Devotion

Chapter 50

Erix

"Charge!" I bellowed, my voice cutting through the clash of swords as my men battled against the shadows conjured by King Xenos. The air buzzed with the feral hissing of the shadows, and yet Caz's absence from his trip to the Moon Kingdom lingered in my mind — his training incomplete, his skills dulled. Xenos and I stood at the edge of the field, watching our forces fight, uncertain if their efforts would be enough.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of my fiancée. Seth was guiding her through the basics of swordsmanship, and later, Queen Katrina would train her to control her powers for self-defense. Aurora's black hair flowed as she sparred, her blue eyes bright with excitement. I'd promised not to force her to stay behind during the war, but the thought of losing her twisted my insides.

I couldn't help but watch her — the way her tunic hugged her curves, the grace of her slender legs, the faint marks on her neck from months ago, proof that she was mine. That lingering possessiveness was disrupted by a sharp smack to the back of my head.

"Focus, Erix," Xenos grumbled, his disapproval evident. Despite his reprimand, a smirk tugged at my lips. We had gathered nearly a thousand soldiers — Xenos's soldiers and members from Ashes' Mafia. Yet, with the war looming just seven days away, doubt gnawed at me. Could we survive this? Would it be enough?

As the soldiers trained, Caz finally appeared alongside Princess Ashley, Prince Percy, and Ashley's twin, Prince Marcus. My eyes widened as Marcus stormed toward me, fury burning in his dark gray eyes. He swung a fist — a hit I narrowly blocked."What the hell were you thinking?" he snapped. Ashley tried to hold her brother back, while Caz watched with an infuriating grin. Xenos's eyes narrowed curiously, unaware that these were his own descendants.

"I'm not sure what you mean," I replied, feigning indifference. It was obvious why the Crown Prince of Whisperwood would be upset about his younger sister involving herself in this conflict. Yet this was her choice. The gleam of Marcus's sword caught my eye, and as I reached for my own, a dagger zipped past, grazing his cheek.

The air thickened, the tension palpable. Aurora's eyes glowed a menacing red, her expression fierce. Before anyone could react, she closed the distance and smacked Marcus's head.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, standing protectively before him.

Their fangs bared, their postures rigid — they looked ready to tear each other apart. Katrina, ever the composed queen, intervened, freezing them both in place with a simple gesture.

"Teenagers," she muttered, rolling her eyes. She began distributing swords, her command of the troops sharp and relentless. As she addressed us, her voice rang out with undeniable authority.

"In a week, we face one of the most ruthless enemies of Kuata," she declared, her power resonating through the field. Soldiers straightened, their fear tempered by her strength. She walked the lines, adjusting stances and scolding those who faltered. Even my own men, defiant at first, hesitated under her sharp gaze. Xenos stood back, arms crossed, smirking at his wife's prowess. He glanced back at Aurora and Marcus, still frozen.

"Darling, release the children," he called out casually. Katrina, mid-sentence berating Seth for his form, snapped her fingers, freeing them.

"That was awful," Aurora muttered, her cheeks flushed. Marcus's legs buckled, and he sank to the ground, the tension finally easing. I tried to refocus, the weight of the impending war pressing down.

"If you're worried, take a breath," Caz advised, standing beside me. "Prince Azra has more support than you realize. Trust me, we have a few surprises up our sleeves."

Marcus, having regained his footing, approached us. His voice dropped low, a confession heavy with significance.

"Whisperwood has been secretly training for war for three years now," he revealed. "Since King Eden threatened to overthrow my parents. We'll stand with you."

He walked away, the weight of his words settling. As the soldiers trained and Katrina's voice rang out, a small flicker of hope ignited in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, we had a chance."