Fireblood (39 page)

His eyes blaze a fierce, liquid gold. He lowers his sword and glares. “I admit that I’ve desired you for a long time, and that your games made claiming you all the more amusing.” He grins. “But after I went to the trouble of having your father removed, I wasn’t going to allow Devlan to have you.”

All weapons are forgotten. I drop my guard. My mouth falls open. “
You
sent my father Outside.”

He inspects his hurt arm quickly, then steps forward. I retreat. “Not intentionally. I thought the king would dispose of him in the Oubliette. When your father became ill with the Virus, I honestly thought it was a stroke of luck, or perfect timing. Though I understand now what happened. And so do you. As I said, my father perfected the Virus. It’s going to advance things Outside much quicker.”

I swallow down the aching lump in my throat. “You bastard.”

His brow shoots up. “Well, nevertheless. I was pleased when you became my betrothed. Though you did shock me with your admission of joining the Rebels.” He laughs, a forced, hollow sound. “I was notably thrown. I felt some time in the Oubliette would cure you, and that you’d come to your senses and see that what I was trying to accomplish here—with us—was something great.” He spreads his arms wide. “Now, I’d prefer you to agree willingly. I really don’t want to use the new strain of Virus on you.”

“Never, Sebastian.” I force myself to stand straight against the pain of my injuries. “We didn’t come this far only to allow you to replace your father. I’ll never let you leave here.”

“My father.” He bows his head a moment before looking into my eyes. “I was stricken at first. But really, I should thank you. He was never going to allow me to assume full control over the realm. He held me back,
dissuading
me from many things. Now, there’s nothing standing in my way.” His eyes stare through me.

I don’t know why his admission shocks me. It shouldn’t, as I can plainly see what he’s become. But the thought that I helped put him in position to rule over Karm hits my gut like a punch.

He cocks his head. “What’s the matter, princess?” He circles me, and I keep my sword ready. “Don’t you still
believe
in me?”

“I truly did…once.” I hold his eyes for a second before looking past him, seeing the battle between the Taken and the Rebels clearly through the glass walls. Somehow, the Rebels are holding them off. If they’re keeping strong, then I have to forge ahead. “But you will not take me, Sebastian.” I roll to the balls of my feet, readying for an attack. “I’d rather rot in the Oubliette or die right here and now than become enslaved to you.”

His eyes pierce mine. “Still so fucking stubborn.” He strikes my sword hard, and I’m shoved backward. As he pivots to one side, I brace myself for another attack, but he pulls his sword and kicks my injured leg instead.

Pain spears me, and I’m thrown off-guard as he moves in. He drops his sword and grabs my arms.

I struggle against his hold, but he slams my back into the wall. A breath whooshes from my lungs, and my sword hits the floor. He kicks it to the other side of the room. I bring my knee up, but his leg blocks me.

“No,” he growls. “I refuse to let you off easy by using the Virus.” His eyes flick over me. “I’ll just have to break you.”

He backhands me and my head snaps to the side. Blinding pain splinters through my skull. My sight flashes and dims. I turn my head, ready to fight him off, but he crushes his fist to my cheek. I fall to the floor, my vision swimming.

My ears ring, but I can hear footsteps enter the room.

My eyes lock onto Devlan. Fury burns in his gaze as he steps up to Sebastian, sword raised. “I’m going to remove your limbs, then slice you piece by piece, until your bleeding heart is severed from your body.” He spits. Blood trails his lips.

I inch my way toward a corner and prop myself up. Sebastian picks up his sword and widens his stance into an attack position. “This time, friend, don’t throw the fight.” He lunges at Devlan.

Devlan blocks easily. “I won’t.” He knocks Sebastian’s sword down and nicks his forearm, then comes at him again.

Their blades clang as they step forward and backward. It’s nothing like the duel they fought during the tournament. There’re no regulators on the sidelines calling points for blows. Sebastian’s sword slices down Devlan’s arm, drawing a thick seam of blood. Devlan cuts Sebastian across the chest, sending him windmilling backward.

When the faintness in my head finally clears, I begin to scoot across the room, slowly making my way to the control room. Devlan has Sebastian’s attention, and Sebastian’s back is to me. I get to my feet as Devlan pierces Sebastian’s arm with the tip of his blade.

I’m nearly to the control room, just feet from the fighting, when Sebastian shouts and jabs his sword into

Devlan’s chest.

