Ch. 146..150: The Rogue is a Female Alpha chapter 146-150

Back Where 146

Hades‘ laughter filled the underground prison as he reached for another bottle of alcohol. The guards had delivered a refill again tonight, and I was deep in conversation with my brother when a voice cut through the air.

“I can’t believe you two are laughing everything off, especially you, Hades.”

We both froze and turned. There stood our uncle Ureh, my mother’s elder brother. I had once introduced him to Zephyrine back in my kingdom. As much as we were free with him, he was a man known never to spare us. Hades and I rose quickly from the stone bed. He unlocked the bars and pushed the iron door wide.

“The Demon King will grant you an audience, Hades. Apex, you’ll be present too.” He stared hard at us in silence before leaving.

“I’ve got a feeling this won’t end well,” I muttered. “What do you think?”

“The worst that can happen is you losing your woman, and I won’t let that happen. Come on.”

We left the underground prison and stepped into the open air. The cool night breeze that settled over the courtyard was refreshing. I followed Hades into his chambers, where beautiful women sprawled everywhere. His harem. Hades was a notorious womanizer. While I respected his choices, I never understood why he always kept so many women close.

The ladies lit up at the sight of him, rushing forward with kisses and embraces. I looked away and walked ahead.

“I’ll clean up, ladies. I’m back,” Hades announced before excusing himself to join me. “Little brother, let’s take a bath before we go to the throne chamber.”

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I followed him into his bathing hall but paused before undressing. He had maids who washed him, mistresses who touched him like wives. On any normal day, I couldn’t bear anyone touching me carelessly and now that feeling was sharper.

“I’ll bathe in the Abyss chamber,” I said, and he shoved my shoulder in response.

I left for the private Abyss bath chamber. Wide, serene, dimly lit, it was hidden inside the castle. Only Abyss blood could enter and as half Abyss, I had the right.

I began to unfasten my shirt when a ripple stirred the water. A scent hit me, one that made me swallow hard. Xyrrha. She was here.

Slowly she surfaced, water glistening on her skin, but before I could glimpse more, I turned toward the exit. Her voice stopped me.

“I was just leaving.”

I heard her stepping out of the pool, the rustle of cloth as she covered herself. A moment later, she stood before me, her shoulder bare, water dripping from her hair.

“Why are you avoiding me, Apex?” she asked softly. “You’ve avoided me for five years, and now still. Haven’t

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you forgiven me for what I did back then?”

I looked at her, then dropped my gaze. I turned toward the water, but her voice came again.

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“I’m still in love with you. And I’m glad you haven’t moved on. No ring on your finger, no wife. That’s a blessing.”

This time I turned, a sigh slipping out.

“I moved on,” I told her, and I saw her freeze.

“What?”

“With a werewolf. Just months ago. She’s… everything to me.” Her face paled, but I pressed on. “I never loved you, Xyrrha. When I tried to make an effort you took my men to war and got them slaughtered.”

“I didn’t mean to, Apex!” She rushed forward, jealousy burning in her eyes. “I had orders, I couldn’t ignore them! The Ashmeres were impossible to defeat. Hades wouldn’t give me his army, yours was all I had…”

“And you threw them into the first wave. I read the reports. You sent them to the front line. None returned. I arrived too late. For that I can’t forgive you.”

My jaw tightened as I turned toward the water again, but her voice followed, cold and sharp.

“I’ll kill her.”

I paused.

“The woman you’re with… I’ll slaughter her.”

I turned back, smirking.

“You can try,” I said, stripping off my shirt.

Fury carried her out of the chamber, leaving me trembling with old memories. The children she’d orphaned, the blood she’d cost me.

I bathed, then went to Hades‘ rooms to borrow clothes. He joined me there, dressing too, and together we made our way to the throne hall. The Demon King was already waiting with his advisor Salo and Salo’s daughter, Kaira. My uncle Ureh and the Abyss elders stood among them.

“Father.” Hades bowed low. The king looked away, still angry. “I apologize for my disobedience. After hearing my little brother’s counsel, I see how foolish I was.”

I nearly raised an eyebrow. I hadn’t advised him on anything.

“So, what have you decided?” Father asked at last.

