“What’s happening, Jazmin?” Caderyn asks.
“Look at the shadows, Caderyn!” Jaz points.
Hundreds of darkened shapes some dressed for War, some dressed in cloaks, but all are showing anger and hurt in their eyes. Angels, vampires, beasts, and dark Fae, all glowering at the Vale and those who hide behind it.
“You have my sword, My Queen,” Reese says, stepping to her side, followed by the Angel, Morgan.
“Reese!” Joy explodes when she realizes he is free. Reese bows and turns back to look at the threat.
“What are they?” Caderyn asks staring at the shadows beyond the Vale.
“They are the fallen Fae who’ve returned for retribution,” Morgan says with fury in his eyes.
The sound of Drakes’ voice rings out, “Brothers and sisters of the Vale, you see before you the shadows of what used to be Fae. They betrayed my sister, to her death! They conspired to kill my mate, your new Queen. Now, they come to attack our children, our families and destroy our race. Show them no mercy!” he roars. Their voices join the King ready for justice.
Reese watches and knows what they do not, the numbers are too great and the betrayal deeper than they realize. He stays close to the Queen.
Caderyn watches the Guardsmen join their King as they prepare for battle and she looks at Reese. How many of the shadows were innocent like him? He was betrayed by his people, lost his mate and children, yet here he stands, protecting his Queen once more. Loyalty and honor, that is what she sees in the Fae.
She flashes in front of Drake, “Do you trust me, my King?” Caderyn asks.
“With my life,” he states with no hesitation. Her beautiful smile could light the universe he thinks.
“Ask me now, Drake.” She says looking at his crown.
He drops to his knees, and a matching crown materializes in his hand. “Be My Queen Caderyn, My Mate, my Life and guardian of our people?”
Caderyn drops to her knees, “I will be your Queen, your Mate, and you will be my life. I will protect our people with my life and always put them first.”
Drake lowers the crown to Caderyn’s head and leans to kiss her. Just before his lips touch hers, she whispers, “Catch me, my love!” and she launches towards heaven.
The King is startled for a moment but quickly takes up the chase. Two shooting stars dance, twirling across the sky. This is no ordinary dance amongst the cosmos; this is a call for help. Caderyn shows Drake her plan, with a smile, he takes the lead, and she follows.
Chapter 15
The shadows watch as the King and Queen abandon the Vale. Shock rumbles across the crowd and Bastian moves forward with the Guardsmen, ready to fight. “Let me reason with them,” Reese pleads. Bastian agrees and gives the order to wait as Reese steps through the Vale to face the enemy.
“You have come to your people with the false information,” Reese yells to the gathered. “Our Queen accused you of crimes you did not commit, betrayed you, and forced you to leave your families. This was the result of one sick Fae, not an entire race. She has been punished for her crimes. I tell you there is another way. War is not the answer!”
One of the shadows steps forward wearing a long black cloak. She pushes the hood back revealing long blonde hair, and emerald green eyes. Doubt fills her eyes, “I am Aiden. Can we come home, Reese?”
“We will discuss our options when the King and Queen return. Right now, we need to focus on the present moment,” Reese explains.
Another shadow steps out yelling, “It is as I thought. Half-truths and empty promises! Why would we go back to being prisoners? Out here we are free!”
Aiden steps to the Vale afraid to touch, but longing fills every fiber of her being. She sees home and on the other side, family and friends. “I want to go home. I am not shadow!”
Her pain beats at Reese, “I understand Aiden, and you will not be alone anymore. We will figure this out together, as a people. United, not divided!”
The sound of clapping echoes throughout the Vale. “That is a perfect speech, truly, but we are through hiding from humanity!” Fallen angels land, shadows of what they once were. All beauty, light, and peace are gone; replaced by rage, lust, envy, and greed. They are demons, shaded by hate and hungry for immortal blood.
“We no longer need to fear the Vale!” The Shadow screams as he reaches inside of his cloak and jerks out the Khae-Tri!
“We now hold the power to cross the Vale!” A resounding cheer flows from the shadow ranks, and Reese stares in horror at the Queen’s dagger.
The shadow leaps at Reese, intending to plunge the dagger into his heart, but Aiden screams and throws her body in front of his. She takes the blow meant for Reese, and he catches her in his arms lowering her to the ground. His rage knows no bounds; he wipes her beautiful tears and pulls the Khae-tri free, launching himself at the Shadow.
Bastian gives the battle cry, and the Fae pour through the Vale, as Morgan leaps to fight the Fallen. A shaft of brilliant light breaks through the chaos and all movement stops. The Fae King rockets to the earth, and the sky becomes illuminated by shooting comets. They rain down around the shadows and fallen, completely cutting off any chance of escape. Rising up out of the dust and debris are the Warriors of Heaven. Morgan joins his brethren
