CHAPTER 9: THE REVELATION
Elara's POV
The silver light pouring from my hands felt like starlight and lightning and something ancient I didn't have a name for and through the bond Kael's awe wrapped around me warm and steady and I'd never felt more powerful or more terrified in my entire life.
Lucia stared at me like I'd just rewritten every rule she'd ever known and her sword lowered slowly. "Impossible and you're human turned vampire but that light is celestial magic and the two can't exist in the same body without tearing it apart."
Through the bond I felt Kael's realization crash into me. "The bond didn't just change her and it created something entirely new and something that's never existed before."
The power thrumming through my veins begged to be used and my hands shook with holding it back and through the bond Kael's presence steadied me like an anchor in a storm.
Lucia's eyes narrowed and she raised her sword again and moved faster than thought and instinct took over and I threw my hand up and silver light exploded outward and her blade shattered like glass and the force threw her backward into three of her hunters.
The entire hall went silent and through the bond Kael's pride blazed so bright it made my chest ache and when I looked at my hands they were still glowing soft and beautiful and deadly.
Lucia pushed herself to her feet and for the first time since she'd walked in she looked uncertain. "Stand down," she said to her hunters and her eyes never left mine. "This one requires council deliberation and we're not equipped for what she is."
She backed toward the shattered doors and her hunters followed and the moment they disappeared Kael pulled me into his arms and held me so tight I could barely breathe and through the bond his relief and terror and pride crashed into me in waves that made my eyes burn.
"You terrified me," he said rough against my hair and his voice shook. "Watching you face her alone and knowing I couldn't protect you and then seeing you turn into living starlight and I've never been more proud or more scared."
I buried my face in his chest and felt his heart racing against mine. "I didn't know I could do that and I still don't know what I am."
He pulled back and cupped my face and his eyes were soft and wondering and full of so much love it stole my breath. "You're mine and you're perfect and you're something the world has never seen and I don't care what name they give it."
Through the bond his love wrapped around me like coming home and I kissed him soft and sweet and poured everything I felt into it and felt him melt against me.
"What happens now?" I whispered against his lips.
"Now we figure out what you are and how to keep you safe and how to make sure the council understands that touching you means war," he said and rested his forehead against mine. "Together and always together."
Mira tackled me in a hug that knocked the air from my lungs. "That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen and you're officially my hero and I don't care what anyone says."
Cassian appeared grinning despite the blood covering him. "Our girl just made the Hunter Saint run away and I'm never letting her live this down."
Through the bond I felt Kael's amusement and warmth and when I looked around the hall the other vampires were watching me with something that looked like respect mixed with awe and one by one they started kneeling.
My face burned and I tried to hide against Kael's chest but he laughed soft and warm. "You saved the court and proved you're worthy of standing beside me and they're showing you the honor you earned."
"I just wanted to keep you safe," I whispered and through the bond his emotions swelled so bright and overwhelming.
He tilted my chin up and his eyes were blazing silver and soft all at once. "You did more than that and you showed everyone here that you're not just my mate but their Lady in your own right."
Through the bond I felt his pride and his love and something deeper that felt like partnership and equality and I realized that somewhere between being dragged here in chains and standing here covered in blood and starlight I'd stopped being his captive and become his equal.
"I love you," I said and watched his eyes go wide because I'd never said it out loud before even though he'd felt it through the bond for days.
His breath caught and his hands trembled against my face. "Say it again."
"I love you," I said louder and felt his joy explode through the bond so bright it brought tears to both our eyes. "Even though you're impossible and possessive and you literally stole me."
His laugh was broken and beautiful. "I love you and I've loved you from the moment I saw you and I'll love you until the stars burn out and beyond."
He kissed me deep and desperate and claiming and through the bond our emotions tangled together until I couldn't tell where his feelings ended and mine began and the whole hall erupted in cheers and for the first time since I'd been brought here I felt like I truly belonged.
When we finally broke apart Cassian was wiping his eyes and trying to pretend he wasn't crying and Mira was grinning so wide her face had to hurt and through the bond Kael's happiness was a living thing that made my chest feel too full.
"The council will come back," Kael said quietly and his hand found mine and threaded our fingers together. "They'll send stronger hunters and they'll demand answers and they'll try to take you from me."
Through the bond I felt his fear spike but I squeezed his hand and smiled fierce. "Then let them come and we'll show them exactly what happens when they threaten what's ours."
His answering smile was all teeth and pride. "That's my girl."
Through the bond his love and certainty wrapped around me like armor and I knew that whatever came next we would face it together and maybe that was all we really needed and maybe love was the most powerful magic of all