will
