All Chapters of Villain's Oath : Chapter 11
- Chapter 20
24 chapters
Chapter 11
Lucien looked away Marr, looking at her tall windows at the end of the hall.Marr stepped into Lucien's sight, his arms crossed “ You always hated the cold, yet her you are sitting in a room that could freeze bone”Lucien didn't respond, he just watched Marr“ Remember when we got trapped in the hollow spines during the winter raids? You nearly lost your toes to frostbite, you swore you'd never ride north again” Marr said, chuckling Lucien gave a faint nod “ I remember ” But he didn't. Not reallyThe memories weren't his.Marr stepped closer, watching him “ You are quieter than I remember, more distant”Lucien looked up, meeting his eyes “ A lot changes after a man almost dies ”“ That does it” Marr said softlyHe paused , then added “ But not everything, some things stay the same. Loyalty for one”Lucien let the silence stretchedMarr gave a half smile“ You used to trust me with everything. Lucien, what changed?” Marr askedLucien leaned back, his arms folded“ You tell me” He
Chapter 12
THE NEXT DAYThe fire in the hearth cracked low but the room still felt cold Lucien stood by the hearth, his sleeve rolled just above the bandaged wound“ Guards” He called outA moment later, two of his guards entered , they bowed immediately.“ My lord” they both said in unison Lucien stared at them for a long moment “ Tell me about Elira ” he said The guards exchanged a quick glance“ Lady Elira. She was promised to Lord Thorne 8 seasons after the great war” one of the guards replied quickly “ And?” Lucien asked, wanting more information “ She took over her father herbal shop, people call her the kingdom's healer” the guards replied “ And where is the shop?” Lucien asked “ Behind the garden” “ And her father?”“ Lord Valea is still alive but old so she's the one people go to now” Lucien stepped forward “ How regular does Elias come to see her?”The guards hesitated “ We have seen Lord Thorne visit the shop once or twice and nothing beyond that ”“ Prepare a horse ” He sa
Chapter 13
Lucien's fingers loosened around the cup as his vision blurred. The fire light swayed strangely, the room spinning around him His chest rose slowly, too slowly Something was wrong Then, a sharp pain hit his head His thoughts grew heavy, then slipped away like water. Suddenly, he wasn't in his room anymore He was on the battlefield, smoke filled the air and screams echoed all around Blood stained the ground A man was lying there, it was Eryndor, barely breathing His swords was just out of reach Lucien felt his heart pounding in his chest “ Elira” The name left his mouth, almost immediately A flash of lightning, the sound of swords and just like that It was gone. Lucien gasped, breathing hard He was back in his chamber, selene was talking but he barely heard her He placed a hand on his head What was that? Lucien blinked, his mind slowly started to clear. Selene's voice cut through the silence “ You are quiet all of a sudden ” she said, stepping closer to Luci
Chapter 14
Lucien sat near the tall window, one hand resting on the table, his fingers tapping slowly. Morning light spilled across the floor, soft and cold.The wine glass from last night still lay on the floor untouched, empty, useless. He hadn’t slept. His mind kept circling back to Selene. Her touch. Her lies. The bitter taste of the drug on his tongue.She wasn’t just desperate she was planning something. And he had let her get too close.A knock at the door broke the silence.“My lord,” a guard stepped in, bowing low. “There’s a man at the main gate. He says he has a message for you.”Lucien didn’t move. “His name?” he asked “He refused to give one. He says the message is urgent, and meant only for you.”Lucien turned around, his eyes narrowed. “Did he bring a weapon?”“No, my lord. Only a letter. He’s waiting by the outer gate, alone”Lucien stood, slowly stretching out the stiffness in his arms. The wound on his arm still ached, but it had started to close. He picked up his cloa
Chapter 15
Lucien didn't slow down his step as he left Aric's manorHis mind was heavy, always heavyThe wound on his arm throbbed under his clothThe streets were busy, but they cleared quickly when people saw him coming No one dared to speak and none met his eyes.He walked until the buildings thinned and the scent of herbs filled the air Elira's shop stood at the corner, very quiet and very smallDried plants hung by the window and the wooden sign above creaked in the breezeHe stepped up and stood there in silence A moment passed before the door creaked open, Elira stood in the doorway surprised but calm.“ You again?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, and her voice flat Lucien lifted his arm, pulling back the sleeve slowly to show her the wound beneath.“ It needs care so I need your help with it”She looked at it, then stepped aside “ Come in”Inside, the shop was warm, filled with the scent of herbs , smoke and something sweet .Lucien sat on the small bench without being told .He watch
