bChapter /bb105 /b

    ra’s POV

    I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the ce. The Grace Ruin, a name that carried so much weight, yet none of the rumors truly captured its essence People talked, sure, but how many had actually been here? None that I knew,

    Until now.

    We rolled through the city gates, bjust /bThome and me. The streets twisted and turned, leading us deeper into the heart of this enigmatic ce. If someone had described it to me, I wouldn’t have believed them. It was beautiful in an unexpected bway/bb, /bancient yet alive, with spires and bridges that told stories of a long forgotten past. The scent of spices clung to the air, mixing with the soft music of street performers. It all felt surreal

    “Well, it’s not that bad.” I munwared to Thome, my voice barely above a whisper.

    He nced at me, a wry smile tugging

    gat his lips. “What were you expecting?

    Ibit back aughb, /bwatching a group of children bchasing /ba kite down the street. “Something a little darker, I guess. Blood and corpses. Maybe buildings made of skulls. You know, the usual hellscapo.”

    Thorne snorted, clearly amused. “Lance isn’t an idiot. This is his home, his kingdom. If he made it a living nightmare, no rogue would dare settle here. He needs this ce to feel weing, if he wants to attract anyone to join his cause

    But there was something else in Thome’s eyes, a shadow that made the air feel heavier. “Though,” he continued, his voice lowering, “he’s not so kind when ites to other people’s homes

    The reminder hit me blike /bba /bbp/b. The fires in Fox Town. The bodies on the gpoles in the Cragfen Fortress. Lance wasn’t bjust /ba king he was a monster. We needed to end him before he had another chance to wreak havoc.

    Our car rolled deeper into the city, and I could feel the tension building as we approached a bmassive /bpce. This had to be where Lance resided.

    We stepped out, and a group of rogues bservants/b, perhaps–watched us from a distance. Their eyes were full of whispers, fear, and uncertainty. One of them gathered the courage to approach, hands trembling bas /bthey bowed.

    “A–Alpha Thome… Miss bra/bb… /bGood day”

    for you in the main hall, Alpha Thorne. He wants to

    Their voice quivered, almost apologetic, as they hesitated before continuing. “The King is waiting to

    bspeak /bwith you alone. Miss ra, you may follow me to the guest room and rest.”

    Thorne’s gaze was cold, his lips curling into a sneer. “I’m in no mood to see him now,” he muttered, bvoice /bas sharp bas /bsteel. “Lead us to our room.”

    The servant looked to, bunsure /bwhether to defy or obey. They stood frozen in ce for a heartbeat before Thome took my hand, guiding me past them without another word.

    “H Hold on a second The servant stammered, rushing to catch upb. /bb“/bThis way, please…

    The walk to our room was nothing short of awkward. Everywhere we bturned/b, servants and maids scattered, eyes darting away in fear. Thome’s presence was like a storm in ba /bbcalm /bseab, /band they were all too aware of it.

    I couldn’t help but notice it, the way they recoiled. They seem terrified of byou/bb,/bb” /bI whispered, incredulous.

    Thorne’s smile was faint, almost bitter. “It’s not surprising. I’ve killed too many rogues, fought too many battles.”

    He said it like it was the simplest thing in the world, as though the weight of his words was nothing more bthan /ba fact, if anyone else bhad /bbsaid /bbit/b, it bwould /bhavee off as boasting, bbut /bwith Thorne, it was just truth.

    They led us to a suite on the top floor, a room that felt like something out of a dream. Luxurious, expansive, with a view of the gardens outside. It seemed too… weing, considering we were in enemy territory.

    I sat beside him on the couch, studying the grandeur of the ce, “What do you think he’s up to?” asked quietly. “Why bring us here and treat bun /bso

    well?

    Thorne settled back, his posture rxed, but his eyes still alert. “He’s ying a gime. The question is, who gets what they want first–him, or us?”

    leaned in, nudging his shoulder with mine. “I’m betting on us. We’ll kill him first.”

    A faint smile tugged at Thorne’s lips. We sat there for a while, the sence stretchingfortable yet filled with unspoken tension. Eventually, he held me, his arms a shield around me. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of him. There was something about being in this ce–dangerous yet I felt safe. As long as theme was here, nothing could touch me

    I dozed off, the hum of the pceding into the background. But not long after, a sot voice interrupted my sleep.

    “I’m sorry, Alpha Thorne… The King is here… He’s waiting to see you

    Topened my eyes slowly, blinking away the haze of sleep. A maid knot in front of us, too scared to even raise her head.

    “Lance is here?” Imumbled, rubbing my eyes.

    Thorne shrugged nonchntly “Apparently so. Do you want to sleep a little longer? Fm sure he can wait

    I chuckled softly, sitting up. “No, Tra fine. Go see what he wants. He seems desperate”

    Thorne nced at me onest btime/bb. /bb“/bYou sure? You don’t bwant /btoe along?”

    *The King wants to see your

    you only,” the maid said, her voice trembling

    Thorne’s eyes darkened, a chill running through the bair /bas he stared at her. “No one cares what he wants.”

    The maid quickly shut her mouth, her fear palpable.

    sad. My gaze met Thorne’s

    He turned back!

    d back to me, his voi

    his voice softer. “Stay here. I’ll be bback /bsoon.

    – With a bkiss to /bmy forehead, he left, the maid trailing behind i

    I stretched, my muscles sore from the long journey. I stood, bwalking /bto the window, my eyes scanning the grounds below. Guards bstood /bat attention, their eyes scanning the horizon, Servants hurried about their duties, trimming the trees under the watchful beyes /bof the soldiers. If they faltered, even for a second, I bcould /balready imagine the consequences. The thought made my stomach chum

    Something wasn’t right here. This ce wasn’t peaceful at all. The tension was thick, like a storm waiting to break.

    Just as I was about to turn away, I heard a loud crash from behind me

    1 spun around, my hand instinctively reaching for something to defend myself. The door to our suite was sted open, and a group of people stormed inside. The woman at the front of the group was none other than Mi.

    My blood ran bcold/b.

    Mi. The same woman who had helped Lance destroys Fox Town. The same woman who had killed Serena

    She smiled at me, cold and malicious. “Well, well. Look who it is. My little sister”

    Inarrowed my eyes, stepping forward. “We’re not sisters. And you’re not wee here.”

    Miughed a sound so cruel, it sent bshivers /bdown my spine. “Oh, you think this is your room? You think byou /bhave any power here? This is the Rogue King’s kingdom. You’re nothing here. Show some respect, or I’ll have you executed right where you stand.b“/b.

    I took a step closer, my gaze never leaving hers. “You think you have the right to execute me?”

    20

    a

    [mate. The Queen of all regi

    Mi’s confidence wavered for a moment, but the quickly straightened, puffing out her chest. “I’m the King’s mat

    I couldn’t stop theugh that bubbled up from my chest. “Is that so? Well, Queen, I’d suggest you get out of my mom Before I decide you’re not fe to be

    anyone’s queen‘

    The fear flickered in her eyes, but she refused to back down. The terision in the room was suffocating, and I know this was just the beginning of a much

    bigger fight.