The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Darkness enveloped the night like a cloak of silence, embodying loneliness and abandonment.

Amidst this shadowy stillness stood a man—tall, striking, and undeniably commanding. Even under the veil of night, Nova’s eyes caught every detail as the car’s headlights briefly illuminated him.

His nose was sharply defined, his lips thin and precise, crafting a profile that was both elegant and severe. His posture was rigid, yet it carried an enigmatic weight, an aura of quiet menace that seemed to press down on the very air around him.

Nova’s heart faltered when she recognized Damien. Sitting behind the wheel, she wondered silently, “Why has he come again? Does the head of Shadow Sanctum truly have so little to occupy his time?”

The memory of his words from their last encounter at the elite clite ball echoed in her mind—“I’ll find you again.”

And now, here he was, appearing once more, this time without Aiden by his side.

Nova was far from naive; she didn’t fool herself into believing Damien’s visit was born of affection. She wasn’t the type to fall for a man’s fleeting attention. In the mercenary world, love was never the priority—it was a luxury too costly to afford.

After parking the car, Charles, Hannah, and Maxwell finally spotted Damien lingering by the gate.

“Who’s that guy? Nova, do you know him? He looks oddly familiar,” Charles asked, curiosity threading through his voice as he scrutinized Damien but failed to place him.

At the ball, Damien had concealed his identity behind a black mask and different clothes, so Charles hadn’t connected the dots between this man and the one who had confronted Nova.

“Yes, we know each other,” Nova replied, her gaze fixed on Damien, though she kept her thoughts carefully guarded.

In truth, even if Damien hadn’t come to her, she would have sought him out anyway—Fiona’s injured leg demanded attention.

The ball had been no place for serious discussion. Now that Damien had come here, it spared her the trouble of tracking him down.

“He’s a friend of mine,” Nova added suddenly, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

Charles nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, a friend, huh? Why didn’t you tell us beforehand? We just arrived and weren’t expecting company.”

He didn’t overthink it; still unaware of Damien’s true identity, Charles waved him over casually. “Hey, come on in. Anyone Nova calls a friend is family in this house.”

Charles seemed to appreciate Damien’s handsome appearance, nodding approvingly.

Maxwell, however, cast a sharp, suspicious glance at Damien.

Hannah folded her arms, nudged Nova with her elbow, and whispered, “Is he your boyfriend? You’ve only been back a few days, and you’re already bringing him home? That’s bold.”

Nova shook her head firmly. “No, he’s not.”

Her eyes narrowed as she studied Damien’s strong build, and inwardly she thought, *If we weren’t on opposite sides, I might actually consider keeping him close—he’s undeniably handsome. But sadly, he’s the last person I should ever get involved with.*

Leaning in, she lowered her voice just enough for Hannah and Maxwell to catch, “Be careful around him.”

The two exchanged puzzled looks. Though they didn’t grasp the full story, a wariness toward Damien instantly took root.

As she opened the door, she spun around swiftly, attempting to grab his wrist. As expected, Damien slipped away with ease.

Nova didn’t push further, instead leaning lazily against the doorframe.

“Here to talk business?” she asked bluntly. “Perfect timing—I need a favor too. I want to borrow someone. You know who. So, what’s your price?”

Inviting Damien inside was all about private negotiation.

International deals of this magnitude required fair exchange. Like in arms trading—one side provided weapons, the other paid in kind. Simple and balanced.

Nova didn’t overestimate her standing on the global stage. In truth, she was dissatisfied with what she’d achieved so far.

Even as the top mercenary, she couldn’t control her own destiny. Being hunted by Devil’s Isle was proof of that—something beyond her influence.

She knew her worth, though. She was confident she had something valuable to offer Damien—her service for a year.

As the top mercenary, working for Shadow Sanctum could be mutually beneficial. Honestly, Nova was okay with that.

She had imagined many possible demands Damien might make, but never this.

With a low, measured voice, Damien parted his thin lips and said, “Marry me, and Shadow Sanctum will be yours.”