The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 109

Chapter 109

It was his promise to her–a way of showing just how determined he was.

He meant every word.

Damien’s words hit Nova like a punch to the gut.

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It’s almost as if, when he proposed to her before, he did it because he actually liked her–not just to forge an alliance. What was going on here?

‘Or maybe… these are the kinds of benefits he’s promising me now that we’ve teamed up?‘ Nova wondered, her mind spinning.

Nova recalled their very first kiss–sure, it was hardly skillful or anything…

But honestly, she couldn’t help but feel pretty satisfied.

She gently tipped up his chin, her eyes running over Damien’s outrageously handsome features–with a tiny smirk, she took her time sizing him up.

At the same time, Nova tucked a small note with an address into Damien’s jacket pocket, smooth as if she’d done it a thousand times before.

Nova had never been in a relationship or had sex before.

But growing up in that rotten, filthy world, she’d seen plenty of her old mercenary buddies mess around with women right in front of her.

Even if she’d never had the real thing, Nova had definitely seen how it worked.

With a background like hers, it was impossible not to pick up a thing or two.

Like she said before, mercenaries lived for the moment–because out there in the war–torn hellscape, they could end up as just another nameless corpse at any second.

Nova totally got where they were coming from–because she was just like them.

She lived for the now, free and wild, never putting off what she wanted until tomorrow.

She’d never even considered getting with a guy before, simply because none ever stood out to her. But Damien… for once, she actually found herself liking what she saw.

Nova wasn’t one to play coy like some clueless schoolgirl. Once she slipped the address note into Damien’s pocket, she raised her eyebrow with a teasing look and said, “That’s my dorm room address.

“As for your marriage offer–sure, we can tie the knot. But first… you’re taking a test drive.

“My boy toy.”

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A confident, expectant smile curved across her lips as she reached up and tucked her long, straight hair behind her ear.

Her hair caught the air, trailing a hint of irresistible fragrance.

After leaving the address with Damien, Nova turned on her heel without a word and headed straight back to the VIP suite K–1 at the KTV.

“Nova! Come on, over here! What took you so long in the bathroom? I was this close to thinking you’d picked up some handsome guy in there!” Casey called out, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

She was just kidding around, never expecting Nova to actually take her seriously.

But Nova just smirked and shot right back, “Yeah, actually–I did.”

Nova’s blunt response was so unexpected that the energetic lab guy, Zack, did a full spit take.

“Damn, girl, you don’t pull any punches!” Zack burst out laughing.

By now, the big exchange student bash–with people from more than a dozen schools–was just about done; everyone was wrapping up.

Zane and Silas were still MIA; not even a sight of them when the party ended.

Zane probably couldn’t handle how straightforward Nova was, and just slipped out without saying a word.

Silas, on the other hand–he had the guts to try and drug Nova, but with Aiden Cross, the cold–blooded hitman, on the scene? Yeah, everyone knew exactly how that kind of story ends.

“Shoo! Watch where you’re spraying that stuff–none of us wanna get splashed!” Casey joked as she nudged Zack away, sidling up to Nova.

“Nova, I still haven’t filled you in on the big self–defense match for the exchange students!

“You know what they say: gotta know your opponent if you don’t wanna lose, am I right?”

Nova lounged back in her seat, one hand tucked lazily in her pocket, looking relaxed and unconcerned.

She said, “You were saying?”

Listening to Casey and the gang banter, Nova finally got a taste of what it meant to be young and actually belong at school.

To her, it was a kind of music she could listen to forever–so she soaked up every word with genuine delight.

Casey figured Nova was just sizing up the competition, hoping to scope out who she might be up against.

“See, I knew you’d wanna know! Check out that chick across from us,” she said.

Nova glanced over to follow Casey’s cue and spotted a petite girl with an eye–catching, fiery style sitting across from her–delicate, almost doll–like features, but an unmistakable boldness in her vibe.

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She was the same girl who’d locked eyes with Nova the moment she first stepped into the suite–besides Zane, of course.

Back then, Nova was haunted by a lingering sense of familiarity–like she’d run into this girl somewhere

before…

“Her name’s Natasha. She took home the title for last year’s youth self–defense champ in Morales, and she’s a student at Grinston University in Satury City,” Casey explained.

Already sizing up the girl across the room as a rival, Nova eyed her with a spark of curiosity and quietly said. to Casey, “So, Natasha?”

“Things just got a lot more fun,‘ Nova smirked to herself.

If this girl could give Nova a lingering sense of familiarity, then she was the real deal–and clearly not someone to mess with.

Casey saw Nova sizing up her opponent and thought she was getting cold feet.

After all, Nova was the top self–defense prodigy sent over from Saint Laurel Royal Academy in Ravenport.

In Ravenport, she was the undisputed queen–even Zane and Maxwell couldn’t hold a candle to her.

But let’s be real–Zane and Maxwell might be big shots in Ravenport, but their reputation doesn’t go much further than that.

