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Nelson's world was narrowing into a tunnel of pain and darkness. The wound in his side burned like fire, every breath a battle in itself. Ryker's words hung in the air, cold and triumphant, but Nelson forced himself to stay upright. He couldn't fall now. Not with Felicia still out there, in danger. Not when everything he had fought for was within reach.
His mind raced. There had to be a way to turn the tide, to get to Felicia before Ryker could hurt her. But as his vision blurred and his knees threatened to buckle, Nelson knew he was running out of time.
Arion, seeing his king falter, fought his way through the fray toward Nelson. His sword cut through Ryker's soldiers with brutal efficiency, his face a mask of grim determination. He reached Nelson just as Ryker was closing in for the kill, stepping between them with a snarl.
"Stay back, Ryker," Arion warned, his blade leveled at their enemy. "You'll have to go through me first."
Ryker's sneer faltered, but only for a moment. He glanced around the battlefield, assessing the situation. His men were still fighting, but Nelson's knights had gained the upper hand. The distraction had worked, buying them precious time, but Ryker was not a man to be easily outmaneuvered.
"How touching," Ryker drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Loyalty, even in the face of certain death. But it's misplaced, Arion. You can't save him. Or her."
Nelson's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. His vision swam, but the sight of Ryker standing there, smug and sure of his victory, lit a spark deep inside him. He couldn't let it end this way. Not with Felicia still at Ryker's mercy.
With a growl, Nelson pushed off from the ground, ignoring the searing pain in his side. He lunged at Ryker with all the strength he had left. Their swords met again, and this time, Nelson fought like a man possessed. Each swing was wild, fueled by desperation and fury.
"Where is she?" Nelson roared, his voice hoarse. "Where's Felicia?"
Ryker blocked the blow with ease, his smirk widening. "Safe, as I said. But that could change if you keep pushing me."
Nelson's breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't let up. He couldn't stop. Not until Ryker was dead. Not until Felicia was free.
"Nelson, don't!" Arion's voice cut through the din of battle, but it was too late. Nelson had already committed to his next strike, a wide, sweeping blow meant to take Ryker's head clean off.
But Ryker was faster. He sidestepped the attack with practiced ease, his sword flashing out to catch Nelson across the chest. It wasn't a deep cut, but it was enough to send Nelson staggering backward, his strength finally failing him.
He hit the ground hard, his sword clattering from his hand. Blood seeped from his wounds, pooling beneath him as he struggled to breathe. His vision darkened at the edges, and for the first time, true fear gripped his heart.
"Nelson!" Arion shouted, slashing through the last of Ryker's soldiers to reach his king's side.
Ryker stood over them, his sword raised, poised for the final blow. "It's over," he said, his voice cold. "You've lost."
But just as Ryker moved to strike, a voice rang out through the chaos, stopping him in his tracks.
"Not yet," came the sharp, commanding tone. "Step away from him, Ryker."
Nelson's heart leaped, even through the haze of pain. He knew that voice. He'd know it anywhere.
Felicia.
She stepped into the courtyard, flanked by two of Ryker's men, their swords drawn but their expressions uncertain. Felicia's wrists were bound, her dress torn and bloodstained, but her eyes burned with fury. The fire Nelson had always admired in her had not dimmed. If anything, it was brighter than ever.
Ryker lowered his sword slightly, his gaze flicking between Nelson and Felicia. "Ah, the queen herself," he said, his tone mocking. "Come to watch your husband die?"
Felicia's glare could have cut through stone. "No," she said, her voice firm. "I've come to end this."
She moved with purpose, her head held high despite her injuries. One of Ryker's men made a move to stop her, but she jerked free, spinning to face him with a ferocity that made him hesitate. "Touch me again, and I'll see to it you lose that hand," she hissed.
The man stepped back, clearly unsure of what to do. Ryker's hold over his men was strong, but even they were not immune to Felicia's fire.
"You think you can end this?" Ryker sneered, turning his attention back to her. "You're just as delusional as your husband. He's dying, Felicia. And once he's gone, you'll have nothing left."
Felicia took a step closer, her eyes locked on Ryker's. "You're wrong," she said softly, but her voice held steel. "Nelson has me. And as long as I'm still breathing, I'll fight for him. For us."
Nelson, barely conscious now, watched through a fog of pain as Felicia stood before Ryker, defiant and unyielding. She was everything he had ever admired—strong, fierce, and utterly fearless.
Ryker's smile faded, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. "You're playing a dangerous game, Felicia," he said, his voice low.
"So are you," she shot back. "But you've forgotten something important, Ryker."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Felicia's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "You may have me in chains, but I've already won. Because you underestimated the one thing Nelson and I have that you'll never understand."
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"
"Loyalty," she whispered.
In one fluid motion, Felicia reached into the folds of her dress, pulling free a small, concealed dagger. With a swift, practiced move, she slashed through her bindings, the ropes falling away. Before Ryker could react, she lunged forward, the blade aimed directly at his throat.
Ryker barely managed to deflect the strike, stumbling back, his eyes wide with shock. He hadn't expected this—hadn't seen the strength or cunning in Felicia that Nelson had known all along.
As Ryker reeled, Arion seized the opportunity. He moved like lightning, his sword plunging into Ryker's side, driving him to his knees.
Nelson's vision wavered as he watched Ryker fall, the world spinning around him. But through the pain, through the darkness, he saw Felicia standing tall, her eyes locked on him, and he knew, with every beat of his slowing heart, that they had won.
Felicia rushed to Nelson's side, her hands trembling as she cradled his face. "Stay with me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, Nelson. Don't leave me."
Nelson's eyes fluttered open, his breath shallow. "I'm... not going anywhere," he rasped, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not without you."
And in that moment, surrounded by the ruins of battle and the promise of what lay ahead, Nelson knew that as long as they had each other, they could face whatever came next.
Together…