Conquest

by A L Fogerty

  “What news?” one of them asked.

  “The battle is won, and I have retrieved my daughter,” he said.

  “How many were lost?”

  “It is undetermined,” Riddick said, “but I must bring my child back to safety through the portal.”

  The shifter stepped aside. Riddick led his horse toward the shimmering void with Oksana against his chest. In that in-between space, his heart slammed, and his mind reeled. But an instant later, he stepped into the courtyard of the compound, the snow still thick and deep underfoot. He breathed a sigh of relief as his horse stepped through behind him.

  The watchers at the compound came out to greet him, surprised to see a single rider return. Then he showed them the bundle in his arms.

  “Praise all the gods,” they said. “Come inside and get warm, and we will find something for the baby to eat.”

  Inside, the savory scent of stew hung in the air. Riddick sat at the kitchen table with his child on his lap. A bowl of stew was placed in front of him and a bottle of milk for Oksana. He bounced her on his knee and cooed at her happily. The baby laughed and clapped her hands, yanking at his short beard.

  “I’ve missed you, my sweet girl.”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Kayla stood over the body of the dead witch, her sword dripping with blood. The pain in her wings and the cuts, scrapes, and bruises of battle faded into the recesses of her consciousness. Time stretched infinitely and rotated all around her in space. She had won. She had defeated the enemy.

  Jagger, Quinn, Felix, and Sid galloped up behind her. She glanced at them, still struck by the immensity of the moment. Jagger was the first to dismount. He strode toward her.

  “Quinn, she needs healing. Quickly,” he commanded.

  Quinn was suddenly beside her, placing his hands on her shoulder, her cheek, and her ruined wings.

  “We need to get her back to camp,” Quinn said.

  Sid took Lightning’s reins, and Quinn helped her to mount her steed. Bane was at Lightning’s heels, looking up at Kayla with wonder in her canine eyes. She’d been at Lightning’s side the entire battle.

  She felt the familiar bond of her horse and wolf. Everything was stronger and clearer now, but even as a demigod, she was tired. So very tired.

  The brothers mounted their horses and surrounded her, guiding her back toward the army. The dead and wounded lay across the battlefield as the living took count. The wounded were marching back to camp. Kayla scanned them, trying to get a count of how many had survived.

  It wasn’t long before her mates were helping her into her bed. Quinn muttered soft words of prayer as he prepared his healing tinctures and poultices.

  “Great Wolf Mother,” Quinn spoke as Kayla drifted in and out of consciousness, “bestow your healing upon your daughter. Restore her to full health and power, for she is the light of the world.”

  Kayla fell into a dreamless void of sleep. She didn’t know how long she remained in that state, but when she woke, her wings were gone, and her sword of light had been replaced by her old one. She sat up in bed, naked save for the bandages wrapped around her chest. She felt a subtle itch on her back and looked up to find Quinn sitting across the tent from her, his legs crossed and his eyes closed.

  When she sat up, he opened his eyes, and a pleased expression crossed his face. “You’re awake.”

  “What happened to my wings?”

  “They retracted in the night.”

  “Will they ever come back?” She felt a deep sense of loss at their absence.

  “We have always known there was something greater inside you, Kayla. I don’t think the light was a momentary gift.”

  “Is she awake?” Felix asked, stepping into the tent. He looked down at her and sank to his knees, reaching out to touch her shoulder. “Kayla. I’m so relieved.”

  “So am I, Felix.”

  “I have so many questions.”

  “So do I.”

  “What I saw you do… it was a miracle.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I can’t believe it. Angels are a myth.”

  “Until now,” Quinn said.

  “I suppose that’s what I am. What I was…” she said, reaching over her shoulder to where her wings should have been. “What do you know about the myths?”

  “The angels come from the angelic realm, the polar opposite of the realm of darkness and evil. They are beings of light and love. They protect the world and all who live in it. Different angels have different properties. And when I saw you wielding that sword, you looked to me like the angel of justice.”

  “How do I control this power?”

  “I don’t know. These were all just stories for children. Fairy tales.”

  “We all know that human fairy tales had truth in them,” Quinn said. “Every shifter, witch, and vampire is an example of that. We should have known that when the portal to hell opened, the opposing force would also emerge.”

