Skye's Arrival

Chapter Thirty-Five

Dawn and I watch in amazement at how quickly the level of purgatory demons is diminished with each passing second. After giving each other confused glances we shrug and head off to help.

When the final purgatory demon is slain by my hand, a very familiar voice calls out, “Skyeliera of the Head Rank Celestial Soldiers.”

In practiced motion, I sheath my sword and kneel, bowing my head to show my respect. Dawn comes to stand by my side but remains standing. Following my lead, all other mortals kneel, including Gabrielle. Every Celestial Soldier kneels behind me, following formation. The Demon Soldiers kneel behind one man. When I glance to see who it is, my heart stops. Rafi. I take a silent breath of relief. He’s okay. Why is he in his Demon Soldier armor?

I grab Dawn’s hand and yank her down; forcing her to copy my pose. The moment she’s kneeling, the Celestial King speaks. “Skyeliera, your fate has been decided. With your recent actions, it has been agreed upon that the Celestial Demon Dawnsterrella shall be removed from you, and you shall be granted access to the Celestial Kingdom.”

Dawn is tense while relief fills me. I’ve waited so long to hear those words, but they sound so hollow now. “With all due respect Glendal, I decline your generous decision.”

Rafi, Gerrickson, and Dawn look at me like I am insane. I stand to look at him. There is a smirk in his lilac eyes, while he attempts to keep his face neutral. He’s not at all surprised by the decision. “None of what has been accomplished today could have been done without her aide. Dawn has kept me alive for a century, and through all of this journey. We have grown to be sisters over our time together. I will not damn her to death, or an eternity of limbo, as a thank you for her generosity or her loving heart.”

“Skye, what are you doing?” Dawn asks; low enough for only me to hear.

Glendal gives me an award-winning grin. “Your valor is honorable, Skye, but this decision is not optional for you. It was decided upon by me, and everyone in the court. Furthermore, Dawn is a demon, not a Celestial.”

“Glendal is right,” the Demon King interrupts; locking his magnetic topaz eyes with mine. “Dawn is a demon, so, therefore, my responsibility.” Dawn stands looking at the aging man with a guarded expression.

Lucious speaks, keeping his face neutral, but I can see something behind his eyes. A plan. “Celestial Demon, Dawnsterrella, you have failed in your task to kill the Celestial Soldier Skyeliera. As punishment, you are stripped of your ability to enter a limbo state; and are permanently confined to your current status of Celestial Demon, bound by Skyeliera, Future Queen of the Celestial Kingdom, Head Guard of the Celestial Soldiers, and Liaison of the Four Gates.”

Dawn and I glance at each other. Those are not my titles.

Glendal takes over. “Skyeliera, you have shown your unwavering heart through the hardest of times. I am pleased to crown you Princess, and Future Queen, of the Celestial Kingdom. Due to your involvement, resourcefulness, and roles here, the council has also allowed you to keep your Head Rank of the Celestial Soldiers title and, in addition, has assigned you as Liaison of the Four Gates. This grants you access between all four gates, with or without a demonic attachment; and without your Master releasing you.”

Dawn and I stare at them opened-mouthed. How the hell did they come up with this? I honestly thought my only option was to die with Dawn, in order to keep her alive.

Glendal breaks out in laughter while Lucious speaks. “You didn’t think that Glendal and I spent your century here sitting on our butts, did you? It was always our intention to bring you back Skye. You just had to prove yourself to the Council.”

“You’ve been working on this the entire time?” I demand.

Glendal nods. “Skye, you sacrificed your life and livelihood to help those who were in need. You are exactly who is needed to lead this kingdom once I am to step down.”

“And I wasn’t about to let Dawn sit in a permanent state of Limbo for developing morals and values,” Lucious adds. “I only stopped using her because I didn’t want to keep hurting her. I knew you’d eventually figure out a way to protect one another. I just had to wait.”

“This was your plan?” I question, motioning around us.

Lucious shakes his head. “Not this, but I’m not surprised. Koan has always had an uneasy attraction to you, and anything with power. I truly am sorry for what he has put you, and Rafiale, through.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t your fault, so no need to apologize.” That’s when I remember something. “Did I vanquish Koan?”

Lucious and Glendal exchange looks before Lucious nervously answers. “Koan was saved by the Purgatorial King, Gorgio, when his gate was vanishing. Since he still had a small amount of his body remaining, he was able to be saved.”

“Are you kidding me?” Dawn and I yell together. “I vanquished Koan,” I angrily shout; pulling my blade. “I watched his body become destroyed.”

“But he wasn’t fully gone,” Glendal answers in a soothing voice. “You did create a new version of the Pearl Blade, Skye. It is stronger than the original. However, Gorgio decided to intervene and save Koan. He was able to do this because Koan was accepted to be his replacement.”

“Excuse me, what was that?” Dawn demands.

“Koan is now Crown Prince of Purgatory,” Lucious answers almost unwillingly.

“Oh come on,” I yell. He’s literally my ex from hell. I am never going to be rid of this man. No matter how many times I kill him. “How is that even possible?”

Lucious looks to Rafi. “When you killed Rafiale, I chose to name him Prince of the Demon Realm; giving him status enough to lead the Demon Soldiers into battle. This gave Gorgio enough to crown Koan. It’s why it was never done earlier.”

