Chapter 85 New Order
ARYA
I turned back to the coalition warriors. “If we accept your surrender, you’ll be bound by a magical oath to the unity covenant. You’ll renounce violence, accept equality among all species, and work to repair the damage you’ve caused.”
“We accept.”
“You’ll also submit to trial for any war crimes. Those who’ve committed murder, torture, or other atrocities will face justice.”
The Lycan paled slightly but nodded. “We accept.”
“Then I accept your surrender.” I extended my hand. “Welcome to the new world we’re building. Try to do better this time.”
He took my hand, and I saw tears in his eyes. “Thank you, Luna. We won’t waste this chance.”
They filed out to submit to magical binding, when the last of them was out. Luca pulled me aside.
“That was either brilliant or suicidal.”
“Por que no los dos?”
“Because I’d prefer you alive and brilliant rather than dead and right.” But he was smiling slightly. “Though I admit, it was the right call. Politically and morally.”
“Character growth. I’m so proud.”
“Don’t get used to it. I’m still planning to be insufferably overprotective for the rest of our now-mortal lives.”
“You seem a little too happy about that.”
We were interrupted by Sage, who looked a little rough.
“We still have the summit,” she said without preamble. “What do we do? Half the venue is destroyed, we have wounded creatures everywhere, and technically we’re supposed to start the opening ceremonies in three hours.”
With all that happened and me almost dying, I’d completely forgotten about the actual summit.
“We can’t cancel,” I said. “Not after everything that’s happened. People came here expecting change. We need to deliver.”
“You need to rest,” Luca protested.
“I’ll manage. We’ve come too far to stop now.” I looked at Sage. “Can we make it work? Even with the damage?”
“The eastern hall survived mostly intact. It’s smaller, more intimate, but functional.” She pulled up her tablet. “We’ll have to adjust the seating, skip some of the ceremonial elements, but yeah. We can make it work.”
“Then let’s do it.”
The next three hours were a blur of frantic preparation. Healers patched up wounds while workers cleared debris. Guests who’d scattered during the attack were gathered and reassured.
And I got ready to give the most important speech of my life while barely able to stand without support.
“You don’t have to do this,” Luca said as I prepared backstage. “We can postpone. No one would blame you.”
“I would blame myself.” I adjusted my dress that had been replaced in a hurry. This one was simpler, less formal. “These people came here for hope. I need to give it to them.”
“You already did by defeating Theron. You saved everyone. They should be grateful and thank you instead of you going through all this.”
“I survived. But now I need to show them it meant something.” I took his hand. “Walk out there with me?”
“Fine.”
The eastern hall was packed beyond capacity. Every available space held bodies, from wolves to Lycans to bears, cats, fae, and dozens of other species I didn’t have names for. They’d stayed despite the attack. I respected them for it because they believed in the new order.
When I walked onto the stage, the room fell silent.
“I’m not going to give you the speech I prepared,” I began, my voice amplified. “That speech talked about hope and unity and building a better future. It was full of pretty words and diplomatic language.”
I paused and exhaled a small breath, letting my shoulders drop.
“But pretty words didn’t save us today. Action and choice did. People from opposing sides chose to fight together instead of against each other. Former enemies chose to defect rather than follow orders they knew were wrong. And all of you chose to stay despite the danger.
“The coalition attacked because they feared what we represent. Not because we’re strong, but because we’re different. Because we prove that mixing bloodlines, cultures, and species doesn’t weaken us—it makes us stronger.”
My voice grew stronger, my exhaustion fading in the face of what needed to be said.
“Today, we faced hatred and violence. And we won by offering peace even to enemies and protecting everyone, not just our own species. By refusing to become the monsters they claimed we were.”
The room was completely silent now, everyone hanging on every word.
“This is the world we’re building. One where your worth isn’t determined by your bloodline or species. Where power is shared, not hoarded. Where differences are celebrated.” I paused. “It won’t be easy. Today proved that. But nothing worth having ever is.”
I scanned the crowd, seeing faces of every species, every background.
“So I’m asking you—all of you—to join us. Not just in words, but in action. Go back to your packs, your kingdoms, your territories. And start building this new world. Start treating other species with respect. Start questioning old prejudices. Start being the change you want to see.”
Silence.
Then one person stood. Then another. Then dozens. Within seconds, the entire room was on its feet, applause thundering through the hall.
I felt Luca’s pride and love flooding through me. And it was hard to keep a sheepish smile off my face. Especially when I heard his proud voice in my mind as he squeezed my hand.
'You did it,' he sent. 'You actually did it.'
'No, we did it.’ I corrected him. None of this would have been possible without him and his own sacrifice. He deserved equal acknowledgment. ‘Together.'
'Always, baby.’ Something in his voice softened, making my heart flutter. ‘Always together.'