Maxwell’s kickboxing title was just for the youth division in Ravenport.

Once they set foot outside Ravenport, they were hardly even called experts anymore.

Because Morales has eleven cities in total, and when you throw in all the young fighters from the other ten cities–well, that’s a whole different universe.

There are legends everywhere, the kind of talent that makes one realize there’s always someone stronger out there.

Plus, every school pulled out all the stops and sent their best of the best to face off today.

Whoever rises to the top in this exchange student competition? They’ll walk away as the undisputed champion of all Morales.

As for Natasha? She’s snagged the title of Morales‘ self–defense champion, and when people talk about her and Nova, it’s like comparing heaven and earth–the gap between them couldn’t be wider.

So Casey thinking Nova might be freaked out was totally understandable..

“Come on, Nova, don’t freak out or psych yourself out! Seriously, don’t bail before the match even starts. Everybody knows, second place is more than enough–it’s not like rankings are that important anyway…” Casey teased with a wink, trying to calm her nerves.

But before Casey could finish, Nova cut in, her tone firm and unwavering. “No. This is important.”

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“Wait, really? Why’s that?” Casey asked, sounding surprised. “Is Saint Laurel Royal Academy breathing down your neck or something?

“Are they, like, totally obsessed with keeping up their image?”

Zack, who’d just been scooted out of the way, blinked his wide eyes in genuine confusion, that typical lost- teen look written all over his face.

Everyone was bracing for Nova to bust out with some pumped–up, power–of–youth speech–only to get blindsided when she deadpanned, “Winning’s the only way to bag the prize money, isn’t it?”

Nova cut in, blunt as ever.

“So… none of you are just here for the cash?”

For Nova, living by the mercenary rule of “if it doesn’t pay, it doesn’t matter,” all that school spirit and pride stuff just felt pointless. She never understood why students and schools made such a big deal about honor.

Just like regular kids could never get how mercenaries like her would throw away their lives if the price was right–when cash was at stake, even survival came second.

“What?” Casey and Zack just stared at Nova.

They were so shocked, neither could get a word out.

It took a while before they finally managed to process what she’d said.

Casey cleared her throat, switching gears before things got awkward.

“Come on, nobody here actually cares about the money–it’s all about the bragging rights!

“Nova, you really crack me up. You’re something else!

“Anyway, don’t sweat it–just do your best out there!

“And get this—besides Natasha, there are a bunch of past Morales self–defense champs here tonight! The competition’s gonna be fierce…”

Zack jumped in, grinning, “Girl, if your self–defense skills are really as hardcore as you said–like, killer level -you’d be the biggest badass in the room!

“Too bad that’s just talk though, huh? Shame we won’t get to watch you throw down for real,” he teased, letting out a cheeky laugh.

Everyone chilled at the KTV until ten, then strolled back to Rena University, taking their time and just enjoying the night.

On the way back, Casey and the other Rena University students got a text alert from the school.

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“Heads up‘ The competitions are kicking off tomorrow, and they’ll be running on and off for the next few days. Everyone, get ready!

“Nova, I believe in you! Don’t let me down–I’m totally rooting for you!

“Come on, let’s get back to our dorm and catch some sleep before tomorrow!” Casey said.

Parting ways with Casey and the others, Nova made her way back to her room in the dorm building, her steps light as the night finally quieted down around her.

Nova lingered just outside her door, growing utterly silent as she sized up the situation.

She could tell right away–the doorknob wasn’t quite how she’d left it. Someone had been inside her room.

Before leaving, Nova had wedged a single strand of hair in the doorjamb as a subtle tripwire. Now it was missing. Someone had come in–or maybe, they were still inside, waiting.

Nova’s face grew serious as she dialed back her sharp awareness and stepped into the room.

Just ahead, sitting right on her bed, someone was waiting for her.

And it wasn’t just anyone–it was a guy, so unfairly handsome it almost didn’t seem real.

His long, lean legs stuck out awkwardly from the edge of her bed–the frame was way too short for him, so he was just sitting there, silent and insanely handsome, that icy side profile practically screaming ‘here for whatever she wants.‘

Honestly, he looked exactly like someone just waiting for Nova to take charge.

Nova took in the scene and licked her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

It was Damien.

‘Well, he really listened–and came running, just like I told him,‘ Nova mused, a cocky smirk playing at her lips.

Love didn’t have to be part of the equation–for Nova, intimacy was just another need she had no intention of denying.

Just like plenty of guys out there, she could split love and lust and keep them in separate corners–no drama.

Now that Damien had shown up here on his own–and he was one of the few who’d ever caught her eye- Nova figured, why not take exactly what she wanted?

She wasn’t about to play coy–she planned to enjoy every second.

Nova closed the door behind her, locked it, and strode straight over.

She slipped off her jacket with a confident smirk, pressing Damien–whose body was sculpted from years of training but now completely under her control–back onto the bed.

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With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she thought, Inspection starts now. If he wants me to marry him, he’ll have to pass my test…