Chapter 419 Cursed King

Chapter 419 Cursed King
AUDREY

He reached up with his other hand and pulled off the helmet, tossing it aside. Lord Anthony stared back at me, smiling.

“You…?” My eyes widened. My heart squeezed tight.

“Did you miss me, my lady?” he asked, leaning in close.

I pressed my hand hard against his chest, trying to keep some space between us. “Why are you here? You ran away after helping Astrid. You should be in the dungeons or worse.”

“I heard you had the babies safely, so I came to see the little ones,” he said, glancing past me toward the cradle.

I moved to block his view. “Don’t look at my babies. Let go of me and leave!”

“Not without you.” His face turned serious. “I won’t let you risk your life trying to stop the Blood Moon and save the king.”

I blinked, confused. “You know about the Blood Moon?”

“And the prophecy,” he said. “That’s why you shouldn’t even think about being there. Darius has killed so many people. You’re a fool if you think you won’t die too.” He paused. “Would you really leave your babies alone?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snapped. “Surrender now, and maybe you’ll get a quick execution instead of public shame.”

“I’ll never surrender,” he said, his voice low. “I worked with Astrid for you. You’re what I want, and I’m not leaving without you.” He lifted his hand and brushed his finger across my cheek.

I turned my head quick and bit down hard on his finger. He yelled and jerked his hand away.
“You won’t leave this palace in one piece,” I hissed. “Darius will come for me.”

Lord Anthony clutched his bleeding finger, his face twisted in pain and anger. “You think you know Darius, but you don’t. He’ll show you what he really is soon, and you’ll be glad I came for you.”

I needed to buy time. I pulled my arm back and jabbed my fingers toward his eyes. He shouted in pain and let me go, pressing his hands to his face.

I scrambled back to the cradle and gathered Am and Tia in my arms, covering them with my body as best I could. My hands shook. My heart raced so fast I thought it might burst. He stood in front of the door. I couldn’t get out with the babies.

“Darius!” I screamed as loud as I could. “Darius, help!!”

Lord Anthony’s head snapped toward me. Blood ran down his cheek. “I’m going to make you regret that,” he growled, stepping slowly toward me. His shoulders were hunched, fists tight at his sides.

The chamber that had felt safe moments ago now felt like a trap. I held my babies closer. Am whimpered softly. Tia stirred but stayed quiet. I kept my eyes on Anthony, breathing fast, waiting for any chance to fight or run.

He kept coming, slow and deliberate, like he enjoyed watching me scared. “Come quietly, Audrey. I can protect you from what’s coming.”
“No,” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

His eyes narrowed. He reached out again. I braced myself, ready to scream or fight. Footsteps sounded in the hall outside, maybe guards finally coming. I prayed they’d be fast enough.

Anthony grabbed for my arm once more. I twisted away, holding the babies tight. My back hit the edge of the bed. There was nowhere left to go. “Darius, please!” I called again, voice cracking.

Lord Anthony’s face was inches from mine now. Rage burned in his eyes, mixed with something darker, obsession. His breath came heavy. “You’ll thank me later,” he whispers

I shook my head, refusing to give in. My arms ached from holding the twins, but I wouldn’t let them go. Not for anything.

The door rattled again. Someone was trying to get in. Anthony glanced back for a split second. That moment of distraction gave me hope.
I took a deep breath and prepared to fight with everything I had. The heavy double doors exploded inward with a deafening crack, wood splintering as the iron hinges tore free from the stone frame.

Darius filled the doorway, chest heaving under his dark tunic, eyes glowing a fierce, unnatural gold with fury. His broad shoulders were tense, fists clenched at his sides like he was ready to tear the room apart. His gaze snapped first to Lord Anthony looming over me, then dropped to the twins clutched tight against my chest. For a split second, raw fear crossed his face before it hardened back into rage.

“Do not take one step closer to my wife,” Darius growled, his jaw locked tight. He took a slow step forward, murder burning in those golden eyes.

Lord Anthony turned to face him, shoulders squared but a smirk tugging at his bruised lips. “And why would I listen to you? Unlike you, I’m trying to keep Audrey safe. I want her far away from this palace when the Blood Moon comes and your beast takes over.”

Darius frowned, his eyes flicking over to me for a moment. I saw something shift in his expression, like he finally understood what I had been fighting for. “That’s not your choice to make,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Surrender now, and I’ll make your end quick and painless.”

Lord Anthony let out a short, bitter laugh. “You really think I’ll make this easy for you? I won’t let Audrey risk her life for a cursed king like you.” He dropped into a fighting stance, fists raised in front of him, feet planted wide on the rushes covering the floor.

Darius squared up too, muscles coiled like a wolf ready to spring. Lord Anthony charged first, throwing quick punches toward Darius’s face. Darius dodged each one with sharp movements, his body twisting away. Then he drove a heavy fist into Anthony’s ribs. The sound of impact echoed in the chamber.

Anthony doubled over, wheezing and clutching his side.

He recovered fast, though, yanking a dagger from the waist of his breeches. The blade glinted in the firelight as he slashed at Darius. It only grazed Darius’s arm, tearing fabric and drawing a thin line of blood. Darius roared and slammed into him, shoulder first. The dagger flew from Anthony’s hand and clattered across the stone floor.

While they grappled, I crawled across the big bed on my knees, keeping Tia and Am pressed close to my chest. Their small bodies were warm against me, but Am started whimpering softly.

My heart pounded so hard I could barely breathe. I reached the edge of the bed near the broken doorway, but I couldn’t make myself leave. Not while Darius was still fighting.

I watched as Darius landed punch after punch on Anthony, each one hitting hard in the stomach, the jaw, the ribs. Anthony grunted with every blow but kept swinging back. Finally, Darius threw one last powerful punch that connected squarely with Anthony’s face.

Anthony dropped to the floor like a sack of grain, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He wiped his split lip with the back of his hand, breathing hard.