Chapter 139 A Queen's Death.

Chapter 139 A Queen's Death.
Camille's POV.

The gates to the Witches' Kingdom didn't creak open with the usual welcoming scent of herbs and ancient earth. Instead, they stood ajar, the air behind them feeling unnaturally thin and biting. As we strolled into the heart of the capital, the temperature plummeted. It wasn't just winter cold; it was a magical frost that seemed to settle in the very marrow of my bones.

"Something is wrong, Linus," I whispered, my hand never leaving the hilt of my sword. After we left the witches coven when the war was over, Lord Fujin transformed the place. What used to be a war zone, was transformed int a colourful atmosphere for healing and meditations. But now all I could see was a dark, broken kingdom that would take years to return to its feet.

Was the civil war that destructive?

I stared at Linus. "All men should remain alert. There is something impossibly wrong about the place. We must be cautious." Linus didn't respond. He merely stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable.

We were led into the Hall by some female witches in white cloaks , but the sight that met us was a nightmare. The vines and flowers that had once decorated Fujin’s court were withered and black. Sitting upon the high seat was not the kind, wise leader I expected. Instead, a man with waist-length silver hair and eyes like frozen coins looked down at us.

I recognized him instantly. He was the one who had served as Helios’s shadow during the war—the silver haired witch who lied about a war between dark witches and white witches."

I studied him with caution, "Where is Fujin?" I demanded, my voice echoing through the hollow hall. "And why are you sitting in his place?"

The silver-haired man let out a cold, melodic laugh that sent a shiver of dread down my spine. "How remarkably stupid you are Queen Camille. To think you came all this way, practically unprotected, into the lion's den."

"I am protected by the alliance, and I came with my men to help Lord Fujin in the war," I snapped. "Now tell me, where is the leader of this coven?"

"Fujin is dead," he said casually, leaning back with a smug look. "The letter you received was a masterpiece, wasn't it? A perfect ploy to lure the 'Warrior Queen' out of her fortress so I could finally repay the debt. You took a part in my Lord Helios’s death, and now, I take a part in yours."

I was in shock but I tried not to let it show. This was a trap. The witches kingdom wasn't at war, it seems like followers of Helios had already taken over the witches Kingdom, and now this bastard wants to start a war.

I allowed my fangs extend and reached for my sword before roaring loudly. "Men, attack!"

But before a single sword could be raise or anyone could move, the air in the room thickened into a physical weight. A massive, invisible force slammed into us. My soldiers collapsed, their bodies locked in place by a powerful binding spell and their sworlds falling by their side. I fought against the powers with all my might, my muscles screaming, but the magic was absolute. It dragged me down, forcing me onto my knees before the throne, my sworld dropping to my side. He's using black magic to bind us.

"Why?" I gasped, my face pressed toward the cold floor. "Why must you ruin the peace everyone worked so for? Why start the bloodshed again? There's nothing to gain from this."

He laughed standing to his feet. "You should have been expecting retaliation after taking out my master, and again, I’m not the only one who wanted this, Queen Camille," he sneered. "Peace is a boring cage for cowards. And you? You were sold out by your own people before you even left your palace."

My heart sank to the bottom of my shoes. What the hell is he talking about?

He gestured toward the line of my paralyzed men. One man moved. He didn't struggle; he simply stood up and walked toward the silver witch with a leisurely gait.

Linus.

He looked down at me, the mask of the loyal councilman finally shattering. He didn't look concerned or stoic anymore. He looked triumphant.

"You..." I growled, hot tears of rage pricking my eyes. "I trusted you. I gave you a chance and made you one of my council members. Is this how you repay me!"

Linus smirked, his true evil nature leaking through his voice. "That was your mistake, Your Majesty. You were never fit to be Queen. You were a placeholder, a weak woman who pities those disgusting human slaves and as a result placed a dent on our traditions we have been practicing for decades. The throne belongs to Giron. It was his by right, and you stole it from him. You and your brother lost your rights when you betrayed your kind by chosing humans."

"So what? Giron was silent for years but this was your plans all along. You were his watch dog all this time!" I spat shaking my head in disappointment at myself. I was a fool to think they would eventually come around.

"You are right. I'm his watch dog. He didn't have to. I speak for him," Linus replied. "And today, I speak your death sentence. You aren't leaving this hall alive."

The gravity of his plan finally hit me. "Josh... he will find out. He will bring the entire Vampire Nation down on this kingdom."

"That's the point," Linus laughed, his eyes glinting with madness. "Josh will start a war against the witches to avenge his precious wife, because I will be so happy to inform him that we were decieved because I'm the only one who goes back alive."

"He will be suspicious if you return alive while everyone else died." I reminded him and he laughed.

"Thanks for your concern my Queen, but I've already figured out that part. I'll just tell him that the witches left me alive to bring the news to him. I'll have to go with proof and your head would do. The alliance will
shatter. Lord Khaos will have to pick a side between the vampires and the witches, and in the chaos, Giron will take the throne which rightfully belongs to him. The peace you love so much? It’s going to end today, and it will be your blood that feeds the fire."

My heart broke. I thought of Josh’s last kiss. I thought of Lorenzo’s messy hair and his dream of being a great king. Because of my misplaced trust, they were going to be plunged into a world of darkness and war. My son would grow up fighting a war I've never wanted.

I looked up at Linus, my fear turning into a cold, hard resolve. I wouldn't beg. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "You think you’ve won," I said, my voice steady despite the magic crushing my chest. "But I place a curse on you, Linus. For the blood of the men you betrayed, and for the peace you’ve murdered, you will die a death a thousand times more horrible than mine. Your name will be a stain on history, and your end will be slow."

Linus laughed, though the edges of his smirk wavered for a fleeting second. "At least you won't be around to see it."

He signaled to the silver witch. One by one, the binding spell was released just enough for the witches to execute my soldiers. I watched, forced to see every one of my loyal men fall. The screams echoed in my ears, a chorus of failure that I had composed.

Finally, Linus stepped behind me. He gripped the hair at the back of my head, forcing my neck bare. I closed my eyes, the image of Lorenzo’s face etched into my mind. I didn't cry out. I didn't plead.

I’m sorry, Josh. I’m sorry, my son.

With a sudden, violent yell, Linus brought his blade down, and the world went black.