The storm raged above the ruined castle, lightning splitting the sky as rain poured in relentless sheets. The final battle had begun.
Eva stood at the heart of it, her sword dripping with blood, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Magnus.
He stood at the top of the crumbling staircase, his black cloak whipping in the wind. His eyes—cold and calculating as ever—locked onto her, but for the first time… there was doubt in them.
"You've lost," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Magnus chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Have I?"
Eva took a step forward, ignoring the pain lacing through her body. She would finish this.
For her father.
For Lucian.
For Eldoria.
The Battle Begins
Magnus struck first.
A flash of steel. A deadly arc through the air.
Eva barely dodged, twisting away as his sword sliced through her cloak.
Pain burned across her arm, but she gritted her teeth, parrying his next attack.
The clash of blades echoed through the ruined hall.
Lucian, Tobias, Cedric, and the others were still fighting Magnus' remaining men outside, holding them back so she could face him alone.
She had to end this.
Magnus snarled, swinging again, faster, harder. His rage fueled him, but Eva—Eva fought with something stronger.
Purpose.
She blocked his next strike, driving her dagger into his side.
Magnus staggered.
Blood soaked his tunic, his face twisting in disbelief.
But then—a cruel smirk.
"You don't have it in you," he hissed, voice shaking with pain. "You won't kill me."
Eva's grip on her sword tightened.
For so long, she had let others decide her fate.
For so long, she had been the rebellious princess, the reckless daughter.
Not anymore.
She drove the blade into his chest.
Magnus' eyes went wide.
A strangled gasp escaped his lips as he stumbled backward.
His body hit the ground.
Still.
Silent.
It was over.
The Aftermath
Eva swayed, her vision blurring.
Her body screamed in pain.
Blood—her blood—spilled onto the stone floor.
She barely heard the sound of footsteps thundering toward her before her knees buckled.
Strong arms caught her.
Lucian.
"Eva!" His voice was sharp with fear, his hands pressing against her wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
Her fingers curled against his tunic, barely clinging to consciousness.
"I did it," she murmured.
Lucian's jaw clenched, his eyes dark with emotion. "Stay with me. You hear me? Stay with me."
Tobias and Isolde appeared at his side, their faces pale.
"She's losing too much blood," Tobias muttered.
"She needs a healer—now," Isolde added, her voice thick with panic.
But Eva's gaze remained on Lucian.
He looked… so raw. So broken.
And in that moment, she realized something.
He wasn't just her protector.
He wasn't just the knight who irritated her with his constant brooding.
He was Lucian.
Her Lucian.
She tried to reach for him, but darkness swallowed her whole.
A Kingdom Restored
When Eva woke, the battle was over.
The air smelled of rain and ash, but there was peace.
Lucian sat beside her, his face weary but relieved.
"You scared the hell out of me," he muttered.
Eva managed a weak smile. "You worry too much."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "And you don't worry enough."
Silence.
Then—
He took her hand. Held it.
And for the first time…
Eva didn't pull away.