Chapter 16
Lucien stood in silence after Nyxir disappeared, the room was quiet, but the air was heavy like her darkness had not fully leftHe didn't move, he just stood still looking at the spot she was earlier, her words echoed in his mind “ You asked for this life, you gave up Eryndor ”“ You are not him anymore, you belong to this”He looked down at his hands, they didn't feel like his ownThese were not the hands of the knight he used to be They were Lucien's now. Strong. Cold and Dangerous Maybe Eryndor had truly died on that battlefield He walked away from the window and moved to the bed and sat downHe carefully raised the edge of the bed cover up and slipped under it, the bed shifting slightly with his weight as he lay downHe glanced up at the ceiling hoping for sleep to come.Morning light slipped through the curtain, but Lucien had not slept at allHe lay down on the bed staring at the ceiling Nyxir's words still echoing in his headThe darkness inside him was growing, pressing h
Chapter 17
The fire in Lucien's room was low when Marr walked in, he entered quickly, the heavy door closing behind him with a dull thud.Lucien didn't look at him, he stood by the window, his back toward Marr as he stare out the fog covered rooftops Marr stopped a few steps from Lucien and cleared his throat softly.“ You were right, something is happening ” Marr spoke quietly Lucien turned slowly, his expression unreadable “ Tell me everything ” he said Marr nodded and take a step forward Lucien“ Elias is holding secret meetings, always at night. Only few men, I could not hear much but I saw gold being passed around ”“ Anyone you know?” Lucien asked“ No. But I can remember their faces when I come across any” Marr said, lowering his head Lucien jaw tightened but he nodded “ And Aric?” He asked “ He is harder to follow, he doesn't meet anyone directly ” Marr paused then continued “ But he sends messages through servants which are not his”“ Clever ” Lucien said“ They are planning somet
Chapter 18
Light from the morning sun slipped through the tall windows of Lucien's study, casting a long shadows across the room.He sat behind his desk, dressed in black, the collar of his shirt slightly open A half eaten breakfast beside him, that he hadn't touched in a while His eyes were fixed on the doorWaiting A knock came “ Come in” he said The door creaked open, a guard stepped in quietly, his clothes covered in cloak.Lucien remembered sending him weeks ago, no one knew not even Marr He had told the guard to follow Elias's allies from the shadow Lucien's eyes met the guard own and gave him a small nod “ You have returned” he said “ It took you longer than I had expected ”The guard bowed his head “ Forgive me , my Lord. I had to be sure of what I saw”Lucien leaned forward “ Start talking”The guard stepped closer “ I did as you ordered ” the guard said “ I watched Elias's circle , his allies, his home but Elias himself vanished , no one has seen him”Lucien's eyes narrowed “ D
Chapter 19
Serena stood in the dim corridor just outside Elias’s chambers. The torchlight painted long shadows on the stone walls. Her heart pounded, not exactly with fear, but something raw and urgent.Elias’s door opened silently. He stepped out, cloak drawn tight, his eyes flickered to Serena’s waiting form. “You requested to see me?” he asked, his voice low and composed.She nodded and stepped into the light. “Yes. I have information.”She said her voice was steady, but her fingers curled at her sides. She wasn’t just coming with secrets she was coming with desire, something she couldn’t deny even now.Elias studied her. “Go on.” Serena took a breath. “Lord Lucien is shifting his pieces. He sent new orders last night. I overheard a messenger talking about secret guard rotations and a weakness to exploit.” She paused, watching his face. “It means he knows more than we thought.”Elias’s jaw tightened. “Very good.” He turned and walked a few steps, then stopped. “Why bring this to me?” Ser
Chapter 20
Lucien stood in his study, the message still in his hand. The handwriting was unmistakable it was Elias’s. Maybe Elias wanted him to be surprised on how it got into his chamber He read it one last time, every word confirming what he feared, Serena was being used.Without a word, he walked over to the small metal tray near the fireplace. He lit a candle, touched the flame to the edge of the paper, and watched it burn. The message curled in the fire, turning to ash, but the memory of it stayed sharp in his mind.“Guard,” he called outOne of his guards appeared. “My lord?” he bowed “Go and bring Maverick to me. Quietly. No one should notice.”The guard bowed again and left quickly.Lucien returned to his desk, sitting down with a slow breath.He wasn’t surprised Serena was involved, but it still stung. He had seen something in her once or maybe he just wanted to.Moments later, Maverick entered, head bowed. “You called for me, my lord?”Lucien nodded. “Follow Serena. Discreetly. I