The Werewolves that had survived had showed up, and a majority of the Witches, who proved to be very good fighters, had also made it back to the palace. Lailah was busy checking her troops, checking the the wounded, talking to Dakieshin. The air around the palace seemed to turn to ice. Lailah turned to the clearing slowly, only to see what could only have been the Alpha Hybrid, waiting. He was still, just, standing. Lailah knew this battle would not be like the rest. This Hybrid would go for the kill without a doubt.
"CHARGE." Lailah yelled. The Alpha didn't flinch. But he should have. The troops tore at him, and they were now filled with grief, anger, and most importantly, vengeance. The only problem was, the Hybrid tore back. That was inconvenient. Jed was magnificent. With extra strength, speed and agility, he was unstoppable, although he mis judged his strength a few times and stumbled, he didn't give up, of course. The Hybrid didn't stand a chance. There was blood, screaming, crying, more screaming, more crying, and Lailah watched as Shaegin and Jed both flew through the air at the same time, the Hybrid distracted by all of the other troops and Witches and wolves that were relentlessly giving their all, and both blunged their weapons into either side of the beasts head. The Hybrid Alpha was dead. The dust was starting to clear, though the smoke around the city was still thick. Lailah was happy to see a majority of her troops alive, basically all of the witches and about half of the wolves. And Jed. That was most important. The battle was won. She walked to Brokin.
"I need you to do something for me. With your healing Witches. Go around the city with anyone who is willing and see how many of the civilians you can heal or help. Whatever supplies you need, send for them, and I will have someone bring them to you.
"Of course, Captain." Lailah nodded at this. She turned to Jed and smiled.
~
Jed found Lailah standing over Almar's grave not a few days later. She had washed her hair and there was no longer blood soaked through it, and it was out, flowing in the wind. He loved how curly it was when she had it natural. He stopped next to her. She had her eyes closed.
"I betrayed you, Almar." She said, and knelt on one knee, putting a hand over the grass. "I betrayed you and still you sacrificed yourself for me. That kind of love..." She sniffled. "I am truly sorry I did not return it. I really hope you can hear me now, as I tell you that I would have done the same for you, regardless or my feelings for you Almar. I did love you. In my own way. I am so sorry." There was a silence, and Jed put his hand on her shoulder.
"Did you say goodbye to Nat in this way?"
"No. Nat may be dead but she is still with me, every step of the way, and she asked me not to mark her grave. I need to say goodbye to Almar."
"Why?"
"So I do not feel guilty about you." There was another beat.
"I am sorry he's gone, Lailah." She looked up at him.
"I would have thought you would have been happy he was gone. Now he's out of the way."
"I never saw him as an inconvenience."
"Neither did I." They looked at each other, and he held her hand. "Your grip is so much stronger now."
"Sorry, I'm still getting used to the new strength."
"It suits you."
~
One week later, Lailah was crowned Queen. Shaegin, Alloy, Finnagin and Stawley were standing on either side of the throne, and Jed was standing off to the side slightly. He may have been Lailah's partner now but he still couldn't compete with her life long battle buddies. When she entered, wearing a gown of what looked like pure gold, Jed basically melted right then and there. She smiled at him, and he smiled back. She took her spot atop the throne, and Shaegin walked forward to rest the crown he was holding stop her head. Everyone in the room kneeled, and Jed did the same. As he kneeled, he grinned. This is what she had earned.
~
"You could knee for me, sometimes." Jed said to her later that night.
"Are you flirting with me, Jedrek Candor."
"Perhaps."
"I see."
"What does a guy have to do around here to win the Queen's heart."
"Already done." She said, and walked over to him. She kissed him on the mouth, and pulled him towards the bed. "I forgot to say it back." He stared at her. "I love you, Jed. I hate the three words because they are so over used and don't do my feelings justice, so let me explain them. It took me a while to admit it to myself, and even longer to admit it to you. But if I am a hundred percent honest, you are worth more to me than all the stars in the sky, and I would not trade you for anything. I felt like I couldn't feed into these feelings, because I was afraid of loosing what I love, and what I loved was scarce as it was, but it seems that I ended up loosing more than those close to me in the long run. Now all I have left is you."
"You still have Shaegin, new allies, an entire city to take care of now. There is still more to be done, the city is in poverty, we know for a fact the Hybrids have magic but we didn't see them use it, and Sectors are destroyed. You are Queen now, and you have alot more responsibility, we need to start thinking about how we can bring order to-" She cut him off with a kiss.
"I know, Jed. But...something worth fighting for." She kissed him again, and they fell onto the bed, her pulling him on top of her.
"You're sure, about being with me, then."
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."
