Chapter 61

Neil

The cold wind bit at my skin as the Lycan kingdom slowly came into view, its jagged peaks silhouetted against the pale morning sky. My heart was a stone lodged deep in my chest, heavy and unyielding. Each mile closer to home twisted my chest even tighter, but I forced myself forward.

There was no room for hesitation—not now, not after what I had done.

I hadn’t looked back. I couldn’t. If I had, I might have faltered, and she would have seen the truth in my eyes. That leaving her was a greater wound than any rogue’s blade could inflict. That I loved her with a ferocity that scared me, that consumed me.

But love was not enough. It couldn’t protect her in the Lycan world, where every breath she took would be scrutinized, every step watched. They knew the truth of who she was now, what she was, and a target would be on her back the second she set foot in that land again.

Loving her meant letting her go, and I hated myself for it.

“Neil,” Castor’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You’re being too quiet. It’s unsettling.”

I didn’t respond, my gaze fixed on the distant kingdom as we rowed down the river. Castor, Eric, and Ember exchanged yet another glance of disbelief.

They’d been looking at each other like that a lot since I abruptly told them to pack their things and return to the Lycan kingdom with me.

Without her.

If I was being honest, I never thought that they would have gotten so attached to Raven. Especially not Ember. But somehow, they had. And when I had told them we were returning and leaving Raven behind, none of them had wanted to believe me.

Finally, Ember spoke in a low voice. “You should go back for her.”

I stiffened but didn’t look at her. “It’s not that simple.”

“But it is,” she argued as Eric and Castor pulled us up to the shore, right along a muddy bank where we could slip into the fray unnoticed. “You are the prince. If you want her here, you can make it happen. Even if it means giving up the throne.”

I turned to her then, my eyes hard. “And what happens when they execute her for being a Werewolf? Loving her means keeping her safe, and here is not safe.”

“So you will just let her go?” Eric asked. “You’re giving up without a fight?”

I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out like shards of glass. “Our love was doomed from the start. Two different worlds, Eric. And now that Serena has been discovered, it is even more doomed. You all know that as well as I do.”

Silence fell over the group again. They exchanged glances once more, but no one spoke. What was there to say? I had made my decision, and no amount of persuasion would change it. The guards’ loyalty was to me, but even they couldn’t shield her from the hatred that would come crashing down on Raven the moment she returned.

I just hoped she wouldn’t do something rash and try to come back despite my warnings.

As we climbed out of the boat and neared the gates, the stench of smoke and blood hit me like a wave. My steps faltered, my eyes narrowing as I took in the destruction before me. I had expected fighting, but nothing like this.

The village was in ruins, charred timber and smoldering ash where homes had once stood. The castle loomed ahead, smoke curling into the sky. Even from here, I could hear the distant sounds of fighting, the crying of children and the screaming of women.

We moved as one, our formation tightening as we approached the castle. The gates were open, and the faint sound of the battle inside carried on the wind. My pulse quickened, anger surging through my veins.

“Stay alert,” I ordered sharply, not that I really needed to.

The courtyard was chaos, just as I suspected. Rogues swarmed the smoky area, the sounds of growls, shouts, and clashing steel filling the air. My instincts took over, and I lunged forward, my blade cutting through the air as I engaged the nearest enemy.

The fight was a blur. A rogue lunged at me in its wolf form, its claws aimed for my throat. I sidestepped, driving my blade into its side and twisting sharply. It fell with a howl, but another took its place almost immediately. I ducked under its swing, slashing upward and catching it across the chest.

“Neil, behind you!” Ember’s voice rang out.

I spun just in time to block a strike aimed at my back. The force of the blow sent me stumbling, but I recovered quickly, driving my shoulder into the rogue’s chest and knocking him off balance. Then, like a flash, my blade found its mark and the rogue crumpled to the ground.

Soon enough, I’d lost sight of my companions. I could still hear them somewhere nearby, amidst the smoke and noise, which was all that mattered.

It was a really good thing that Raven wasn’t here. At least, that was what I told myself.

Although her archery skills could have come in handy.

Despite our efforts, the rogues kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless. My muscles burned, and my breaths came in ragged gasps, but I didn’t falter. I couldn’t. Not when my people were counting on me.

A sudden explosion rocked the courtyard, and I was thrown off my feet. My ears rang, and the world spun as I struggled to push myself up. Through the haze, I saw the others, separated from me by a wall of rubble and flames.

“Neil!” Castor’s voice was distant, barely audible over the roar of the fire.

“Go!” I shouted, waving them off. “Protect the women and children!”

They hesitated, but the growing horde of rogues left them with little choice. I watched as they disappeared into the fray, my chest tightening with worry. But there was no time to dwell on it. Another rogue charged at me, and I barely had time to raise my blade before he was leaping over me.

The fight was brutal, but I kept pushing my way closer and closer toward the castle doors. My body screamed in protest, but I forced myself to keep moving, my focus narrowing on one thing: survival.

Finally, I reached the castle doors and shoved them open, stumbling inside. The halls weren’t much better than outside, the air heavy with the scent of blood and smoke. I moved cautiously, my blade at the ready, trying to stay hidden in the shadows.

Serena. I had to find her. I had to make sure she was safe.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind me, and I whirled around, my blade raised. But instead of a rogue, I was met with the sight of Lycan guards, their spears pointed directly at me. There were at least half a dozen of them, their expressions grim.

I straightened, relieved. That was, until they circled around me and closed in, the points of their spears grazing my skin.

“What is the meaning of this?” I demanded, raising my blade again. “I am your prince!”

One of the guards stepped forward, his eyes cold and unyielding. He leveled his spear at me, his voice devoid of emotion as he spoke the words that sent ice through my veins.

“Prince Neil, you are under arrest and sentenced to death for consorting with Werewolves.”