Chapter 242

Ella POV

I watched Alexander hit the ground, and a shocked cry escaped me before I could bring my hands to my mouth to stifle it. My heart pounded so violently I could barely think, my entire body frozen with terror.

Something hit my shoe. I looked down. A blade, stained with blood, lay at my feet. My mind spun, trying to process everything, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Alexander’s eyes met mine, and though his body was weak, his gaze was strong. He wanted me to do something. He was depending on me to understand.

I took a shaky breath, my eyes locked on the blade. Poison.

Ironfang had used poison against him. If he had brought something so deadly, that meant he saw Alexander as a true threat. And if that poison could reduce him to this state so quickly—

I didn’t think. I just moved.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the blade and surged forward, my steps silent, my grip tightening around the hilt. Ironfang’s focus was still on Alexander, a sneer curling his lips as he loomed over him.

He had no idea I was coming.

Stabbing someone in the back wasn’t my style, but in a way, this was only leveling the playing field. He had used underhanded tactics first. Now, I would finish it.

My heart thundered, my body surging with determination. Every step was driven by the need to protect, to defend the man who had given me everything.

At the last second, Ironfang turned. His eyes met mine, widening for the briefest moment—not in fear, not even in shock, but in something that almost looked like amusement.

He raised his own blade, prepared to strike me down, but he had miscalculated. I was smaller than the foes he usually faced. I moved under his arm, my speed fueled by desperation.

I struck, my blade slicing through flesh as I drove it into his arm.

"Stay away from him!" I screamed, my voice raw with fury.

Ironfang staggered back, hissing in pain. Blood trickled from the wound, but he didn’t fall. He barely seemed fazed, more annoyed than injured.

Then, he laughed.

"You think you can stop me with a scratch?" he sneered, his voice thick with condescension.

In a blur, he grabbed me. His massive hand clamped around my throat, lifting me off the ground.

My legs kicked, my fingers scrambling at his wrist, trying to pry him off. My vision blurred as the pressure on my windpipe cut off my air.

Then, something in his eyes changed. A flicker of confusion.

I forced the words out, my voice choked and weak. "That’s… not my knife."

The roar of Alexander’s voice split the air. An instant later, I was falling, gasping as I hit the ground, Ironfang’s grip torn from me as Alexander tackled him.

“I said,” Alexander growled, pressing a blade under Ironfang’s ribs, “don’t touch her!”

Ironfang snarled, shoving Alexander away. He was stronger, even wounded, but the damage had been done.

I rushed to Alexander’s side, my hands shaking as I cradled his head in my lap. His breathing was ragged, his skin pale.

Ironfang staggered back, gripping his side. His fingers twitched. His expression, once so smug, shifted into something unreadable.

“Pretty and deadly,” Ironfang murmured, his gaze flicking to me. “I should have known.”

“Yes,” Alexander said, his voice weak but defiant. “You should have. I would never bind myself to someone with nothing going for her but looks.”

I felt the faintest touch of warmth at his words, even in the middle of all this chaos.

Ironfang smiled—slow, amused, but tinged with something else. Weakness.

“This isn’t over, pup,” he said, his tone carrying a warning. “My failure will only anger him further.”

Alexander let out a slow, pained breath. “I gathered.” He sat up slightly, with my help. “We can keep fighting, if you’d like. Both of us weak as kittens with this poison.”

Ironfang shook his head. “Pointless.”

He took a step toward the door, his movements slow but deliberate. He wasn’t running. He was retreating, yes, but not in fear. He left with the same confidence he always carried.

“We’ll meet again, pup,” he called over his shoulder. “Next time, I won’t underestimate you.”

“I’ll count on it,” Alexander murmured, his voice slightly slurred.

I didn’t move until Ironfang was completely gone.

Alexander’s POV

Ella’s breath was ragged, her chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Her hands trembled as they pressed against my shoulders, as if she needed to reassure herself that I was still here. Still alive.

I managed a weak smile.

“You defeated him,” I said softly.

The words seemed to shake her out of her thoughts. She looked at me with wide, fearful eyes.

“Don’t speak,” she ordered. “We have to get you to the hospital immediately. That poison—”

I shook my head. My whole body ached, each heartbeat radiating pain through my limbs. There was a burning sensation in my throat, making it difficult to swallow.

“I think it’s a little late for that,” I admitted with a sad smile.

Her grip tightened on me, her eyes flashing with frustration. “Don’t say that. We can still—”

“I knew the risks, Ella.”

The words tasted bitter. I had chosen this path, knowing full well what could happen. The moment I turned against the Northern King, I had sealed my fate. I had been ready to die for this cause.

But now?

If I had known about Lexie… if I had known there was something more to fight for—

I shook my head. It was too late for regrets. The reality was crashing down now.

Ella wasn’t giving up, though. She was already looking around, searching for someone, some way to help me.

“Ella,” I murmured, gripping her hand. “I need you to listen to me.”

She turned to me, her expression unreadable.

“Ironfang was right about one thing.” I swallowed, forcing myself to stay conscious. “This isn’t over.”

A shadow passed over her face. Her jaw clenched. “I know.”

I wished I could promise her that it would be. That after this, we could finally have peace.

But we both knew better.

“I need you to promise me that you’ll take care of Lexie,” I said softly. I looked away from her gaze, my own vision blurry enough to make me dizzy.

“Shut up,” she said sharply. “Don’t talk like you’re going to die here!”

I closed my eyes, my heart heavy. She had fought so hard to help me, but the damage was done. I didn’t see a way out of this.

I frowned as I realized the the pounding I was hearing wasn’t my heartbeat.

“Thank the gods,” Ella said breathlessly. “We’re in here!” she called out.

Then the room exploded into motion. I coudn’t see more than blurs of color when I opened my eyes, but I recgonized one voice that rose above the chaos.

August.

“Get the medics here now,” he ordered, his voice calm and demanding. “Search every inch of this place and get that traitor in cuffs!”

“August?” I said weakly.

“He’s here,” Ella said softly, her hand moving in soothing strokes over my hair. “We’re going to get you help. I swear, Alexander, you will not die today.”

I smiled as I felt conciousness slipping away. No matter how far fetched it seemed, I believed her.