His to Save

Chapter Forty-Two - Return

I patted starlight as she neighed softly, and my tears continued to fall. The others had spent the last few minutes of peace fighting, covering themselves in grime to blend in. It had been quite ridiculous to watch, although Evelyn had certainly won that small fight, Hyde looked like he had been bathed in mud.

She had returned into the castle not too long ago, Cyrene had appeared with a small vial, letting Evelyn know it was time for her to go to sleep.

I however simply waved my hands, my assassins outfit appearing over me, masking the clean smell, the blood of the wraith still covering it. I slowly guided Starlight out as I saw everyone waiting for me, Damien included.

I sighed as I stopped and turned around facing them.

"As your Queen, I have only this to say to you. Be careful. We know who we are up against, and while you have sworn yourselves to me, look after yourself. Brand cannot know where your loyalties lie, except Hyde." I said as he nodded,

"Whatever happens, you act as if Brand is your king. He is your main concern, whatever danger we face, you do not throw yourself in harm's way for me. I know this is what you have sworn to do, but I must get Bethany back. She is my main concern, nothing else." I said as they all bowed their heads listening to me,

"We can't fail, not just for our own lives, but for my people. They have done nothing wrong, and they very well might be caught in the cross fire. They are our people, and we cannot fail them." I said as they nodded,

"Finally, we must keep me and Damien away from each other" I said as Damien's head instantly lifted to meet my gaze. I gulped as I turned away, wringing my hands.

"That is also your duty, keep us busy, keep us occupied. Otherwise the bond will be too powerful, and we will cave in. No matter what I say, or what I command, you keep us apart." I said as they nodded uncomfortably and climbed on their horses,

I turned back as I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist and flip me, I gasped as Damien pulled me in, kissing me deeply before pulled away and tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I had to do that, one last time" he whispered as I gulped and he grabbed my hand gently, kissing it. He let go as he turned away and climbed on his horse, the tingle of his lips on mine still rushing through my body.

I ran my fingers over my lips gently as I saw Cyrene smiling at me sadly from the side lines. She walked up to me, her dress flowing behind her as she reached me, extending her arms.

I sniffled as she pulled me in tightly, and I let out a small sob into her shoulder. Cyrene pulled back with tears in her eyes,

"Don't show him your fear Lillian, don't let him feed off your sadness. You are strong and you are powerful, no matter what we will succeed. And I will be there the day you take the throne from that piece of shit, and we will get our revenge." She said as I smiled at her,

She stepped back as she knelt on one knee in front of me, her head bowed.

"My Queen" she said as she rose and turned away, walking back into the fortress.

I turned back as I climbed onto starlight and I brought her around, I walked in front of everyone as I raised my head,

"I am no longer the woman you all know; I am emotionless. I will be mean; I will be cruel, and I will play the part perfectly. I am a Queen who has defined herself as a force to be reckoned with. So this is goodbye for now, you will not see a shred of kindness until I figure out how to kiss Brand and pretend to get my emotions back." I said as they all grimaced,

"Hyde, ride next to me, place Evelyn on the back of your horse" I said as he nodded placing Evelyn's lifeless body next to him, "Damien, take the rear, fall behind and do whatever. Play your part" I said calmly as he sighed and pulled his horse to the back.

I turned around as I pushed starlight forwards and out of the gate, not looking back.

We continued forwards in silence as I felt my stomach turn. After a little while I stopped starlight and held my hand out in front of me, a portal appeared.

I turned to face them as I took a deep breath,

"There is no going back, this is it. Once we step through this portal, who we really are disappears. So be ready, the war has just begun" I said as I turned back and pushed starlight through the portal,

I groaned as I felt my stomach turn at being spat out the other side. As I looked around I felt a much colder chill rush through my body, we were back. Back in hell.

I contained the shudder that ran through me as I bit my lip and held my head up high, pushing forwards, willing confidence throughout every part of my body.

As we reached the gate I felt a chill run down my spine and I looked up, covering my eyes from the sun, I knew exactly who was waiting for me up there.

The devil himself.

"I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it back. Welcome home Lillian" Brand said smiling above me.

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its about to go down!

sorry for the short chapter, these are kind of just fillers while I get the main action!

thanks for reading

Lily x