“Here,” he showed her the map, and Rosa gathered her strength.
“Let's go home, Nicholas.”
Chapter 14
She hadn't expected it to be as easy as it was. They had all made big claims about how hard a transport was, especially with more than one person, never mind a carapace. But Rosa felt the spell fill her and move them as easy as breathing.
She was strong. She had never been strong before. Her landing was even smoother than any of the dragons had ever managed. Magic came naturally to her as if she had been doing it all her life.
And in a lot of ways, she had done it all her life. Every aspect of living had been done with magic instead of a life force. The simplest things were really just spells. She was just existing then as a holding cell. But now, she was alive.
Charity was clung tight to her breast. She felt half exposed, but Nicholas grabbed one of the ceremonial robes from the wall. It was meant for a queen to sit on the throne. It fit her like it was made for her.
“Are you all right, my love?”
“Yes, strangely enough,” she said. “I know giving birth is supposed to be exhausting but–”
“It's the magic giving you strength,” he assured her.
“Hey, you two,” Ariel was already standing. “I'm happy to celebrate my niece, but maybe in a moment. Listen.”
“Listen to what?” Nicholas asked, cocking an ear. “I hear nothing.”
“Exactly,” she replied. “It's the palace in the middle of the day. Shouldn't it be bustling?”
She looked fierce, in boots and an American revolutionary coat, her hair pulled back, and her eyes lined. Nicholas made a mental note to go see her play one day when there wasn't chaos in their lives.
“What's the plan?” Ariel prompted him.
She was right about the silence. It was deadly, as if someone had wiped all trace of life from the building. For all Nicholas knew, there were hundreds of bodies lying just outside of the door. The building could be about to collapse. He needed to find out.
“Rosa,” he said. “If we find my father–”
“You've made your wishes clear.” She held her chin high.
“But our baby…”
“For such a time as this we were placed upon this Earth.” Rosa clutched the child close to her.
“All right, enough sap,” Ariel pushed open the door.
The palace was empty and cold. There was no trace of life anywhere. The epic battle that they had engaged in last time had caused quite a bit of damage, and not all of it was repaired. But Nicholas noted there was still debris on the floor.
“This is new,” he crouched down. “Someone has been here. Ariel?”
“Step away from me a moment,” she said, trying to feel the magic around her. She closed her eyes, extending her palms, and then re-opened her eyes. “He is here. Near the bedrooms, I think.”
“The bedrooms,” Nicholas replied. “Of course. It's the easiest place to trap them all, away from the vortex. This way.”
He was questioning his movements even as he made them. What kind of father brought his newborn child into a battle that they had lost last time? What kind of father introduced his child to the world through violence and tyranny?
It was the price children paid to be born to royals, he knew. He had survived, and his brothers had survived, but it hadn't been easy.
This poor child wasn't even a day old and was already filling her princess duties.
“Here,” Ariel stopped outside the king's bedroom. She could feel the magic coming from that room, stronger than any others. Nicholas pushed the door open, half expecting it to be locked. It opened with no resistance, and what he saw in the room shocked him.
There was blood and the stench of death everywhere. Two servants lay on the floor, clearly devoid of life.
Peter lay on the bed, bleeding out of a stomach wound.
“Peter!” Nicholas grabbed his hand and was relieved to find a weak pulse. “Peter! Peter, can you hear me?”
To his relief, Peter's eyes flickered open. Nicholas had never gotten along with his oldest brother, but he was eternally grateful to see him take a deep breath.
“Nicholas,” Peter managed. “Father…”
“I figured,” Nicholas said. “Where is he? Where did he go?”
“I don't know. He's somewhere,” Peter gasped, clearly in great pain.
“It's okay,” Nicholas replied, trying to soothe him. “It's okay, Peter. You're going to be fine.”
“This is Charity,” Rosa stepped forward. Peter was momentarily distracted from his pain by the baby.
“Oh,” he said, looking upon her as if she were an angel. “Oh.”
Charity's little hand reached out, touching Peter's finger. Nicholas thought it was one of the most endearing things he had ever seen.
He did not expect it to also stun him. From Charity's tiny hand, pure white magic began to flow. He had heard of white magic before, but he had never seen it. It was reserved for those who were the kindest – the best of all their race. Pure white magic was stronger than the yellows and browns that came from the dragons and older witches.
To his amazement, Peter's wound began to close. His eyes cleared, and his blood knitted a deep scar. His chest stopped heaving, and he looked puzzled.
“What?!”
Rosa could only smile in pride. “She is a Halloway, after all,” she said. “It's no real surprise she can do that before she can even walk.”
Peter eventually sat up, his head clearing. Ariel hung back as far as she could, keeping watch in the hallway.
Her heart was pounding at the thought that Alexander was in the same state somewhere. Peter may have been able to hang on, but Alexander certainty couldn't.
She reached out with her hand, pushing her strength to feel for his magic. She didn't want to drain him, and it took a minute longer than she expected.
All of a sudden, a rush of magic hit her like a tidal wave.
“Nicholas,” she said, heading down the hall way to the queen's rooms. “This way!”
