6

Leah 

Staring at Julius, a million thoughts went through my mind, but I couldn't put any into words as none of them seemed to explain my shock perfectly. How was it that the right-hand man of my enemy was coming to me to kill him?

Was this a setup? A ploy to check where my loyalty lay, if it was to my whole massacred kingdom, or my mate, who happened to be my enemy?

Julius, amused by my dumbfounded expression, let out a low chuckle. “I know, Princess. How is it that his right-hand man wants him dead, when he should be his most trusted ally?”

Mischief swam in his orbs, causing a shiver to run through me, and an immediate pang of distaste followed right after. If Julius was willing to betray Ares, how do I know he wouldn't betray me?

How do I even know if this is a plot to show my disloyalty to Ares and have me killed by following his plans?

“I don't trust you.”My words floated in the air as I wrapped my hands around myself, his serpent-like gaze unnerving as he swept them around.

Julius smirked, his expression cold and mocking. “Smart. Good to know you aren't just a pretty face. Seems you have a brain too.”

His words had me gritting my teeth. “Whatever. I do not care what else you have to say. If this is a joke between you and Ares, then fuck him. And fuck yo.” I spat.

Turning on my heels, I headed for the door, but his words had me freezing in my steps.

“But what if I told you, Princess… that helping me isn’t just about killing Ares? What if I told you it’s about giving you something you lost?”

The words halted me. The room seemed to shrink.  Slowly, I looked back. Julius hadn’t moved, but his eyes burned like coals in the dim light.

“And which one of the many things I lost, Julius?” I asked, my voice steel as I faced him. “Which one of the many things you and your men stole from me and my family?”

Julius walked up to me, his cold gaze never leaving mine.

“I would let you and your father go instead of winding up dead after Ares has been killed.”

My heart skipped a beat at his promise. If he was telling the truth, that meant there was a chance for father and me to move on from this once we leave. We wouldn't be leaders again, but we would be alive.

But how did I know I could trust him?

He smirked under my untrusting gaze. “I knew it would take a lot to make you trust me, princess. I get it, you are scared. What if I backstab you, and it turns out I was working for Ares? Or worse, what if I don't honor our agreement after Ares has successfully been killed by you, and I make you my prisoner instead?”

I let out a shaky sigh as I rubbed my sweaty palms on my nightdress. “You cannot blame me for having those doubts, Julius. All you and your people have one thing for me is to steal and destroy.”

“That was all Ares, Princess. I would never do that,” he placed a hand on my shoulder, and I bit my inner cheek to stop myself from swatting his hand away. No one would suspect if he killed me. I was still a hostage.

But for the first time in years, hope tried to claw its way back into me. Dangerous, fragile hope. If Julius was lying, I would be signing my father’s death sentence. But if he wasn’t… We could be free, and that monster Ares would be dead, after I killed him.

 “I would never harm an innocent beauty like you. And to prove to you that I am being honest in our deal, why don't you ask your father what he thinks about this?”

Before I could say another word or even process his, he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me.

 “Where are you taking me?” I hissed, digging my heels into the stone floor as he dragged me toward the dim hallway.

“To your father,” Julius said simply, his tone flat, almost bored, as though this entire conversation didn't just threaten to unravel everything I thought I knew. “You want proof? I’ll give you proof.”

My heart hammered painfully against my ribs. I wanted to believe this was a trap, to cling to my hatred and spit in his face, but a dangerous hope still existed in mee. The possibility that he was telling the truth was enough to keep me moving beside him, even as every muscle in my body tensed for betrayal.

The corridors felt endless, the only sound miles being our heavy steps as his grip tightened.

But we reached the huge doors of the dungeon, and he pushed me inside. My gaze dropped to the biggest cell and the figure in it.

“Father,” I breathed, rising to where he lay in the cell.

His eyes, hollow and fierce despite our suffering, lifted to mine as I pulled away from our hug. “Leah… my daughter.” His voice cracked, and for a moment, the world shrank until it was only him.

Julius’ smirk returned. “See, Princess? I keep my word. He’s alive. For now.”

I spun toward him, fury and disbelief in my chest. “For now?”

His gaze darkened, the amusement slipping just enough for me to glimpse the predator beneath. “That depends entirely on you. Because nobodyhates your father more than Ares,, and he plans to kill him soon. Unlesss…”

“Kill him.” Father coughed. “You have to.”

I nodded once, then stood up,and faced Julius, who had a full-blown smirk on his lips.

“So, how do we do this?”