“I’ve decided to obey you, Father. I’ll take the throne and marry whoever you choose.”

“Really? You will…”

“I have one condition,” Hades cut in. Murmurs rippled through the chamber. “If I obey, you’ll let my little brother marry the woman he’s chosen. You’ll bless him and accept her as your daughter.”

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Chapter 146 For original chapters go to Fɪnd-Novel.net

My chest tightened, and I swallowed.

“Hades…” I tried to stop him, but he turned to me.

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“You’re a king, Apex. My brother. You’ve saved me countless times, given me respect and a place among our

people. At least let me repay you this once. Besides my bride isn’t so terrible, is she?”

I shifted my gaze to Kaira. Our eyes met, and a cold chill ran through me.

“Hades…”

“I accept your condition,” my stepfather’s voice thundered before I could speak. “It’s final.”

Hades bowed.

“Thank you, Father.”

The chamber emptied at last, leaving just the two of us. I searched his eyes as he pulled something from beneath his cloak, a stack of old letters sealed in a cylindrical glass, which he handed to me.

“When you reach Your Black Tower, read them.”

I looked from the glass to his face, hesitating before I whispered, unable to stop myself.

“Don’t marry Kaira, Hades.”

His eyes widened in curiosity.

“Well, I can’t avoid it now, can I?” He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll grow to love her.”

“You won’t have that chance.”

His brow furrowed.

“Why?”

“Because on your wedding night… she’ll poison you to death.”

Back Where 147

It was under the late afternoon sky that Moon and I arrived at the path where we would part ways. I had claimed I was leaving for the Lycan Kingdom, while he would return to White Pack.

He stopped his horse and turned to me, his eyes still full of apology.

“I wish you’d let me escort you to the Lycan Kingdom. I’ll only leave once we reach the gates,” he said softly.

But I offered him a smile. I was slowly dying, and I knew it.

“I’ll be fine, Moon. Once I get there, Princess Mearez will heal me. My horse is fast. You don’t have to worry about me at all.” I assured him tenderly, and he nodded.

“Go on, then. Let me see you leave.”

I steered my horse onto the path, and it galloped away. Only when I had disappeared from sight did Moon turn back on his own road, heading for White Pack.

The moment I was certain he was gone, I pulled my horse to a halt and swallowed hard.

If I left without finding the peddler, without something more tangible, I would never forgive myself. I had seen the state Varyn was in. Every second to him must be more painful than hell.

I turned my horse back toward the place where I had fainted, where the mirror had fallen. When I arrived under the dimming sky, I found the shards still scattered on the ground.

I dismounted at once, gathering every last piece. Passersby threw glances at me, but I ignored them. After filling my saddlebag with the shards, I asked around for a repair shop.

There, I paid a craftsman to restore it. He stared at me as if I were mad.

“Why not buy a new one, my lady? The cost would be the same. And no one bothers to fix a mirror since it’ll never be the same again.”

I shook my head.

“Fix it. Keep the old handle intact.”

The shopkeeper looked at me again, baffled, but obeyed. I waited at the counter until he returned with the mended relic, and I paid him before stepping outside.

By my horse, I leaned against the saddle and held the mirror to my face. At first, it showed nothing. My shoulders sagged with exhaustion, and I nearly gave up. But then it shifted. My reflection rippled away and there he was. Varyn.

Cold chills raced down my spine. His beard was overgrown, but those eyes could never lie. It was him, chained and broken. I swallowed hard, returning the relic carefully to my saddlebag before sighing.

I was tired. Weak. But I pressed my forehead against my horse and closed my eyes. Just one night, I told myself. One night more to endure, and tomorrow I would return home.

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“The peddler? That old man? He just left a few hours ago. If you wait, he’ll circle back with his cart,” the woman told me.

I had arrived in Nightine Town at nightfall, and every answer I received was the same. That he had just left, he would come if I stayed. But I couldn’t wait. Each second felt like it cost me everything. Even my wolf wheezed with pain, yet I endured.

I turned to leave and search elsewhere when a voice came from behind.

“You’re the pale beauty who’s been asking around for me?”

I froze for a moment, then turned slowly. The old peddler stood there, pushing his cart. The townsfolk must have spoken of me to him. “Pale“. That word told me more than I wanted to know.

