Chapter 144

VALERIA’S POV The moment the signal came, I ran. The battle raged around me, the air thick with the scent of blood, smoke, and something far more sinister—Dimitri’s victory. His forces were overwhelming, tearing through the opposition like a wildfire, precise and merciless. The royals who had sided with him played their part well, cutting down anyone who dared to challenge their authority. This was his battlefield. His game. And I was just a piece he had moved into place. By the time I reached the throne, I expected to see panic, desperation—fear. But Riven sat there calmly, her posture regal, her gaze surveying the chaos below with a detached sort of curiosity. As if she were merely watching a performance rather than witnessing the fall of her kingdom. “So, you’re here to kill me.” She stated with a sigh. She didn’t sound afraid. Not even surprised. I faltered for a moment. She knew? “You knew?” I asked, disbelief coating my voice. She turned her head slightly, her golden eyes meeting