Chapter128

Deborah's POV

When I opened my eyes again, the world slowly came into focus. My head was heavy, and my body ached as I realized I was tightly bound to a chair in the command center.

The rough ropes dug into my wrists, binding my hands tightly behind me. Every slight movement sent sharp pain shooting up my arms, but I clenched my teeth and forced myself to remain silent.

Lugh stood in the center of the room, directing Ablach's defenses with cold efficiency. His back was to me, his posture straight and unyielding, every motion deliberate. He radiated control, like a king surveying his domain.

I tried not to make a sound, willing myself to remain unnoticed. My only advantage now was that he thought I was still unconscious. I couldn't afford to give that up.

But I couldn't ignore the reality of my failure.

The spell hadn't worked.

The incantation I'd pinned my hopes on had only made Lugh falter briefly. He was still standing, still in control, still the same monster who'd orchestrated so much destruction.

His words echoed in my mind: "Unless you and I die together."

Our lives were bound. That much was clear. I couldn't seal his power without taking my own life in the process.

Would I be willing to make that sacrifice?

If my death meant Tirfothuinn's freedom, if it meant the Sky Cities could coexist peacefully at last—wasn't it worth it?

Before I could reach an answer, Lugh turned abruptly, his sharp eyes landing directly on me.

"Don't bother pretending," he said, his tone calm yet laced with authority. "I told you, your life is tied to mine. I can feel every flicker of your emotions. You can't fool me."

I stiffened, my body betraying me with a slight tremor. Slowly, I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze for only a moment before looking away.

"Father loves you," Lugh continued, stepping closer. His voice softened, taking on an almost gentle tone. "That's something you never need to doubt. As long as you listen to me, I would never hurt you."

"And if I don't?" I snapped, my voice cold and defiant. "What happens then? Would you kill me?"

Lugh chuckled softly, a chilling sound that made my skin crawl. "No, no. I've already told you—I can't kill you. If you die, so do I." His eyes glinted with a cruel amusement. "But I can make someone else suffer. How would you feel if I hurt your precious wolf? Or Chad?"

At the mention of Chad, my body tensed involuntarily.

"Chad…" I repeated his name under my breath, then let out a bitter laugh. "I've never understood why you sent him to lead the massacre at Hybrasil. He was loyal enough for that?"

Lugh's expression shifted ever so slightly, a flicker of something dark and unreadable crossing his face.

"Oh, you're worried about him now?" he said, his tone mocking. "Starting to care for him, are you? That's disappointing. It's not like me to let feelings get in the way. I only ever loved your mother."

"And my mother spent her life trying to escape your control," I shot back, my voice laced with venom.

The smile fell from his face for a fleeting second, and I knew I'd struck a nerve. But he quickly recovered, his lips curling into a derisive smirk.

"She regretted leaving me," he said coldly. "Every single day she spent in Murais, she lived with that regret."

"Then you don't know her at all."

My words cut through the air like a blade, and I saw him flinch. But he didn't retaliate. Instead, he turned away, his movements stiff, as if he were forcing himself to remain calm.

I seized the opportunity to press further. "So, Chad was just your pawn? You made him carry out such a heavy burden alone? Did you ever care about what it did to him?"

"Care?" Lugh let out a short, humorless laugh. "He didn't carry anything. If it weren't for me, he would have failed entirely. He's a tool, nothing more. And tools don't need care. They only need control."

"Control?" I repeated, my voice shaking with anger. "You used Domination on him? I can't believe I'm related to someone so vile."

Lugh shook his head, his expression twisting into something almost pitying. "Domination? No, there was no need for that. His mother was my leverage. As long as he believed I had her, he would do whatever I asked. For her sake, he was willing to do anything."

His mother?

But Chad told me Mary was his mother, and Matthew was his half-brother. Was Lugh lying now, or had Chad lied to me all along?

"Care?" Lugh let out a short, humorless laugh. "He bore nothing. If it "What did you do to her?" I asked, my voice low and steady, concealing the storm of questions raging in my mind.weren't for me, he would have failed entirely."

"I didn't need to do anything." Lugh smiled coldly. "Just the belief was enough. He thought she was in danger, and that was all it took. Of course, his soft heart still got in the way. He couldn't stomach the bloodshed, not really."

No. That wasn't true. I remembered Hybrasil, the rivers of blood, the screams of my family. Chad had wielded the blade himself. I'd seen it. Lugh's words didn't align with the memories burned into my mind.

Before I could question him further, a sudden crackle of static filled the room.

The command center's receiver crackled to life, and a deep, steady voice resonated through the speakers.

"Mr Lugh Edwards, surrender now."

My breath caught in my throat.

It was Matthew.

The sound of his voice filled me with both relief and dread.

He continued, calm and unwavering. "Mr Thorne and Mr Vandran have signed the treaty. They've agreed to peace. Now, only you remain."

Lugh's expression darkened instantly. His fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw tightened.

I watched him carefully, my heart pounding.

For the first time, I saw a crack in his composure.

And for the first time, I began to hope.