A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Chapter Thirty Eight*¬*

    War is a peculiar thing. As I lay on the ground, blood pooling from my torn body, I stare at the tent flaps and towards the war torn scene beyond, my breathing laboured and thick. Sounds begin to fade as I blink slowly.

Tilting my head I try to focus on my breathing, but all I can see is war. All I can feel through the faint vibrations hitting my fingers is battle.

Blood. Death. Families torn apart from greed and rage. There is so much of it. I see people fighting each other, swords swinging and magic blasting holes into the earth. The ground shakes beneath me as if a thousand hooves are racing across it. Turning my face back towards the dark tent top, I can make out three figures around me and the faint sound of screaming.

"Thea!" Who is that?

"Thea!" Pounding as someone approaches me, then a pause. Knees collapse beside me, and hands are sliding over my skin, over the torn hole in my abdomen.

Blink. Bink.

A male. It's a male who hovers over me. He's beautiful; medium black hair, amber eyes and golden skin. But there's a severity upon his face, a sort of intensity that creates frown lines and creases between his brows.

"Thea, can you hear me?" HIs hands are pressing against my belly, trying to stop the blood flow. I blink at him, his name on the tip of my tongue but I can't seem to grasp it.

"Thea?" Again he questions me. When his eyes meet mine, his name comes screaming into clarity. "Kaz." I rasp.

"I'm here, angel heart. I'm here." He starts stuffing cloth into my abdomen to try and stop the blood flow but it's no use. It won't stop. Kaz shakes his head, his eyes glittering with unshed tears.

"I'll go get Ryder. He can get you to our tent in time, he can save you. He has to."

I shake my head, "No."

"What do you mean no?" I sigh as more feeling slips from me.

"I mean no. No one can save me from this. I had to make this choice. I had to sacrifice something in order to activate the Crown and use it to save you all." Kaz shakes his head, his desperation written across his face. Something like a roar is written across his face. His eyes begin to mist over before it fades. When he speaks next, his voice is restrained.

"That's ridiculous. Thea we need you. I need you." Kaz cradles my head in his lap and runs his fingers through my hair. The ground shakes again and when I blink I see two male figures snarling at each other. Their swords clashing together and rage turns their skin dark.

"Who are they?" I whisper softly. Kaz whispers, "Ryder and Augustus." I blink, "Oh... why?"

"Because I asked him to get his ass over here to help me. To fight them while I heal you. Because he loves you too, Thea."

It's almost time Warrior Blood. You must use me soon before it's too late.

The Crown whispers to me, singing in my ears and cooing sleepily. With the last bit of strength I have, I move my arms and place the Crown on my chest. It sings to me, calling loudly.

Not yet. Not yet.

Breathing, I blink at the two figures. "Kaz?" I ask, his face comes into view as I tilt my head back and stare up at him. "Yes Thea?"

"Will you stay with me? Until it's over?" His eyes are shining. Pain trickles from his eyes and leeches onto his face. "Of course. I will always be here, Thea, you are not alone." Kaz hums to me, his voice soothing.

"I love you Thea." He whispers.

"You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. You are my home, my perfect person."

I focus on the Crown that rests above my heart. I focus on the power thrumming through it and try not to sob.

"I love you too Kaz. You are my favourite person, my home."

He places his fingers over the gaping wound in my stomach and I feel his magic spilling into it. Desperately trying to heal it.

Now Warrior Blood. Use me now. The time is upon us.

"Kaz?" I whisper.

"Yes, angel heart?" I open my eyes and stare into his, "Keep them safe. Bring them all home. Promise me?" He begins to weep, his tears feel like rain upon my skin.

"I don't want to do this without you."

"Promise me." I plead. Placing one hand over his, stopping the flow of his magic, the healing far too slow to save me.

"I promise" He sobs. His forehead lays over mine, and his tears taste like salted rain. His pain tastes like heartbreak.

Exhaling, I focus a single drop of my power upon the Crown. Calling to it.

I, Althea Alinac, ancestor to Myra Alinac, call upon you the Blood Crown to bend to my will. To be used for good and to rid evil of this world. I call upon you to merge with my power and become one with my being.

The words echo through the silence of my mind. Waiting, waiting.

Thump. Thump.

Exhaustion pools through me. My eyes slipped closed again. "Keep them safe Kaz..." I whisper.

"I should have kept you safe." He whimpers. His lips are pressed against mine, one last farewell before I slip into oblivion.. The silence is deep. It squeezes through me and then, I hear you, child of mine. Your request is granted. You are pure of heart and intention.

Warmth pools in my fist but I can't unclench it. The Crown uncurls my hand and in my last moment, I watch as it shoots into the air, its blinding light glowing through the rain and the thunder.

I let out an exhale and without taking my eyes off the crown I whispered, "Get out of here Kaz, they need you."

His hands in my hair still, "No. I'm not leaving you."

"Go." I growl.

"I can't." He whispers, "I will not abandon you." I begin to feel desperate, my words spill from my lips in a rushed breath,

"Please. I don't know what will happen once that Crown lands upon my head. Please... go."

"Thea.."

"GO!" I roar. Kaz kisses my forehead, places my head in the grass and whispers, "I will find you again, in the next life."

Then he's standing and charges out of the tent, rushing for Sauron, his rage and pain spurring him forward. I feel the vibration of them colliding but all I can see is the Crown.

It's sinking slowly towards me, only four people are close enough to witness it. All four pairs of eyes swivel at the blinding light.

I hear a faint, "NO!" As someone screams towards me.

Sinking slowly, before it careens towards my hair; the Crown whispers Are you ready?

I blink. No. I think but I don't have time to ponder it before my heart quiets in my chest, slowing down significantly.

You are a saviour Althea Alinac. The world will remember you.

Inhale, Exhale.

Pause.

The Crown reaches for me, its base nestling into my hair as oblivion comes to take me and...