Chapter 95 Everyone Is Equal

Fiona’s POV.

"I have to go down there. I have to save her," I whisper, my voice resolute.

Havier's hand remains pressed against the glass window, tracking the tears streaming down his pregnant wife's face. The scene is heart-wrenching, and I look away, steeling myself against the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

I know the apartment is protected. Micah had used the same shield that guarded the Tarevine mines to fortify our haven. A fortress invisible to the assailants below, impenetrable to those who want to harm us. Nobody can enter there.

I know they must have tried which is why Jason now holds all these innocent people hostage in order to lure me out.

With a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders and make my way to Amelia's bedroom. The soft glow of a night light illuminates her peaceful slumber. I watch her for a moment, her innocent face bathed in the gentle light. My heart clenches with the thought that I might never see her again.

Tears come to my eyes as I look at her. I had so many hopes and dreams for her. Now, I wonder if I would ever be able to realize them.

Stop, Fiona. Don’t be weak.

I cannot afford to let fear paralyze me. Micah may be out there, facing the threat head-on, and I need to do my part to protect the people of this kingdom.

Gently, I step closer to Amelia's bed, watching the rise and fall of her chest with each breath. My hand hovers over her hair, brushing the strands away from her forehead. A soft sigh escapes me as I press a tender kiss to her forehead.

"I hope you grow up to be a formidable woman," I murmur, my words a whispered prayer.

"May the moon watch over you."

With one last lingering gaze, I step away from Amelia's bedside and ready myself to face Jeremy and Jason.

I come up with a quick plan, urgency propelling my thoughts into swift action. Approaching the window, I throw it open to the cool night breeze. As the air swirls around me, I gather my resolve, and when I speak, my voice resonates with a confidence that surprises even me. I fix a hard gaze on Jason, determined to navigate this perilous negotiation.

"Bring the girl to the doorstep of my apartment. We will do an exchange. She goes inside as I go out. You swear an oath not to take any more hostages, and I will surrender myself to you," I assert.

Jason responds with a wicked smile, an unsettling glint in his eyes.

"These people are useless to me anyway," he sneers, his disregard for their lives sending a chill down my spine.

Laughing maniacally, he slices his palm, letting the blood drip to the floor. The metallic scent fills the room as he takes a step forward.

"I vow to let the hostages go, including this girl," he declares.

I take a deep breath, knowing that he is bound by the werewolf blood oath. He cannot easily break it without consequences.

As I move to leave, Havier steps in front of me, blocking my path. His devastation is palpable, tears welling in his eyes, yet his loyalty remains resolute.

"They are going to kill you and use your death to destroy Prince Micah and take over Alastair," he says, his words full of heartache and fear. "You are the future of Alastair and our future queen. You cannot sacrifice yourself."

I am shocked at his words.

There should never be a world where a man has to choose between his family and his king.

“Trust me, the selfish part of me wants nothing but to save my wife and child, but along with a father and a husband, I am also a soldier and I understand that she is just one person and her life cannot compare to that of a Royal’s.”

His voice breaks as he says the words like he expects me to agree with him. Like, this is the only truth he knows. That, it is only right for ordinary people to die for the crown.

I meet Havier's tear-filled gaze and take a step towards him and when I speak my voice is fierce.

"Why should my life be above anybody's? If you think I am your future queen and Luna, then understand that it is my duty to protect my people. Stand aside."

For a moment, he appears shocked by my words but then his shoulders slump, and he shakes his head.

"I cannot. Prince Micah's orders were to protect you, and I cannot let you go," he says. I can see how it destroys him to say the words, knowing that they would mean the death of his family.

Placing my hand on his heart, I look him straight in the eye.

"Your loyalty is clear to me, and if Micah were here, he would honor you for it. But right now, I want you to let me walk out. The moment the door opens, pull your wife inside and close the door shut. Both of you stay here and protect yourselves and Amelia. Nobody can get inside so you will be safe. Do you understand?"

He hesitates and I see him faltering. However, when he still doesn't move, I force myself to harden.

"I said, do you understand?” I demand with my voice firm. “This is not a request; this is an order."

A foreign strength surges within me, and I cannot shake the feeling that perhaps this was my destiny all along. That somehow everything that I went through in my life had brought me to this moment. It was all to give me the strength to walk out, knowing that death might be waiting.

Havier stares at me for a moment with an expression so reverent that it makes me feel uneasy. Then, he goes down on his knees, his fist over his heart. His head bows and his shoulders shake, but when he looks up again, there are tears and immense gratitude in his eyes.

"Yes, my queen," he says with his voice hoarse. Then, he rises to stand by my side like a steadfast protector, clearing the way.

I dislodge the emotion from my throat, clench my fists, lift my head high, and walk out.

The night wind assaults me as I open the door, carrying with it the metallic scent of blood. The outside world reveals a grim picture, bodies littered on the floor, bloodstains seeping into the cement.

The casual loss of life staggers me, a harsh reminder of the brutality that has unfolded. Guards, civilians—innocent lives snuffed out just because they were here, caught in the crossfire of this senseless conflict.

Isabella stands outside the door, looking fragile and vulnerable. Her hands are wrapped protectively around her belly, and her nervous glances betray her fear.

Jason's soldiers stand at a distance, strategically placing her to ensure that Havier can take Isabella and retreat back inside but I cannot do the same when I stand where she is.

I offer Isabella a kind smile and walk towards her.

"Remember, grab her as soon as we are close and lock yourselves inside," I whisper to Havier. His nod is tight as he stiffly walks next to me, his expression tense and eyes vigilant. The moment we approach, as planned, Havier seizes Isabella's hand and rushes toward the door.

I take her position and meet Jason’s eye. A nonchalant yawn escapes him and his indifference is palpable. It is clear that he doesn’t care about them and his eyes are fixated solely on me.

Havier hugs Isabella tightly, kissing her face and bending down to press a gentle kiss on her belly. Despite the horror surrounding us, the tender moment brings a fleeting smile to my lips.

However, the smile evaporates when I see Havier utter an apology to Isabella. Then, he shoves her inside the house and locks the door behind her.

In an instant, he stands before me, his expression a mix of ferocity and resolve.

“Havier, no.” I whisper, shocked at his actions. “Go inside. Be with your wife.” I say, my throat clogging up.

He offers me a sad but determined smile.

"Thank you for protecting my family, My Queen. But if your duty is to protect the people, my duty is to protect you."

With those words, Havier flashes his claws, his eyes turning silver as he bares his teeth at Jason's guards.

Then, he stands before me, as a shield.