A Court of Illyrian Hearts

Chapter Twenty-Five

Baelyn POV

The silence after a battle is always the worst part. Worse than the echoes of dying men.

The silence of death making its way around to the weak.

Even three days after the battle at Windhaven, I still hear the screams of the rebels, the screams of my men, as war tore apart companions, found brothers, and honour.

The Illyrians that I slaughtered; I still feel their blood on my hands.

A slight breeze floats by to greet me and flows through the strands of my unbound hair. It wasn't often that I let it hang free, but I had to admit that it felt nice; made me feel...pretty.

I take a deep breath.

And kneel by the grave. Where a piece of my heart now lies forever.

The ground was still rich from when it was dug up, and the tree blossoming above it scatters its white petals on the earth.

I reach down and grab a handful of the earth. In my hand, it doesn't feel as soft as it looked.

'Feyre told me it would help to say goodbye; she said it would help with the pain of losing you.' I kneel at the side of Stormcloud's grave and drop a few sugar clumps I'd snuck into my pocket at breakfast this morning on the ground. 'I know how much you loved these, and I couldn't ever afford to give them to you often, but I thought you should have some to take with you.' I say while covering up the white cubes with sand. 'I'm so sorry you had to die. I'm sorry I couldn't have provided you with a better life here. But I know that where you're going, you'll be happy, and I hope that you still get to soar the skies.'

I press a kiss from my fingers to the stone marking her grave. No name, just a pair of wings. A symbol of freedom.

I turn and never look back at that place again.

I few steps away I stop at another grave.

And watch my father, on his knees, head bowed with a hand rested on the stone.

'Marta,' his quiet voice reaches my ears. 'You died on that battle-field. Your body lies there now. When I went back to retrieve it and bury you, they had already done it. It pains my heart that you rest in blood stained soil and that all I can give you is this stone to mark your life. I'm sorry for letting myself stray from the path we so carefully carved together, and I'm sorry for putting our daughter through so much.' His body heaves with a silent sob. I walk up to him and rest a hand on his shoulder. 'I only wish to put you at ease, wherever you are; I will make everything right, even if it takes me decades. I will rebuild what I have destroyed and fix every broken piece. I love you.'

Tears blur my vision. New beginnings...

As he stands, something about his grey eyes is different. Pain yes, but also hope, something I don't think has sparked in them for many a year. He pulls me in a tight hug. 'I will make it right,' he says softly. 'I promise.'

After a few moments, we turn and gaze at the sky. 'So,' my father says. 'You and General Cassian...' he breaks off with a knowing look.

I roll my eyes but smile. 'Yes.' My heart flutters, I have a mate, a person who will love me no matter what. Eternal love, that I readily returned.

'How long have you been mated?'

My brows furrow as I do the calculation. 'About a month.' It honestly didn't feel that long.

'And, you love him?'

I can't help but grin. 'With all my heart.'

My father turns to me, 'I'm glad you found someone Baelyn.'