~~~~~
Ryker's smirk lingered in the air, taunting, as Nelson's pulse thundered in his ears. The once distant horror of Felicia's imprisonment was now inches away—too real, too close. His grip on the sword tightened, knuckles white beneath his leather gloves. He had faced many enemies, spilled blood across countless battlefields, but none of them had ever struck at the heart of him like Ryker.
The air between them was thick with tension. Ryker stood with that familiar, languid arrogance, but there was something sharper in his gaze tonight, something more sinister.
"Where is she?" Nelson growled again, his voice dark with fury. The thought of Felicia—bound, hurt, frightened—sent a wave of rage crashing through him. His mind churned with images of her, memories of how she'd fought back, even when he had kept her at arm's length, even when she'd been nothing more than a bargaining chip in a world of violence and power.
Ryker tilted his head, his smile never faltering. "You're in no position to demand anything, Nelson. I've waited a long time for this moment. Ever since you took what was mine."
Nelson's eyes flicked to the soldiers circling them. He needed to keep them talking. "Took what was yours? Timma was never yours to begin with. And Eira—"
Ryker's smile disappeared, his eyes darkening with a dangerous glint. "Eira betrayed her blood for you. For your empire. She's forgotten where her loyalty should lie."
Nelson's lips curled into a sneer. "She chose power over a kingdom doomed to fall. Something you've never understood." His voice dropped. "Where is Felicia?"
A flicker of anger flashed in Ryker's eyes, but he suppressed it, folding his arms casually as though this were merely a game. "Still concerned about that pretty little wife of yours, I see. Though I must admit, I was surprised. I never expected you to actually fall for her." Ryker chuckled. "How charming."
The words struck deep, the mockery twisting like a knife in Nelson's gut. There was a time when Felicia had been nothing more than a pawn—an asset his enemies had foolishly overlooked. He had kept her at a distance, kept his heart locked away in a world where emotions could get you killed. But that had changed. Her defiance had become his fire, her strength his anchor. And now, she was everything.
"You've made a mistake, Ryker," Nelson said, his voice low and menacing. "Touch her, and I will burn your world to ash."
Ryker's smile twisted. "And how, exactly, do you plan to do that when you're surrounded?" He motioned to his soldiers. "Did you really think I wouldn't be prepared for this little rescue mission? You walked right into my trap, just as I knew you would."
The soldiers began to close in, their weapons glinting in the torchlight. Nelson's heart raced, but his mind stayed sharp. He couldn't afford to lose focus—not now, not when Felicia was so close. He needed to stall, to find a way out of this.
Behind him, Arion shifted, his eyes locked on Ryker, waiting for Nelson's signal. The rest of the knights were tense, ready for the battle they all knew was inevitable. But Ryker had the upper hand—he always seemed to. His soldiers outnumbered them, and any attempt at fighting their way through would be suicide.
"You always did underestimate me, Ryker," Nelson said through gritted teeth, his mind working frantically for a way out of this trap. "But you should know by now, I never come unprepared."
Ryker raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Oh? And what clever plan have you come up with this time? Do tell."
Nelson's lips curled into a grim smile. "You'll find out soon enough."
In truth, Nelson had no plan. But Ryker didn't need to know that. He was buying time, keeping Ryker talking while he assessed the situation. There had to be a way to turn the odds in their favor.
"Arion," Nelson muttered under his breath, signaling to his closest ally. His second-in-command understood instantly, his eyes narrowing in silent agreement.
Without warning, Arion lunged, throwing his weight into the nearest guard, blade flashing. In the same breath, Nelson pivoted, striking at the soldier to his left, the sound of steel meeting steel filling the air.
Chaos erupted.
Ryker's soldiers reacted quickly, their blades slicing through the fog, but Nelson's knights were ready. Arion's men surged forward, clashing with Ryker's forces as they fought to hold their ground. The narrow space made every movement precise, every strike lethal.
Nelson ducked beneath a sweeping blade, spinning to disarm the soldier in front of him with ruthless efficiency. But even as he fought, his mind was on Felicia. He could feel the pull toward her like a lifeline, tugging him toward the fortress, toward whatever horrors lay within.
Ryker hadn't moved, still watching from the sidelines, his smirk now replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. He was studying Nelson, waiting for him to make a fatal mistake.
But Nelson wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
With a final brutal strike, Nelson felled another soldier and turned toward Ryker. "This isn't over," he hissed, blood still rushing in his ears. "You know it's only a matter of time before I reach her."
Ryker's eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "Perhaps. But you're forgetting something, Nelson." He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a deadly whisper. "I know exactly how to break her. And when you see what I've done… it won't matter what you feel anymore."
Nelson's chest constricted with cold dread, but he didn't falter. He couldn't afford to. Not now.
"I'll kill you," he promised, his voice shaking with barely controlled rage. "And when I do, Felicia will be free. You can't stop me."
Ryker leaned in, his breath hot against Nelson's ear. "Then come and try."
With a sharp whistle, Ryker turned and disappeared into the shadows, his soldiers retreating with him, melting back into the mist as quickly as they had appeared.
Nelson stood there for a moment, chest heaving, his pulse pounding in his ears. Arion approached, bloodied but alive, his expression grim.
"What now, Your Majesty?" Arion asked, wiping the blood from his sword.
Nelson's eyes hardened as he sheathed his blade. "We follow him, and we finish this."
Felicia was waiting. He would not fail her.
Not this time.