The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 109

As we approached the castle the grand doors opened for us and again, there was no one on the other side.

“I really don’t like this.” I said.

“I told you. If she wanted you dead, you would be.” Arthur said, walking inside.

I didn’t care what he said. I grabbed a bow out of the quiver and I got it ready in case I had to use it at a moment’s notice.

Arthur looked at me strangely. Like he was positive that I wasn’t in any danger. But I wasn’t going to take the chance. He didn’t know that Elias was the head of a warrior pack and he taught me much more than how to kill while in wolf form. I was going to protect myself against any threat…including him.

We managed to make it all the way to the top of the castle and there she was. The Ash Queen.

She was simply standing there waiting for us.

It was no secret that she knew we were here. She lowered the cloak and opened the doors. But for her to be standing there waiting for us, that was even more unnerving.

“I was wondering how long it would take Arthur to convince you to come here alone.” Morgana said, her voice silk over steel.

“Well, it’s a little hard to bring an army after my army goes missing.” I shot back. She turned slowly to Arthur.

“Well played. That must have taken some organizing on your part.” Morc a smirked, eyes glinting.

“What can I say? I always plan ahead.” Arthur said, calmly. I stepped back instinctively.

“I fucking knew it.” I muttered, heart hammering.

“I know. I’ve known all along that you were on to me. Which is why I had to take such drastic measures. I’m sorry about your warriors. They’re not dead. Just… incapacitated.” Arthur said.

“Elias is going to enjoy killing you.” I said, teeth clenched.

“Why Elias?” Arthur asked.

“I promised him he’d be the one to kill you.” I said casually, but my grip on the bow tightened.

“Hey, can we get back to the matter at hand?” Morgana interrupted sharply.

“Where is she?” Arthur demanded.

“She’s dead. Buried here.” Morgana said, tilting her head.

“I know the black witch is buried on these grounds. I will not let you claim all of her power.” Arthur said, voice low and dangerous.

“Do you really think you can claim her power?” Morgana laughed, sharp and brittle.

“As soon as I bleed Lyra dry over the witch’s body, her power will be mine.” Arthur said, teeth gritted.

Morgana laughed harder, gasping between breaths. “I can’t believe you actually think you’re a contender.”

“What are you talking about?” Arthur snapped.

“Do you really think the heart of this realm doesn’t know what you did? That you destroyed this world? It’s never going to obey you.” Morgana said, her grin widening.

“So… all this was for nothing?” Arthur’s voice cracked with frustration.

“For you, yes. Lyra and I… we have a lot to discuss.” Morgana said.

“What the fuck are you two talking about?” I yelled, arrow nocked instinctively.

“Oh. The heart of the realm. The pulse of magic that controls this world. It’s deciding who will be the next ruler… and Arthur? You’re not even in the running.” Morgana said, slow and deliberate.

“You think I don’t already know that?” I asked, looking at her like she was an idiot.

“He only wants you for the heart. To turn this realm into what he wants it to be. And that can never happen. He can never get what he wants.” She demands.

“And why should you?” I asked.

“Because I won’t destroy this place like him.” She said.

“Well, no one is going to bleed me dry today.” I smirked.

“And how the hell do you think you’re gonna get past me? Do you think that little bow and arrow scare me?” He asked.

But then I started laughing as I heard a howl coming closer down the hallway behind us.

“What the fuck?” Arthur asked.

“Did you really think I was dumb enough to come here alone with you?” I asked.

Elias and Luke burst into the room with whatever warriors we had left, their faces set with determination and desperation. Just as Elias lunged at Arthur, he twisted with impossible speed, slipping out of reach, and sprinted toward the far end of the room, moving with the confidence of someone who already knew every hidden path.

He disappeared behind a section of the wall, revealing a cleverly concealed door that only he seemed to know about. Elias didn’t hesitate and chased after him, crashing through the space where the door had been moments before, but he returned shortly, breathing heavily and clearly frustrated. I knew Arthur could have tracked him through the tunnel by scent alone, following every twist and turn, but Elias came back because he wasn’t going to abandon me, not when the stakes were this high.

I held my bow steady, arrow aimed directly at Morgana, who now looked more nervous than I had ever seen her, realizing that I had managed to rally reinforcements, something that no one–especially her–had anticipated. The room seemed smaller with tension pressing in from all sides, the air thick with fear, anticipation, and the faint metallic scent of weapons. Every shadow felt alive, and I knew this confrontation was only beginning.