Chapter 321: Victory or Defeat Astrid's POV

As we neared the dungeon, the cold air wrapped around me like a warning, and my steps faltered.

The weight of what I was about to do settled heavily in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I was nervous - no, I was scared. Giselle was down there, the woman who had torn our lives apart, and I had to face her alone.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt warm air fanning the side of my face. I blinked and turned, only to find Killian standing so close, his face inches from mine.

His breath was warm on my skin, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of us.

My heart skipped a beat. The closeness, the way he was looking at me—it made me forget, just for a second, about the darkness waiting ahead.

"Astrid," he whispered, his voice soft and full of concern. "Are you sure about this?"

His eyes searched mine, his brow furrowed with worry, and for a brief moment, I wanted to say no.

I wanted to lean into him, let him shield me from everything. He always had a way of making me feel safe.

"I can come with you," he added gently, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a spark of warmth through me.

For a moment, I hesitated. His presence was comforting, but I knew I needed to do this alone.

I needed to face Giselle on my own terms, even if part of me was terrified of what I might find.

I shook my head, offering a small smile. "No," I said softly, trying to steady my voice. "I need to do this by myself."

held my gaze, his eyes lingering on mine, as if

a promise in his touch. "I'll be right here," he murmured, his

were all I needed to find the courage. With one last look into his eyes,

forward, I could still feel the warmth of

as I walked into the cold, dark

would be the last time I saw Giselle, the last

door, its hinges creaking as it

on Giselle, and I froze. The woman before me was

high now sat slumped against

smatted, her dress torn

Her hair was

looked like someone who had been

nothing, all the grandeur stripped

of the person

even in her diminished state, a twisted smirk played on her lips, as if

if she still believed she held

through the bars, her eyes gleaming

Giselle said, her voice hoarse but filled with mockery. "Look who's

you could

you

you'd get away with it? I told you before,

to that moment when the guards had dragged her away to the dungeon. She had screamed threats at me then, words I had dismissed as the ravings of

felt the anger surge in

pain. "Ryker is

come to beg, to cry at my feet, but it's too late, Astrid. I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255