Love Rekindled

Love Rekindled
Gatrina’s POV…

A WEEK LATER…

A week had passed since everything changed. A week since Feran died. A week since Abigail disappeared. A week since the empire lost its emperor and gained a prince who seemed determined to become something entirely different. Feran had been buried days ago.

Jarox had granted Amara and me amnesty and invited us into the palace. It still felt strange being here. This place had once represented everything I hated. Now I was walking through its halls freely, surrounded by Krugs who no longer looked at me as an enemy. At least, most of them didn't.

Jarox had barely had time to breathe. Every day brought another meeting with ministers, generals, Lords, Masters, and representatives of the great houses. He was trying to convince them to accept his vision for New Morjan, or should I call her Earth. A future where humans and Krugs could finally exist together without conquest, slavery, or war.

It wasn't easy. Some houses refused to listen. Others demanded concessions. A few openly questioned whether a young prince could change centuries of tradition. But Jarox kept pushing. And slowly, they were beginning to listen. He was gaining support. By next week, he believed he would have enough to be crowned the new emperor. I hoped he was right. Because the moment Abigail returned, we were going to need every ally we could find.

I stood beside Trix's bed. She hadn't moved. Her body was covered in bandages, with tubes and monitors connected to her. Her breathing was steady, but she remained unconscious. I reached down and touched her hand. "Wake up soon," I whispered.

We needed her. Trix understood Abigail better than anyone. She had created her. She had studied her. And she knew what Abigail was capable of. If Abigail came back to finish what she'd started, we would need every bit of Trix's strength.

The door opened. I turned. Amara stood there. She was dressed differently than usual. Her weapons were secured. Her hood was pulled over her shoulders. She looked ready to leave.

"Where are you going?"

She glanced toward the door. "I’m leaving, Gatrina."

"Where will you go?"

"I don’t know. Anywhere but here though."

I frowned. "You can't just leave."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't have anywhere to go."

She smiled faintly. "I know."

I stepped closer. "The Underground is gone. And you can't stay out there alone."

She shrugged. "I've survived alone before."

I stared at her. Her eyes moved around the room. "I'm a Killer, Gati. I don't belong in a palace full of Krugs."

She paused. "Until Jarox becomes emperor and actually changes things, I'll just have to keep moving."

I didn't know what to say. "Where will you go?"

"I don't know."

Her voice softened. "Gary was my anchor. Now he's gone."

I could see the pain behind her expression. "I need something else. Something to fight for." Then she looked at me. "Something to kill for."

I swallowed. "I'm sorry."

She gave me a small smile. "Don't be."

She turned and walked away. "Good luck, Amara."

She stopped briefly. Then she continued through the door. I watched her disappear. A moment later, I felt someone behind me. Hands gently settled around my shoulders. I knew who it was. Jarox.

His touch brought a strange sense of comfort. "Come with me," he said.

I turned slightly. "Where?"

"Somewhere private." His voice was soft. "We need to talk."

I knew exactly what he meant. There were things we'd both been avoiding. Things we couldn't keep buried forever. So I followed him.

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.

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Jarox’s POV…

I led Gatrina through the palace until we reached a private study. I opened the door. She walked inside. I followed and shut it behind us. For a moment, neither of us spoke. So we started with everything except what we actually needed to discuss.

"How are the meetings going?" she asked.

I sighed. "Terrible."

She smiled. "That bad?"

"Not anymore." I walked toward the desk. "The first few days were difficult. Some of the houses don't trust me. Others don't trust humans."

"Do they support you now?"

"Most of them." I looked at her. "If things continue like this, by next week we'll be ready for the coronation."

She smiled. "You're really going to do it."

"I have to." I looked around the study. "My father is gone. My mother is gone… I miss them."

Gatrina's expression softened.

"I always knew I'd have to carry on without them eventually. I just didn't expect it to happen this way."

She stepped closer. "I'm sorry."

I nodded. Then I looked at her. "And you?"

She frowned. "What about me?"

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"No." I shook my head. "Not about the war."

I stepped closer. "About us."

She looked away. There it was. The wall she'd been building between us.

"Gati."

She remained silent. I moved closer. "We can't keep pretending this isn't here."

She finally looked at me. "I don't think we should do this."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"I want to hear you say it."

She sighed. "Too much has happened."

I reached for her waist. She stiffened.

"I don't know if we can work anymore."

"We can."

"Jarox—"

"I missed you." Her eyes met mine. "I spent all this time trying not to think about you."

I pulled her gently closer. "I failed."

She looked down. "There is something you need to understand."

"What?"

"My womb." She swallowed. "Veyra damaged me. She ripped me apart. I don’t think I can have children anymore. I can't give you heirs. I can’t give you the legacy you want."

"I don't care."

She looked surprised.

"I mean it." I held her waist. "I don't want you because you can give me heirs. I want you because I love you."

Her eyes began to glisten.

"I want you, Gati."

She didn't move away. I raised my hands and held her face.

"You don't have to give me a kingdom. You don't have to give me children." I brushed my thumb against her cheek. "Just give me you."

She stared at me for several seconds. Then she leaned into my hands. "I was scared."

"I know."

"I thought everything between us was gone."

I moved closer. "I promise you, I'll spend the rest of my life making you happy."

Her eyes closed briefly. Then I whispered the words I'd wanted to say for so long. "Become my queen."

She opened her eyes. For a moment, I wasn't sure what she'd say. Then she smiled. "Yes."

I kissed her. And this time, she kissed me back.