Reckoning

by Sonya Weiss

  I thrust the woman away from me and walked up the stairs toward the royal chambers. I made it almost to the top of the staircase before the emotions I’d held at bay hit. Anger, grief, betrayal, and loss pounded into me, each emotion a nail in the coffin holding my heart. I walked into the royal chambers and closed the door behind me.

  “Juliet!” I screamed and her name echoed through the chamber.

  Chapter 26

  JULIET

  I crawled through darkness and ash, searching with my hands for the body of Agent Davis. I was hoping he had a flashlight. When my hand bumped against a leg, I moved my hands across the pants, going upward toward a pocket. When a hand grabbed me, I shrieked. “Agent?”

  “Juliet?”

  “That bitch pushed me in,” he said. “If I get out of here… Is there a way?”

  “We have to break the glass of the viewing room.” I craned my neck to see and could make out a little bit of light. “It’s lined with Void rock so I can’t use my power to do it. You’ll have to break it.”

  We moved slowly and carefully through the ash until we reached the glass. We weren’t quite tall enough to reach it. I linked my hands together. “I’ll lift and you hit it with your gun.”

  “How about I lift you and you hit it with my gun?”

  “I’m strong enough to hold you up,” I said.

  “I’m sure you are.”

  I stepped into his hands, and he thrust me up as high as he could. I fired the gun at the glass and nothing happened. I fired again and still nothing. I could use my power, but I would risk blowing a fail-safe. I flexed my fingers, still feeling a little weak from having destroyed the NoG. “Watch yourself in case this reverberates.”

  His eyes widened. I shivered at the sight of the reptilian pupils. I was standing in the hands of a Ragespawn. Who would ever guessed I’d have to work with the enemy this way?

  Holding my hands up toward the glass, I shot a burst of my power. It hit the window and slid harmlessly away. Maisy needed me. I couldn’t be stuck here dying a slow death. Taking a deep breath, I didn’t hold back.

  My power flew forward, hitting the center of the glass, causing a spider web of cracks in the center of it. I fired the gun again and a small hole opened up. Pushing against the glass as hard as I could, I broke it and the pieces fell into the room.

  I jumped back down beside the agent. “You have to go first, then pull me up.”

  “You trust me not to leave you here?” he asked.

  “Trust you? Never. But you have to close your eyes and go to sleep sometime. When you do, I’ll find you.”

  “Fair enough.” He hoisted himself up and through the window, then reached back and hauled me up. “Let’s find the others,” he said, but I stopped him.

  “I’ve been labeled a traitor and my execution ordered. So was Henry’s. Riley hates me. The Supernaturals think I’m their enemy because I killed Riley. It’s better if everyone thinks I’m dead. Henry and I will take the children and disappear.” I forced myself to speak calmly, to remain calm when all I wanted to do was cry. I was afraid to let the tears fall. If they did, I might not be able to stop.

  The agent nodded and waved me off when I tried to return his gun. “Keep it. You might have to shoot me in the future.”

  I nodded and he took out his wallet to remove a handful of money. He thrust it at me. “You’ll need supplies.” He shook his head when I arched an eyebrow. “No, I don’t suddenly like you any more than you like me. I respect what you did. Saving my life and everyone else’s. This is my way of saying thanks.”

  I took the money for the sake of the children and shoved it into my pocket. Then I slipped from the castle without looking back.

  * * * *

  “How’s that feel?” Henry asked as he adjusted Maisy’s prosthetic hand.

  She moved it back and forth. Impatient with the numerous adjustments she’d had to endure. “Fine. Can I go play now?”

  He smiled. “Sure.”

  After she raced through the cabin and outside to join the other children, I said, “It’s hard to believe it’s only been two weeks. She seems to have bounced back fast.”

  “Children are resilient,” Henry said, then gave me a look. “Still carrying the guilt?”

