bChapter /bb127 /b

    ra’s POV

    The door rattled under Lance’s push, but Andre mmed his body against it, keeping it shut. My heart hammered in my chest, and I held my breath, praying that Lance wouldn’t force his way in.

    “Andre?” Lance’s voice was cold, sharp like a de. “What’s going on here? Why won’t you

    let me in?”

    Andre’s voice shook, his words barely a whisper. “F–Father… He’s… He’s not decent to meet you, My King. He’s… undressed.”

    Lance’s gaze hardened. “Your father and I have been through worse. A little indecency won’t kill me.”

    He shoved harder, testing the resistance of the door, then threw a warning in Andre’s direction. “Let me in, or I’ll break it down.”

    I couldn’t think. My mind spun in a chaotic blur, a storm of options that seemed to crumble the longer I stood still. I could escape–through the window, maybe. But what about Andre? And Dora? Lance would find out the truth, and then everything would fall apart. I couldn’t leave them.

    I didn’t have time to figure out an answer before Andre’s face turned even paler, sweat dripping down his forehead. I could feel the panic rising in him as he fumbled with his words.

    Just then, a sharp, frantic shout echoed from outside.

    “My King!” A guard’s voice pierced through the tension. “There’s a fire on the North side of the campsite!”

    Lance’s attention snapped toward the guard. “What? What happened?”

    “We don’t know yet, but some witnesses im they saw someone start it–arson!”

    Lance cursed under his breath. “Under my fucking nose?” His voice thundered, fury rising. “Show me!”

    I let out the breath I’d been holding. The fire was an unexpected stroke of luck. It bought us time.

    Lance threw onestmand over his shoulder. “Get your father up. Tell him to meet me at the fire.” And with that, he stormed off with the guards.

    We stood there, frozen, until their footsteps faded away into the distance. Then Andre exhaled, his shoulders slumping in relief.

    “Jesus,” he muttered. “That was too close.” His hand wiped away the sweat clinging to his face. “That fire… saved us.”

    It didn’t sit right with me. A fire so conveniently timed? Too much of a coincidence.

    Before I could voice my thoughts, the door creaked open. Andre moved quickly to block it, but before he could reach it, a figure slipped inside.

    “Thorne!” I gasped, rushing forward to wrap my arms around him.

    He pulled me into an embrace, his lips brushing my forehead as he whispered, “Are you alright?”

    I nodded, but something in his scent sent a chill down my spine. Gasoline. Ash. Pine. “You started the fire?” I asked, the question slip could stop it.

    Thorne’s lips curled into a faint smile. “It was the only way to get their attention. I needed a distraction, an opening.”

    Relief washed over me as I pulled away. “It worked. It saved us.”

    He moved past me, heading for Danton’s body. He removed the pillow from his face, checking for breath. There was nothing.

    “He’s gone,” Thorne’s voice was low, filled with a mix of finality and grim satisfaction. “He’s dead.”

    it before bl /b

    Chapter b127 /b

    I met Andre’s gaze. There was no sadness in his eyes, just a strange, almost empty look that seemed to fill with bsomething /belse some king tow triumphant.

    b“/bCongrattions,” I said softly. “You’ve avenged yourself.”

    Andre’s lips trembled. He looked at Danton’s lifeless form, his eyes glistening. The tears that welled up weren’t of grief–they were tears of res

    “Thank you,” Andre choked out. “Thank you for making this happen.” He wiped his eyes and looked between Thorne and bme/bb. /bb“/bbBut /bbyou /bshould bgo /bnowa There’s no time to waste.”

    I could see the conflict in his eyes. The urgency was suffocating.

    “No,” Thorne’s voice was firm, unwavering. “We’re talking now.”

    Andre blinked at him, disbelief shing across his face. “Now? Are you serious? Lance’s men are everywhere. They’ll figure out Danton’s bdead /bbany /bminute! You need to leave.”

    “No,” Thorne repeated, this time colder. “Now.”

    I moved to stand beside Thorne, feeling the weight of the moment. Too many variables were in motion, and too much could change if we bhesitated/bb. /bbWe’d /be this far. We couldn’t let it slip away.

    I turned to Dora, who was standing by the door, ready to leave. “Dora, it’s time. Take cover in the night. Be careful.”

    She nodded, her face somber. A final nced of gratitude was exchanged between us before she disappeared into the darkness.

    And then it was just the three of us.

    “Alright,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside. “Now you can talk.”

    Andre’s expression hardened, his frustration palpable. “You maniacs have no fear, do you? Fine, you want to know how my father died? bYou /bwant to buse /bbit /bagainst Lance?”

    3

    “Yes,” I pressed, leaning forward. “Tell us what you know.”

    His gaze flicked between us before he let out a sharp breath. “The Rogue King–Lance–he’s got power. Strong power. He’s unbeatable… as long as he’s in thend controlled by the rogues.”

    I tilted my head, puzzled. “What do you mean ‘controlled by the rogues‘? What happens if he leaves thatnd?”

    Andre’s eyes narrowed. “You’re sharp. Exactly. If Lance steps outside thatnd, he loses his power. He’s vulnerable.”

    Thorne took a step closer, adding, “So, there’s a way to kill him.”

    I bit my lip, processing everything. “What’s the other option?”

    Andre nced at iThorne/i, then back at me. “You can either wipe out every rogue in the Grace Ruin, or…”

    “We lure Lance out of his iterritory/i,” Thorne finished.

    I felt the weight of their words like a lead weight pressing against my chest. Both options seemed impossible. Wiping bout /bball /bbthe /bbrogues /bbin /bGrace Ruinb? /bThat wasn’t something I could even consider. Most of them were just people caught in a bad situation.

    Luring Lance out? Even harder. He would never willingly leave thend he thought protected him.

    I didn’t know which path to take, but I did know one thing. We had to make a choice.

    bAnd /bsoon.