WHISPERS OF WAR AND LOVE

The golden morning light streamed through the heavy curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. It was a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging within Xander. For the first time in years, he had something to lose.

Ella stirred beside him, her bare skin pressed against his. Her hair was tangled from the night before, her lips swollen from his kisses. She was beautiful and she was his.

The thought sent a sharp pang through his chest. He had spent years consumed by revenge, by the desire to reclaim everything Edmund had stolen from him. But now… what if this was what truly mattered?

Ella let out a soft sigh as she blinked up at him. "You're staring."

Xander smirked, brushing his fingers along her jaw. "Can you blame me?"

She smiled sleepily, but then her expression shifted, her brows drawing together. "What happens now?"

He exhaled, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling. That was the question, wasn't it? Edmund was still out there. The battle for Evermere was far from over.

And now that Edmund knew just how much Ella meant to him, she would never be safe.

Xander sat up, running a hand through his hair. "I need to find Edmund before he finds us."

Ella sat up too, pulling the sheets around her. "And then what?"

He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "And then I end this."

Ella's stomach tightened. She had seen what Xander was capable of. He was ruthless, efficient, a man forged by betrayal and war. But she also knew the heart that beat beneath that hardened exterior.

And she wasn't sure she could watch him destroy himself in the process.

She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "Promise me something."

Xander looked at her, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Anything."

"When this is over… promise me you won't let revenge be the only thing you have left."

His jaw tightened. He wanted to promise her. He wanted to tell her that he could walk away from the darkness once Edmund was gone.

But could he?

Before he could answer, a sharp knock at the door shattered the moment.

Xander was on his feet in an instant, grabbing his trousers and pulling them on as he moved toward the door.

Luca's voice came from the other side, low and urgent. "We have a problem."

Xander swung the door open, his expression already hardening. "What is it?"

Luca hesitated only for a second before stepping inside. His gaze flickered briefly to Ella, still sitting on the bed with the sheets wrapped around her, before he turned back to Xander. "Edmund's men were spotted near the village."

Ella tensed. "How many?"

Luca exhaled sharply. "Too many."

Xander's fingers curled into fists. "He's making his move."

Luca nodded grimly. "And he's not alone. He's rallied some of the nobles who still hold loyalty to your father's name."

Xander's stomach twisted. Of course, Edmund would use their father's legacy to manipulate men into fighting for him. The same father who had turned his back on Xander.

Ella stood, grabbing a robe and wrapping it around herself. "What do we do?"

Xander met her gaze, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them.

He wouldn't let Edmund take anything else from him.

Not his land.

Not his people.

And especially, not Ella.

"We fight," he said, his voice steel.

Luca nodded. "Then we need to move fast."

Xander turned to Ella, his hands resting on her shoulders. "You stay here."

She frowned. "No."

"Ella…"

"I'm not hiding while you risk your life," she interrupted, her eyes blazing. "I know how to fight."

He exhaled sharply. "I don't doubt that. But if something happens to you…"

"Then we will face it together," she said firmly.

Xander searched her face, and what he saw there made his heart clench. She wasn't afraid.

She was ready to fight beside him.

And there was no point in arguing.

He let out a slow breath. "Fine. But you stay close to me."

Ella smirked. "That was the plan."

By the time they reached the village outskirts, the tension in the air was suffocating. The townspeople had already begun preparing, some armed with whatever weapons they could find, others gathering their families and trying to flee before the battle began.

Xander stood at the head of his small force, his sword strapped to his side, his mind calculating every possible move.

Luca leaned in. "They will be here soon."

Xander nodded. "Then let's make sure they regret it."

The first wave of Edmund's men arrived at dusk, their torches glowing like fireflies in the distance.

Xander's grip on his sword tightened. "No mercy."

And then the battle began.

The clash of steel rang through the night. Xander moved like a shadow, striking with precision, cutting down enemy after enemy. He could feel Ella beside him, fighting with a fierceness that made his chest ache with pride.

Luca fought just as fiercely, his blade moving in deadly arcs.

But then, a cry of pain cut through the chaos.

Xander's heart stopped. He turned just in time to see Ella stumble, her hand clutching her side where a blade had sliced through her robe.

His blood ran cold.

He lunged, cutting down her attacker with a savage strike before catching her as she fell.

"Ella" His voice was hoarse, panic clawing at his throat.

She gasped, her face pale. "I'm… I'm fine."

But she wasn't.

Xander lifted her into his arms, his fury burning hotter than ever. He would kill them all. Every single one of them.

And then he would end Edmund.

But first, he had to save Ella.