“No!” I cry.

Devlan stumbles, but quickly rights himself and advances. He clips Sebastian across the face, and a wide gash fills with red along Sebastian’s cheek. Then Devlan knocks Sebastian’s sword out of his hand.

Holding his blade to Sebastian’s throat, Devlan demands, “How do we stop the Taken from attacking?”

Sebastian presses a hand to the gash on his face. “You bastard.”

“How?” Devlan shouts.

“Pull the lever to lower the voltage on Excalibur.” His eyes travel between Devlan and me. Blood seeps between his fingers. “With no juice, they’re just empty vessels.”

I step toward the open door to the control room, but before I reach it I see Devlan grip his chest and fall to his knees.

Oh, God
.

I move toward Devlan, but Sebastian moves quicker and yanks me into his arms, enclosing me. He presses me against his chest, holding a knife to my throat.

Devlan’s eyes find mine, and I hold his gaze. “Power it down,” I tell him, forcing my voice to hold steady. “Get to your feet, Devlan. Power down the mainframe. They have to be stopped. Now.” I gasp as Sebastian slides the blade against my skin, drawing blood.

Devlan climbs to his feet. “Let her go.”

Sebastian breathes heavily against my ear. “There’s a syringe in the control room.” He presses the blade to my throat. “Inject yourself first, then I’ll let her go.”

I widen my eyes at Devlan, imploring him to pull the lever. He’s right there, so close to it. “Devlan,” I breathe his name. “Do what’s right. Duty first.”

His eyes close, and he takes two deep breaths, his hand pressing his chest. When his eyes open, their pale blue shimmers as they find my gaze. “I love you,” he says. “I choose you, Zara.” Then he steps inside the control room and grabs the syringe.

My heart stops.

He raises the needle to his arm, ready to inject the new strain of Virus—to allow Sebastian to control him.

He’s chosen me over the mission.

But I choose
us
.

I press my back into Sebastian’s chest, feigning weakness, and his body molds to mine. He holds me closer, as if he’s enjoying my suffering. While his attention is on Devlan, I snake my arm behind me and grab my father’s dagger from his belt.

I jab the blade into his thigh. With a cry, he releases me. I start toward Devlan, but Sebastian grabs a handful of my hair, jerking me backward. I scream and yank free, and the sound of hair tearing from my scalp fills my ears. I turn and face him, then drive the blade into his heart.

His eyes widen, and his lips move, silently questioning. He sputters out a strangled breath before he covers my hands with his. I hold onto the hilt with both hands, forcing the blade deeper. His blood spills over my skin. His eyes lock onto mine; their golden light dims.

I step back as he plummets to the ground, his hands now grasping the dagger. My eyes hold his a moment longer, making sure he’s gone. Devlan’s arms encircle me, and I fall into his embrace. We sink to the floor.

FORTY-TWO

I
rest my forehead against Devlan’s and press my hands over his wound, trying to staunch the blood. It’s higher up on his chest than I thought—just below his collar bone. I lift up and look into his eyes. “Hold strong,” I say, then get to my feet.

I stumble into the control room and slam the lever down.

Pressing my hands against the glass wall, I hold my breath. Almost immediately, the Taken drop their weapons. They stand still—still as death. The Rebels that have survived glance around the field, confused. Then cries sound over the battlefield, penetrating the thick walls of the chamber, and they raise their weapons into the air. I watch as they wrap their arms around the Taken, hugging their long-lost family and friends.

I take in a shaky breath, then a laugh tumbles from my mouth. I’m delirious, exhausted, beaten, and shaken, but the sight on the field fills me with so much elation that I nearly fall over.

“Oh, my God,” a voice says from inside the chamber. I turn and see Fallon leaning over Devlan.

My joyous mood vanishes. I limp over to Devlan and fall beside his splayed body. I run my hands through his hair, pleading for him to open his eyes.

When he doesn’t, I choke out a sob. I press my hand to his wound, bury my head between his neck and shoulder. Fallon is quiet beside me. I forget she’s there.

I rise up, hovering above him, and stare down. Then I brush my hand over his pale face. “You just admitted that you love me,” I whisper, barely audible, as my chest crushes my heart like a vise. “You’re not getting out of that.”

His chest rises, and a shallow breath escapes his mouth. Hope fills me, and I release a sob with a hiccup. It burns my throat. His lips curl into his beautiful smile, and I laugh with relief.

