As one, Gerick and his warriors knelt, their swords in front of them, tips on the ground and their heads bowed. “Your warriors give you our fealty, Queen Lilly,” Gerick said as he laid his sword down, the hilt facing her. “Our blades are yours.” The rest of the warriors did the same.
The rest of the warlocks all around her dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. Lilly’s heart beat hard in her chest as she watched in awe. The traitor’s blood on her hands was drying, growing sticky, but she ignored it, humbled by her people’s trust in her.
“I believe you have your answer,” Peri said. “Although this shouldn’t have to be declared again, I’ll do it anyway. “I present to you of the warlock race”—she gestured around at them—“Lilly of the sprites, mate to Cypher, mother of Jacquelyn, Alpha female of the Romania pack, grandmother of Slate, Prince of the Romania pack, and Queen of the warlocks.”
Chapter 16
“Endings are painful. They usually mean there is some sort of loss to be felt. They bring change that, even if welcome, means saying goodbye to something else. But endings are also beginnings. Interestingly enough, beginnings aren’t always joyous, hopeful, or wanted. They are simply inevitable. Every day is an ending, and every new day is a beginning. As soon as a new life is brought into this world, it has already begun marching toward its ending, leading to its eventual death. So, perhaps it isn’t only endings that are painful. Beginnings, too, come with their own bit of anguish.” ~Lilly
Lilly entered her chambers and closed the door slowly behind her. Her eyes were on the floor, her mind lost in thought. It had been two days since she’d killed Lysander, and the other clans had once again assembled in her mountain. Since Lysander had conveniently left them in the dark, they had to be informed of all that had happened, and they needed to be present to witness Clan Lowthorne’s appointment of a new leader.
The meeting had been a success. Eliminating Lysander had proven to the other clan leaders and the warlock people Lilly could and would lead them, especially in this uncertain time of dealing with the Order. Without hesitation, they’d all pledged their fealty to her. The queen was grateful. She was humbled. And even with the presence of Perizada, who represented the fae, and Lucian, who spoke for the Romanian Canis lupus, Lilly still felt alone. She continued to wonder how she was going to do this.
“You are never alone, Lilly. I haven’t lost sight of you.”
Lilly raised her head at the sound of the goddess’s voice. The Great Luna stood in the middle of the room, her glory painful to look at. Lilly dropped her eyes as tears formed in them.
“Your heart hurts,” the Great Luna said.
Lilly nodded. “It does.”
“I know your pain. I’ve cried every tear with you.”
“Can I ask why?” Lilly said, her voice filled with the pain that was her constant companion even now, over two months since losing her love. “Why him? Our time together was too short.”
“Would it ever have been long enough?” the goddess asked.
Lilly laughed, though it was humorless. “No,” she answered, shaking her head. “An eternity would not have been enough.” Her stomach clenched as thoughts of her mate assaulted her mind. She missed him with every cell in her body.
“There is no answer I can provide that will give you peace, Lilly. It was Cypher’s time to come home. Every one of my children has an appointed time. What I do, why I do it, will not always make sense to you. You can only see a piece of the puzzle, while I see the entirety. What I can offer you is my love and knowledge that I always have your best interest at heart. That since I formed you, my thoughts and plans for you have only ever been for your good.
“It might not feel like it now, but the pain will get better. He will forever be a part of you, and one day you will be reunited. His tasks are finished. Yours are only beginning. And you are going to do great things, Lilly of the warlocks. I have placed you where you are for such a time as this. You shall lead your people. You will keep them focused on the path I have set for them, and they will be a light in a world filled with darkness. Let nothing cover that light. Let nothing put it out. And never forget that I love you. I have loved you since before you were born, and I will love you when I call you home.”
Lilly felt arms around her as the warmth of the Great Luna’s presence faded. Cypher was there. She cried harder and wrapped her arms around him as he pulled her tightly against his body. “This is it, isn’t it?” she whispered into his chest.
“I told you I would be with you for as long as you needed me,” Cypher said, his lips touching her hair as he spoke.
“I will never stop needing you.” Lilly clung to him, as if she could somehow keep him with her. “Never.”
“You are so much stronger than you realize, my precious Lilly.” Cypher released her and cupped her face in his large hands. He tilted her head back so she was looking up at him. His unusual yellow eyes, which now matched her own, stared intently at her, searching for something. “I’m never truly gone, beloved. My soul is a part of yours. You carry a piece of me inside of you, and I will be waiting for you. But I can’t keep you stagnant when you must move forward.”
Lilly wanted to tell him he wasn’t holding her back. He wasn’t tying her down. He was
