The night was restless as new restless dawn approached. The midnight sky was pitched black littered with stars even as the moon above fought with the looming shadow of the sun to break through and release the horror that was awaiting.

Down below, Raebar watched with intense eyes as he organized the tribal ground into rows that would soon be his army. The tribe members obeyed blindly due to the compulsion he had set in them. They arranged themselves into rows, dressed in armor and suited with golden spears and weapons that could cut through any immortal skin. Raebar didn't speak, simply commanding them to move with a finger movement.

Rashnov took his place next to him, barking orders at the tribe members. At the dunes, Irene and Heather tamed the creatures that were gifted from other desert tribes. Dragons and white-tailed lizards the size of the dunes themselves stood tall, fighting against the chains that were constricted around their necks. One dragon breathed out a river of fire, nearly missing Heather's head as it burned down a nearby hut to the ground.

Shame to whoever lived there.

Arsen and Caldwin were mining tools in the back, sharpening back as the other tribe leaders that had traveled arranged their groups into army rows, planning to attack from all angles. Raebar looked around him at the unfamiliar tribal ground. A place he used to once call home was now forever changed and tainted by the horrid works of his son.

His beautiful tribal ground no longer felt like home. Frowning, Raebar turned back to Rashnov who seemed just as determined as him, his shoulders squared back. "Aren't you a little bit too excited" he stated not questioning. Rashnov chuckled, turning back to his master.

"I can't help it. I've waited too long for this. With you, anything is possible" he answered, crossing his hands over his chest. "The Inner Circle has ruled over us for too long. They've overstepped their boundaries plenty of times but taking Onyx and Alesandria away from us to bring us down is too far. They need to be taught a lesson."

"They are overdue for one" Raebar simply whispered back. He looked behind him, observing the Heather and Irene as they roughed around the white-tailed phoenixes, bringing them to a standing position before chaining their feet to the ground. "Any word on Lezandria? Heather previously informed me that Iredine tried to interfere with the bond between them."

Rashnov shook his head, looking back at the tribe leader. "No. She reported feeling a bit weak and losing the connection between her and Alesandria's mind but has established that the bond isn't broken. This can mean that Alesandria is probably in some type of deep slumber."

Raebar shook his head, turning his attention back to the army in front of him. "Iredine. I'm surprised she is not dead yet. That abomination has been wandering around Axsairo for too long. She's caused too much trouble and tension between worlds and she needs to be eradicated. No one even knows where she truly comes from."

"Soon enough, she will be gone" Rashnov reassured. "Count on me for that."

"I don't place my trust in anyone but myself," Raebar said, looking down at the head tribe leader. "No offense."

"None taken. What will we do about Rheynoak?" Rashnov asked as they walked through the rows of warriors standing still, face hardened to a glassy stare. "He's been captured by Draco and has been held captive at his palace ever since the first attack on the tribal grounds. Shall we take him back as well?"

"I should leave him there to be tortured and killed" Raebar responded, kicking a warrior in the leg to straighten him up. "He's been nothing but a disappointment. However, he is my son after all so I will give him the benefit of the doubt and still allow him to join me. If he chooses to defy me, he will reap the consequences."

"How are you being so calm in this? This war can determine our fates with the rest of the Inner Circle yet here you are, breathing as though tomorrow will be a normal day" Rashnov commented. "It's surprising and scary. You're Raebar Casvionel resurrected from the dead. You should be seething with rage and power."

Raebar's calm laughter filled the air, his copper eyes gleaming. "Rashnov, when you have as much experience as I have, you would be calm as well. As much as I hated being in a coma-like death for god knows how long, I've learned a few things about the world around me and myself." Raebar stopped at the brass gate, keeping him away from the outside world.

"Before I was captured, I learned the secret on how to harness magic from other beings" he whispered, turning back to meet Rashnov's eyes. "While this doesn't seem like anything special since many beings can harness magic from other beings, my magic is a bit more specialized in the field."

"So who would you harness your powers from?" Rashnov asked.

"The dead" Raebar simply replied. Rashnov's eyes grew wide, a gasp escaping his lips. "The dead? Raebar, necromantic magic has not been used since the birth of Asxairo. It's dark and twisted, and an absolute curse!"

"But it's the only magic strong enough to destroy a demi-hybrid, a hybrid, and disintegrate an entire kingdom. Not only will I take them down, but I can raise an army of the dead to help me." He turned to Rashnov who had terror-stricken eyes. "It's brilliant is it not?"

"It's suicidal" Rashnov replied. Raebar smiled, cracking his fingers under the pressure of his palm. He overlooked the tribal ground, overlooking his army with a wicked smile on his face. "What's a little victory without a little death, Rashnov?"

He looked up at the midnight sky, a gleam in his eyes. "You're hidden from the bloodshed, my dear companion. You won't suffer the repercussions. Draco, however, will pay in blood. Whether if it's his own or others. Only tomorrow can tell."

Iredine paced back and forth in the corridor of her home, waiting impatiently for Castrin to arrive.

Her blood was boiling underneath, her body wracked with the torture she had endured before. Azura was sleeping peacefully in her room but Alesandria was thrashing in her sheets, her body fighting with the magic that had been injected into her.

It wasn't ideal but it was something for now.

The sound of Rajei opening the door and heavy footsteps pounding on the floor signaled that Castrin had arrived. Iredine turned around as the shadow of his silhouette approached her, his starry eyes meeting hers in panic and concern. "Iredine, what's wrong? Is it Alesandria?"