“I’m forever at your service.” Devlan reaches for my hand and threads his fingers through mine. “If you demand I live, I have no choice but to obey.”

I gasp in a breath and press my lips to his, taking in the feel of his smile forming against my mouth. My heart trembles in my chest. I’m afraid to move, scared he’ll slip away.

“I’ll find help,” I tell him and try to stand.

He grips my hand tighter, keeping me by his side. “He missed,” Devlan says. “Well, he missed the important stuff. But I’ve lost some blood. I’ll need mending.”

I smile down at him. “I think I can handle that.”

Fallon and I dress Devlan’s wound, wrapping his chest and shoulder tightly with bandages Fallon found in the back medical chamber.

When Fallon’s ready to help him stand, she halts mid-lift. Her face pinches, and I follow her gaze to where Xander stands, motionless. His expression steals the air from my lungs. He slowly walks toward Sebastian, his mouth a hard line, and lowers himself beside the fallen king.

I watch, confused, as Xander lifts Sebastian into his arms and cradles the body against his. Fallon crawls toward them and lays her hand on Xander’s shoulder.

“You tried, Xander.”

He nods. “I did. I tried so hard to get through to him,” he says. “For weeks, I spent time with him, trying to get closer. I thought telling him the truth would change things.” He closes his eyes and releases a heavy breath. “But he feared I’d try to steal his power—his crown.”

“But he let you leave,” Fallon says. “He let you live. He must have cared, deep down.”

“No.” Xander shakes his head. “He locked me up. I only escaped in time to slip the potion to the knights.” His lips quiver, and he looks up at Devlan and me. “We met up in the lower level right after.” He turns his full attention back to Fallon. I can’t piece his story together, but I don’t interrupt. “I thought I could try again—that I might get through to him.”

I look to Devlan for an explanation, but his eyes reflect the confusion inside me.

“It’s the way it’s meant to be.” Fallon removes Sebastian’s crown from his head and, rising up, places it atop Xander’s.

My mouth drops open. Devlan attempts to sit up, and I move so he can rest against my chest. Fallon kisses Xander tenderly. Glancing once to Sebastian, she gets to her feet, bringing Xander with her.

“I vow to follow you, my lord,” she says. “Let the reign of Xander Hart begin.” She drops to one knee and bows her head.

“What…?” Devlan chokes out.

Fallon glances at us. “Xander is Sebastian’s brother. The crown now belongs to him.”

Suddenly, pieces of that puzzle fall into place. Why Fallon kept Xander’s mission at the castle a secret. Why she first insisted Sebastian was not to be harmed during the mission. Xander’s hesitancy to follow Fallon’s orders—orders that must have concerned him becoming the king. Why Xander came back to Court alone. Why Fallon couldn’t kill her mark—Xander—the night of my betrothal ceremony. And why, now, Xander mourns the loss of Sebastian.

His brother.

I look at Devlan, and he nods weakly. Helping him to a knee, I kneel beside him. “I pledge my allegiance to King Xander Hart,” I say.

Devlan laughs once, and then coughs. “Sorry.” He clears his throat and presses his hand to his bandaged chest. “I, too, pledge my allegiance.” He shakes his head. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

Xander’s face flushes. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to.” His eyes pinch. “But as my fearless leader—”

Fallon waggles her finger at him. “I follow you now, Your Highness.”

Xander glares at her. “As Fallon once said to me”—his eyes roam her face—“I cannot deny my birthright forever. I have a responsibility to this realm, to give back what has been taken from them.”

She wraps her arms around him, and I hold Devlan closer. My eyes drift to Sebastian.

Out of so much evil, Karm finally has a chance for true greatness.

Devlan caresses my cheek. His eyes search mine. “You got your wish.”

I crane an eyebrow. “And, that is?”

A perfect smile curls his lips. “I can never call you princess again.”

EPILOGUE

T
hat day on the battlefield, after we administered the antidote to the Taken, I held my father in my arms for

the first time since he was stolen from me. Though there was death all around us, I clung to him and focused on the future.

Putting that day behind us was just one step toward our goal of a new world.

Most of the newly Taken regained their full memories, but Devlan works daily with his parents to help them with what seems lost. We’re still studying the long-term effects of the Virus, but I have faith that, in time, we’ll discover how to bring everyone back fully.