Page 147 of Vardaesia
She is, Xira said, sounding confused.She saved your life when Aven was about to strike you.
Heart beating faster, Alex said,That wasn’t Saefii—that was Zaylin.
I never said it was Saefii, Xira said, his tone even more perplexed.I said it was the empress.
Alex’s body stilled as she watched Zaylin still rummaging through her clothes, muttering in Tia Auran about the lamentable quality of the fabric.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Alex said aloud, her pitch enough to call Zaylin’s attention. When the Tia Auran’s silver eyesmet her own, Alex said, “Did you seriously pull a D.C. on me?”
As if concerned with Alex’s mental health, Zaylin slowly asked, “Am I supposed to know what that means?”
“Saefii didn’t send you here, did she?” Alex asked, her voice firm, but also wobbling at the end.
Zaylin’s face flared with emotion as she understood what Alex was really asking. Quietly, she said, “No. She did not.” She looked away, a weighty silence falling between them until she continued, just as quietly, “I could not in good conscience ask my people to fight in a war they have already suffered through, but there were those who willingly chose to come and battle by your side. Myself included.”
Raising a hand to her head, Alex couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Barely able to get the words past her lips, she said, “Saefii’s not the empress, is she?”
“Saefii is my cousin,” Zaylin answered in a whisper. “She is also my decoy in the rare case that we are visited by foreigners. None but those native to Vardaesia are aware of my true identity… as Empress of Tia Auras.”
All along, the real empress had been watching Alex, closer than Saefii or anyone else in Vardaesia.
For a moment, Alex struggled with the betrayal she felt, before she realised that Zaylin had ultimately come to Medora’s aid, and because of her help, Aven was no longer a threat—and never would be again. It was for that reason alone that Alex moved towards the stiff immortal, who looked like she was considering whether she would need to raise her golden sword against an attack.
But that was not what Alex intended. Instead, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the other woman.
“Thank you for coming,” Alex whispered. “Thank you for saving me—for saving us all.”
Slowly, Zaylin returned the embrace. “Thank you for proving you were worth saving.”
Pushing back, Alex blinked fiercely and said, “Don’t you dare make me cry. I’ve had enough tears to last a lifetime.”
Amused, Zaylin just shook her head and resumed her search for an outfit, allowing Alex a moment to pull herself together. As she did so—breathing deeply to stem her rising tears—Alex called out to Xira again.
How did something likethatget lost in translation between us?But Alex already knew how—whenever she’d spoken with him about Saefii or Zaylin while in Tia Auras, she’d used generic words like ‘empress’ or ‘helper’, or just their names, without any titles. She’d also never projected any mental images of their interactions, only briefing him on the conversations they’d shared. It was easy to see how the truth had remained hidden.Never mind, she told him before he could respond.
Just be grateful that she arrived when she did, and let’s leave it at that, Xira said.
He had a fair point, and she admitted as much, before saying,I’m glad you’re safe, Xira. Thank you for being here.
Forever and always, Alex, he reminded her of their bond—one that she had very nearly lost forever.
“Quit having a moment with the Lord of the Sky Kingdom and hurry up and get changed,” Zaylin ordered, shoving a pile of clothes into Alex’s arms and pushing her towards the bathroom.
Rolling her eyes at the immortal’s unchanged attitude, Alex did so, but only after a shower she so desperately needed. Someone may have cleaned most of the grime from her when they’d stripped her of her Tia Auran armour, but she still felt dirty and needed the soothing heat of the water to wash away the last of the battle.
Once she had freshened up and dressed, Zaylin, tapping her foot impatiently,parronedthem both out of her room and into the food court where her friends and family were waiting forher, along with the rest of the teachers and students. The other mortal races had departed, presumably back to their cities to celebrate and mourn with the survivors, just as Alex knew would happen all across Medora, including at the academy. They had all suffered losses during the weeks of battle for their world; they had all felt the pain of death. And the time for grieving would come. But right now was the time for being grateful for all who remained.
As cheers erupted anew at her arrival, Alex was only able to wade through the masses because of Zaylin’s intimidating presence and Soraya who, no longer bloodied and limping, burst in and planted herself protectively at Alex’s other side. Together, the three of them moved across the room towards her friends and family, all of whom were trying just as hard to get through to her.
Kaiden reached her first, and he didn’t hesitate to sweep her up into his arms and kiss her deeply. The cheering grew louder and wolf-whistles sounded around them, but Alex didn’t care. She was consumed by the future the kiss promised, by the hope his embrace declared.
It had been close—too close—and she knew she would be forever haunted by the altered timeline, by the devastation Aven had caused before Athora’s sacrifice. But here and now, they had survived. Against all odds, they had made it.
And when Kaiden finally pulled back, it was with bright eyes and a smile so wide it was nearly blinding—something that turned into a laugh when Jordan, Bear, D.C. and Declan all shoved their way forward and demanded Alex’s attention, followed quickly by her parents doing the same.
Around and around Alex was handed, like the passing along of a favourite toy, until everyone who wanted to hug her, everyone who wanted to thank her—teachers and students alike—each managed to have their moment. Only once they were satisfied did they begin to disperse, leaving her alone withher closest friends, her parents, Zaylin and Raife. Roka, Kyia and Zain remained as well, having arrived mid-hugathon, exchanging places with Darrius and Fletcher, who had been amongst the last of the teachers to leave. Hunter, Karter and Caspar Lennox had departed with the headmaster and doctor, but only after offering their own quiet words of appreciation— something Alex hadn’t needed to hear, and they had known as much.
Soon after the teachers left, Zaylin and Raife bade their farewells, the rest of the Tia Aurans having already departed through theabrassa. Given Zaylin’s true title, Alex knew she needed to get back to her people for more reasons than anyone else in the room aside from Raife understood. So, after more hugs and whispers of gratitude that could never sum up all that Alex felt, Zaylin and Raifeparronedout of the food court to their awaiting draekons. But not before Zaylin told Alex that she and her friends would be welcomed back to Vardaesia any time they wished to visit.
