<b>CHAPTER </b><b>109 </b><fndd97> This update is avable on find?novel</fndd97>


    As we approached the castle the grand doors opened for us and again, there was no one on


    the other side.


    “I really don’t like this.” I said.


    “I told you. If she wanted you dead, you would be.” Arthur said, walking inside.


    I didn’t care what he said. I grabbed a bow out of the quiver and I got it ready in case I had to use it at a moment’s notice.


    Arthur looked at me strangely. Like he was positive that I wasn’t in any danger. But I wasn’t going to take the chance. He didn’t know that Elias was the head of a warrior pack and he taught me much more than how to kill while in wolf form. I was going to protect myself against any threat…including him.


    We managed to make it all the way to the top of the castle and there she was. The Ash Queen.


    She was simply standing there waiting for us.


    It was no secret that she knew we were here. She lowered the cloak and opened the doors. But for her to be standing there waiting for us, that was even more unnerving.


    “I was wondering how long it would take Arthur to convince you toe here alone.” Morgana said, her voice silk over steel.


    “Well, it’s a little hard to bring an army after my army goes missing.” I shot back. She turned slowly <i>to </i>Arthur.


    “Well yed. That must have taken some organizing on your part.” Morc a smirked, eyes glinting.


    “What can I say? I always n ahead.” Arthur said, calmly. I stepped back instinctively.


    “I f*****g knew it.” I muttered, heart hammering.


    “I know. I’ve known all along that you were on to me. Which is why I had to take such drastic measures. I’m sorry about your warriors. They’re not dead. Just… incapacitated.” Arthur said.


    “Elias is going to enjoy killing you.” I said, teeth clenched.


    “Why Elias?” Arthur asked.


    “I promised him he’d be the one to kill you.” I said casually, but my grip on the bow tightened.


    CHA


    “Hey, can we get back to the matter at hand?” Morgana interrupted sharply.


    “Where is she?” Arthur demanded.


    “She’s dead. Buried here.” Morgana said, tilting her head.


    “I know the ck witch is buried on these grounds. I will not let you im all of her power.” Arthur said, voice low and dangerous.


    “Do you really think you can im her power?” Morganaughed, sharp and brittle.


    “As soon as I bleed Lyra dry over the witch’s body, her power will be mine.” Arthur said, teeth gritted.


    Morganaughed harder, gasping between breaths. “I can’t believe you actually think you’re a contender.”


    “What are you talking about?” Arthur snapped.


    “Do you really think the heart of this realm doesn’t know what you did? That you destroyed this world? It’s never going to obey you.” Morgana said, her grin widening.


    “So… all this was for nothing?” Arthur’s voice cracked with frustration.


    “For you, yes. Lyra and I… we have a lot to discuss.” Morgana said.


    “What the f**k are you two talking about?” I yelled, arrow nocked instinctively.


    “Oh. The heart of the realm. The pulse of magic that controls this world. It’s deciding who will be the next ruler… and Arthur? You’re not even in the running.” Morgana said, slow and


    deliberate.


    “It’s… choosing? Who?” I asked, voice tight.


    “You. Or me.” Morgana said, eyes gleaming with power.


    “And if you take the role, <i>you </i>can’t leave this realm. Sorry, I may have left that out earlier.” Arthur said, tension coiling around every word.


    “I think there’s a lot you left out earlier.” I snapped, bow raised, trembling but steady.


    “You said you were leaving me for Elias.” Arthur said, stepping back, wary.


    “Doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun before I hand you over.” I said, cold.


    “Morgana. I need the body. Now.” Arthur demanded, his voice hard, but controlled.


    “No. The heart only needs energy, and you don’t have enough. Even if you bleed Lyra dry, you’ll


    < CHAPTER 109


    never control it.” Morgana said, voice like a whip.


    “I will find a way.” Arthur hissed, eyes shing.


    +25 Points


    “I’m sure you will. But not on my watch. You won’t get the heart. You won’t control my realm. I will not answer to you!” Morgana shouted, every word shaking the air.


    “Once I bleed Lyra, it still needs two contenders… and she’ll be dead. So it will be you and me.” Arthur said, drawing a knife. But he was still far from me, too far to strike… yet.


    The air thrummed with danger. Every heartbeat felt like a countdown. One wrong move, and someone would die.


    The knife didn’t scare me. I stood there watching them bickering back and forth, taking in every word, every nce, every hint of hesitation, absorbing all the information but also thinking that they are the biggest f*****g idiots because I’m standing right here and I know all about the heart of the realm. What was to stop me from going there right now and destroying it? Nothing, really. Not a single thing. They had no idea how close I was to knowing everything, no idea how powerless they actually were inparison to me. And the thought of them realizing it toote made a small, wicked smile creep across my face.


    If these two are the contenders to take on the heart, then I honestly think it would be better


    off as a wastnd. <ol><li>a. He’s been lying to you all along about why you’re here.” Morgana said. </li></ol>


    o you think I don’t already know that?” I asked, looking at her like she was an i***t.


    “He only wants you for the heart. To turn this realm into what he wants it to be. And that can never happen. He can never get what he wants.” She demands.


    <i>“</i>And why should you?” I asked.


    “Because I won’t destroy this ce like him.<i>” </i>She said.


    “Well, no one is going to bleed me dry today.” I smirked.


    “And how the hell do you think you’re gonna get past me? Do you think that little bow and arrow scare me?” He asked.


    But then I startedughing as I heard a howling closer down the hallway behind us.


    “What the <b>f</b>**k?” Arthur asked.


    “Did you really think I was dumb enough toe here alone with you?” I asked.


    Elias and Luke burst into the room with whatever warriors we had left, their faces set with


    INW


    +25 Points


    determination and desperation. Just as Elias lunged at Arthur, he twisted with impossible speed, slipping out of reach, and sprinted toward the far end of the room, moving with the confidence of someone who already knew every hidden path. He disappeared behind a section of the wall, revealing a cleverly concealed door that only he seemed to know about. Elias didn’t hesitate and chased after him, crashing through the space where the door had been moments before, but he returned shortly, breathing heavily and clearly frustrated. I knew Arthur could have tracked him through the tunnel by scent alone, following every twist and turn, but Elias came back because he wasn’t going to abandon me, not when the stakes were this high. I held my bow steady, arrow aimed directly at Morgana, who now looked more nervous than I had ever seen her, realizing that I had managed to rally reinforcements, something that no one–especially her–had anticipated. The room seemed smaller with tension pressing in from all sides, the air thick with fear, anticipation, and the faint metallic scent of weapons. Every shadow felt alive, and I knew this confrontation was only beginning.