The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 374: Traitor!

Chapter 374: Traitor!

Zoya froze in position after hearing the unbelievable words that rolled off his lips, she was unable to comprehend his remark. What did he mean by he would hold the execution? She pondered in confusion.

Her face turned pale as confusion and horror washed over her, realizing what he meant. He was going to execute her himself, but why?

Before she could ponder any further, she saw the executioner bow slightly as he handed over the axe to Aldric.

Raspy breaths flared from her lips as their eyes locked for a swift moment before he pushed her down to her knees. What sort of nightmare was this? She thought to herself as she closed her eyes in surrender, she didn’t want to think anymore or feel anymore, after all, it would be over soon.

She could feel the blade cutting through the air as he lifted it up, ready to descend the axe down upon her neck. She closed her eyes tightly, tears threatening to spill from the corner of her eyes but she didn’t let it fall.

His stature was imposing, his eyes ablaze with determination, and his grip tight on the handle of his battle-worn axe.

The crowd murmured restlessly, anticipation thick in the air as Aldric raised his voice, his words echoing off the stone walls. "For crimes against the kingdom and its people, this witch stands condemned to death," The executioner declared, his voice commanding and authoritative. "Her dark magic has wrought havoc upon our lands, and justice demands retribution."

Zoya’s eyes flashed with defiance as she met the executioner’s gaze, her voice calm yet tinged with a hint of sorrow. "You know nothing of justice, butcher!" she retorted, her words carrying across the courtyard with a chilling clarity. "You seek only to silence those who dare to challenge your lawless council’s rule."

Aldric’s jaw clenched at her words, a flicker of doubt crossing his features before he swiftly masked it with resolve. With a swift motion, he raised his axe high above his head, the metal glinting in the faint light of the torches that lined the courtyard. The crowd held its breath, anticipation reaching a fever pitch as Aldric prepared to deliver the fatal blow.

But then, in a sudden and unexpected twist, Aldric hesitated. His grip on the axe faltered, his eyes flickering with doubt as he stared down at the defiant figure before him.

With a swift and decisive motion, Aldric lowered his axe, the clang of metal against stone echoing through the courtyard as he stepped forward. With a single blow, he shattered the iron shackles that bound Zoya’s wrists, the chains falling away in twisted coils at her feet. The crowd erupted into chaos, cries of outrage and disbelief mingling with shouts of disapproval as Aldric turned to face the soldiers who stood poised to strike.

"Traitor! He freed the witch!" The soldiers clamored as they unsheathed their swords.

Meanwhile, as Zoya’s shackles shattered and her hands were free, she erratically jolted up on her feet, her heavy panting echoing in her ears as her eyes locked with Aldric’s, questions swirling within the depths of her eyes, but Aldric’s stern gaze made it clear that it was no time for questions, she could save it for later.

But she couldn’t shake it off her mind, it seemed unbelievable, why would he risk everything and commit treason for her? But she paused her questions as she saw the soldiers closing in on them, it was time to fight and escape. She wouldn’t waste her chance to live.

With a battle cry that rang out clear and true, the soldiers lunged toward them. Aldric unleashed the full force of his unmatched fighting skills upon his comrades. His axe cleaved through the air with deadly precision, each swing a testament to years of training and discipline. But it was not only his physical prowess that drove back the soldiers, for Aldric was also a skilled mage, his spells weaving through the air with a power that seemed to defy comprehension.

With a swift motion, Aldric leaped forward as he unsheathed his blade, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Each swing was a dance of death, his movements fluid and calculated as he dispatched his foes with effortless grace.

Meanwhile, Zoya weaved her own brand of magic, her hands tracing intricate patterns in the air as she called upon the elements to aid their cause. Flames erupted from her fingertips, engulfing the enemy in a blazing inferno that sent them scrambling for cover. Ice formed beneath their feet, turning the courtyard into a treacherous battlefield where every step was fraught with danger.

Together, Aldric and Zoya fought as one, their skills complementing each other in perfect harmony. Where Aldric’s sword faltered, Zoya’s magic filled the gap, and vice versa. They moved with a synchronicity born of years of training and battle experience, anticipating each other’s movements with uncanny precision.

But the enemy was relentless, their numbers seemingly endless as they poured into the courtyard like a tide of darkness.

Aldric and Zoya found themselves surrounded, their backs pressed against the cold stone walls of the castle. Yet they refused to yield, drawing upon reserves of strength and determination that seemed boundless.

With a roar of defiance, Aldric unleashed a whirlwind of steel upon his foes, his sword cutting through flesh and bone with savage efficiency. Beside him, Zoya’s magic reached its zenith, a swirling vortex of energy that consumed everything in its path.

The enemy soldiers were no match for the combined might of Aldric and Zoya, their ranks decimated by the onslaught.

As the chaos of battle raged around them, Aldric and Zoya fought side by side, their movements synchronized in a dance of death and defiance. Together, they carved a path through the ranks of their enemies, each blow struck with a fierce determination to survive.

Finally, as the last of their adversaries fell before them, Aldric and Zoya stood together amidst the carnage, their chests heaving with exertion, their faces streaked with sweat and blood. But there was no time to rest, for the castle gates lay open before them, beckoning them to freedom.

With a silent nod of understanding, Aldric and Zoya turned as one and fled into the depths of the forest, their footsteps echoing through the silent air as they disappeared into the shadows.

In the heart of a sprawling forest, where ancient trees whispered secrets to the wind and shafts of golden sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, stood a small clearing bathed in an ethereal glow. At its center, amidst a carpet of wildflowers and dew-kissed grass, stood Zoya.

Her eyes, the color of storm clouds, held a depth of wisdom and sorrow far beyond her years, there was a lot she wanted to say, a lot she wanted to ask, but she was still recuperating from the near death experience and as they both strolled in silence, Aldric suddenly broke it.

"Zoya," he said, his voice low and urgent, "we must leave this place at once. The kingdom is no longer safe for either of us."

Zoya’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her mind racing with questions and doubts as she finally released the questions cramming her head. "But why, Aldric? What has happened to change your mind so drastically? Why did you save me despite knowing the risk?"

Aldric’s gaze softened as he reached out to take her hand in his own, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down her spine. "There is no time to explain now." he said, his voice filled with a mixture of longing and regret. "I know I have committed treason against my own kingdom to save you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Zoya gasped in shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. "But why would you risk everything for me? We both know that our love is forbidden, that it can only bring us pain and suffering."

Aldric shook his head, his expression fierce and unwavering. "I would risk anything for you, Zoya," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "Our love may be forbidden, but it is also true and pure. And I would rather defy the laws of man than deny the depth of my feelings for you."

Tears welled in Zoya’s eyes as she listened to his words, her heart torn between joy and despair. She had never dared to hope that Aldric would return her feelings, that he would be willing to defy convention and tradition for the sake of their love.

But now, as she looked into his eyes and saw the fire of passion burning within them, she knew that their bond was stronger than any obstacle that stood in their way. With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch his cheek, the warmth of his skin sending a rush of electricity through her veins.

"Then let us go, Aldric," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breathless sigh. "Let us leave this place behind and forge a new destiny together, one where love knows no boundaries and our hearts are free to soar, let us go to Voltaire Empire, we will be safe there, in the protection of the vampire king."

Aldric’s eyes blazed with determination as he pulled her into his arms, his embrace strong and protective. "Yes, we’ll start a new life there." he said, his voice echoing through the forest like a promise made to the heavens.