Dagen's POV
"The moon goddess gives and she takes as well," Edvin murmured in a hoarse voice. Immediately, Nydia left her father's side and rushed over to him.
"I can't believe it" she murmured in a hoarse voice, placing her head on his chest as she sobbed. He placed an arm around her and squeezed her gently.
"It's going to be okay," He murmured.
"We should leave this place," Tyler said. His voice was hoarse already. "We can't stay in here forever."
“We need to know if it is safe,” Edvin stated his words pronounced in tension. “We can’t remain locked up in this place and wait forever”
Nydia gave him a vigorous nod, and she flatly added, “I’ll do it. But we cannot afford to make ourselves vulnerable. It's our only option but one wrong move, and we’re all dead.
“I’ll do it,” Tyler said, his tone calm, but anyone could easily tell he was under pressure. "They won't kill me. I can tell them to surrender.”
Edvin looked him very much up and down then gave him a look of total disbelief. ‘You see, what if you lead them right to us?’ he snapped. What if this is your chance to make yourself king?”
Nydia interrupted him, rolling her eyes. "If Tyler wanted to betray us, he would’ve done it already. What he did for us meant that he put his own life in danger. We need to trust him."
Edvin just looked down, confusion and hesitance mirrored on his face – it was as if he didn’t know what decision to make. "It could also mean our death if we trusted him as the family we once were. I can't take that chance."
“I get it you were scared,” Tyler said quietly. "But we have to end this. If there is a possibility to save people’s lives we should do everything we can for it.”
Everyone in the room simply looked utterly taken aback by his words. "What happened?" I said that in a rather rough, low tone of voice. I finally had some energy to mutter something and to stand up.
Looking into my eyes, Edvin’s relief was obvious but concern was still plastered all over his face. "I am glad that you are awake. How do you feel?" He asked.
"I think I am alright," I mumbled, standing up. Nydia came over to my side and began to check my wounds which were already healing because of my werewolf abilities. I put my arm around her and squeezed her gently making Edvin roll his eyes.
"The traitors are dead,” he said. "Lord Terry has been killed."
I looked around the room, then at Tyler. "Why is he here?" I asked, my heart rate picking up to meet the distrust that was emanating from deep down inside of me.
Nydia spoke before Edvin could; she was eager to fight for Tyler for some reason. "Tyler helped us, Dagen. He saved our lives."
I glanced at Lord Allan's body that lay on the floor and fought the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. My parents were dead and so we're Edvin's. Edvin's parents who were like my second parents. Why did life have to be so cruel?
I took a step forward as shaky as a leaf and glanced at Tyler, sending him a glare that could have easily frozen the fire of the underworld. He only gave me an apologetic glance and sighed, wiping his tears. "If all that is true, then I must confirm it myself.’
I took in a deep breath and walked towards the door, my blood still boiling.
Edvin blocked my path, his expression desperate. "I can't let you die out there, Dagen."
Ignoring his plea, I grabbed Tyler by the collar and held a sword to his neck. "You're coming with me," I ordered. "Let's see how loyal you really are."
Tyler looked a bit scared but he nodded and closed his reddish eyes for a brief second. "Let's go then."
Edvin and Nydia followed closely behind as I dragged Tyler out of the room and through the corridors of the palace. The hallways were eerily silent, but filled with the tangy odour of blood. On the floor, I could see footprints that were bloodied leading to the door.
"Tyler, if you're lying about this, you'll regret it," Edvin muttered, his grip tightening on his sword.
"I know, Edvin," Tyler replied calmly. "But I'm not lying. I want this madness to end as much as you do."
Nydia glanced at Tyler, her expression softening slightly. "You've already proven yourself, Tyler. Just stay true to your word."
As we stepped outside closer to the dining hall where the attack had happened, the rebel soldiers turned to face us. They looked at us mockingly then upon sighting Tyler, fear replaced their cocky expression."Surrender," I commanded in a cold voice. "Or Tyler dies."
The soldiers' eyes widened, and for a moment, I feared they would call my bluff. But then, one by one, they dropped their weapons, the clatter of swords hitting the ground echoing in the courtyard. Palace guards and soldiers loyal to me moved in swiftly, arresting the rebels and securing the area.
Releasing Tyler, I turned to Edvin and Nydia. "We've won," I said, "But at what cost? Our parents are dead," I sighed.
Tyler rubbed his neck, the tension in his shoulders easing. "I told you I was on your side," he murmured, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of relief. "I am really sorry on my father's behalf. I know what he did cannot bring back your parents but I am really sorry."
For the first time, I believed him. "You did well, Tyler," I admitted, my voice softer. "Thank you."
Edvin stepped forward, eyeing him skeptically. "I still don't fully trust you, Tyler because you might later turn your back on us. Who knows if you only did this for future plans? But you did help us. I won't forget that."
"I have nothing, what future plans would I have?" He said, a tear sliding down his cheek.