Whatever happened, I had to return home tonight, or I might collapse on the road and never wake again. Without wasting time, I went to my horse, pulled the mirror from my saddlebag, and extended it to him.

The instant he saw it, his eyes widened with horror. He spun to flee, but my horse blocked his path.

His terrified reaction confused me. Why was he afraid, when I hadn’t even spoken?

I stepped closer, and he began to shake, blurting out at once.

“I know nothing about it, I swear! I never stole from Stone. I never stole from him!”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Stone?” I asked, closing the distance between us. “This mirror, where did you get it?”

He searched my gaze, frowning with worry.

“You’re not planning to go there, are you?” His voice carried fear. “I… I actually took it from a fortress. Stole it.”

I swallowed hard and pressed forward.

“Where is this fortress?”

“It’s no place for a lady. Especially not one as pale as you, my lady. You…”

“I have to find my brother. Tell me.” My voice was curt, cutting him short.

He stared at me in awe, his expression shifting as the color drained from his face.

“You’re… Zephyrine?”

Hearing it made my knees falter.

“How do you know?”

He looked away briefly, as if to steady himself.

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“Years ago, a captive inside that fortress wrote a letter. I was there for trade when he slipped it to me. He begged me to deliver it to his sister. But… I’m a crook. I sold it instead with this mirror to the Mirror Monger.”

My heart sank. Rage clawed at me. For a heartbeat, I wanted to strangle him and I could, easily. But if I did, I would lose my only lead to Varyn after all these years.

“When did he write the letter? Where did he ask you to deliver it?”

“Four years ago, if I recall. He mentioned Ash… Ash Pack, I think.”

My gaze fell, my heart breaking. Four years. If only the letter had reached me…

“This fortress. Its name?”

The peddler swallowed, his face ghostly pale as he whispered the word that froze me to the bone.

“Blackwater.”

I went cold at that revelation.

Blackwater. A fortress for barbarians, hidden in the empire’s own backyard. A place where every sort of ambiguous trade thrived. Slavery, slaughter, dealings without law or conscience.

I staggered back, and my horse stepped forward just in time for me to lean against her flank.

Blackwater. If this was true, then my brother was already running out of time.

No wonder his sanity was slipping.

“Where can I find a messenger?” I asked the peddler, my voice tight. “I have a letter to write and it must be delivered.”

Back Where 148

I rose out of the water and headed straight toward my black tower. Just as I stepped into the dining hall, I saw the rush of movement.

It was as though my sisters had been waiting for my scent, waiting for my presence.

I had left the Demon Realm after my words with Hades, and though he said nothing, the way he stared at me in awe still lingered.

I swallowed hard as Xyrrha’s memory came back to me, then lowered my gaze to the cylindrical glass in my clutch and held it tight.

“Lycan!” Mearez rushed into my arms without caring that I was dripping wet. She kissed my lips, then pulled back to search my body for injuries. I said softly,

“I am fine.”

I looked to Serena, who still hadn’t moved from her place. She was too emotional. I could see it in her eyes. Gently, I walked up to her and kissed her lips.

“I’m fine. I’m home,” I whispered, then sighed. “Our brother Hades is fine too. You both have nothing to worry about, understand?”

My elder sisters nodded in unison. I shifted my gaze to the window, staring up at the night sky.

“It’s late. You should rest. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast together and talk.”

“Alright, baby brother,” Serena replied, and I nodded.

Before they could leave, I couldn’t help but ask,

“Are you both alright? Nothing happened in my absence?”

Mearez turned first, shaking her head.

“Baron, your beta, handled the politics and meetings while Serena and I continued our tasks.”

I nodded and swallowed before asking softly,

“Zephyrine… she didn’t come by?”

This time, my sisters exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

I nodded again, watching them leave, clearly relieved that I was back.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Chantel lurking in the shadows. He, too, moved as I turned for the stairs.

When I reached my black tower, I hurried into my chambers and pulled off my cloak. Then I called out, Follow current novᴇls on find·novel·net

“Chantel?”

He appeared in the doorway at once. I walked back into my chamber, giving him the order,

“These are letters. Sort them by date. Quickly.”

