The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108

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Damien Thorn–his name was synonymous with a ruthless, cold–blooded reputation. He looked every bit the iron–hearted warrior, radiating an intimidating, battle–hardened aura. But those lips of his…

They carried an unexpected hint of softness behind that hardened mask–like chilled jelly pulled straight from the fridge: frosty on the outside, yet unmistakably tender to the touch.

‘He totally did that on purpose!‘ Nova thought, her heart racing.

‘But with a taste this good, how could I resist?‘ she teased herself inwardly.

Taking advantage of the angle, Nova grabbed Damien by the collar and, with Zane’s eyes burning red with fury, deepened the kiss.

Her lips moved against his, slow and deliberate, teasing and tasting.

Zane’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

‘Nova, why? Why are you doing this to me!‘ Zane was practically losing his mind.

‘First you let some black market kingpin mess around with you, and now you’re toying with your new little fling…

‘Is this really what your life was like before you came back to the Blake family? Just filthy, rotten to the core?

‘You’ve already buried yourself in a world of booze and temptation!

‘You don’t belong there. I swear, I’ll drag you out of that world, Nova–even if it kills me!‘

Zane couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

He just couldn’t wrap his head around it–now that Nova was back at the Blake family, why drag all those streetwise habits from her old life with her?

She’d survived battlefields, been scarred, risked everything as a war correspondent, and even ended up as the kept woman of a black market boss…

But that was just the way she survived–she didn’t really have a choice.

‘Why can’t she just leave it all behind and start fresh?‘ Zane thought, frustration gnawing at him.

It’s not like she couldn’t leave that world behind.

She wasn’t some warlord dodging assassins or a general stuck on the battlefield with no way out.

“You’re lost, Nova!” Zane snapped, bitterness lacing every word.

“Just look at you–always hung up on the past, never facing your demons, playing sugar mama to these pretty boys and drifting through life like it doesn’t even matter…

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Chapter 108

“You’re heading straight for a dead end, and you don’t even see it.

“If your parents, your brother or sister ever saw you like this, it’d tear them apart!”

If only I could be the one to save you, Zane thought, his resolve hardening.

(UL

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‘Only someone outside your world can reach down and drag you out of this abyss you’re sinking into!‘

The kiss finally ended.

Nova flashed an alluring, fox–like smirk, letting her slender fingertips lightly touch Damien’s lips. She turned to Zane, her voice icy and clear.

“How well do you really know me?” she asked coolly.

Nova gave Zane a frosty, almost mocking glance–like she was laughing at both her messed–up life and his self–righteous attitude.

“I was born in a world of sin and shadows, Zane. Never had the luxury of running away,” she said.

Her hand slid down from Damien’s lips, gliding over his chest and stopping right at his collarbone.

With what looked like a fragile hand but hid surprising strength, she yanked Damien closer, pressing him hard against her side.

Right then, there was something dangerously irresistible about her.

“If you really want the truth, he’s the only one who truly gets me. As for you…

“You’re just another nobody passing by–totally irrelevant.”

Nova’s words were merciless, not leaving Zane a scrap of hope.

But as Zane listened, his heart felt like it was being ripped apart–yet deep down, he still couldn’t let own stubborn assumptions.

go

of his

He was convinced that when Nova talked about a world of sin, she just meant the black market, shady deals, maybe some run–down battlefields–places he could actually get into if he really tried.

He couldn’t see that she was talking about an entirely different universe–the elite, secretive circles at the very peak of the underworld. Places a nobody like him wouldn’t ever get a foot in the door, no matter how hard he tried.

“I’m not giving up on you!” Zane called out, his voice raw with determination.

“Quitting’s just not in my DNA. No matter what it takes, I’ll prove myself to you!

“Nova, mark my words–I’ll show you that I’m truly worthy of you!”

With those words, Zane whirled around and hurried off.

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Chapter 108

“Hey, Zane! Seriously, what’s with all the secret drama between you two?

“Are we still going ahead with our big plan, or what?”

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Off to the side, Silas couldn’t stop obsessing over why Nova seemed perfectly fine after he’d spiked her drink -and scheming about how to get his way with her if she passed out.

As soon as Zane stormed off, Silas rushed to catch up.

Meanwhile, Damien’s eyes went razor–sharp and icy, a dangerous chill creeping into his gaze.

He was pissed.

‘That guy actually dares to chase after the woman I’ve already marked as mine? He’s begging for death,‘ Damien thought, murderous intent flashing in his mind.

Damien stayed silent, not saying a word before Nova suddenly spoke up, “Aiden.”

She slipped easily into Damien’s usual commanding tone, her voice ringing out with the authority of the Shadow Sanctum’s master as she called to the darkness.

Aiden, lurking in the shadows with his usual empty look, was startled for a brief moment.

For a second, he almost mistook it for Damien’s own voice summoning him.

T

Even though a jolt of surprise ran through him, Aiden stepped out without hesitation, instantly ready to carry out Nova’s command.

Maybe it was how often they’d been running into each other lately, or maybe Nova was getting to know Damien on a whole new level.

Now, Nova didn’t bother with pleasantries–she took control of Damien’s men as if they belonged to her, issuing orders with zero hesitation.

“Deal with the one behind us,” she said, her voice crisp and icy, no mercy in her words.

The man trailing the group was Silas–the creep who’d spiked her drink and thought he could take advantage of her. Nova’s eyes flashed with cold contempt.

Aiden glanced at Damien. Damien didn’t bat an eye–clearly, he had zero problem with Nova giving orders.

He gave Nova a short, respectful nod.

“Yes,” he said.

Without hesitation, he melted into the shadows, ghosting after Silas.

Outside the restroom, it quickly quieted down until only Nova and Damien remained.

Damien, tall and sharply handsome, carried himself like an old–school gentleman as he leaned in with quiet elegance.

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Chapter 108

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He slid his broad hand under Nova’s, lifting her delicate left hand with the care he’d reserve for a rare artifact -cherishing her, raising her hand gently up.

His powerful form dipped lower, and his lips brushed a gentle, lingering kiss across her skin.

With effortless grace, Damien bowed low–like a devoted duke before his queen–and pressed a reverent kiss to the back of Nova’s hand.

Then, with vow–like devotion, he whispered to her, “If you ever fall into the abyss of this world, I’ll raise you up as its uncrowned ruler.”