"If by my life or death I can
protect you, I will."

~~J. R. R. Tolkien

****************

~August~

There was a dark undercurrent beneath the seemingly calm camp grounds as everyone prepared themselves and those around them. Following Dominic was second nature to me, even if I hadn't done it for centuries. I stood at his right shoulder as he moved about the camp, checking the fence at the back edge of the woods and conversing with each group we passed. He was a natural leader and I had always been at his side, even after everything. 

But preparing for battle, a true battle, it was something the two of us hadn't partaken in for hundreds of years. Sinister anticipation mixed with the blood lust had my body humming with adrenaline already, sizzling beneath my skin in a way more delicious than I could previously recall. 

"Almost like old time, huh?" Dominic said, voicing my thoughts. 

"Yeah, wasn't sure it would ever happen again," I replied, adjusting the sword sheathed on my hip as we walked. 

"There will always be war, old friend." Dominic paused just outside a large canvas tent, voices quiet and muffled from inside as he looked back at me. "I just wish my kids weren't involved. And I wish we had had more time."

I nodded in agreement. "There will be plenty of time after this is all over with, Dom. But when you're immortal, danger is honestly inevitable."

"In this day and age, it shouldn't be."

I could hear the bitter anger edging his voice and once again, I agreed. Centuries ago, when we were living off the land and traveling for days on foot or horseback, things were worse. Everything was harder, turf wars and violence were a normal part of life. But that was before the truce with humans, before technology advanced and brought the world together. Peace should have been an easily attainable aspect, now more than ever, but it wasn't. It was almost more fragile than it used to be, balancing on a tremulous ground just out of reach.

Shaking my thoughts away, ignoring the worry I felt for Nevada that threatened to consume my sanity, I gestured towards the tent.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Seeing if the witches have come up with anything," he answered with a sigh. "Alana brought Michael over earlier, so maybe they've had some progress. I honestly don't know what they're doing or think they can do."

"Well maybe their confidence will win the war," I replied flatly, already wanting to leave.

"We can hear you, you know!" an irritated female voice rang out from inside the tent. "If you're coming to us all negative and shit, kindly fuck off. Thanks!"

"Shut up, Avril," Michael scolded, sounding at his wits end. Shuffling sounded and I assumed Michael was maneuvering towards us, my notion confirmed a moment later as the flap opened to reveal a scowling warlock. "Welcome, gentlemen, to the little tent of gossip and margaritas."

I raised a brow. "Gossip and margaritas."

Michael's scowl deepened. "See for yourselves. Where did Elijah find these witches? They're like drunk college girls with magick and a recipe for disaster."

A brunette poked her head out of the tent, her chocolate colored eyes glazed and blood shot and she grinned up at the three of us.

"Hey boys," she giggled drunkenly, "come to have some fun before we all die?"

"You're supposed to be working on defense, Layla," Dominic growled, clearly angry at her current state, "not drinking. Have you done anything?"

Layla frowned. "We surrounded the camp in ward evil spells and put as much protection as we can around the grounds. What else can we do?"

The young woman narrowed her eyes at Michael as she stepped through the opening, wobbling precariously before finding her balance. The warlock scoffed at her glare and crossed his arms, giving her a challenging look of his own.

"I don't know, it's not my job to tell you how to do your shit, Layla," Dominic snapped. He waved a hand to encompass her and the tent behind her. "This was on you to prepare your coven. Now you're drunk and useless because alcohol dulls your magick."

"If this asshole would have just agreed to my suggestion," Layla slurred, stabbing a finger towards Michael, "we would have done just fine!"

"I don't fuck with dark magick anymore!" Michael yelled in exasperation as if he had said this multiple times already. "I don't care what you've heard about me!"

"You're just being dramatic," Layla replied with a hiccup, rolling her eyes. 

Michael's eyes blazed furiously, flashing between shades as his lips thinned and his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

"Go fuck yourself, Layla," he growled coldly. "You're reckless and it's going to get those women killed. Their blood will be on your hands, not mine."

With that, he walked away without a second glance. It was then that I realized the sun had fully faded, the night sky blanketing the heavens as shadows slipped through the camp. There were no longer any night sounds of night to be heard, the crickets silent as the creatures of the night joined our rebellion. 

