Chapter 7

Rae

Dusk settled over the palace, casting an orange glow across the open field.

I stood at the edge of the clearing, my heart pounding as Damien stepped forward. I rushed to his side, clutching his arm.

“Damien, please,” I begged, my voice trembling. “There has to be another way to end this. Fighting won’t solve anything.”

He turned to me, his expression softening for just a moment.

“Rae,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face, “I have to do this. For you. For us. I can’t let Von keep you here.”

“But—”

“No,” he cut me off gently. “Trust me.”

Before I could say more, Von’s growl cut through the air.

“Step away from him, Rae,” he commanded.

Reluctantly, I let go of Damien and stepped back, my heart shattering as I moved away. Von’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned his attention to Damien.

“You know it’s never too late to surrender,” Von said, positioning himself in front of Damien.

“I should be the one telling you that,” Damien replied.

“I like your bravery, young lad,” Von said. “But it’s going to cost you.”

Von moved forward, lunging at Damien with a ferocious speed. Their fists collided with brutal force, each blow echoing through the field like thunder. Von easily overpowered Damien in the first few moments, landing a series of punishing strikes that sent Damien stumbling backward.

I winced with every hit Damien took, my hands clasped tightly against my chest.

“Get up, Damien,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

As if hearing me, Damien got up. With a roar, he surged forward. He caught Von off guard, landing a hard punch to his jaw that sent him staggering.

“This is for you, Rae!” Damien shouted as he delivered another blow.

I smiled widely, letting out a loud cry. For a moment, it felt like Damien might win.

But then everything changed.

A sudden whistling sound filled the air. Before I could register what was happening, an arrow pierced Damien’s chest. His body jerked violently before collapsing to the ground.

“Damien!” I screamed as I ran to his side, dropping to my knees and cradling him in my arms.

Blood seeped from the wound, staining his shirt and pooling beneath him.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped in a low tone. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t make you my Luna.”

Tears streamed down my face as I held him tighter. “Don’t say that. You’re going to be okay. Just hold on.”

His hand weakly reached for mine, gripping it with what little strength he had left.

“Rae.… I love you…” His voice trailed off, and his hand fell limp.

“No!” I screamed, shaking him. “Damien, wake up! Please!”

Von’s men rushed into the clearing, their shouts filling the air.

“Rogues! They’ve breached the palace!” one of them yelled. “They’re firing arrows!”

Von turned to me with a hardened expression on his face. “Rae, you have to go inside. Now.”

I shook my head, refusing to let go of Damien. “No. I’m not leaving him.”

“You’ll die if you stay here,” he snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Then I’ll die with him,” I said through gritted teeth.

Von’s jaw tightened, and without another word, he grabbed me, lifting me into his arms and carrying me toward the palace. I fought against him, pounding my fists against his chest.

“You’re a monster!” I shouted, my voice was filled with the pain I felt within.

Von ignored me, his expression unreadable as he carried me into the palace and into a small room. He dropped me onto the floor and turned to leave.

“You killed him!” I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls.

Von paused his hand on the door. “He would’ve died anyway,” he said coldly.

“You’re a murderer. If you didn’t challenge him. If you would have just let him—“

“That’s enough!” He turned back to me, his eyes blazing with fury. “The rogues outside are the murderers. Now shut up before they hear you and come for you, too.”

“I don’t care,” I said, with my voice breaking.

Von slammed the door shut, locking me inside. I ran to it, banging on it with my fists, tears streaming down my face. “You’ll pay for this, Von! You’ll pay!”

I continued banging on the door but stopped when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by it was an unfamiliar voice.

The door burst open, and a group of rogues stormed in.

“Seize her,” one of them ordered. “If she’s locked up, she must be important to Von.”

I didn’t resist as they grabbed me, their rough hands dragging me out of the room. I was numb. Life didn’t feel worth living anymore.

As they dragged me through the palace, I glanced toward the field where Damien had fallen. His lifeless body was still there, reminding me of everything I had lost.