Chapter 193: It is over
AYLA
"Ayla."
My name came to me from a great distance, muffled beneath the ringing in my ears that was refusing to stop.
I stood there staring at Lucius’s prone form, the knife still protruding from his chest.
His eyes were still open, fixed on the ceiling of the cave in what could have been shock, and his face...half of it was gone.
I turned away, my chest heaving. The air smelled of burnt flesh rent the air, twisting my stomach violently. I pressed a hand over my mouth because I thought I was going to throw up.
I had killed a man... on purpose.
I had killed a man and I had smiled whilst doing it.
What have I become?
I looked up to the entrance of the cave. They were all standing there, staring at me.
Ares’ mouth was moving, Damon was too, and Cassian’s. I could see the shapes of the words, but I could not hear them.
I looked down at my hand. My fingers trembled as I stared at Lucius’ blood was smeared across them.
"Ayla." Ares’ voice cut through to the noise in my head. "Ayla, come here. Come to me, my love."
The world came rushing back in that moment.
I looked up at him and took one step forward. Ares nodded encouraging at him, beckoning me to come.
I took another step, my knees barely holding me up as I staggered toward the entrance.
The moment I crossed the threshold, Ares’ arms closed around me, pulling me to his chest.
"You are okay," he crooned into my ear, his voice rough. "You are okay, my darling. You are okay."
A sob tore out of my throat.
It was raw and ugly and I could not stop it. I buried my face in his chest and wept, the tears coming so fast I could not breathe.
He held me through it, one hand pressed flat against my back, the other cradling the back of my head, patting, stroking, crooning nonsense words into my hair while I sobbed against him.
Eventually, there were no more tears left.
I was exhausted...completely exhausted. My body felt like it had been drained of every ounce of strength.
I lifted my swollen eyes to Damon and Cassian standing a few feet away.
They were watching me with a tenderness that made my chest ache. Ares loosened his grip, stepping back just enough to give them room.
"Hey," Cassian said softly. He stepped forward and pulled me into his arms, holding me with a fierceness that surprised me. "I am so sorry for being so late."
I shook my head against his shoulder. "You weren’t," I whispered. "You’re right on time."
"Time to come home," he murmured against my hair.
Home...I hadn’t realized how badly I needed to hear it.
I looked at Damon over Cassian’s shoulder. He smiled at me, and I smiled back.
Cassian held me a moment longer before releasing me but he kept a protective arm around my waist as if he were afraid I might collapse.
We all turned to look back into the cave. Lucius lay where he had fallen, unmoving, his hand still stretched toward the glass box that held his daughter.
"He is dead," Alistair announced quietly, his jaw was tight.
I turned to him.
"Alistair," my voice cracked. "I am so sorry."
He immediately shook his head.
"Do not apologize." He stopped me.
There was pain in his eyes as he spoke. Despite everything Lucius had done, he was still his brother.
"My brother was disturbed. At least now he gets to be with the one person he ever showed true affection for." He looked at the glass box. "His daughter."
There was heavy silence.
"It is over." Amara turned to me. "I am glad you are okay."
"Thank you." My voice was barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Amara, for helping me."
She nodded.
"I will figure out a way to bring the spell down so the bodies can..."
"Leave it," Ares cut her off. "Let him rest with her, undisturbed."
Amara stared at him for a moment then she nodded.
"Very well."
No one said anything else as we turned away from the cave.
Ares came toward me and without saying anything, he slipped one arm beneath my knees and the other around my back, lifting me into his arms.
I rested my head against his chest as he carried me away from the cave and that place.
"We should talk," Ares said to Alistair as soon as we were outside in the courtyard.
"Of course," Alistair replied.
"Damon," Ares called out. "Take Ayla. I should speak to Alistair."
"What about?" Damon asked.
"He is in charge of Emberfall now," Ares said. "I made him a promise of friendship, and I intend to keep it."
Alistair looked surprised for a second.
"I appreciate that." he said.
Ares transferred me into Damon outstretched arms.
"Come here, little Omega," he said.
"Little?" I rolled my eyes, the ghost of a smile tugging at my lips.
"Yes, of course," he smirked, settling me against his chest. "You are not so little anymore."
Beside us, I heard Alistair say something about arranging rooms for everyone to spend the night.
"No." I blurted. "I don’t want to stay here any longer. Please, let’s just go home."
"Take her to the carriage," Ares said to Damon. "We leave immediately I am done."
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head.
"I will be back." He said then signaled to Cassian, and the two of them walked off with Alistair, their voices dropping to a low murmur as they disappeared around a bend.
I watched them walk away and for a moment, something inside me panicked. The instinct to call them back rose in my throat but I swallowed it.
They were not leaving me...the war is over. Lucius is dead and I am safe.
I nestled into the crook of Damon’s neck as he carried me, my body beginning to relax.
I closed my eyes.
It is over, I thought. It is finally over.