  I shrugged and dried a plate before stacking it in the cabinet. We’d moved around for three days before we’d found this abandoned cabin on two acres of land forty miles from Cane Creek. I was determined to give the children as normal a life as I could after all they’d been through.

  “How about your heart?”

  Clenching my jaw, I shut the cabinet door. I didn’t want to have this discussion.

  “Since you couldn’t speak of the Untolds, it wasn’t your fault any more than it was Riley’s. He acted based on the information he had at hand. You killing Riley broke the curse. He didn’t know you had to do it to save us all. There was no way he could have guessed the Untolds were tied to the virus.”

  “I’m okay, Henry.” The words didn’t even sound convincing to me.

  His mouth slacked and his eyebrows rose. “Sure you are. I hear you cry at night when you think no one is listening.”

  I had the feeling I’d cry for years. I’d lost my first love. Some people moved on to a second and even a third love. I knew I never would.

  I turned around and reached for the hoodie I’d draped across the back of the kitchen chair. “I’m going to do a parameter check.” Rumbling came from the distance and I froze.

  Alarmed, Henry jumped to his feet and hurried to the door.

  I raced past him and gave a shrill whistle. Within minutes the children ran toward me. They knew the drill. If I whistled, they didn’t ask questions, and they didn’t hesitate.

  “Get into the compartment.”

  Tobiah moved a rug out of the way and raised the trapdoor. The children quickly disappeared down the steps into the underground room. “Go,” I told Henry. As soon as he was out of sight, I covered the trapdoor with the rug.

  Yanking on the hoodie, I pulled the hood low over my face and stood beside the window, carefully peeking out. A car I didn’t recognize pulled to a stop. The driver’s side door opened and Riley stepped out. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a simple gray T-shirt. He didn’t look like a king at all. He looked like my Riley. No, not my Riley. Not my anything anymore. I couldn’t believe he’d found me. How he knew I was alive. Agent Davis, that double crossing son of a—

  “Juliet! I’m not here to hurt you.”

  When I didn’t answer, he said, “I’m alone.”

  I opened the door a crack, and he walked slowly toward me, making sure he kept his arms by his sides. When he reached the doorway, I stepped back to let him in and crossed my arms. “What do you want?”

  “As soon as I found out you were alive, I issued a pardon.”

  “I’m grateful, Your Majesty,” I said, my sarcasm fueled by hurt.

  “Juliet, please. Hear me out and if you don’t like what I have to say, I’ll leave.”

  “Fine.” I walked to the table and pulled out a chair.

  “You look tired,” he said.

  “Staying on the run trying not to get your head removed from your body takes a lot of energy.”

  “I told you I issued a pardon. For Henry too. No one is going to hurt either of you.” He sat across from me, his eyes never leaving mine. “I had to find you and tell you I’m sorry.”

  RILEY

  Whatever she’d expected me to say, it wasn’t that.

  She blinked. “You’re sorry?”

  I nodded. “I was blind. All I could focus on was what I thought was your betrayal. Then when you stabbed me, I didn’t just die physically. I died emotionally. I was devastated. I should have trusted you, but I didn’t know the truth until I heard what your full destiny was in the Untolds.”

  Her eyes widened. “Those aren’t to be spoken. We shouldn’t speak of them.”

  “It’s okay. Your actions destroyed the power of the Un
tolds. They’re gone.”

  “How did you find out what was in them?”

  “The president read them aloud at a news conference.”

  “But if they’re read aloud, they kill whoever reads them,” she said with a frown.

  “Yes. She died in front of the entire world. That was Agent Davis’s plan all along.”

  “Why?”

  “He wanted the news conference so the remaining Ragespawn would witness her death and know it was safe to contact him.”

  She chewed on her lip, and I could see the question in her eyes.

  “No, I didn’t know it would kill her. Agent Davis suggested she read them out loud as a way to honor your sacrifice in saving the world. I knew something was off because he’d made it clear he despised you.”

  “He’s studied Supernatural history in depth and knew about the Untolds,” Juliet said.