"Stay out of the way," Dominic snarled, turning away as well. "Your fear is poisonous to us all."

My fingers clenched around the hilt of my sword, the familiar designs pressing into my flesh only increasing my desire to fight. I could feel my fangs tingle inside my guns as a sinister smile played on my lips. It wouldn't be much longer before it all descended into chaos, and there would be destruction left in my wake. The enemy was coming for those I loved, to hurt the woman who owned my soul… and I planned to bathe in his blood.

●●●●

~Alana~

I watched from the roof of the main building as my husband made his round with August at his side. It was almost peaceful up here… almost. I had a feeling it would have been entirely peaceful at any other point in time. As a camp for wayward children, those without a home or caregivers to teach them the positive ways of life, I knew it had once teemed with happiness and laughter. 

As I watched the steps fall into place around me, I wondered if this place would ever return to its former glory, or if it would even survive the night. Fear and anger surrounded us, the darkness seeping into the ground we touched and permeating the air we breathed. No one here would be safe tonight, not even the ones hidden away, but we were left without a choice. 

A light breeze brushed my skin, carrying the scent of pine. I didn't have to look over my shoulder to know who had joined me.

"Quite the evening, isn't it?" a male voice spoke a moment later.

"It's definitely something," I agreed, glancing over at the man. "Why are you up here instead of with your clan, Colton?"

Silver eyes met mine as the vampire swiped wild, dirty blonde strands away from his face. Colton grinned, showing off his fangs as he shrugged.

"My family is exhausting to keep in line," he nodded towards a dark, hooded figure slinking through the shadows below. "Like Gretta and her obsession with Elijah. She's determined to piss him off because she's convinced he's all bark and no bite."

I shook my head, trying not to laugh. 

"What's she done now? They remind me of high school kids, except Elijah is…"

"Completely fucking savage and insane?" Colton supplied cheerfully. "Well, Gretta is her own brand of crazy though, Love."

"Does anyone know why they hate each other?" I asked curiously. 

"No, not really. I just know they've never gotten along and go out of their way to avoid one another." Colton stood and stepped onto the edge of the building. "I hear a helicopter coming. Must be time to scatter."

And he was gone as quick as he came, the sound he heard meeting my ears a minute later. Sighing, hating the hours that lay ahead before they even came, I slipped down the ladder attached to the side of the building. My feet hit the ground and I was overcome with a feeling of relief that wasn't mine. Looking around, I saw Nova  headed towards the parking lot with his eyes on the sky.

The radio attached to my belt crackled before I could say anything, Reyne's agitated voice snagging my attention.

"Gear up! We're inbound in five with bogies to the west and coming fast!"

"Enemy ETA?" came Dominic's instant response.

"Forty-five minutes if I had to guess," Reyne advised just as the helicopters came into view.

Wolves began to howl to the east and my heart began to race as I spun around.

"Are they behind us?" I asked, holding the walkie to my mouth as I jogged across the campgrounds towards the woods.

"Shit! I see… six maybe seven large vehicles!" Robbie answered as the helicopter began to circle for landing. "I can't tell who it is but they're coming down the road at high speeds! Brace for attack! Identities unknown so it could be friend or foe!"

"Expecting visitors, anyone?" Elijah drawled over the channel but the anxiety was evident beneath his easy words.

I stopped at the end of the line of cabins, hidden in shadows as I prepared to unsheath my sword, the sound of gravel filling I tense silence around me. From my peripheral, I noted the shifting of those close by; wolves slinking into the shadows and the darkness of the woods; a panther perched in a tree several yards away. My children stood on either side of the main building, neither of them showing anything but stoic calm which caused pride to blossom just as the helicopter filled the gravel lot.

Air whipped my hair angrily against my face, stealing my breath and it fought to knock me down. But I locked my body in place and watched the road as headlights cut through the night. We all watched as several large SUVs came to a stop on the road just beyond the drive, the engines abruptly dying and only the slow wind down of the chopper could be heard. 

After a moment, the driver door of the first vehicle opened and a man I never thought I would see again stepped out slowly with his hands raised. Stunned by what I was seeing, my hands fell limp to my sides.

"Everyone calm down," he called and tears filled my eyes. "I am here for my Queen."