“That’s insane!”

“That’s politics,” Glendal cuts in. “Something you’re going to need to learn. A good part of it is waiting to activate your plan. Hence why Koan wasn’t denounced earlier, and you never were. Another is to respect the decisions of those who outrank you. Do you understand?”

I give a forced smile. “Perfectly,” I say bowing slightly before straightening; accepting his clue to drop it for now. I assume it’s because we’re not alone to argue this.

“Well-” Dawn starts but I stomp on her foot to stop her.

Rafi gets to his feet at that point. He looks so cute in his red armor. It hugs his body perfectly, and it makes my mind go wild with inappropriate scenarios. “Are all traitorous demons accounted for?”

“All except Adam,” Lucious answers. “We sent a team to remove the Mystical Advisor from this mortal plane, and Adam never returned to him.”

I take a deep breath. “Adam did say he only ever serves Koan. I fear it’s plausible that he might have returned to him.”

“That does make sense,” Gabrielle agrees, standing. “Thank you for your assistance King Glendal and King Lucious.”

Glendal nods to her. “The aide was for Skye, but I am glad it benefited you. You did need the help. If Skye hadn’t vanquished Heathe, our help wouldn’t have been possible.”

She accepts his words and looks at me. “I thank you again for all your help, Skye. I’m pleased to see that your mission was successful, as predicted.”

I sheath my blade once more. “You were right.” She’s wearing metal armor with chainmail around her head. She’s wearing a lot of blood as well, and a lot of scratches. “How are you holding up?”

Gabrielle shrugs. “As well as I can be. The kingdom is saved from complete destruction, thanks to the help of you and your team.” She looks behind her, seeing her brother holding onto her father. “They’re doing okay too. Father has decided it would be best to hand the kingdom over to me. I’ve also decided to make Nathanial my personal guard.”

I nearly laugh. “Nate? Really?”

“I’m more than just a pretty face,” Nathanial yells out, still kneeling somewhere in the crowd.

A smile starts on my face, and I have to bite my lip to stop it. Glendal looks at me with a smile on his face. “Welcome home Skye. We’ll wait for your return.” He nods to me before waving his hand; summoning back all of the Celestial Demons with him as he returns to the kingdom.

Lucious winks at me. “Ada’s waiting to throw you a welcome home party.” He waves his hand, calling back the Demon Soldiers; returning home as well with them.

“Now that’s a scary thought,” I tell Dawn, watching everyone else get to their feet.

“If you can handle Koan, you can handle my sister,” Rafi assures me, coming to stand with us.

“I sincerely doubt that,” I tell him, blushing a little. Yep, that kiss did it. I’m no longer confused by my feelings for Rafi. I’m still not ready to be bledded to him, but I’m not opposed to getting to know him. I still have to sort through the damage Koan caused to me emotionally and mentally, but it’s no longer hindering me.

Dawn smirks, “Is that a blush I see?”

Gerrickson has reached us at that point. “It’s on her neck too.”

“Hold it,” Rafi interjects, “did it work? Was I right?”

My blush deepens. “Maybe.”

His jaw drops. “Do not mess with me right now. It’s been a long day.”

“Do you really think I have the energy to toy with you?” I ask, my voice slightly lower; picturing ways I would like to toy with him. It’s been an extraordinarily long time since I had one of those thoughts.

Rafi’s jaw drops. “Okay, before I get too excited here, what level are you comfortable with us being?”

I think about it. “I would be okay with us going on some dates, to get to know one another.”

His fists clench and he tries to force the smile from his face; trying to restrain his excitement. “Taking it slow. I can live with that.”

“Oh, you are so whipped,” Gerrickson teases him, pushing him slightly.

“You would be too,” Rafi says, giving me an adoring smile. “Would you be okay with me walking you home tonight?”

“I hope it’s a two-bedroom,” Dawn adds while I shyly nod. “That stone is great for isolation; which is something I’m sick of.”

My eyes widen. “I forgot! You’ve never been to the Celestial Kingdom.”

“Or the Demon Realm for that matter,” Rafi muses.

“I haven’t either,” Gerrickson mutters, pouting a little.

“Like I’m going to forget about you little buddy,” Rafi says, grabbing his shoulder and putting him in a headlock. “We still have work to do.”

Dawn watches Gerrickson, feeling a little sad. “Can he come with us?”

I think about it. “He’s celestial and demon. It’s possible, but only for short durations until he’s acclimated to our environments. He did live with Morgan until his death, so Gerrickson already has once.”

“Are you for real?” Gerrickson demands.

“With your genetics, I don’t see a reason why you can’t.”

“Yes!” Gerrickson yells, flipping Rafi on the ground. “I’ve always wanted to go there.”

“It’ll take some time,” I remind him, watching him fall to the ground when Rafi yanks him down to join him. I step away from the wrestling duo and look at Gabrielle. “I’m pleased to see that you’re to inherit the throne.”

She smiles at me. “I am too. I see great things for our kingdom, but also some danger. May I have your permission to call on you, if a need is to arise?”

“As long as you’re not like the last guy, I’ll be okay with it,” I answer, matching her smile.

She nods. “Thank you, Skye. Now, it is time I lead my men home.”

“That includes us,” Dawn says, throwing her arm around me. “Let’s get you back home, and me to my first home.”