Selene followed Cassandra down a narrow corridor that opened into a circular chamber.
Inside, a round table stood at the center, surrounded by seated members of the faction. But Selene barely registered them—her eyes locked onto the only person that mattered.
Thaddeus Slade.
The Head of the Faction.
He rose slowly. His figure tall and imposing. His Hair streaked with silver. A scar running from his temple down to his jaw.
Selene's breath caught in her throat as he approached her.
He was older now, rougher around the edges, but his presence hadn't dimmed. If anything, it had grown more formidable.
The air around him thrummed with power, the kind that coiled around your ribs and made your lungs forget how to work.
He stepped forward, and for the first time in years, she heard his voice.
"Wow." His lips curled into something between a smirk and a snarl. "Look how stunning you've grown, my little viper."
Selene dropped to one knee, bowing her head. "Master Thaddeus."
"Queen Selene," he corrected smoothly, tilting her chin up with two fingers. "If anyone should bow, it should be me. My Queen." His voice dripped with something that made her skin tingle.
She swallowed hard, trying not to look away from his silver eyes—eyes that had always made her feel like she was caught in a web.
"You've made me very proud, my little viper." Thaddeus said, stepping back. "You've made us all proud."
"Thank you, Master. But my mission isn't complete yet. King Ronan still lives. He's away dealing with the rebellion—until he returns, I can't strike. I need time."
Laughter rippled through the chamber from the seated members of the faction. Low and amused.
Selene's eyes narrowed, confused. But then realization struck.
She straightened. "Ronan is dead, isn't he." she said flatly. Not a question.
Thaddeus nodded once, his silver gaze fixed on hers. "Yes. He is."
"Then you've made a terrible mistake, Master."
"Have I?"
"Yes." Selene's voice sharpened. "I told Lila to write back and inform the Faction not to move on him yet. The rebellion—they're a threat. Ronan would have eliminated them for us. But now..."
More laughter echoed around her.
Selene's fists clenched. "Why are they laughing?"
Thaddeus let the silence stretch before speaking. "Because my dear girl… the Faction and the Rebellion are one and the same."
The words struck her like a slap.
"You didn't really think you were our only weapon against Ronan, did you?" he asked.
"I—I don't understand." Selene's voice faltered, a frown creasing her head. "The Rebellion... they burned homes, slaughtered families. Children. Why would—how could—"
"We had to break his kingdom before we took it."
"By murdering innocent people?" Her breath hitched, her voice cracking. "You're worse than he ever was…"
"Worst? He murdered thousands of people." Thaddeus spat.
"Thousand of soldiers. Not villagers." Selene corrected.
"Oh..so your family members were soldiers? Or have you forgotten he killed them too."
Selene's jaws clenched.
A face flashed in her mind. Little Hannah. The way her tiny body had been ripped apart. Her heart taken out. The gruesome memory made her heart sting.
"You killed a child that night." Her voice was barely a whisper. "An innocent child."
Thaddeus sighed almost theatrically. "Ah... yes. You'll have to forgive my brother for that. He can be... overzealous."
He stepped aside, revealing Klaus his younger brother seated at the table.
Selene froze.
Klaus smiled.
The prisoner she'd told Ronan to kill. The one who'd vanished the same night Hannah died.
"You," she breathed.
Klaus grinned and bowed. "My Queen. Lovely seeing you again."
Something shattered inside her. Everything she had believed—the mission, the justice, the cause—it all crumbled in a breath. She'd been A stupid pawn. Nothing more.
"So now that Ronan is dead," Thaddeus continue, his voice smooth, "you are Queen of all the kingdoms. And you will hand the throne over to me."
Selene stiffened.
"Of course," he added, "I want a proper, peaceful exchange. So—you will marry me. And together, we'll rule."
Her jaw clenched. She stared at him like he was a rotting carcass.
"And if I refuse?" she asked, voice cold.
Thaddeus's eyes glittered. "It's this fire in you I adore so much, Selene. But don't let sentiment cloud your judgment."
"You butchered innocent people," she spat. "You're filth. Worse than Ronan. Why would I let you rule?"
Klaus stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Would you like me to handle her, brother? I've missed cracking a few bones."
"No," Thaddeus said, lifting a hand. "Selene. Don't make me kill you. I really do like you. Don't make things... difficult."
"Not if I kill you first."
~~My Queen, please listen to him.~~
A voice echoed in her mind.
Lila.
~~You're here?~~ Selene responded, startled.
~~Yes. And no—I didn't know about this. I'm finding out just like you. But please… just say yes. You won't survive if you don't.~~
Thaddeus's laugh broke the mind link before his hand shot out, clamping around Selene's throat. He lifted her off the ground like she weighed nothing.
Selene kicked and clawed at his arm, gasping. She tried to use her power—but it was useless against him. Her vision blurred.
"You'll return to the castle," Thaddeus snarled. "Announce Ronan's death. Proclaim your eagerness to remarry. And when I arrive, if the throne isn't ready—"
His grip tightened.
"I will carve you into ribbons."
He dropped her.
Selene crashed to the floor, gasping for air. Her neck burned, a dark bruise already forming across her skin.
Then he crouched beside her and gently cupped her face. Selene didn't move.
"Soon, you'll be my wife, my little viper," he whispered. "And that… is something you should look forward to."
He leaned in and forced his mouth against hers.
Selene didn't close her eyes. She didn't kiss back.
She only stared into the face of the monster who used to be her god.
She had never felt more disgusted.