In anger, Iredine whipped around and grabbed him by the throat, slamming him into a wall. Her nails dug into his skin, her eyes blazing with fire. He choked on air, the veins on his neck bulging as he struggled to force the words out of his mouth. "What the hell? What did I do?"

"Explain to me why Alesandria is being possessed by an entity and you out of all people didn't warn any of us about it?" Iredine asked. Castrin gasped, struggling against her grip. His eyes grew wide at her question, his hands clasped around her own. "Because I wanted to protect her!" he screeched.

Iredine screamed, slamming his body back into the wall. "Screw protecting her! She's already in danger! She might die and it will be your fault!" she screamed. Castrin struggled against her grip, bending his head to sink his sharp teeth into her skin. The grip around his neck loosened as Iredine cursed under her breath, giving him enough room to move. With lightning speed, he released himself from her grip and slammed her into a wall, his hand coming around her throat.

Iredine breathed heavily under his stare, fighting against his grip. "Don't you ever disrespect Alesandria like that! I had no choice!"

"Why? What do you mean no choice?!" she screamed, fighting against his grip. "We all have a choice!"

"Not when you're being possessed by Heather Faylyik! She has complete control over Alesandria's mind and if we don't keep my mouth shut, she'll kill her!" Castrin screamed. Iredine relaxed against his grip, her frown softening. She looked deep into his eyes, seeing a man in pain who just wanted to protect the woman he loved.

"I made a deal with Heather. I'll keep her secret and I'll trade secrets in return for Alesandria's life. It was the only way I could protect her" he continued, hanging his head low. He released his grip from Iredine's throat, letting it fall to his side. "Haven't you ever wanted to protect someone you loved so much? Even if there is no chance of anything happening?"

Iredine remained silent, looking at his fallen figure. Her eyes flickered towards his feet before looking back into his eyes, seeing how torn and broken he was. "You're risking your life for someone who might not love you the way you love them. How does that make sense, Castrin?"

"It doesn't but all I know is that Alesandria needs my help and I'm the only one that can protect her" he whispered back, meeting her eyes. "Please, don't tell anyone." Iredine sighed, running her fingers through her red hair. "She's dying, Castrin. No matter what promises Heather has made, it won't matter when Alesandria drops dead. Her powers are being twisted, she's being poisoned, and her body is being used as a shield. One deadly blow or one snap of the bond and Alesandria can die. This isn't a maybe, Castrin. This is reality."

"So, what can we do? I can't say anything because she will kill Alesandria, but I can't watch her die. I almost lost her once. I can't bear it again" he expressed. She nodded, folding her arms across her chest. "You won't have to. I injected some of my Helio magic into her bloodstream" she confessed, looking towards Alesandria's door. "She's unaware of it."

"Helio magic is a truth serum when it's injected into the bloodstream. Your magic will torture her until the truth is told" he hissed, grabbing her wrist. "Do you realize what this means?"

"I understand what my magic does Castrin" she hissed, pulling her hand away. She looked around both ways before continuing to speak. "I hope it means that the pain will be too much for Heather and Alesandria to bear which will weaken their bond and cause Alesandria to expose herself as the spy that has been leaking information to the Inner Circle. Their forced bond is too deep. This is the only way it will break."

"But she will also tell everyone about how I knew and made a deal with Heather, risking everyone's life in the process and breaking the pact I swore myself into when I accepted the position to be in Draco's court. No one will trust me." His voice broke on the last few words, tears pooling in his eyes. "Draco will be disappointed."

"Draco will get over it. Especially when he realizes that you only did it to protect Alesandria. It was a foolish decision but one that was made with good intentions" Iredine reassured. Castrin sighed, blinking back his tears. "I don't know about that, Iredine. Draco can be pretty strict when it comes to honesty."

Iredine rested her hand on his arm, rubbing it gently. "I know, Castrin but trust me on this. I've known Draco for over five hundred years. He can be strict, but he has a gentle soul. He'll forgive you. Everyone will." She watched him with careful eyes, sighing. "I know I have."

Castrin shuddered but nodded, meeting Iredine's gaze. "Can I hug you?" he asked, his voice a whisper. "I need a hug and well, you're in front of me." Iredine couldn't help but laugh at his odd request, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. His strong arms went around her waist, sobbing gently into her shoulder. "I don't know what to do, Iredine. I don't."

"None of us do, Castrin" Iredine reassured, tapping his back. "We just have to wait."

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Forty Three!

Only a few chapters away until we reach the end! Happiness and sadness!

So as you all know, the coronavirus has been spreading like wildfire so my university has been forced to hold online classes until easter break when we can return on campus (hopefully). Even though I have online classes they don't begin until the 30th so I have a lot of time on my hands to hopefully finish publishing the chapters of this book so I can move on to The Shadow Heirs and the novellas.

As for now, all you be careful out there. Be safe, healthy, stay indoors, and wash your hands thoroughly. If you are sick, stay home and take care of yourself. Don't take this lightly. It can be very detrimental. Even though most healthy people with a good immune system usually bounce back, those with health ailments are struggling to recover! It's important to keep them in your prayers and practice safe hygiene and self-quarantine. For more information, make sure to go to the CDC website to receive daily updates on the coronavirus. Another way to keep yourself informed is to visit the website corona.help for daily updates worldwide!

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With love, May