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He crossed to the table where I had placed the cylindrical glass, opened it, and began sorting through the old letters while I stripped off my wet clothes and dried my hair.

By the time I pulled on fresh garments, he looked up.

“It’s done.” he said.

I sat across from him, motioning for him to remain seated.

“These are letters Hades gave me. He said they’ll reveal more about the battle five years ago.”

I picked up the first letter, noting the date is six years old. The sender’s name wasn’t explicit; it only read Imperium. The receiver was my stepfather, the Demon King.

Carefully, I read the fragile scroll.

“Written from the Shifter Empire to you, Demon King, Lord of Abyss. We know we are divided by walls, vastly different in kind, but we need your help for stability. After much thought, we sought the great shaman, who revealed that only the Demon King can help. If you agree to partnership, we will give you anything you ask. Our envoy will travel back and forth for discussion.”

I went still. The Imperium Council had written to the Demon King?

The second letter was my father’s reply.

“The Abyss won’t engage in any deal, but state your demand and I will consider it.”

The third letter came from the Imperium Council.

“There is a power imbalance in the Shifter Empire. A powerful army must be annihilated. The Ashmeres. They are becoming unstoppable. Even their women are being trained as warriors. We need your help to instigate war and slaughter them in battle. We will aid you in return.”

Cold spread through me. I already knew the Ashmeres had been betrayed, but seeing it written was different.

I opened the next letter which contain my stepfather’s words, written two months later after the Imperium

letter.

“Be it so, then let us make an agreement. There is an army here as well, growing too powerful. We will send them to the war front. Three hundred and fifty soldiers. The target must first be their warlord. Kill him, and the rest will fall.”

Gooseflesh prickled along my arms. Three hundred and fifty men? Their warlord? Was that… me?

The next letter was brief.

“In that case, we are glad to help one another. What is the name of the army to be annihilated?”

The reply came sharp and damning.

“Blood Army.”

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The paper slipped from my fingers. I stared at the table as if I could see through it. Blood Army. The very army I commanded.

So… why had the Abyss gone in my stead?

I grabbed the next letter. They spoke only of war strategies, how to entrap both the Blood Army and the Ashmeres, forcing them to slaughter each other on the battlefield.

Then I reached the second–to–last letter.

“The warlord of the Bloof Army will not appear. We have a change of plan. The agreed day is the eve of the full moon. The Blood Army’s warlord cannot be defeated then. Instead, I will send another warlord and he will see it done. Place the Blood Army in the front line, and rest assured, all Ashmeres will die and so will the Blood army.”

The final letter came from the Imperium Council.

“Then we have an accord. We will send our envoy, Kaela, with gifts to present as thanks for your aid.”

Back Where 149

I rose out of the water and headed straight toward my black tower. Just as I stepped into the dining hall, I saw the rush of movement.

It was as though my sisters had been waiting for my scent, waiting for my presence.

I had left the Demon Realm after my words with Hades, and though he said nothing, the way he stared at me in awe still lingered.

I swallowed hard as Xyrrha’s memory came back to me, then lowered my gaze to the cylindrical glass in my clutch and held it tight.

“Lycan!” Mearez rushed into my arms without caring that I was dripping wet. She kissed my lips, then pulled back to search my body for injuries. I said softly,

“I am fine.”

I looked to Serena, who still hadn’t moved from her place. She was too emotional. I could see it in her eyes. Gently, I walked up to her and kissed her lips.

“I’m fine. I’m home,” I whispered, then sighed. “Our brother Hades is fine too. You both have nothing to worry about, understand?”

My elder sisters nodded in unison. I shifted my gaze to the window, staring up at the night sky.

“It’s late. You should rest. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast together and talk.”

“Alright, baby brother,” Serena replied, and I nodded.

Before they could leave, I couldn’t help but ask,

“Are you both alright? Nothing happened in my absence?”

Mearez turned first, shaking her head.

“Baron, your beta, handled the politics and meetings while Serena and I continued our tasks.”

I nodded and swallowed before asking softly, Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn

“Zephyrine… she didn’t come by?”

This time, my sisters exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

I nodded again, watching them leave, clearly relieved that I was back.