  “Yes. When the president read the Untolds, was when I learned if you didn’t kill me, the Night of Grief would release. King Faulk created the curse not out of evil but because he hoped to protect our people. He wanted us to live in peace. My father didn’t know bloodshed would set the curse in motion. Since seven is the core number of Shimea Prime, it could only be broken with the death of the seventh king. Me. I had to be sacrificed and you knew that.” Slowly, I moved my hand across the table and covered hers with mine. “I talked to Agent Davis after the news conference and he slipped up. Said he was angry that the president had tried to kill you and him. He spoke of you in the present tense and that convinced me you were still alive. I’ve been searching for you ever since.”

  “You found me.” Her voice wasn’t soft, and I was afraid she wouldn’t forgive me for not trusting her when she needed me the most. When I thought of how much harder I’d made it for her to go through what she had, it filled me with shame.

  “I thought I’d known the greatest agony I could ever know when you stabbed me. But even with everything between us, believing you’d died left me feeling lost. For two days I could barely function.”

  “Hmmm,” she murmured, looking away.

  I rose. “Let me show you something.” She didn’t move. “Please.”

  With a sigh and a shake of her head, she stood but crossed her arms over her chest.

  I backed up slowly, leading the way to the car, not wanting to take my eyes off her. I was too afraid she’d disappear. At the car, I reached into the passenger side. Taking out a steel case, I opened it to reveal a smaller version of the crown I would wear after my coronation.

  “I’m hoping someday you’ll accept this.”

  She touched the crown, her fingertips tracing the jewels. “You want me to be the queen? Is it because you have to have a queen in order to rule?”

  “I want you to be queen. My queen. And no, not because I have to have a queen. I mean, I do, that’s our law, but I want you to be the queen because I love you and for no other reason. I would do anything for you, including turning over the kingdom to you if you wanted the throne.”

  She shook her head. “It was never important to me. All I ever wanted at the time was you.”

  I caught her use of the past tense, and it rocked me. My father would have scoffed at the idea of begging, but I would crawl if I needed to. I knelt at her feet. “I can’t believe I was so stupid. I’m begging you to forgive me. Please.”

  She dashed away a tear. “I’m scared.”

  “Me too.”

  “I don’t know how to trust you again. I thought for sure you would somehow realize that the things I did I would never willingly do. I guess I hoped you would have faith in me.” She swept her hand across her forehead to move the hair out of her eyes. “There’s a lot to think about…the kingdom…the safety of the children…”

  “I will turn my back on everything and everyone I know to be with you. Whatever you need me to do or say or give you for you to want to be with me again, I’ll make it happen. I’ll be ordinary Riley Romeo West and not the king if that’s what you need.”

  Her chin trembled. “You would walk away from the crown?”

  “Only for you. Just please don’t ask me to walk away from you. From us. I’m not strong enough to do that.

  She put her hands on my face, running her hands across my features. “My Romeo.”

  I closed my eyes, reveling in her touch. My throat constricted.

  “I’m Romeo only if you’re my Juliet. Otherwise, I never want to hear the name again.” I lifted the crown and held it out to her, not surprised to see my hand shaking. Whether or not my heart continued to beat hinged on this moment. On her answer. “I love you. Will you accept this?”

  For the first time since my arrival, she smiled. “Yes.”

  When she smiled, I could breathe. I hadn’t lost the girl I loved. I felt like I could leap over a mountain. Crush the Void with my bare hands. I placed the crown on her head, even though it wasn’t official. As far as I was concerned, Juliet was already my queen. I had to wipe my sweaty palms down the side of my pants. I gazed into her eyes and could barely breathe. The only thing in the entire universe I wanted was her. I flicked a glance at her lips and as if she could see my thoughts, she parted them and breathed out my name.

  I threaded my fingers through her hair. “You will always rule the kingdom of my heart. Always.”

