Chapter 106: Betrayal and Blood
Melissa’s POV
The conflict had not ended, but the battlefield was still covered in blood.
What the queen of darkness, I stood at the front lines controlling an army that did what I said.
The remaining rebels, wolves, fairies, and warriors of light held their ground in front of me.
One of them was Kane.
I didn’t like how seeing him made my chest constrict. Why did he continue to oppose me?
In my ear, Darius’s voice sounded icy. “Take them out.”
Dark energy crackled at my fingertips as I raised my hand.
They braced themselves, the warriors.
I paused.
Something flickered inside me, something human. However, Darius’s presence forced me to remember where I was.
I ignored the doubt.
My voice reverberated over the battlefield. “Attack.”
There was anarchy.
Wolves sprang forward. The blades clashed. Blinding bolts of magic ripped through the atmosphere.
I battled with my army, ruthlessly slicing through the insurgents. It should have given me a sense of strength to hear every cry and see every fighter die.
Rather, it was like my soul was being shackled.
And yet-Kane struggled at me, something frightful in his golden eyes.
I hope.
Lydia and Zephyr went like shadows deep within the palace, dodging the guards that patrolled the corridors.
“There isn’t much time left,” Zephyr muttered. Melissa is becoming more distant.
Lydia’s mouth clenched. “I won’t let her go.”
They arrived at the ritual chamber, where I had been first taken by the darkness. On the walls, strange glyphs pulsed with electricity and blazed.
Lydia’s heartbeat was frantic as she put a palm to her chest.
Zhephyr whispered, “This place is cursed.”
Lydia took a step forward, her eyes full of resolve. “Let’s break the curse then.”
Lifting her hands, she channelled a pure power that blazed against the room’s black energy.
The darkness resisted them as the chamber trembled.
However, neither of them gave in.
To save me, they came.
They also refused to go without me.
The battle continued outside, but I hardly noticed it anymore.
Because now I had Kane in front of me.
His eyes remained unblinking despite his bloodied and laboured breathing.
“Melissa.” His tone was unpolished. “This isn’t you.”
With my fingers shaking around the hilt, I raised my sword. “I am the monarch.”
With a stern tone, he declared, “You’re more than that.” “My Melissa is you. The lady who stood up for justice. The woman who came to my aid when I most needed her
I clenched my fingers. “That woman has passed away.”
For a minute, his face was broken. Then, with a whispery voice, he moved closer.
“No. She remains inside. Stand up for her.
Something broke inside of me.
I felt the darkness release its grip for one heartbeat-
Then I heard Darius’s voice roaring in my head.
Put an end to him.
Before I could consider it, I made a move.
I lifted Kane off the ground by putting my hand around his throat.
Despite his widening eyes, he did not resist me.
His breath was irregular, and I could feel his pulse beneath my fingers.
And yet-he treated me as though I were valuable.
My voice was hardly more than a whisper as I leaned forward.
“Why do you continue to defend me?”
He opened his mouth and let out a single breath.
“… because I cherish you.”
My heart stopped beating.
Something broke entirely within me.
Additionally, for the first time since I opted for the dark-
I was terrified.