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Chantel lurking in the shadows. He, too, moved as I turned for the stairs.

When I reached my black tower, I hurried into my chambers and pulled off my cloak. Then I called out,

“Chantel?”

He appeared in the doorway at once. I walked back into my chamber, giving him the order,

“These are letters. Sort them by date. Quickly.”

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He crossed to the table where I had placed the cylindrical glass, opened it, and began sorting through the old letters while I stripped off my wet clothes and dried my hair.

By the time I pulled on fresh garments, he looked up.

“It’s done.” he said.

I sat across from him, motioning for him to remain seated.

“These are letters Hades gave me. He said they’ll reveal more about the battle five years ago.”

I picked up the first letter, noting the date is six years old. The sender’s name wasn’t explicit; it only read Imperium. The receiver was my stepfather, the Demon King.

Carefully, I read the fragile scroll.

“Written from the Shifter Empire to you, Demon King, Lord of Abyss. We know we are divided by walls, vastly different in kind, but we need your help for stability. After much thought, we sought the great shaman, who revealed that only the Demon King can help. If you agree to partnership, we will give you anything you ask. Our envoy will travel back and forth for discussion.”

I went still. The Imperium Council had written to the Demon King?

The second letter was my father’s reply.

“The Abyss won’t engage in any deal, but state your demand and I will consider it.”

The third letter came from the Imperium Council.

“There is a power imbalance in the Shifter Empire. A powerful army must be annihilated. The Ashmeres. They are becoming unstoppable. Even their women are being trained as warriors. We need your help to instigate war and slaughter them in battle. We will aid you in return.”

Cold spread through me. I already knew the Ashmeres had been betrayed, but seeing it written was different.

I opened the next letter which contain my stepfather’s words, written two months later after the Imperium

letter.

“Be it so, then let us make an agreement. There is an army here as well, growing too powerful. We will send them to the war front. Three hundred and fifty soldiers. The target must first be their warlord. Kill him, and the rest will fall.”

Gooseflesh prickled along my arms. Three hundred and fifty men? Their warlord? Was that… me?

The next letter was brief.

“In that case, we are glad to help one another. What is the name of the army to be annihilated?”

The reply came sharp and damning.

“Blood Army.”

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The paper slipped from my fingers. I stared at the table as if I could see through it. Blood Army. The very army I commanded.

So… why had the Abyss gone in my stead?

I grabbed the next letter. They spoke only of war strategies, how to entrap both the Blood Army and the Ashmeres, forcing them to slaughter each other on the battlefield.

Then I reached the second–to–last letter.

“The warlord of the Bloof Army will not appear. We have a change of plan. The agreed day is the eve of the full moon. The Blood Army’s warlord cannot be defeated then. Instead, I will send another warlord and he will see it done. Place the Blood Army in the front line, and rest assured, all Ashmeres will die and so will the Blood army.”

The final letter came from the Imperium Council.

“Then we have an accord. We will send our envoy, Kaela, with gifts to present as thanks for your aid.”

Back Where 150

After riding a straight night and day, I finally arrived at the fortress called Blackwater.

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Merely standing before the massive gate, the stench hit me so hard I sighed shakily. A heavy stench of… agony, rot, and teeth gnashing.

I had never been here before. No one in their right mind dared to venture to this place. But now that I had… maybe I too was losing my sanity.

I had seen the Lycan Kingdom walls and believed them the strongest, until I stood before these. Blackwater. Tuffle? You mean. Ynown followef. led by one man whose name was Stone. Tonight, I demanded his audience.

I kicked my horse forward, and she obeyed, carrying me toward the gate.

“A rider is spotted!” a night guard shouted from the watch post. The gate groaned open just enough for a

man to step out.

He stood silently while I sat astride my horse and looked down at him.

He was filthy. His grin revealed yellowed teeth that made me want to retch. No wonder they called them barbarians.

“Beauty on the white horse,” he sneered. “Why come to this cursed fortress?”

“I demand an audience with your leader,” I answered loud enough for all to hear. His grin widened as though amused.

“Open the gate!” he barked, and the massive doors screeched apart for me to ride in.

The moment I entered, I stiffened. The place was sprawling, and yet crawling with people.

