Chapter 95

Fenris's eyes blazed with fury as he charged straight at me. I ducked instinctively, dropping low and sliding across the ground, narrowly escaping the deadly arc of his claws. In a heartbeat, I sprang to my feet and unleashed a powerful roundhouse kick. I put everything I had into it, yet it only forced him back a few inches.

A wicked grin spread across his face, his eyes glinting with excitement. I gritted my teeth, knowing I had to stay on the offensive while keeping clear of his claws. Maintaining distance was my best option, so I relied on a flurry of kicks. Despite my efforts, his claws found their mark more than once, tearing through my leggings and staining them crimson with my blood. The pain seared through me, drawing a guttural roar from my throat, but it also sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. My wounds healed almost instantly, yet the agony of his claws raking through my flesh was relentless.

I refused to give in. This fight wasn't just about survival—it was about proving my strength. Slowly but surely, my attacks began to wear him down. Fenris's missed punches grew more frequent, and I could see the frustration darkening his expression. With each dodge, his movements became more erratic, his rage making him sloppy. Meanwhile, I adapted quickly, reading his strikes before they landed. His attacks slowed; my reactions sharpened. The pain lingered, but I pushed through it, focusing on the fight. Confidence swelled within me, and I closed the distance, landing a solid hit to his solar plexus before leaping to strike his massive jaw.

He staggered back, his stance faltering, and for a moment, the entire arena held its breath. My heart pounded as I seized the opening, launching myself into the air and aiming a kick at his left temple. The impact sent him crashing onto the mat, his body lying motionless.

"I... I won..." I whispered, staring at his fallen form in disbelief. "I knocked him out..."

The weight of my victory felt surreal, the tension thick in the air. I scanned the crowd, finding Gareth watching me with a proud smirk, and beside him, Icarus beaming with satisfaction. Relief washed over me, though my limbs trembled with the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

Then the shouts began.

"Kill him!" someone bellowed.

"Finish him off!" echoed another, their voices rising in a frenzied chorus.

Panic coiled in my chest as I glanced around, shaking my head. Winning was one thing—murder was another. I could never bring myself to take a life. My gaze darted to Gareth, pleading silently for his intervention. He understood. Raising his hands, he commanded the crowd's attention and stepped forward.

"There is no doubt that Lady Thalassa is victorious!" he declared.

"Soldiers who challenge to the death must face their fate!" an enraged voice roared in response, drawing murmurs of agreement.

My pulse quickened as I took a deep breath. "I'm not a soldier," I called out, my voice steady despite my fear. "I don't wish to kill anyone!"

My words carried enough conviction to silence the crowd momentarily. Gareth chuckled, stepping closer.

"Military law is our law," he said, his tone calm but firm. "However, we shall not force the King's concubine to sully her hands."

Without hesitation, he crouched beside Fenris, his expression unreadable as he extended his claws. I swallowed hard, unable to look away. The swift motion of Gareth's claws slashing through Fenris's neck was both swift and merciless. Blood gushed forth, pooling around my feet, staining my shoes. I was frozen, unable to tear my eyes away from the gruesome sight.

Silence reigned, then, one by one, every soldier in the arena knelt and bowed before me. Shocked, I turned to Gareth, who simply winked and knelt as well.

"Lady Thalassa," he announced, his voice carrying authority, "the Royal Army pledges loyalty to you. You have proven your strength; in return, we offer our own."

A rhythmic pounding filled the hall as fists struck the ground in unison. The vibrations coursed through me, sending shivers down my spine. Soon, cheers and roars joined the sound, the raw respect of the Royal Army resonating through the air. I stood amidst it all, my chest heaving, feeling both exhausted and triumphant.

The excitement died down abruptly as the crowd's attention shifted behind me. I heard hurried footsteps, and my pulse quickened. Turning, I saw Hadrian striding toward me, the crowd parting in his wake. One gasp later, his arms were around me, his lips claiming mine with fervent passion. Tears spilled down my cheeks, but it didn't feel like sorrow—it was something deeper.

"Long live King Hadrian! Long live Lady Thalassa!" someone called, and the hall erupted in shouts of praise.

Hadrian pulled back, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers as they rose to their feet. He held my hand firmly, the room echoing with cheers. Gareth bowed, satisfied, knowing his plan had succeeded. I should have felt manipulated, but all I could feel was overwhelming satisfaction... and exhaustion.

Hadrian's voice cut through the noise. "Is this the fool who dared challenge my woman?" He eyed Fenris's lifeless body with disdain.

"Yes, my King," Gareth confirmed.

"Burn him," Hadrian commanded, then added coldly, "And his family. Father, stepmother, sisters. Burn them all."

A chill ran through me. I met Hadrian's eyes, searching for understanding, but all I found was a seething rage I couldn't fathom.

"Yes, my King," Gareth replied with a wicked grin.

Hadrian turned to the soldiers. "Enjoy the night with drink," he declared, drawing raucous cheers, "for I shall enjoy my concubine."

The room erupted in laughter and bawdy remarks, making my cheeks flush. Before I could react, Hadrian swept me into his arms and carried me back to the palace at his vampire speed.

The moment he set me down in his chambers, his eyes softened, something deeper stirring beneath his usual intensity. He wrapped me in a tight embrace, his body trembling slightly.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered against my neck. "I'll never put you in danger again. If I had known... I'd bring that bastard back just to kill him myself."

I swallowed hard, stroking his back. "I'm okay... I survived."

He pulled back, his eyes dark with a promise. "Just wait, Thalassa. Soon, I'll kill Selene."