Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 107

Adelaide

In the darkness, ten vampires revealed bloodthirsty smiles as they slowly closed in around us. They wore deep crimson robes, their eyes flickering with ominous scarlet light, black magical energy coalescing in their hands like writhing shadows.

"I must say, you're more tenacious than I expected, especially you, First Legion Commander," the lead vampire sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Pity that none of you will leave here alive tonight."

Vespera swiftly cast a magical barrier, protecting the weakened Draven and Thalia. "Adelaide, get behind me!" he commanded sharply, his hands weaving intricate patterns as green energy gathered at his fingertips.

"Like hell!" Zaroka roared, drawing her twin battle axes. Her muscles gleamed in the moonlight as she hefted the weapons. "My axes have been thirsting for a good fight!"

Three vampires launched their assault simultaneously, black magic shooting toward us like venomous serpents. Vespera raised his hands, conjuring a shield of light that barely deflected the attack, though the impact forced him back several steps.

"Zaroka, take the left flank!" Vespera shouted, firing a bolt of green lightning from his right hand.

Zaroka leaped to the left with perfect coordination, her twin axes cleaving toward two approaching vampires. Her movements were like a deadly dance, each strike carrying lethal force. "Orcs never retreat!" she bellowed, severing one vampire's arm in a spray of dark blood.

Thalia knelt beside Draven, her hands trembling as she formed magical signs. "I can sense the source of their dark magic," she whispered, sweat beading on her forehead. "They're using blood magic to suppress our power." Golden light bloomed from her palms as she tried to dispel the dark energy surrounding us.

Despite his severe injuries, Draven struggled to his feet, positioning himself protectively in front of Thalia. "Stay focused, Thalia," he gritted through clenched teeth, his short sword deflecting a sneak attack from another vampire. "I won't let them harm you."

I drew my dagger, scanning our surroundings warily. I was no warrior, but royal training had taught me enough to avoid being completely helpless. When a vampire lunged at me from the side, I dodged nimbly, my blade slicing across his chest and drawing blood.

The battle raged for nearly half an hour, and we were showing signs of exhaustion. Vespera's magical barriers shattered and reformed repeatedly, Zaroka bore multiple wounds but continued fighting like a wild beast, and I could feel my own strength waning.

Draven clutched his chest wound, pressing a small cloth pouch into Thalia's hands. "This is shadow dust—the only evidence of vampire involvement," he said hoarsely, pain making his voice rough. "You must take it back and stop this war."

Thalia shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "No, I won't leave you behind."

"Listen to me, Thalia," Draven gripped her hand tightly, his gaze unwavering. "This isn't just about us—it's about the fate of both our races. You must survive and return."

"But you—"

"I promised I would come back to you, and I will keep that promise." Draven managed a weak smile. "Now go. I'll hold them off."

Thalia's voice broke as she spoke, knowing he was right but feeling her heart shatter. "I love you, Draven."

"I love you too, more than life itself."

Just as Draven turned to face the enemy, the sky suddenly split open with a brilliant light, like lightning tearing through the night, striking the lead vampire directly. The creature let out a piercing shriek, his body twisting and burning in the golden radiance.

"By holy power, dispel the darkness!" a commanding voice rang out.

We all looked up to see a white-haired elder standing atop a small hill, wielding a golden staff, his robes whipping in the wind. Behind him stood more than a dozen fully armed human warriors, their weapons bearing sacred emblems.

"High Priest Cedric!" the lead vampire cried out in terror.

Thalia's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the familiar figure. "Father?" she whispered.

Cedric raised his staff high, chanting ancient incantations. Golden light emanated from the staff's tip, forming a massive protective dome that enveloped the entire battlefield.

"In the name of the Moon Goddess, by sacred fire, banish evil!" His voice thundered with divine authority, each word carrying immense power.

The vampires screamed in agony under the golden light, as if being burned alive. The human warriors charged down the hill, joining the battle, their weapons blessed with holy light that could inflict mortal wounds on the undead.

The tide of battle turned swiftly. Overwhelmed by the combined assault, the vampires began to retreat. In the end, only three managed to break through the encirclement and vanish into the night.

"Don't pursue them!" I shouted loudly, stopping several human warriors who were about to give chase. "There might be traps waiting for us."

Cedric nodded in agreement, motioning for his soldiers to halt. "The night conceals many dangers," he said, lowering his staff and scanning the area vigilantly. "We should leave this place quickly."

I looked at him gratefully, then turned with concern toward Draven. "The Commander's wounds need immediate attention."

Vespera and Zaroka eyed the suddenly appeared human force warily, instinctively assuming defensive positions. Though weakened, Draven still gripped his sword hilt, his eyes gleaming with wariness.

"How do humans come to be here?" Vespera muttered, green magical energy flickering at his fingertips. "Is this an ambush?"

Zaroka growled, crossing her axes over her chest. "If you think we're easy prey, you're gravely mistaken!"

The human warriors tensed as well, ready for battle at any moment. The air crackled with explosive tension.

At that moment, Thalia broke free from Draven's protection, stumbling forward despite her weakness. Tears blurred her vision, but she ran without hesitation toward the white-haired elder.

"Father!" she cried, throwing herself into Cedric's arms.

Cedric's stern expression immediately softened as he held his daughter tightly, tears glistening in his eyes. "My child, you've finally come home," his trembling voice filled with the joy of reunion.

Father and daughter embraced, weeping as if the world contained only them.

Zaroka and Vespera stared in shock at this scene, unconsciously lowering their weapons.

"She's... the human High Priest's daughter?" Zaroka asked incredulously.

Vespera frowned thoughtfully, his gaze moving between Thalia and Draven. "That explains how she could cast those ancient human sacred magics."

Draven's expression was the most complex of all—pain, guilt, shock, and love intertwining. He watched Thalia with her father, his heart a tumult of conflicting emotions. He had fallen in love with the daughter of one of the enemy's most important figures.

Cedric gently wiped away Thalia's tears, then turned to me with a respectful bow. "Your Highness, after receiving your message through the crystal orb, I immediately brought an elite force to assist. His Majesty has been worried about your safety day and night."

I nodded my thanks. "Thank you for arriving so timely, High Priest. Without you, we might not have survived tonight."

Zaroka's eyes widened suddenly. She stared at me for several seconds before letting out a low, incredulous murmur tinged with a hint of peculiar humor. "So after all this time, the future Wolf Queen... is a human princess?"

Vespera was silent for a moment, then sighed. "I suspected she wasn't an ordinary human."

Draven struggled to stand straighter, looking at Thalia and Cedric with complex but determined eyes. "Whatever happens, my heart will never change," he murmured.

I surveyed our surroundings and said decisively, "This place isn't safe. The vampires might return with reinforcements. We should retreat to the human camp first, then discuss our next moves in detail."

Cedric nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Our camp is five miles away in a valley, protected by barriers—it's safe enough."

I looked at Vespera and Zaroka. "I know this is difficult for you, but please trust me—it's the safest option right now."

Zaroka shrugged. "Things are complicated enough already. What's a little more complexity?"

Vespera nodded silently, his eyes flickering with contemplation.

Under the moonlight, this strange group composed of humans, werewolves, and an orc set out toward the human camp, carrying with them the weight of two kingdoms' destinies.

High in the branches of an ancient oak, unnoticed by anyone below, an ominous raven spread its black wings and took flight into the darkness.