Her brother-in-law turned rushed down the hallway after her. He wasn't sure what they were going to find, given the state that Peter had been in. He felt more confidence, though, with Peter at his side. They were going to win; they had to. There was no option for failure.
Alexander, Enya, and Yvette were in the queen's chambers. None of them appeared to be hurt, but they were bound and gagged. Ariel needed no magic to rip the cloth gag off her husband's mouth.
“What the hell happened?” she asked, as Alexander shook himself free of the bonds. Alexander looked more angry than hurt.
“Father had dragon minions with him,” he said. “At least fifty of them. We were no match for them. Their orders, luckily, were not to kill.”
“Lucky you, because he ripped my intensives out ten minutes ago before taking Cole,” Peter said.
“Where would he take Cole?” Nicholas demanded. “Does he have Thomas?”
“If he has both of them, they are alive,” Rosa answered. “I wouldn't feel this way if they wouldn't.”
“I keep getting flashes of magic, and then nothing,” Ariel said. “I think he's blocking himself somewhere.”
“Cole's room,” Nicholas figured out. “That's where he could do it.”
“How?” she asked.
“Cole is the last heir,” Alexander reminded her. “The youngest heir's room has enchantments on it in case of a palace attack. He will stay hidden.”
“You all put a lot of faith in that mischievous kid,” Ariel replied. “No offense, Enya.”
“Cole told me that Father needed all the Halloway heirs,” Enya said. “So, he is likely keeping them alive and waiting. And oh, my goodness, your baby.”
“Charity,” Rosa said, proudly. “I'm hoping that perhaps we can have a proper baby shower when all of this is over. But for now, Nicholas…”
“You know that your mag
ic can kill him now,” Nicholas replied. “But it's whether you can get a clear shot at him without killing any of us. You know his style of attack. It's rough and wild. There's a good chance you could destroy the palace or our lives.”
“So, you need to give me a clear shot,” Rosa replied. “If that's my job, then this is yours.”
“Remember when we were children,” Peter put in. “We used to play Capture the Flag?”
“What?” Nicholas turned to him in shock. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“The four of us would split up into teams and take turns distracting each other,” Peter replied. “We'd trade off every time the prize was in sight. We had it down to a science.”
“Am I the flag?” Rosa answered, a bit horrified. Alexander actually chucked.
“I suppose you are. Don't take offense.”
“I don't think I've ever been called a flag before,” she answered. “But I'm game if you are.”
“That's the plan,” Peter said. “Alexander? Nicholas?”
“If I can get my hands on him,” Ariel said. “I can weaken him. I'll stay behind him. It should make it easier.”
“What can we do?” Enya asked, eager to help. “Please do not leave us out.”
The two girls were humans, and sickly ones at that. No amount of strategic planning could make them strong in the fight. But Rosa saw the need in their eyes, to be with their husbands, to fight for this family that had become their own.
“Can you take care of Charity?” Rosa said, handing her over. She never wanted to be separated from her baby, but this was the moment she had been born for. “I can channel her magic, but I need her to be safe.”
“Yes,” Yvette said, touching the baby's head softly. “We can keep her safe.”
Rosa kissed the top of Charity's head, and Nicholas did the same. For a moment, they stood, a small family of three, their eyes closed, praying for hope.
But then Rosa opened her eyes, meeting her husband's.
“Now,” she said, and he was not going to argue.
“Now,” he echoed. Now was the time they would bring their father down. And this time, they would make sure that he stayed dead.
Chapter 15
Nicholas wasn't sure whether he was happy or angry that they had been right. Sure enough, as soon as they reached Cole's room, they knew that Thomas and Cole were in time. And from the crashing, his father was likely in there as well, in dragon form.
“Should we?” Nicholas asked. Alexander nodded, glancing to Peter for agreement. Ariel stepped as far back as she could, and they stretched their necks, giving each other room.
“I'm impressed with how you can control your powers,” Rosa said, as the princes began their transformation. “I didn't realize it before. But being around you, you are completely in control and you can flex it. That's rare.”
“Practice,” Ariel said, grimly. “More than I would like. In the recent months, I've tried to control it even more around Alexander, just in case.”
“Hopefully, all that practice comes in handy at the moment,” Rosa answered. Ariel winced, watching, with her arms crossed.
“They say practice makes perfect,” she said. “But to what end?”
Once the three dragons were standing in the hallway, they checked in with each other, waiting half a moment.
And then they stormed the door, breaking it down.
King Richard was standing in the middle of the room. Both Thomas and Cole were bounded as Alexander had been. They were injured, but alive, frantic for help.
Ah, my boys are all together. Richard looked at the three majestic dragons in front of him. His long neck swiveled down to look at Rosa. His eyes flared, recognizing that the magic had finally reached its peak. Immortality.
Is that really what you want, Father? Peter distracted him with a slight step to the left. The throne is terribly exhausting.
Of course, you think that. You were never properly prepared. You hate what you are.
Do I? Peter cocked his head. Or did I just hate what you tried to make me?
Richard focused on Peter for a moment and then turned his head back to Rosa, trying not to be distracted.
