The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138

“One of the three top families in Ravenport, Zoria–the Blake family,” Nova said, sounding completely relaxed.

She didn’t even bat an eye about her background, acting like the Blake family of Ravenport was just as impressive as the international heavy–hitters like the Greslin clan.

Nova’s words made Dean and Wendy’s eyelids twitch like crazy.

Dean had thought that anyone who could match his son’s strength surely had some powerful family backing

her up.

But he never expected Nova to be just a girl from some unheard–of place like Ravenport.

‘Guess I was overthinking it,’ Dean thought to himself.

“You’re still so young, but already this strong–trust me, kid, you’ve got huge potential ahead of you.

“You’re even younger than Sius. The whole world is waiting for you–your story’s just getting started.

“Who knows, maybe one day you’ll build a force even greater than the Shadow Sanctum!”

Dean was a smooth talker, for sure.

He didn’t sneer or look down on Nova–never once did he think she wasn’t a good match for his son.

Quite the opposite.

He went out of his way to hype her up, just so Nova wouldn’t feel like she didn’t measure up to Damien.

And every bit of it came from the heart–Dean really meant what he said.

Truth is, Nova’s a whole three years younger than Damien.

Damien’s only twenty–two right now.

And thinking about it, Nova’s got one hell of a future ahead of her.

Wendy always remembered Nova’s words. With the composed wisdom of an Eastern woman, she pressed her palms together in prayer.

She was clever enough to see that both Nova and Damien were just starting out on paths that could take them anywhere.

Right now, all Wendy could do was wish them well in her heart.

“Whatever happens, I hope you both keep going strong in your own worlds,” Vivian murmured.

“May light and shadow always walk beside you both.”

Nova gladly accepted their blessings, letting gratitude shine in her eyes.

“Thank you,” Nova said.

But taking their blessings was one thing–Nova always kept payback and gratitude separate.

Even with her most trusted comrades, she calculated every move, never letting emotions cloud her judgment.

It didn’t matter to her what Dean or Wendy might become to her someday.

For Nova, it was all about the benefits she could seize right now.

She didn’t beat around the bush.

“By the way, my bank account number’s 623219330…

“Account holder: Nova Blake. Make sure you send the compensation for eliminating those elders straight to me,” Nova said, her tone crisp and businesslike.

Taking out four elders was no charity work–she expected to get paid, plain and simple.

Nova’s straightforwardness caught Dean and Wendy off guard for a moment.

They weren’t shocked–they were just genuinely curious, a bit bemused by her attitude.

‘How come this girl always has money on the brain?‘ Dean mused.

‘Is she really like one of those outlaws overseas, willing to risk it all just for a payday?‘

Dean jumped, a little flustered by her bluntness, and quickly promised,

“Absolutely–don’t worry! Every cent you deserve will be paid in full, I swear!”

*****

Over the next couple of days, Nova stuck around the Greslin family estate, exploring every corner of the place–inside and out, top to bottom.

And soon enough, a hefty sum–easily nine figures–landed in her account.

All in all, Nova was pretty satisfied with how things went at the party. As they were about to cross back into Zoria, she couldn’t help but ask Damien, curiosity in her voice.

“So, what brought you to the Greslin Gala?”

‘Was he really here just to rescue his parents, caught in a desperate situation?‘ Nova mused.

She just couldn’t see Damien, the head of the Shadow Sanctum, as someone sentimental about family.

Dean and Wendy had never shown him a shred of parental affection–he wasn’t like her, always yearning for family bonds.

He was infamous as the most ruthless man on the planet–being driven by sentiment just wasn’t in his nature.

“Looking for someone,” Damien said, his chiseled features hovering just above her, gaze resting on the top of

her head.

His magnetic voice sent a shiver down her spine.

They were sitting in the helicopter, cruising back toward Zoria.

Nova arched a brow. “Who are you looking for?”

Nova found herself genuinely curious.

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you,” Damien said, deadpan. Nova blinked, thinking, ‘Where the heck did he learn lines like that?‘

His face was as striking and unreadable as ever, looking every inch the cold, ruthless lord of shadows.

For a guy with a vibe like his, those words felt totally mismatched–almost surreal coming from him.

Nova lounged back in her seat, turning her head away as if she couldn’t be bothered to answer.

“Suit yourself. I’m not asking, then.”

Honestly, she wasn’t that curious anyway.

She had no clue where Damien picked up a line like that, but it definitely sparked something in her.

She couldn’t help herself–she just had to mess with him all over again.

“I’m looking for someone too,” Nova arched a brow, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

Besides the pilot, the only ones onboard were her and Damien.

Aiden and Shanlock had already taken off for the Shadow Sanctum together.

Since Aiden was the one who picked Nova up, he planned to drop her back in Zoria himself before heading home to the Shadow Sanctum.

Damien wasn’t exactly a free man—just like Nova, he had his own empire to build and maintain.

If it weren’t for the traitors stirring up trouble inside Bloodblade, Nova would’ve been back at her base ages ago, even with Devil’s Isle hot on her tail.

But right now, she had no choice but to put Bloodblade’s problems on hold for a while.

And honestly, that meant losing out on a ten–figure sum.

That was exactly why Nova never let a single chance to make money slip through her fingers.

“Who?” Damien shot back.

Nova could tell she’d reeled him right in–his lips pressed into a stubborn line, voice dropping with that familiar, dangerous chill.

Nova was totally bluffing–she wasn’t actually searching for anyone. Truth was, she just wanted to mess with Damien…

With a teasing grin, she gently laid her hand on Damien’s chest, her fingers lingering on the solid muscle.

She was purposely giving him a taste of his own medicine, firing back with a move straight out of his playbook.

“Come pin me down and give me a kiss–then maybe I’ll spill,” Nova shot back, her tone all mischief.

Between people like them, whoever made the first move was really just the first to bow their head.

No way was Nova ever going to be the one who gave in first.

Plus, there was a Shadow Sanctum pilot up front–definitely not the kind of setting for private drama.

Damien, the master of Shadow Sanctum, might let his guard down for her if no one else was around.

But with someone else present–a subordinate who could gossip about it later–he’d never let himself show weakness or bow his head in front of anyone from his crew.

Guys in the international underground scene? They’re all obsessed with saving face–seriously, it’s practically their religion.

Even your average middle–aged dude with a beer gut, kicking back shots with his buddies, will expect his wife to treat him like a big shot in public.

So as for Damien—the mighty lord of the Shadow Sanctum? No chance in hell he’d ever let anyone see him eat humble pie in front of his own crew.

Yeah, that’s just not gonna happen.

‘That’s exactly what I’m banking on,‘ Nova thought with a secret smirk.

Inside the helicopter, sunlight poured in, casting the cabin in sharp, glaring light.

With a flick of his lips, Damien caught the black glove on his right hand and tugged it off. His left hand slipped behind her head, and his cold, flawless jawline closed in on her, almost predatory.

Suddenly, he pressed her down against the rear seat, his now–bare, elegant fingers lifting her chin, setting the pace–eyes locked.

His lean, powerful frame bent down to her level, and he angled his head, closing the distance to catch her lips with his own. High above the clouds at three thousand meters, Damien sealed the deal with a kiss–a bold move at altitude.