Chapter 75

Isadora's POV.

The atmosphere was tense with grief as the bodies of the massacred were piled up. The chief guard walked up to me and said, "My lady, the number of deceased is numerous. It's impossible for us to give each one an individual funeral."

I nodded, wiping tears from my eyes with a handkerchief. "You are right, and besides, we have no time for that. It's best we give them a mass funeral."

Just then, two guards approached with a stretcher in hand, the body covered with a white cloth. "My lady, we thought you might want to see him one last time before we have him transferred," one of them said.

I lifted the white cloth, and my eyes fell on Matamoros's lifeless form. Instantly, my heart shattered into tiny pieces, and I broke into more tears.

With tears streaming down my face, I laid a hand on his chest and whispered, "Matamoros, you were one of the very best things that ever happened to me, and I was one of the worst things to ever happen to you. I hope that one day in the afterlife, you'll find a place in your heart to forgive me, when you eventually do, kindly prepare a space for me beside you, who knows I might be joining you really soon." With that, the men took him away escorted by the chief guard.

Just then, an image of Leonardis laughing at me flashed in my mind, and my blood boiled like a volcano. For the first time since I first shifted into my wolf form, I felt real bloodlust, and the only blood I was thirsty for was his, this time around if I ever get a chance I will not spare his life.

Lost in my thoughts, the chief guard returned and tapped me, saying, "My lady, everything is ready. All that is left is your blessings and to say farewell to the deceased."

I scoffed, frustration building up. "Does it have to be me? Why not have one of the elders do it?"

Personally, I wasn't a big fan of funerals. It wasn't my ideal gathering.

The chief guard responded, "All of the elders are dead, my lady."

I sighed, slapping my palm to my face. "Alright then, after you," I said, signaling for the chief guard to go ahead, reluctantly following behind.

***

Just as we arrived at the graveyard, a dark cloud suddenly appeared overhead, causing an eclipse to form as if a heavy rain was about to pour. The chief guard panicked, saying hastily, "My lady, we have to make it quick before the storm begins."

I squinted my eyes, trying to get a clearer vision of the dark clouds above. I responded, "That's not a storm; that's Golem and his army."

The rest of the surviving men erupted into cheers, chanting in unison, "Long live the King who doesn't let his people die in vain! Long live the King who heals the pain!"

Like a thunderstrike, Golem and his men touched down in their dragon form, roaring angrily with breaths of fire like mad beasts ready to rain down destruction.

Golem shifted back to his human form and walked up to me with a smirk on his face, saying, "Hope you didn't miss me too much."

I shot him a sarcastic smile. "Oh, immensely. Your timing is, as always, impeccable."

Golem chuckled, his eyes reflecting a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Well, I try my best."

Golem spun around, examining the surroundings. His eyes fell on the grave meant for the mass burial, and he squinted in irritation. "That's a lot of bodies."

I placed a hand on my face in shame. "Your mother will be so disappointed in me. She ruled for decades, and there was no such thing as war or disaster. The South enjoyed stability and prosperity. Unfortunately, she dies, and just a few days after her death, this happens. I'm sure she will definitely regret crowning me as the first lady."

Golem pulled me into a comforting hug. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Isadora. It's not your fault. It was an ambush; you shouldn't blame yourself for it."

I pulled away from the hug, frustration evident. "Quit trying to comfort me, Golem. Even if everybody says otherwise, I know deep down in my heart that this is all my fault. Now, with your help, I am ready to correct it."

Golem responded, "What are we waiting around for then? Let's finish this once and for all."

"I agree. We were just about to bury the deceased. Automatically, you're the King; you may do the honors," I said.

Golem nodded, and we walked toward the grave together. The mood was somber as the remaining men and gathered around, waiting for the King's address while the dragon army stood behind.

Golem raised his hand for silence. "My people, today, we stand in the face of loss and grief. Our fallen warriors will be remembered as heroes, and their sacrifices will not be in vain. We mourn their passing, but we also gather here with determination. We will not let the North triumph over our land. We will rise, and together, we will bring an end to this darkness."

The crowd listened in solemn silence, and Golem continued, "We will not let the North's aggression go unanswered. We will strike back and hard, and we will reclaim our glory. The enemy will regret the day they crossed into the South."

A surge of determination filled the air, and the men began to chant, "For the South! For the fallen!"

With that, Golem picked up some soil and threw it into the grave. A few men immediately stepped forward with shovels and covered up the grave with soil. The ceremony felt like a somber prelude to the impending battle.

Golem and I turned around, facing the crowd as he declared asking.

"Are you ready for battle?"

"Hell yeah," the men echoed.

Golem continued, "The rule is simple: leave nothing alive and burn everything down."

The crowd erupted into another wave of war chants, their fervor building up with each beat.

Golem waited for the chants to subside and then continued, "And for their King..."

Just before he could complete the sentence, I interrupted, blood lust in my eyes. "As for the King, he's all mine. I want to dig my claws into his chest and rip his heart out."

Golem smiled at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and approval. "So be it, my lady. Your wish is my command."