Chapter Thirty

Kellen approached the Light King confidently, not about to let his killer intimidate him.

“Well, you’re early,” he noted, sitting on the temple floor beside him.

Seth sighed, “No, you’re just late.”

They didn’t say anything for a moment and Kellen tried awkwardly to make small talk, “So. . .”

“You got my letter?” Seth interrupted.

“Yeah. I’ll be sure to fulfill your request,” he said, knowing full well that that wouldn’t be the case.

“Same here.”

Kellen nodded in respect, “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Silence filled up the air again.

What are you supposed to say to the person who you are going to war with in less than twenty-four hours?

“Are you ready?” Seth asked.

“As we’ll ever be. You?”

“Yeah, we’re ready,” he said regretfully.

“It would’ve happened sooner or later,” Kellen reminded him, “we’d be kidding ourselves if we ever thought otherwise.”

“I know,” Seth hung his head, “It’s just. . . I wish it happened under different circumstances.”

Kellen suddenly lost it, “Why are you so put together? Do you have any idea how annoying it is that you’re at ease with all of this?”

If I’m going to die, I might as well have us share our secrets.

Seth snorted, “At ease? I’m freaking out! I might die, which will cause Darby to die. And if you die, she will be heartbroken. Either way, she won’t be happy and one of us will be dead. You’re the one who’s put together, and I don’t know if it’s because of your darkness or you’re just completely heartless!”

“I just mask my emotions well.”

“I wish I could do that,” Seth glowered, “I’m a nervous wreck and everyone can see it.”

Trust me, no you don’t. 

“You aren’t as much of an open book as you think,” Kellen offered the nicest thing he could think of saying. 

Seth gave him a wry smile, “Thanks.”

Kellen nodded stiffly.

We should be hating each other, why are we complimenting one another? 

Seth ran his hand through his mohawk, “What do you think would happen if we both called off the war?”

“We’d have a lot of explaining to do.”

“But could it be worth it?” He met Kellen’s eyes.

I’m still amazed that this reluctant, weak king beats me.

“Our empires would probably revolt and attack anyway. I have a hold on most of my fey but Scarlet. . . no it wouldn’t be worth it.”

“Then,” Seth sighed again, “this will be the last time I see you.”

“On friendly terms, yes.”

“Well,” Seth stuck out his hand, “may the best empire win.”

Kellen took his hand, ignoring the burning that shot up his arm as he did so, “Good luck.”

“You’re positive you still want to participate in the war?” Darby checked.

Montana rolled her eyes, “It’s a little late to back out now, don’t you think?”

“Aren’t you scared?” She asked, bitting her lip as she paced the length of the room. 

Montana shrugged, “Yeah, but I need to do this for my empire. If I die, I died for the sake of my empire.”

“Stay safe,” Darby told her, hugging her fiercely.

“I will,” Montana smiled.

A knock sounded on the door and Seth called out, “Darby? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Montana wiped a tear forming in her right eye, “I should go. But I’ll see you before I go, I promise.”

She nodded and tried to laugh as she brushed away her tears, “You better. Or I won’t ever forgive you.” 

Darby let her out and Seth came in, looking just as light and happy as always. She admired that about him, smiling even if everything was going horribly.

He swept her up and kissed her, “How are you doing?”

“As good as I can,” she told him, “How’s the army?”

“Excited and eager.”

“And the Light King?” She questioned.

“Tired, scared, and sick to his stomach,” he said with a chuckle.

She shook her head and said simply, “This sucks.”

He kissed her fingers, “I know.”

“And the fact that you’re going to be gone. . . the night is going to lose all it’s warmth without you by me.”

“I know,” he held her close, “but here you’ll be safe. And I’ll be thinking about you, it’ll be like I’m always by you; keeping you safe and protected.”

“Who will protect you then?” She murmured.

“I’ll be guarded. Trust me, Anthony isn’t going to let me out of his sight. I promise you that.”

But he’s not promising that he’ll come back to me.

“I don’t want you to go,” she finally said the words that had been plaguing her mind daily. 

“I don’t want to leave you,” he kissed away her tears, “but I have to. It’s not a matter of want.”

“I know.”

“I have thought of something to make the wait less tedious, or more so I guess, depending on how you look at it,” he took both of her hands and met her wet eyes, “Darby, will you be my Light Queen?”

She smiled and kissed him, as the lightness in him lifted her soul, “Yes.”

“You’ll never be without me now,” he swore to her, stroking her cheek.

“You were right,” she laughed quietly, “it will make the wait to see you again more difficult.”

He snickered, “Yeah, sorry about that.”

“I love you,” she said, leaning her head against his chest.

“I love you too, my queen.”

She suddenly broke hold, “Take me with you.”

His smile faded and he shook his head, “No, it’s to dangerous.”

“I need to be there.”

“I can’t allow that.”

She straightened up, “Seth, either I’m there with you or I’m on the battlefield.” She almost felt guilty after his face paled considerably, but she continued on, “I know Anthony had a plan.”

He looked down and said the words that basically spelled victory for her, “But if you get hurt. . .”

“I won’t. Trust me, miele, I’m not important enough to get hurt.”

He gave her a disapproving look, “Now you know I disagree with that. But I think you’re right, Kellen wouldn’t have anybody hurt you.”

“I don’t think Kellen gives a damn whether or not I die,” Darby said pointedly, “and he can’t control his empire enough to stop them.”

He chuckled, “By bashing Kellen you do realize you aren’t helping your case.”

She shrugged and gave him a guilty smile.

“He does want you to be safe,” Seth told her, his tone almost begrudging.

It was impossible for her to argue that when she tasted that it was the truth, instead she just put her lips to his to stop his words.

It’s best to think of Kellen as evil then to think he cares. It makes things easier on everybody.