Chapter 32: Ronan is Alive

The moment Selene stepped out of the stone entrance, she collapsed to her knees on the soft earth.

Tears she had been holding back finally escaped, tracing silent lines down her face.

She had never felt so lost, so utterly consumed by confusion. And beneath it all—an unbearable, gnawing fear of what was to come. Too many innocent lives had already been lost at the hands of the Faction or the Rebellion, or whatever they chose to call themselves now.

She had done everything for vengeance—for her family. But what of the families torn apart by the Faction? Didn't they deserve justice too?

"My Queen?" Lila's voice came softly behind her.

Selene didn't look back. "What have I done, Lila? What happens now?"

Lila swallowed hard before answering. "You'll do as Master Thaddeus commands. You'll return to the castle. Announce the King's death. Express your eagerness to re-marry. Prepare the castle, and the Kingdom, for its new ruler."

Selene turned her head slowly, eyes like venom. "Don't make me add you to my kill list, Lila."

"I'm sorry, my Queen. But you don't have a choice. Master Thaddeus is ancient magic itself. You can't kill him. Try, and you'll die."

"So I'm supposed to let that monster rule? Let him wear the crown while innocent lives are crushed beneath his feet? Every child lost will be on my hands."

Lila was silent.

Selene stared at her for a long moment. Then, quietly she asked.

"Do you still hear the.. children?"

"Not as loud as when we were inside," Lila whispered.

"Can we save them?"

"No. We cannot," Lila snapped. "We can do nothing but return to the castle and prepare it for the Master."

"He is not my master!"

"No. He is not," Lila said even softer. "He's your future husband."

Selene's hands clenched in the dirt. "I'm this close to killing you."

"Be wise, My Queen. Not stupid."

"You find out the Faction eats the hearts of children—children, Lila!! And you still choose to follow them. And I'm the stupid one?"

"You cannot win against them," Lila said, almost broken. "Why try?"

Selene rose slowly. She wiped the tears from her face, her emerald eyes now burning with Resolve.

"Because someone has to," she said coldly. "Someone has to try."

Lila looked away, her face tight with shame. "And if trying means death?"

"Then I'll die knowing I didn't kneel for a beast who feasts on the innocent." Selene turned, her voice sharp as steel. "I didn't survive all this to become his queen. I won't be another puppet. Not again."

"Selene…" Lila's voice trembled.

"You can follow me," Selene said softly, "or you can go warn him. Either way, I'll find a way to end this."

Lila looked at her for a long time, torn between fear and loyalty.

Finally, she lowered her gaze, sighed, then lifted her eyes again.

"King Ronan is alive," she said quietly.

Selene froze, the words hanging in the air, impossible to believe.

"But Thaddeus said he was dead."

"He thinks he is," Lila replied. "But he doesn't know the truth."

"I don't understand," Selene said slowly.

"When we were with the Faction, I tried reading their thoughts—one by one. All except Thaddeus, of course. My powers don't work on him. But his brother… he's not as strong. I was able to hear what he was thinking."

Selene narrowed her eyes. "And?"

"He was afraid. Because Ronan is still alive. He's been lying to Thaddeus. And that woman Melisse—she confirmed it in her mind. She knows too."

"That doesn't make sense," Selene said. "Why would they keep him alive?"

"I don't know," Lila admitted. "But if we can find him… we might have a real chance. With Ronan alive, Thaddeus can't legally claim the throne."

Selene stared at her. "We?"

Lila gave a small shrug. "I'm no saint. But I don't want to hear screaming children in my head for the rest of my life."

A faint smile touched Selene's lips, but it faded just as quickly. "I got into this to avenge my family. My father. My mother. My sisters. Now I'm supposed to save the man who killed them? Who murdered my father in front of me?"

"You have to decide what matters more now," Lila said gently. "But helping the kingdom and avenging your family… they don't have to be separate."

Selene's voice dropped. "And how am I supposed to do both?"

"Help Ronan destroy the Faction," Lila said. "Then, when it's done—kill him. You'll be a hero. And the rightful Queen."

Selene exhaled. "It's not going to be that easy."

"No," Lila agreed. "But it's your choice. I'm just here to follow. We both have nothing left to lose."

Selene opened her mouth to reply—but the sound of approaching footsteps cut her off. Heavy, deliberate grunts and crunching leaves filled the air.

They turned toward the trees, bracing themselves.

And then—Travis stepped out of the brush.

He froze in place, eyes wide with shock.

"Your Majesty?" he breathed.