Ryder’s POV
The tension in the air crackled like electricity as I faced Morgan, his malevolence palpable and infectiously threatening. Still crouched over the king, Abbie was a mixture of shock and panic, her wide, terrified eyes flickering between Morgan and me as though we were two storms about to collide.
“Why did you let her go?” I demanded, stepping forward, my heart pounding as adrenaline surged. “What if she—”
“Don’t you get it, Ryder?” Morgan cut me off, voice low and dripping with contempt. “Eliza is a distraction. She’s nothing but a pawn in this game—one I can sacrifice if it means achieving my true goal. I’ve wasted enough time tiptoeing around her precious royal status. It’s time to show everyone who truly commands the power in this realm.”
I clenched my fists, anger flaring inside me. Morgan’s arrogance had always grated on my nerves, but this—this was reckless. “If you think you can run amok without consequences, you are sorely mistaken.”
His laughter echoed in the corridor, harsh and devoid of warmth. “Consequences? Oh, I thrive on chaos, my friend. And soon, you’ll see just how deep the tide of power can turn in your favour—or how it can consume you whole. Don't forget I helped you fake your bond with Eliza. She can't be mated to my quadruplets!”
I was about to respond when the belligerent clang of armour echoed behind us, pulling our attention. A squad of guards, likely drawn by Abbie’s screams, rushed in, weapons drawn. Their eyes darted between Morgan and the fallen king, confusion and fear mingling in their faces.
“Step away from His Majesty!” one of them barked, steel glinting in the torchlight.
Morgan raised a hand dismissively, and I braced myself, knowing what was coming next. Magic shimmered around him like heat waves. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed an unnatural force that sent the guard squad sprawling back against the wall as if they were paper dolls.
“Stop!” I shouted, but it felt lost amid the chaos as Morgan revealed his dominance. “You’ll bring the entire palace down on us!”
Abbie, emerging from shock, scrambled to her feet at that moment. The fire in her eyes had returned, replaced with righteous fury as she pushed herself between Morgan and the guards. “You’re a monster!” she yelled, standing defiantly. “You won’t get away with this!”
“Why don’t you find out what real monsters are capable of?” Morgan's voice dripped with malice.
Before I could react, I felt a rush of magic surging through the corridor. The air grew thick and charged, and Morgan's eyes glinted ominously as he prepared to strike. I had to act; the chaos could turn lethal at any moment.
“Get the king out of here!” I ordered the guards while thrusting my attention at Morgan, willing every ounce of power I possessed to unlock the depths of my abilities. The tension pooled at my fingertips, a simmering heat that begged to be released.
But Abbie charged at Morgan before I could conjure a spell, using a surprising burst of bravery. “Stay away from him!” she screamed, and with her hidden power, summoned a gust of wind that caught the dark energy enveloping Morgan, interrupting his focus just enough to give us the upper hand.
“Abbie, no!” I yelled, but it was too late. The spell collided with Morgan, and he stumbled slightly, surprised.
“Foolish girl!” he spat, his anger swirling around him as he regained his footing. With an impossible speed, he lunged toward her, and instinct kicked in. I dove forward, putting myself between Abbie and Morgan just as the darkness surged around us.
The guards were shouting orders, the king lay incapacitated, and the corridor erupted with the sounds of chaos. Adrenaline thrummed through my veins as I readied myself for the confrontation. This was more than a battle for power; it had become a fight for survival.
As I faced Morgan, a sickening grin stretched across his face. “You think you can protect them, Ryder? You’re too late. The game has already begun, and you’re just a pawn scrambling to catch up. Eliza will never forgive you when she finds out your true identity.”
The words stung, igniting a rage within me. “Game or not, I won’t let you hurt anyone else!” I shouted, channelling the intensity of my power.
“Ryder, what's he talking about?” Abbie yelled, but I ignored her. I had no time to explain myself.
The corridor around us warped, reality hanging by a thread, and I faced Morgan eye-to-eye. The stakes had never been higher. I’d made my choices, and now I had to stand firm. No matter the outcome, I wasn’t backing down. Not now. Not ever.
“Ryder?”
I turned around, and there stood Eliza!
Her presence illuminated the darkness like a beacon, but the look on her face was a mixture of fear and confusion. “What’s happening? Ryder, why are you fighting?”
Morgan’s gaze snapped toward her, and for a brief moment, I saw everything fall into place within his twisted mind. “Ah, Eliza, how lovely of you to join us,” he sneered, his words laced with the venom of anticipation. “You’ve walked right into the heart of our little game. Isn’t it poetic?”
“You!” Eliza exclaimed as her eyes fell on Morgan.
“Stay back!” My voice was low and steady as I glanced at Eliza, willing her to understand our danger. “Morgan’s not—”
“You can’t protect her forever, Ryder!” Morgan interrupted, his voice echoing in the confined space, a sinister thrill dancing in his tone. “You’ve constructed a delicate web of lies, and it’s all about to unravel. How long do you think she’ll stay loyal once she discovers who you truly are?”
Eliza’s eyes widened, confusion twisting into disbelief. “What does he mean, Ryder?”