A choked sob burst from my lips and I found myself sprinting towards him, quickly closing the distance between us before I flung myself at him. He easily caught me and wrapped me in his arms, my feet momentarily leaving the ground.

"Oh Gods, Oliver!" I cried, my voice shaking as he set me back on my feet. "I never thought I would see you again! I thought… I thought that you…"

Oliver nodded, sadness lining his young face. "I should have been but I wasn't."

"But how…?" I could barely form the thoughts let alone say them out loud. I could see the pain in his eyes as he looked back down at me and my heart felt like it would break all over again.

"I wasn't there, Lana," he whispered as he dropped his head. "King Lavarius… your father… he sent out several squads to investigate rumors of enemy activity suspected of plotting against the kingdom. We were only gone a day when…they somehow slipped through our sights and…"

"It's alright, Ollie," I reassured, offering a watery smile as I felt Dominic's presence behind me. Releasing Oliver, I faced my husband who I realized was barely holding back his anger. Taking his hand, I introduced him. "Dom, you remember me telling you about Oliver? He was my sister's…"

I trailed off and bit my lip with uncertainty, unsure of what he and my sister had become over the years since I had been gone. Oliver quickly took over, straightening his spine and automatically falling into the habit of a respectful stance while offering his hand for Dominic to take.

" …Avrilia's companion," he finished, clearing his throat. Dominic shook his hand but I knew he was still uneasy by the sudden appearance of a Braelyn warrior. "Myself and the other I've brought with me are all that is left of the Braelyn Army. We have come to offer our aid."

Oliver turned back to the line of vehicles that had yet to reveal anyone else inside. With a nod of his head, the doors opened and I watched with wide eyes as people slowly began to climb out. Fae warriors, both men and women, some I knew and some I didn't, soon gathered behind Oliver. Each one looked straight ahead, their heads held high as they clasped their wrists behind their back.

Dominic tensed as Ollie removed the sword from the scabbard on his hip and knelt in front of me. My breath caught in my throat as he bowed his head and held his sword out to me, an offering presented in both hands. The other warriors quickly mimicked his actions, not a single one hesitating as they pledged their lives to me.

"Alana Drakos, Queen of the Braelyn, I, Oliver Blackwood, offer my life and my sword to you, swearing on the magick that runs in my veins that I will obey and protect you until my breath comes no longer and my heart beats no more." Oliver's hands trembled slightly as he spoke, the other warriors echoing his promises. "On my honor as a warrior, as a fae, I swear that I will not forsake you and will always be loyal. I will serve you in whatever way you see fit."

Tears streamed down my face and Dominic's hand tightened around mine encouragingly. I looked around at the lives offered, warmth radiating through my chest as I realized I would regain my place in the kingdom and honor my family as they would have wished. 

"And I, Alana Drakos, vow to keep your trust and loyalty close to my heart, and to never task you to dishonor your sword or magick." A lump formed in my throat as I felt all the eyes around the camp watching me, listening to my future begin to unfold. "As your Queen, I promise to keep your faith and protect our home to the best of my ability." My hand shook as I released Dominic's hand and held it out to fae kneeling before me. "Arise now and take your places at my side."

As one, the forty or so fae rose to their feet and sheathed their swords, smiles lighting up their tired faces. Oliver grinned, relief swimming in his eyes.

"Hate to cut the party short and all," Elijah spoke up from the front of the crowd that had formed behind us, "but we've got a shit storm coming our way and we've still got shit that needs to be done."

"He's right," Dominic agreed a bit reluctantly, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "I'll gear up the kids while you handle this. If you have archers, send them out to take positions in the trees or other high ground to the west. The rest can fall in with the second wave."

I nodded in agreement, already forming the plans in my head. After a quick kiss, my husband left and I was alone with the smallest piece of my home once again.

"Ready to go to war, Ollie?" I asked, turning back to the group. "We got some nasty beings headed our way if our intel is correct."

Something dark and angry glimmered in his eyes at my words, tinted with pain and loss, and I knew Ollie would do whatever it took to get the job done.

"Just tell us what you need, Your Majesty."

That's going to take some getting used to.

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A/N: Wow, this chapter was insane but I had to break it down into 2 chapters. So yay, double update!

More craziness to come so hurry up and keep going!

One more chapter to go!!

XOXO🖤❤🖤❤

~SM~