Robbin's POV
The screams could be heard from miles away. I felt them echo through my ears as I laid on the ground. They screeched louder than a dragon's roar. I couldn't take their pained sounds anymore. I rose to my feet and looked at the aftermath. Wolves were fighting wolves. Their own kind.
I grabbed a dagger from a limp body but hesitated to join the fight. I couldn't kill them. Hell, I couldn't even tell who was good and who wasn't.
My eyes fell to Ezra who kneeled next to her father's dead body. The cries for him to get up were heart clenching. I suddenly realized there were a large number of children in the crowd.
I ran up to Ezra and grabbed her. She struggled at first, not wanting to leave her father's side. She probably thought I was taking her from him, not knowing he was already gone. I passed her to one of the guards.
"Take her to the pack house," I commanded. I watched Ezra desperately try to get free, calling for her dad one last time.
We were all still on the stage. There were barely ten of us and we'd be jumping into a pit of one thousand wolves.
"Protect your queen," one of my guards shouted.
"No," I argued, "We can't stay up here. We have to do something."
"If we go down there, we die," Grey told me as he faced the crowd, ready to pounce.
"And if we don't, men, women, and children are going to die. We have to save some."
"Robbin, it's too late for them, look." Grey turned me to the wolves, forcing me to watch the bloodbath. I watched in horror as they fought, killing each other with no mercy. "We need to go. Olympia, call your dragon."
"Already done," she stated as her eyes dimed back down.
Wolves tried to climb onto the stage but were stabbed by the guards. If Olympia's dragon didn't come soon, they'd surely climb up here and kill us all.
Roars from above caught our attention as Eberlien circled us. She landed beside the stage on top of many wolves, some getting out of the way before they were crushed.
The guards surrounded us as we made our way to her. I couldn't help but look back at the crowd. We were just leaving them. An uncomfortable feeling swirled in my stomach as more bodies fell to the ground. I clutched it securely until it went away.
When Olympia went climbing on her dragon, a series of explosions occurred in the crowd, exploding the entire field. I barely caught a glimpse of the explosion as Eberlien wrapped herself around all of us, shielding us from it. She roared one final time as she took the hit. I grabbed my sister tightly and closed my eyes. My mind went blank.
My legs felt tremors from the ground as it shook beneath my feet. A ringing in my ears left me temporarily deaf but it quickly went away when my senses returned.
The held I had on Olympia slowly weakened and she broke through my arms, climbing out of her dragons hold. I followed after her, worried there might be another explosion.
There was nothing there, though. It was slightly dusty, but I could make everything out. But that everything turned into nothing. At first, I thought the wolves were gone but they were still on the field; Lying on it dead.
The trees were crisp and black, and ash flew with the wind. Above us, the sky turned a deep red as it reflected the fire that still burned most of the trees around us.
I was stunned. This is what it'd look like after a dragon attack. To think an explosion did this terrifies me. What else did they have?
Above us, Vision's and Sereion's roars sounded ominous. I felt a small sense of relief watching them come to us. Vision landed and I rubbed his snout to comfort, looking at the aftermath.
What was the point? Why sacrifice the lives of their own? I looked at the disembodied body parts again. It was a mixture of wolves and human forms. My arms felt weak and sore, so did my feet. I was sick internally. Clutching my stomach, I bent down and threw up, emptying everything in my stomach.
"Are you okay," Olympia asked, rubbing my back softly.
"Yes," I responded firmly, "I want to go back to the castle."
"We can't," Grey said, "Not until we speak to Alpha Landon."
I took a deep breath and climbed onto Vision with Olympia following me. "I can ride alone," I told her.
"It's for my peace of mind, okay?"
I nodded and we flew back to the pack house. There was already commotion and when we landed, many of the pack members charged up to us, angry.
Their shouts were demands to leave, upset of what I've done. But I didn't do it though, right? It was my summoning, but I didn't want anyone to die. I could never kill someone if they didn't deserve it, yet, hundreds of people lost because I told them to meet with me.
No, I thought to myself. I didn't set off any bomb. I won't blame myself for this, but I will take responsibility for not being wary enough.
Vision growled at the people but I eased him slightly. We didn't need another fire. I climbed off of him slowly and met a waiting Grey to escort me inside but I stopped him.
"I want to say something," I confessed.
"No, not right now."
"But, they need answers!"
"Let the pack doctor examine you first. You can make a public statement when we get home."
"No, it has to be now-"
"I'm not saying it again, Robbin. Your family will kill me I something happened to you."
