Chapter 47 The End

Ryedir still slowly stalked forward, power and anger radiating from his being. No one else moved. The silence only broken by the dull thud of Ryedir’s boots hitting the stone floor with each measured step.

The commanding aura that surrounded him blanketed the room and smothered all sound. It was like everyone held their breath as they waited for his actions.

He looked truly magnificent in that moment and Kari felt a surge of pride that such an alpha had chosen him. His raw power was so apparent and yet he had chosen Kari and let him pick in return. Used his willpower to hold back, to show Kari his real self with nothing in the way.

Ryedir hadn’t done it particularly well, of course. Kari needed far more explanation than the stubborn man had given him, but he could see the truth in his actions now. It was never more obvious than in the way he had tried to protect Kari but then acknowledged his strength and let him fight side by side with him. Now what would his alpha do to one that threatened his family?

Ryedir only stopped once he reached Hanzen and he stood there for a long moment before his voice rang out, clear and sharp.

“As the Niamrean Prince of War, I call upon my right to mete out punishment on those who commit acts of war upon this kingdom.”

“No,” Hanzen whispered as he looked up in horror.

Kari could see the whites of his eyes and heard the tremor of fear in his voice. Even as he was captured, he had not looked scared, just annoyed. But whatever was happening now clearly had not been in his plans. It was the first time Kari had heard Ryedir refer to himself by his title.

“As the judge, jury and executioner, I proclaim you, Hanzen Abney, traitor to the crown.”

“NO! I demand my trial!” Panic was obvious in his tone now and he strained to pull away from his captor’s grip. It was a futile effort. The two guards held him with ease and their sneers showed what they thought of him.

“This is your trial.” Ryedir’s voice was cold.

Kari glanced around at his alpha’s family and noted that none of them moved an inch as they watched the proceedings- even the king remained unmoving. All of their faces were carved into identical expressions of cold indifference.

In comparison, alarm and surprise coated the faces of the nobles watching from their place cowering at the corner of the room. A few braver souls had stepped forward to get a better look at the proceedings but most stayed back.

Whatever this was, it was not something they expected.

“NO!” Hanzen screamed as Ryedir raised his sword and Jaid pushed him forward so that his body lay on the floor, neck exposed. The bulky alpha had to hold Hanzen still as he thrashed around, desperately trying to escape.

“For your war crimes and acts of treason, I sentence you to death.”

The sword flashed down and Hanzen’s screams of denial were cut short by a meaty thunk as the weapon partially severed his neck. The angle was wrong to decapitate the man, but dead was dead.

Kari let out a breath he didn’t even realize he had been holding. The king’s voice rang out behind them and started issuing orders. A moment of stunned stillness surrounded them before people scrabbled to obey.

Kari stood motionless with Millicent by his side while he waited for Ryedir to return.

“I don’t understand what just happened,” he asked her, confused. “Why did Rye step forward? Shouldn’t it have been the king? Isn’t that what a king is supposed to do? Deal with traitors? And why is everyone else so surprised?”

Millicent glanced at him with the hint of a smile. “Had Juean dealt with Hanzen as the king, he would have to imprison him before conducting a public trial. No doubt Hanzen had back up plans to spring him out if he failed or nobles paid off to stand to his defence if he did have to face a trial. As the Prince of War, Ryedir has more power than the king when it comes to protecting this kingdom. Because Hanzen attacked in the capital with so many soldiers against our entire family, he could call it an act of war and invoke the rights he would normally only wield on the battlefield. It was a tenuous stretch to call it such but no one would dare question it right after this happened. For us, it means there’s no chance of Hanzen coming back later on to cause more trouble.”

Kari nodded in understanding but further questions were interrupted by Ryedir sweeping him up into his arms and kissing him senseless. Overwhelmed by the passion his alpha displayed, Kari forgot about their surroundings and returned the gesture wholeheartedly. It wasn’t until they breathlessly broke apart that he remembered their rather large audience. He turned around to look at the others but Ryedir would not let him go and kept his arms wrapped around his waist. Millicent’s expressionless mask had been replaced by a devious grin.

The little omega approached and pressed a light kiss to each of his cheeks before pulling away.

“Thank you, brother, for protecting us.”

“Brother?” Kari squeaked out in surprise.

“Of course.” Her grin just widened. “You are part of the family now.” She raised her voice at the end so it rang out loudly. The other Lezzker siblings nodded with varying degrees of enthusiasm. The newly crowned omegan queen came forward to press a small kiss to each of his cheeks as well.

“Thank you.” The gratitude was obvious in her tone and Kari squirmed uncomfortably in embarrassment. Any reply was cut off by Millicent gleefully digging into Nera about her earlier disapproval of Ryedir’s choice in mate. He traded a small smile with the omega queen before she moved back to stand beside her own mate.

Jaid approached with a polite bow to confer with Ryedir about what to do from here and between the Lezzker siblings, they rapped out more orders to start the clean-up.

Now that the adrenaline had worn off, Kari was hit by a wave of exhaustion. He sagged against his alpha’s chest as he tried to keep his eyes open.

“Kari?” Ryedir’s deep voice held a tinge of alarm.

“I used more power than I thought I had.”

Ryedir maneuvered him up into arms and he slipped his own arms around the man’s neck as he leaned in to the embrace.

“Go.” Kari thought that was the king’s voice but his eyes were too heavy to open and see. “We can manage from here. You’ve both played your parts. I am truly grateful.”

He took a moment to realize they were moving. Ryedir’s steps were so smooth and graceful.

A soft kiss pressed to his forehead and Kari sighed in pleasure as he let himself drift away.