white shield glistened into existence around the group.
The second commander checked his movement. Sirak wrinkled his nose.
Gailen subtly covered her fingers in case anyone realized that she was not only channeling a shield around them, but also a second shield around the kings.
But nobody really noticed, because the strange behavior of their general captured everyone’s attention.
He stroked Nora’s pale cheeks. “I feel nothing.”
“Wow,” Nora vibrated weakly.
General Giru’s serious brows lifted. “You live.”
“Of course I live. I’m just feeling pretty ill right now.” Her lashes fluttered. “Gailen warned me this would happen.”
Gailen stiffened, but luckily, nobody looked.
“The rebels are annoying,” General Giru said.
A faint grin flashed. “Tell me about it.”
He lifted his head and searched the crowd for Starr. “Heal her.”
“Wait!” Sirak cried, but Starr was already doing it.
It was so easy. Her emotions welled like tears in the corners of her eyes, telling her that she was going to start sobbing at the happy parts of movies, and she directed the fullness of her feelings into Nora.
White light streamed into Nora’s wound. It touched her soul, expanding and brightening. The layers sealed up from the inside out, stitching her organs and veins and everything together. Her deep stab wound just kind of went away.
Color retuned to Nora’s cheeks.
She stretched and blinked awake, smiling her thanks at Starr, then looked down and became aware of herself in General Giru’s arms. She softened. “Hey.”
“You are a fool,” the general told her softly. “Reckless and misguided. Go now with the other rebels and seek a better warrior for your mate.”
“I love you.”
His brows drew together. He didn’t want to hear it, but he couldn’t turn away.
“I love the idealistic man you once were and the tormented man you are today.” Nora cupped his hollow cheek. “I love the wiser man you will grow to become when you forgive yourself for your past and begin living for your future. I just love you, man.”
“I am no man.”
She pressed her lips to his and vibrated, “I love you.”
And they stayed that way for a long moment.
The ocean was utterly silent. Filled with a massive army, and yet nobody moved. Their kiss cast a spell over everyone. These two on opposite sides had fought destiny, and destiny had won.
“General Giru.” Sirak pointed his trident. “You have betrayed your city and darkened the soul of your true sacred bride with this unfaithful human-like lust. That is what happens with too much exposure to an anathema. Your corruption disgusts me and your fellow warriors. You are hereby stripped of your position and honors.”
Giru pulled Nora behind him to protect her. She grabbed his shoulders.
Sirak gestured at the second-in-command. “You are now general, Viren. Your first duty is to execute Giru for breaking the ancient covenant and changing his loyalty to this modern anathema.”
Viren gripped his trident and kicked forward to face his former commander.
“Oh, uh-uh.” Nora lifted one hand, and a glowing white shield wrapped around her and Giru. “No one’s getting executed on my watch.”
Viren focused on her hand on the general’s shoulder. “Is this true? You have betrayed us?”
“I can no longer obey the orders of the All-Council.” Giru’s chest vibrated with roughness. “Lead our warriors well. You know your duty, but…” Giru glanced at Gailen and then focused again on his former second. “Do not let duty overrule your honor.”
Viren straightened. He tucked his trident to his elbow, lifted his palm, and patted his chest in a sign of respect. General Giru repeated the motion, and the new general vibrated in a shout: “General Giru’s warriors, obey me!”
The warriors barked an assent, stiffening into the same posture and patting as they did so. It echoed in a roar out to the farthest edges of the army. Despite the ones who had died from the kraken or guarded the brides or had formed the disintegrated net, there were still a lot of warriors to swear fealty to their new commander.
It was a lot calmer than the transfer of power in the Sons of Hercules, that was for sure.
“Now.” Sirak gestured for General Giru to move out of Nora’s shield. “Face your punishment with dignity, or we will carry your dishonor back to your origin city and exact the payment from your descendants.”
General Giru gritted his teeth.
“Oh,” Gailen murmured. “Of course. Why did I not think of that?”
“What?” Starr asked.
“General Giru’s young fry…”
General Giru—or just Giru now—removed Nora’s hand from his shoulder and kicked forward out of her bubble.
“Hey,” she protested.
He held up a hand, stopping her,