We all headed inside and I requested that my guards watch the crowd outside. There was only five of them, but they were some of the best fighters in the kingdom. That's why they work guarding the royal family.
A woman in her early thirties with a dark, curly afro came into the small examination room and told me her name was Moria. I made her do a quick check up on Olympia first, though. I didn't want to hide inside forever when I had to address the crowd soon.
When she started working on me, I didn't tell her about my upset stomach, though. It didn't seem necessary at the moment.
She looked over my body, noting some scrapes. My blood sugar was slightly low and my heart rate was calming down.
"What the hell am I supposed to say to them," I asked defeated.
Olympia wrapped one of her arms around my shoulders, bringing closer to her. "Nothing. I know you care about your people, Robbin, but you're still the queen."
"They don't even want me as their queen. And now because of this, everyone in the kingdom will rebel against the crown."
"No, they believe in you, Robbie."
"I just caused a rogue attack in their country."
"The rogues aren't after you. It's Xander who their leader is angry with."
"But I'm a foreigner to them."
"You're also the one who united two kingdoms. You weren't the one who planned a bombing or any resistance. Sure, you almost killed them all earlier, but it...but you..." she side glanced Grey."
"I forgot how bad with words you are," I chuckled and leaned my body into her hold, "But thanks for trying." I removed myself from her and let out a determined breath.
"Look, Robbin, you are not obligated to give a response right now. You were in that attack too. And you're also the queen. Our responsibility is to get you to safety. And I know that bothers you and yeah, it'll piss off a few people too, but it's what's best. Deep down, you know that."
"We should go. I want to get us home soon," Grey said, rising to his feet.
Before we left the pack house to leave, I instructed alpha Landon to put the pack on high alert.
Our dragons were waiting in a clear part of the forest. I reluctantly climbed on Vision but hesitated when taking off. I felt like a bad person. Dirty, for leaving people who needed assurance.
"Do you want me to ride with you," Olympia asked.
"No, I'm fine." I wasn't though. When we took off, my stomach began turning and I felt like vomiting again, which was odd since I never got motion sickness before. Maybe it's the air. It smelled plagued.
We arrived home after a few hours. The entire flight, I felt numb. How could I want to execute them for not bending the knee to me? I could see why they wouldn't.
When I landed by Mystic Lake, Xander, Alec, and Gus were there to greet us. I wanted to keep it together for him but everything was still numb to me.
Xander walked up to me and gave me a warm hug and I returned it. My eyes stung from approaching tears but I forced the back. I didn't care if everyone here was family. I won't cry in front of them. I never did.
I counted to five before letting him go.
"Are you okay," he asked scanning me for any injuries.
"Yes, I mean no, but yes." Physically I was okay, but mentally? I was disturbed. Ashamed.
"Come, let's go inside."
Once we enter weed the castle, I walked away from everyone with Xander following.
"Are you hungry?"
I didn't respond.
"Tired?" Nothing again. Xander rushes in front of me, placing his hands on my waist. "Robbin, talk to me, please. I need to know what you're thinking."
I looked at his eyes. They were filled with worry for his mate. "My stomach is bothering me," I answered honestly.
Xander glances down at it. "We'll talk to the new doctor."
I shook my head. "After a bath and some rest. It could be nothing."
Xander nodded and followed me back to our room, though not badgering me anymore. He only watched me from his short distance. Once I walked inside of our bedroom, I stripped myself from my clothing and turned on the shower, letting the steaming water hydrate my body. It felt good. Refreshing, like mints. Xander didn't shower with me. I think he knew I needed a moment to myself and I was glad for it. I'm glad he's understanding boundaries. But mostly, I was happy he wasn't asking about it. He did, I would've fought myself to not break down.
My mind traveled to everything. I couldn't control it. I felt as if I was irrational lately. Maybe I should see the doctor tonight.
Once my shower finished, I dabbed myself with a towel and walked out naked to a waiting mate. He paced the floor near the balcony, only stopping when my presence was noticed. I only gave him a brief glance before going to the wardrobe for something to cover myself with. One of his shirts was fine and I slid it over my body.
When I stepped out, Xander now stood at the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on mine.
"I'm hungry," I said without knowing it.
I watched his mind wander before directing his attention back to me. "I mindlinked the staff to bring your favorites. Come and rest for now." He gestured toward the bed. It was tempting to slide under the soft sheets and forget my troubles. But I knew if I did, I'd be a shitty queen.
I didn't want to be a shitty queen.