Men, women, children. Aimless, malnourished, and working like slaves. They paused to look at me, but their hesitation earned them lashes across their backs.

“Let’s go, beautiful,” the guard who received me said. I dismounted and took my horse’s reins, but he blocked me. “The horse stays.”

I turned to my white horse. She blinked at me as I stroked her mane.

“I’ll be back soon,” I whispered, slipping the mirror from the saddlebag. She followed after me a step, unwilling to part, and my chest tightened at her loyalty. She reminded me of only one man. Lycannar. I sighed and turned away, following the guard into a dark hall.

I forced myself steady, my eyes alert, until we emerged into a hall where unholiness reigned.

A sex den. No, debauchery. Men and women writhed everywhere. Two, three men upon one woman. I turned my eyes aside, silent.

“Follow me. Stone isn’t here,” the man said. We climbed stone steps and entered a chamber dimly lit.

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On a wide chair, a hulking man sat with women draped across him, pouring wine into his mouth. He was large, nearly Lycannar’s size, but not as great as my love. Without introduction, I knew who he was. Stone. The barbarian leader. His trousers were torn, his leather shoes caked with filth. His bloodshot eyes, cracked nails, and reeking scent spoke of years without cleansing.

Standing in the bedchamber before Stone, I suddenly went still.

It drifted in, faint but undeniable. An ancient, familiar scent. Ashmere.

My breath caught. My heart lurched.

I couldn’t pinpoint from which corner it came, but the air itself carried it.

My gods… Varyn is here.

The guard whispered in his ear. Stone’s gaze roved over me, and I caught that look. Lust. I had to suppress my disgust.

“My right hand says you came to see me,” he said, his voice thick with arrogance.

“Yes.”

“Why?” His eyes dragged over my body, stopping at my chest. “To trade? Your body, perhaps?”

“I came for this man,” I said firmly, holding out the mirror. He snatched it, peered inside, and smirked knowingly. He saw what I saw. He set the mirror down, waved the women away, and leaned forward.

“You’re bold, woman. To walk alone into Blackwater, demanding a slave.” His words clenched my heart.

“He was born with the purest golden spoon. Raised as an Alpha. Commanded thousands. He is no slave.”

Stone studied me in silence, then rose to his feet. His stench rolled across me, but I held my ground despite the weakness in my limbs.

“Any slave here is bought. And none are freed. Ever. Many tried to take my slaves away but they paid with their lives. You want this one? Then you will have only one option.”

He stepped closer, lifting his hand toward my hair but I slapped it away. His grin darkened.

“Join my harem. Be my whore. Then I’ll grant you the honor of sharing the same fortress as this slave.”

Whore? Harem?

My blood boiled. I glared.

“I have a man. And even if I didn’t, I would never debase myself with the likes of you…”

Before I finished, his hand shot to my throat. I batted it aside. He swung a fist, but I countered with a swift kick that staggered him. His teeth clenched in fury.

His right hand rushed to ring a bell, and the pounding of footsteps echoed. Reinforcements.

“You’ll regret this trespass!” Stone roared, rising to full height. “This is Blackwater and I rule here. I’ll make you my whore, and your man will do nothing to stop me!”

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Men poured in, outnumbering me. Stone lunged, slamming me against the wall, trying to rip my dress. I kicked him down, seized the mirror, and sprinted for the window. My chest heaved, my strength fading fast.

Stone and his men blocked the chamber. He grinned viciously.

“You’re outnumbered. You won’t jump to your death, will you?”

Jaw tight, I looked down. My white horse stood below, waiting. My teeth clenched.

“I vow to return, Stone. And when I do I wil make you regret tonight.”

I leapt from the window, landing in a practiced roll. My horse surged forward, and I clung on as she carried me at full speed toward the wall.

“Close the gate!” the command rang out.

The massive doors creaked shut, but my mare flew like lightning. Just as the gate slammed closed, she burst through the gap, and we escaped.

We galloped into the night. Relief swelled until an arrow whistled through the air. Pain exploded in my side as it buried into my stomach.

I turned, breathless, to see Stone, bow in hand, fire in his eyes.

I wheezed, doubled over, staining my horse’s white coat with blood as she thundered into the darkness.