  She let out a small sob, and I lowered my head to hers. When my lips touched hers, the warmth of her breath blended with mine. I kissed her deeply, hoping I could somehow convey the endless love I felt for her. I pulled her closer, gently nipping at her lower lip.

  Juliet tightened her grip at the back of my neck, urging me closer. The Earth and the entire galaxy disappeared, but she was right in front of me. All I would ever see. Ever need. I couldn’t get enough of her. My pulse kicked up when she shifted and ran her hands down my back.

  Her kiss was a mixture of forgiveness and hope. I put my hand under her chin and broke the kiss before I died from the sweet torture of it. “Are you ready to come home with me?”

  She smiled. “I’m ready.”

  “How about a new home?”

  She raised her eyebrows.

  “I don’t want to live here any more. Earth isn’t where we belong. There will always be animosity between our species, and I don’t want another war. I’d rather leave.”

  Juliet nodded. “The spaceship we used to come to Earth in is still available. We can go to Shion and build our kingdom there.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” I said. “You want to get Henry and the children out of hiding?” I linked my hand with hers and together we went back inside the cabin.

  Chapter 27

  JULIET

  An air of excitement filled the castle. Not only was it a day of celebration because of Riley’s upcoming coronation and our union ceremony but because immediately afterward, we would leave Earth.

  The spaceship was already loaded with supplies and waiting on a secret airstrip near the White House for us to board. Some of the Guards had remarked how helpful the agents at FAD had been in getting us the supplies we needed. I didn’t doubt that. They wanted us gone.

  A soft tap sounded on the door, and Henry walked in followed by the children. I had to clench my teeth together when I saw Maisy’s stump. She’d started refusing to wear the prosthetic and seemed perfectly happy without it, but the day she’d been injured would forever haunt me.

  Henry held out his arm. “Are you ready, my queen?”

  I tucked my hand into the crook of his arm, and we walked down the grand staircase and out into the field behind the castle. The coronation had to be held outside to hold all the Supernaturals in attendance. From the castle to a third of the way into the field, a red carpet led the way to a small platform. On the right side of the platform stood Riley decked out in the royal robes. Slightly behind him, Stone kept a watchful eye. Riley had stunned the Supernaturals by issuing an edict declaring Stone as his second in command.

  Across the way, Riley met my eyes and smiled. I sm
iled back and the royal unifier began reciting the passing of the crown to Riley using the original language of Shimea Prime. Then after kissing the crown to show his loyalty, he set it gently on Riley’s head. The Supernaturals all bowed in deference. Once Riley straightened, Henry led me forward on the red carpet until I reached Riley’s side.

  The children filed to my right, fidgeting in the thick robes they wore. Along with our union, Riley was making it official that the children were members of royalty, forever protecting them from their lower class as mixed-bloods.

  The royal unifier raised his hands for the crowd to silence; then he draped a purple sash across Riley and me, pulling us closer together within the confines of the cloth. The front of the sash held words in our language that blessed our union. When the royal unifier was done, he raised his hands upward and fired a short burst of his power toward the sky.

  We would wait until we were on a planet of our own before we would have a celebration event. For now, it was important for us to meet the FBI waiting at the spaceship. As we traveled toward the White House, the humans spilled from their homes and some of them cheered and gave each other high fives, glad to see us leave.

  Riley squeezed my hand, knowing without speaking the same thing I did. Had it not been for me ending the Night of Grief, they would all be dead.

  At the airport, Rick Simon stood by the entrance leading into the spaceship. He gave me a tight hug. “I’ll never forget you.”

  “Me too,” I said blinking back tears. “Where’s your partner?”

  “On his way back to his home planet with his people.” Rick made a face. “Guy freaked me out when he blinked at me with those eyes.”

  “Did you find Stacy?”

  “Sure did. She’s safe. As soon as things settle down, we’re getting married.” He kissed my forehead. “Be happy.”

  “Already am,” I said.

  After the last of the Supernaturals boarded, me, Riley, and Stone followed. When the three of us were on board, the door slowly closed.