  “Who was my father? Can I speak with him? How do I learn to use my power?”

  Jagger stepped into the tent. “What are you two doing in here?”

  “We were discussing Kayla’s new state,” Felix said.

  “Are you overwhelming our queen with your facts?”

  “Kayla is my mate now too.”

  “Felix, please,” Jagger sighed.

  “No, I want him here,” Kayla said. “I have questions that need answers.”

  “I’m going to get you some food. I’ll be right back.”

  “Thank you, Jagger,” Kayla said, her heart reaching out to her first mate. “Could you bring me the reports on how many survived?”

  “Yes. I’ll have Sid bring you your meal while I do that.”

  Jagger disappeared through the tent flap, and Kayla sat up against the pillows at the edge of the tent, wrapping the furs around her chest. “I can’t feel it anymore.”

  Sid stepped through the tent flap. “I’ve brought your food.” He knelt beside Kayla and carefully handed her a bowl. She took it with both hands, and she ate a careful bite. The taste of food slid over her tongue. It felt as if she was coming back to life after being entombed.

  “What you did on the battlefield…” Sid said, shaking his head, his eyes alight with awe.

  She smiled. “I’m the same old Kayla,” she said, but she knew that wasn’t true. “No matter what happens to me, you all are what give me the strength to go on. These gifts might have been bestowed upon me, but I could not receive them without you.”

  “Kayla, we’ve gotten a count of the dead, wounded, and missing. The battle was brutal. But your actions at the end saved many lives,” Jagger said, stepping into the tent.

  “What is the count?”

  “We lost a hundred. Another two hundred are wounded—some of the wounds are grave, and some minor. Ethan, our fire mage, is in a coma, and he has already been taken back to the compound. The witch healers are working to save him. They need to regroup and recharge before they attempt to close the rift. Aaron Windspear has a broken leg, but he should make a full recovery. Most have already returned through the portal, and the rest have been waiting on you.”

  “Waiting for me?” she asked. “Why would they do such a thing?”

  “They wanted to be here when you woke up. They want to see the angel who turned the tide against darkness and saved them all from inevitable death in battle.”

  “I will meet them,” Kayla said.

  “Are you sure?” Quinn asked.

  “I am well enough to address the men and women who followed me into this battle. Their loyalty and belief in me are what won the day.” Kayla tried to lift herself out of bed. “I’ll need some clothing.”

  Quinn wrapped a robe around her shoulders, and she slipped into her leather boots. Quinn and Jagger held the flaps of the tent open as Kayla stepped outside. The day was bright and clear, and the sun shone high overhead. The smoke from the campfires of the remaining troops wafted over the tops of the tents.

 
“All hail the alpha queen!” Jagger shouted.

  All eyes turned to her. The troops shot to their feet and clambered toward her. Their eyes were wide, and their hearts full of respect. Kayla noted each of them, feeling the gratitude for their strength and love for her. Each man and woman gripped their weapons, raised them high above their heads, and began chanting in unison, “Hail to the queen of light. Hail to the queen of shifters. Hail to the conqueror of darkness. Hail to the great alpha.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Kayla led Lightning through the portal at the head of the army. She stepped into the snowy compound, and a great cheer rose from the crowd gathered to greet her. Bane trotted at her heels as she walked down the aisle of soldiers. Her heart was full enough to burst. She was able to accept their love. She would use it for strength. Her heart had grown a thousandfold. The girl who had once been so unsure of herself, that reluctant alpha and broken mother, had merged with the being of light to become whole.

  She saw Riddick standing on the porch of the hotel, holding Oksana in his arms. Her baby had grown so much since Kayla had last seen her. Tears slid from her eyes. She slipped from Lightning’s back and hurried to her child. She reached out for her baby and pulled her into her arms. The stink of the demon horde was still on her, but Kayla didn’t care. She had her baby back. She had her mates. They had all survived. And she vowed never to let anything separate them again.

  About the Author

  A. L. Fogerty the epic fantasy pen name of a USA Today bestselling paranormal romance author.

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  Also by A.L. Fogerty

  The Last Alpha Queen Trilogy

  Rescue

  Conquest

  Triumph (coming soon!)

  Mango Mew: Dragon Tamer

  Cat Out Of The Bag (coming soon!)