She didn’t think about her next actions, just followed those hard-won instincts that had guided her so well and bit into the organ.

The taste was foul, but she didn’t care. New bolts of power slammed into her, and she threw back her head to scream.

But all too soon, the power and strength got used up, her body burning through it like fuel. Everything she’d done, everything that had happened had taken a massive toll.

She wheezed and panted, darkness returning to envelop her mind. “Bane,” she whispered, her voice slurred. “Heal quickly.”

The darkness swallowed her whole.

SHE’D DONE IT. Nola had won! Awe sang within Bane, a melody he would carry for all time. She’d even healed his shoulder before passing out.

He lifted her into his arms, holding her close. Her heart raced against his.

“Will Nola recover?” Zion asked, concerned.

“Yes,” he replied, pushing the word through clenched teeth. She must. Aveline had drained much of her lifeforce, so she had much to recover.

“What about the other queen? Can she regenerate a heart?” Zion stalked to Aveline’s body.

“Let’s not take a chance.”

“I like how your mind works.” The male swung a sword, chopping off Aveline’s head with a single blow.

A wondrous sight to behold. Once, Bane would have insisted on performing the action himself. Now, with Nola in his arms, he had better things to do.

“I’ll give you two time alone,” Zion said, opening a portal.

“Thank you...friend. For everything.”

The other male nodded, then strode through the doorway.

Bane carried his precious bundle to a wall and eased down. Rocks propped him up as he cradled his love close. “Draw from me, love. Take whatever you need.”

How much time passed before she fluttered open her eyes, he didn’t know. But it wasn’t long, and her wounds healed right before his eyes.

“Bane?” she said. Memories must have flooded her, because she gasped and jerked upright.

“I’m here, love. I’ve got you.” Bane urged her back and kissed her brow. “Never letting go.”

“We did it. We won!”

“You won. I love you, Nola Lee, my forever queen.”

She sagged against him, puffing out a breath. “You do? Still? I mean, I’m a queen now, and I can order you around, like, big-time. That isn’t going to change.”

“I’m not complaining. I meant what I said. I love you, all of you, even your orders.”

With a moan of surrender, she snuggled closer. “I love you, too, Bane. So much. I want to rule with you, and be with you, always and forever. Nothing less is acceptable.”