Dixon’s POV
‘Make sure you’re both safe before I get there. Don’t do anything foolish, and wait for me.’
I could still remember his Majesty’s warning as I slowly turned around to see the cowardly bastard, standing before me with his arms crossed.
“Where do you think you’re taking her, Dixon?” Elder Bighana smirked, his ugly face was filled with a sly smile as he slowly approached us.
I let go of the Queen’s hand, and gently pushed her to my back as I stood still, waiting for the bastard to get to my front.
“Where do I think I’m taking her? I’m taking her back to where she belongs.” I smirked, closing the little distance between me and him.
Elder Bighana slightly raised one brow, his smile deepened as he lowered his head, smirking down at me.
“And where did she belong? The Villa, or her father’s pack?” he howled, his breath on my face making my stomach churn.
“Anywhere you could think of. I’m tired of taking orders from you like a coward, I’m done cleaning your shit so fuck yourself and do whatever you want.” I glared hard at him, my fists clenched tight to my sides, the urge to rip his head off was so high that I had to stop myself from taking judgement into my own hands.
“Oh, dear,” Elder Bighana sighed, moving a little far away from me, “do you know what happens when you defy your master, little boy?”
“I don’t give a damn about what happens.” I hissed, my chest heaved as I smirked at him, “The only thing you could do to me is to deny me of that your stupid antidote, but guess what? I don’t care about that anymore.”
No. I was really scared of dying. If things didn’t go as planned, I feared I might die for real, and leave Rezso behind. But I did not want to die, the thought of going through that pain made me want to crawl on my legs and lick off his feet, but I needed to believe in the plan, so that was why I was still standing tall despite the fear that gripped my heart.
“You may not value your life, but what about that of your sister? Do you really think I will leave her alone after you betrayed me?” Elder Bighana let out a devilish smirk but stopped when he caught me smiling back at what he had just said.
“Even if you send hundreds of your men, you won’t be getting your hands on her, because she’s already at the Villa, being guarded by hundreds of His Majesty’s men” Lady Ulrica’s voice echoed through the hall, her heels clicked on the tiled floor, her scents dominant over elder Bighana’s scent and I heaved a sigh of relief.
“Ulrica?” Elder Bighana’s face fell, his fists clenched tight as he turned around to see what I was smiling at.
There stood Lady Ulrica with the rest of Elder Bighana’s men trailing behind her, they all held a gaze I could read, a gaze that screamed freedom; freedom from being used like a slave.
“So, they weren’t lying to you, it was true that you’re the infamous rogue leader we have been looking for?!” Lady Ulrica shook her head, and her hand went to her pant pocket, bringing out a necklace. She raised it, and the moonstone pendant dangled in the air.
“You took this from the Queen and sent it for me, why? What am I supposed to do with this?” she barked, her hands trembling as tears streamed down her eyes.
Elder Bighana tried walking towards her, but Lady Ulrica raised her palm, stopping him from moving any closer to her.
“Child, I’m doing this for you. Everything I’m doing, I’m doing it because of you. For your future…”
“I never wanted any of this!” She cried out. “From the moment I was a child, you wanted me to befriend the future king. To get close to him, to be his confidant. You took everything from me – my childhood, my freedom, my happiness. You forced me to reject my mate when I found him, all because you wanted to make me available to the king. But I don’t want to be queen! I never did!”
Her voice rose in pitch and volume, her words tumbling out in a torrent of emotion. Her heart was racing, her body shaking with fear and anger.
“Have you ever asked me what I truly want, aside from your hunger for being a part of the royal family?” she sent her grandfather a deadly glare, her lips curved into a sad smile. “You are too greedy, and revenge has blocked your sense of reasoning that you didn’t realize how much you’ve been hurting me.” she turned her gaze to the back, grabbing a dagger from one of the men at her back.
“What do you intend on doing, Lady Ulrica?” I asked, my gaze not leaving Elder Bighana who stood still like a statue.
“Ending everything of course.” she chuckled, her smile was menacing as she waved the dagger in the air.
“I will find a way to ill your sickness completely, please escort her Highness safely to His Majesty. He’s already outside, waiting for his Queen.” she sniffed, tears rolling down her eyes as she moved her gaze away from me.
I gulped down nervously, watching Elder Bighana visibly shaking at the thought of dying in the hands of the only family he thought he was protecting. I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking, I could feel his regret but it was too late for him to make things right with Lady Ulrica.
“Are you sure you can do this?” I asked, my heart was beating crazily as I watched Lady Ulrica take a dangerous step towards elder Bighana. Each step she took, made my heart race in fear.
“Yes, I want to rip off his wicked heart by myself, so please take her Highness out and don’t even think of stopping me. You have no idea how many people will be after me after this gets out, they would not believe it if I told them I have no hands in his evil plans.” she shrieked, her eyes were like a pool, and tears flooded her eyes and I shook my head.
“I will protect the queen and bring her safely to the king,” I said, bowing my head. I turned to leave, and as I did, I saw the queen’s eyes widen in surprise. She was sitting on the cold floor with her jaw dropped open. She hadn’t expected things to turn out that way, and she looked at me with a mix of gratitude and fear. I met her gaze, trying to reassure her with my own expression.
“It’s okay, it’s fine now, your Highness,” I said softly, reaching out to her. “You’re safe now. We’ll get you out of here.” I helped her to her feet, holding her steady as she rose. She was trembling, but she didn’t resist as I wrapped my arms around her and gently placed her in my arms. I could feel her shaking with fear and exhaustion, but I held her tight, keeping her safe as we made our way out of the eerie place where she’d been imprisoned for days.
Getting outside, his Majesty stood in front of a parked car with his gaze on the building.
“Your Majesty,” I called out to him, a smile spread across his face as he set his eyes on the Queen.
“Nova!” he called out, his voice full of relief and emotion. He rushed towards us, his eyes wide with tears. I stopped in my tracks, and the queen clung to me as the king approached. I could see the hope and love in his eyes, and I knew he cared deeply for his queen.
“Thank you,” he said, reaching out to hold her Highness who was still shaking in fear.
“I thought I’d lost you.”