279- Ashes of Allegiance
POV Elowen Grimwald:
I forced my sobbing to continue, even as those words threatened to paralyze me.
Do not grieve my departure; at last I will have peace beside my family. I fulfilled my final mission before dying, and now yours begins. Your heart will guide you. Forgive me for not protecting you, for allowing all of this to happen. There are things beyond my control.
I no longer needed to pretend to cry; it struck me again—stronger and more painful. How it hurt.
Our ancestresses brought you to Aldren and paid the spiritual debt that Samsara’s dark magic left behind. Do not be afraid to be who you are, my dear; we are not evil. As in every species, there are those who use their abilities for good and those who use them for evil. Humans and wolves are like that; witches are too. Be happy and bring justice. You must do what I was not capable of.
The white light suddenly went out, ending my post-mortem connection with Korlina.
“No!” I roared, unable to hold it back.
Aldren’s arms lifted me from the ground, and Korlina’s body fell backward, appearing to rot rapidly in a supernatural way.
I turned to my mate, embracing him in the hope that my pain would subside.
“Rip off her head and display it on a stake in the center of Valmorin.” The cold declaration came from the elder.
(...)
POV Aldren Valmorin:
The sun had barely broken over the horizon, staining the sky a deep orange, and I stood with my guards at the center of the village.
The traitors had been captured, and all the other members of the pack crowded fearfully before us.
Korlina’s head was fixed upon the central stake of the extinguished bonfire, reminding them of the enforcement of the laws. There was nothing I could do to prevent it without my mate paying once again for the price of my hesitation.
Around the great stake, bound and kneeling, were the members of my pack who had dared to raise stones against Elowen. Fury burned in my veins as I contemplated the scene.
I had given my life, my love, and my loyalty to those people, and yet they had not hesitated to believe Nala’s poisoned assumptions, attacking my mate without a second thought.
Regret and rage bubbled within me, boiling with every fearful glance I received from those who had once been loyal to me.
Everything I had sacrificed, every difficult decision I had made to protect them, seemed to have been in vain.
Then I caught the scent of my mate—roses, jasmine, and black pepper. She had arrived. I turned toward her and beheld her beauty amid all that disgrace and prelude to death.
Barefoot, in a long white dress that marked her as the queen of Valmorin, she approached, accompanied by Bratvo and Nerin.
A collective murmur of fear spread through the crowd as she walked with dignity to where I stood.
Her nervousness was palpable to me. The sadness in her blue eyes cut deeper than any blade ever could.
When she reached me, I kissed her forehead with a tenderness that brutally contrasted with the rage boiling inside me.
Turning to face the crowd, I felt the beast roar fiercely within me, ready to be unleashed.
“People of Valmorin,” I began, my voice resounding sharp as thunder. “This is Elowen Grimwald, my queen and mate. From this day forward, anyone who dares oppose her will face death. I, Aldren Valmorin, sacrificed my life for all of you. I gave my blood and sweat to ensure the safety and prosperity of this village.”
The looks I received ranged from fear to guilt. In the absence of my words, silence settled over the crowd.
“And how did you repay me? By believing rumors and stoning my chosen in my absence? Valmorin was my only reason to live, but now, first and foremost, stands Elowen, your queen. She is the reason I will continue to protect and lead this people. Anyone who dares insult her will come to know the fury of Valmorin’s alpha.” My words carried the weight of my authority and threat.
I glanced at Elowen, yearning to see her before continuing. Her full lips curved downward, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Everything was about to end.
I raised my voice even louder to my people:
“Today, she will light the pyre that will burn those who stoned her. Light it, Queen of Valmorin. Have your vengeance.” At my command, whispers of dread rippled through the air, and I watched as Bratvo handed her the lighter.
Elowen took it but did not walk toward the pyre.
With a gentle touch on my arm, she leaned in to speak into my ear. I bent down so she could reach me.