Chapter 118: Chapter 118 – Faded

Lex’s POV

“It’s all an illusion,” I mind-linked to everyone, excitement mixed with worry churning inside me. “Sade doesn’t know—she’s the only one who can see it. Hold your positions. Don’t move. Don’t breathe. Stay calm.”

The guests nodded, my parents shifting uncomfortably in their seats.

I watched Lilly, Adira, and Hendrix move deeper into the temple, warriors following quietly for safety. Luke held Angelica steady.

“Why’s Angelica here?” I mind-linked Luke.

“She wanted to see her daughter get mated to you,” he replied simply. “Lilly’s granting her last wish.”

“Last wish?” I muttered, confused. “What does that mean?”

The next moment, Sade gasped. Her heartbeat raced, her body visibly shaking. A small cry escaped her lips as she unconsciously moved away from me.

“What is she looking at?” I mind-linked Luke.

“She thinks I just slit her mother’s throat.”

“Goddess,” I muttered, wishing for a moment that I could see the illusion myself.

Sade’s posture turned rigid. Her face twisted with rage before she shifted into her wolf, charged down the aisle, and pounced forward, claws outstretched.

Luke calmly but quickly stepped aside. The next moment, Sade sank her claws into Angelica and slashed her chest wide open.

Angelica screamed, trying to push Sade’s wolf off her.

I turned my gaze away—I couldn’t watch. The gasping sounds were too much. Moments later, when Sade’s wolf was satisfied, she stepped back, proud.

The sound of bones cracking filled the air as Sade shifted back to human form, rising to her feet.

“Told you all she was just a pathetic wolf,” she declared proudly, spitting on the body. “I am stronger than her. I am to be queen!”

“I bet she didn’t take a good look at what she did,” Lotus commented, his voice calm now that he could see and smell Lilly.

“Are you done now?” Lilly abruptly asked, appearing at Luke’s side.

Sade’s body stiffened and her head snapped up, confusion flickering in her eyes. She looked down at the body, then back to Lilly.

“Seems like she’s finally processing what she’s done,” Lotus said.

Sade’s gaze jumped between the body and Lilly, over and over for ten long seconds.

“Too slow for my liking,” I replied.

“Mmm… her mind is glitching!” Lotus chuckled, finding Sade’s expression hilarious.

“Who…” Sade managed, eyes wide. “How…”

“You killed your mother out of rage,” Luke said.

Sade shook her head. “That was not my mother,” she stuttered, shaken. “I… I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it,” Lilly echoed. “You have taken her life.”

“How?” Sade whispered, sinking to her knees as realization hit her. She took her mother’s limp, scarred hand into hers, cradling it against her face.

“Magic!” Adira said, snapping her fingers as she stepped forward. “Something you would have known if you’d been properly trained to use it!”

Tears filled Sade’s eyes, and for once she looked utterly broken as she burst into sobs.

“Guards, remove her and the body from the temple,” my father ordered, rising to his feet. He’d had enough of the drama.

Luke gestured for the warriors to approach. As Lilly quickly passed him on her way down the aisle, a warrior moved to help her. Suddenly, Sade leaped to her feet, grabbed a dagger from a guard’s belt, and lunged at Lilly.

“Lilly, watch out!” Hendrix’s voice boomed through the temple.

In the chaos, I managed to grab Lilly and shield her, bracing for the impact.

It never came. Time seemed to freeze.

I turned back and saw guards pinning Sade to the floor, wrenching the dagger from her grasp and pulling her away. The next moment, Zack collapsed to the ground.

“Zack!” Lilly’s panicked voice rang out. She shoved me aside and rushed to his side.

I watched in horror as Lilly pulled the knife from his chest and pressed her hands to the wound, blood oozing out, staining her hands red.

“Zack,” Lilly pleaded, “you’ll be okay. Stay with me. Look at me. You can’t die. I need you. We all need you!”

“Get a doctor!” Lotus ordered, snapping me out of my shock.

“Get a doctor!” I echoed, moving to Lilly’s side to help put pressure on the wound.

Adira ran over, followed by Jax and Mila. My parents joined, dread on their faces.

Mila sobbed, clinging to Jax. Adira dropped to her knees, cupping Zack’s face.

“Make space!” a doctor called, pushing through the crowd.

“Help him!” Adira pleaded. “He’s dying.”

“He’s lost too much blood,” the doctor said, voice grim. “I don’t think I can save him.”

I watched as the life faded from Zack’s eyes. He reached for Adira, a tender smile on his lips. “I love you,” he managed, coughing.

“I love you too!” Adira sobbed.

He turned to Lilly, a weak smile trembling on his lips. “You make me proud, sis. Be the queen you were always meant to be.”

His gaze flickered to me. “Look after her,” he whispered, then glanced at his parents. Before he could finish, he was gone.

“I’m sorry,” the doctor said gently. “There was nothing I could do. He lost too much blood. The dagger was embedded in his heart.” He stood, gesturing for a stretcher.

My parents pulled Jax and Mila aside; Hendrix drew Adira into his arms.

Lilly shook her head, defiance blazing in her eyes. “He’s not dying on my watch!” She wasn’t going to give up.

“Lilly,” I said softly, “Zack… he’s—”

My words faltered as a warm feeling pulsed beneath my hands, and Lilly began to hum softly under her breath.

A bright white light appeared beneath our hands. I froze, holding my breath as the light grew stronger, warmer, until a flash filled the temple.

Suddenly, Zack gasped for air.