You fashioned him into a tyrant, Alexander put in, circling him. When in truth, he's a much better king than you could ever dream to be.
Richard snapped at Rosa, and she jumped, trying to be brave. Nicholas got in his way, his nostrils flaring.
Why don't you give up, Father? He asked. You can't win.
You forget, boy, Richard said. I taught you everything that you know. I know how you move. I know how you fight. I know how you think.
Do you? Alexander taunted him. Do you think we take after you?
I think we take after Mother, rest her soul, Peter said.
The conversation was hard to follow; Richard's head going every which way. Ariel pushed herself up against the wall, taking a step and then another one and another. She was edging behind Richard, moving carefully, one leg behind the other.
Rosa snuck toward Thomas and Cole. She didn't dare take off their bonds for fear that Richard might notice. But she thought she could channel their power better if she was touching them.
She didn't need to touch Charity, for they were forever bonded as mother and child. Even apart from her, she could feel Charity's heart beat in her own and feel her life force growing stronger with every moment.
She crouched down very slowly, almost not moving. Luckily, Cole picked up on what she was doing and leaned in, touching her. Thomas did the same, and she felt their magic flow through her.
This was much different than when she had two bodies of magic in her. Those didn't belong there had made her sick. But this way, it flowed through her and out her fingertips, growing every second. A gift, rather than a duty. A choice, rather than a punishment for being alive.
She could see the scene in her head half a second before it played out. She knew, somehow, that Peter was going to step to the right and Alexander to the left.
Ariel had made her way behind Richard, and had her arms spread out, ready to grab his massive sides.
Rosa nodded very subtly to her, and Ariel tensed.
This was it; it was now or ever.
Peter did exactly as she predicted he would. Nicholas ducked, Alexander moved to the other side, and she shoved every bit of magic forward.
To her surprise, it was white as well – pure.
“AHHHH!” she cried, as it shot from her hands and hit Richard square in the chest.
It was an explosion; it was fireworks – pain and pleasure all at once. He rose half a meter off the ground, Rosa's magic filling him.
This was for Charity, for the Halloway, for all the carapaces that he had murdered. This was for Nicholas, for Peter, for Cole and Alexander. This was for her sisters-in-law who had to live in the hell Richard had created.
She wasn't sure how long it was. Her arms grew tired, but she didn't waiver, focusing on her goal.
And then, in another second, it was over. Richard was gone as if he had never existed, fading quickly.
Ariel fell backward, her head slamming into the wall. The windows shattered, and the bedframe collapsed with a terrible crunch.
And then there was silence.
“He's gone,” Rosa said, in shock. “He's just gone.”
She turned to take Cole's gag off, operating on autopilot. He sputtered, shaking his hair.
“Into the Other,” Cole said. “I felt it.”
“I killed him.” She had never killed anyone before. It felt shocking, and yet, peaceful. He couldn't stay here; he was ruining their lives. He didn't belong here.
She hadn't expected to feel this way the first time she killed someone. She knew as a witch, a supernatural creature, it would eventually happen. But now, she was in peace, knowing that she had done the right thing for her child.
“You sent him back to a place that he had already gone,” Cole
replied. “That was all. Welcome back, Halloway.”
“Ariel!” Alexander had shifted back to human and rushed to his wife.
“Ah.” Her eyes were fluttering open. She had gotten a good knock on the head, but she was already moving. “Damn it.”
“You did so well, my love,” he kissed her head. Rosa smiled as Nicholas came toward her.
“I think that is the first time that Alexander has said he loved her.”
“We dragons are loving creatures,” he took her in his arms. “Very loving. I am so proud of you my love.”
He wrapped her in a hug as Cole moved over to undo Thomas' bonds.
“I can't believe that we did it,” Rosa said. “I can't believe, all these years…”
“This is what you were meant to do,” he said. “You saved us.”
“Not just me,” she said, humble as ever. “We all played our part. And we all couldn't do it without each other.”
“Ah, my love,” he couldn't stop holding her, kissing her. He never wanted to be separated from her again. “I love you. I love you. I can't think of anything else to say.”
“Let's go see our daughter,” she said into his ear. “That's all I want to do.”
“Yes, I agree,” he finally managed to tear himself from her neck and shifted to let her take his arm.
All around him, everyone was standing, recovering. In a reverse of power, Ariel was in Alexander's arms. He was taking no chances with her head, although he looked like he'd rather cuddle her all night than take her to the sick bay.
“I can't believe we are finally free of him,” Cole said as they walked. “Although, it is just like him to come back uninvited.”
“He won't come back,” Rosa assured him. “Not with the four of us here. Even if the Other spits him out again, it won't be hard. Your rule,” she turned to Peter, “is secure.”
“For now,” Peter said, with a soft smile. “No rule is ever secure. But I think mine is as safe as it can be.”
“I want to thank you all for not throwing me in with him,” Thomas suddenly spoke up.
“And how will you repay us, Thomas?” Yvette turned to him, a small smile on her face. She knew that there was good in him, deep down. Thomas only wanted a life where he was treated well; where he could be himself. He had never meant to hurt them. He only wanted to be free, and now he was.
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