Marseille, France — three days after Reyna reentered the circle of magic.
The sea wind struck my face sharply as I stood on the balcony of one of Lucien's safehouses. Below, the port buzzed with the unloading of goods, and from a distance, the sound of ship sirens and the clamor of the old city created a melody that pierced the soul. But the peace was only outside. Inside my chest — a storm.
Vengeance. Suspicion. Loss.
Lucien sat at the large wooden table, reviewing strategy notes and the Blood Council's contact list. His face was calm, but I knew his mind was restless. Since Dato' Lyon appeared in the secret chamber, everything had shifted.
"He shouldn't have known we were there," I said, leaning against the stone wall.Lucien lifted his gaze. "Someone leaked our location."I clenched my robe tightly. "If there's a traitor among us… I'll tear their tongue out myself."
He stood slowly, approaching me. His eyes never left my face."Reyna… you're still trapped in the same night."
I stayed silent.
"The night that killed Fathya," he continued.I turned. "That night also gave birth to La Reyna."
Lucien stepped closer. His hand gently touched my shoulder."But if you never let go of that vengeance… love won't survive. I… might not survive."
I turned slowly. Our eyes locked. In his gaze, I saw something I'd nearly forgotten — hope. But hope is fragile when blood still drips from the tip of a blade.
"You know, Lucien…" my voice was soft. "I never knew what love was. Only what loss felt like. And every man who's ever tried to touch my heart… they all died."
Lucien drew closer, his face inches from mine."If I die because I love you, I'll accept it. But don't make me live in a world without you."
I inhaled deeply, swallowing tears that begged to fall. But La Reyna doesn't cry.
Lucien: "Are you afraid that if your heart softens, your revenge will lose strength?
"Reyna: "I'm afraid that if I love you… I'll forget who burned my home and murdered my mother.
"Lucien: "But I'm not your enemy, Reyna.
"Reyna: "No. You're just the last thing I haven't buried yet.
"Lucien: "I'm the savior of what remains in your heart. And if you can't even defend that…
"Reyna: "I only want their blood. Not poems. Not embraces.
"Lucien: "And when their blood is all spilled? Who will you see in the mirror then?
"Reyna: "La Reyna. The woman they forged from hell.
"Lucien: "I won't let you drown in the fire they lit.
"Reyna: "If you want to be safe, Lucien… leave tonight.
"Lucien: "If I leave, who will stop your hand when you go too far?
"Reyna: "No one can stop me. Not even myself.
"Lucien: "Reyna…
"Reyna: "Don't say that name like you know me. You don't know my scars.
"Lucien: "Then prove me wrong. Show me those scars. Let me see them, and I won't back down.
"Reyna: "I'm not asking you to back down. I'm asking you not to enter.
"Lucien: "Too late. I'm already drowning.
"Reyna: "Then you'll drown with me.
"Lucien: "As long as you're not drowning alone."
He reached for me again, but I pulled back — barely.
Lucien: "But Reyna… do you even know what Maeryss is really after?
"Reyna: (shocked) "What do you mean?
"Lucien: "She didn't kill your family out of hatred. But because she feared what they were hiding. Something far greater than all this.
"Reyna: "What's greater than my family being destroyed?
"Lucien: "Something that, if it falls into your hands… you might not remain La Reyna. You might become hell itself."
War Council Session
In the secret chamber beneath the safehouse, we gathered with two shadow hunters — Kael and Mirelle. Once elite combat mages, now secretly aligned with my cause.
Kael pointed at the map spread across the table.Kael: "Lyon is said to be at his main villa in Quartier Mazarin. The place is guarded by first-class protective magic. And… a Guardian beast."
Lucien: "A creature from the Third Realm. Can't be bribed. Can't be reasoned with.
"Mirelle: "None have ever escaped it. Not even demons.
"Reyna: "Then let's etch history with blood.
"Kael: "Or history carves our names into tombstones.
"Reyna: "I don't care if I'm a corpse. As long as Dato' Lyon dies first."
Interlude – Lyon
Lyon stood before a grand mirror in his luxurious villa. His hand held a cup of tea, but his eyes were fixed on his reflection.
Lyon: "She's alive.
"Guard: "Who, sir?
"Lyon: "La Reyna. The ghost of Milan.
"Guard: "Shall we strike first?
"Lyon: "No. Let her come. Let her bring all her fury. And when she does… we reveal the truth.
"Guard: "Is she truly the rightful heir?
"Lyon: (smirking) "She's not just an heir. She's the key."