The Shadow Queen's Vengeance

Nyx

Seraphina's POV

Five Years Later

"Mum! daad! Don't leave me!" I jolted awake, gasping, clawing for breath as if the smoke of that night still choked me. It was the same dream I had for the past five years. The past was still haunting me, a nightmare that refused to let me go. Losing everyone you love in a single snap- losing your home, your parents, your love, your hope- was enough to shatter anyone. And it had shattered me, broken me completely. For a moment, I pressed my palms to my face, trembling as echoes of fire and screams clawed at my ears. But then I inhaled, slowly, deliberately, forcing the storm inside me to still. That hopeless girl in the ashes was gone. She had been burned with Valerian Palace. I rose from the bed and walked into the bath chamber. Steam curled into the air as I lowered myself into the water. The warmth soothed my aching body, but my reflection in the ripples stole my breath. The girl who once dreamed of being Queen Luna had vanished. In her place was a woman carved by grief and sharpened by vengeance. My eyes, once soft, now burned with cold fire. My body, once delicate, bore the strength of five years of blood and survival. I was no longer Seraphina, the weak and naïve princess of a fallen kingdom. I was something else. I was stronger now, sharper, and unbreakable. Every scar, every loss, every wound has forged me into who I am now. When I emerged, I shed the softness of my past as I dressed. Black pants, a fitted shirt, and light armor. My black gloves slid over my hands, my boots laced with silent precision. And lastly, the mask- plain black, and merciless- hid the face of the fallen princess. When I opened the door, they were all waiting. My servants bowed their heads instantly, their gazes lowered out of fear and respect. None of them knew who I was, but they knew me as Nyx, the unseen blade in the dark, the leader of Umbra.

"Master," a familiar voice said. Rowan stepped forward, my second hand and most loyal shadow. He held out a stack of papers, his voice low, respectful.

"The preparation is complete. There will be an auction this afternoon." I accepted the paper without a word. Reading the information on the first page, I raised my head, finger moving in a deliberate, practiced gesture. We attend. Rowan read the silent command, his mouth tightening with a grim approval. "As you command."

He continued his report, his tone steady. "Umbra's activities have moved as planned. The safehouse remains secure. The smugglers in the east have delivered their cargo. I've also dispatched three assassins for a mission to the northern border."

His eyes flickered to another page. "Additionally, two of our merchants have been sent to the capital of Draven Kingdom."

That caught my attention. I slowly looked at him, then asked him what they would do there. My gesture was sharp and demanding. Rowan hesitated, his brows knitting for the briefest moment. The mast hid my face, but my silence pressed against him like a blade. Finally, he answered, "There will be a grand trade gathering in a week. Winning influence there will secure more supplies and information. Both are crucial for us to maintain our strength."

I gave him a nod and turned sharply, my cloak whispering against the flood as I walked ahead. Rowan immediately followed, his boots echoing softly behind me. As soon as I reached my office, he gave me his last report.

"The healing potion we sold in the black market three days ago ... " His eyes flickered on his notes. "It's sold out. The demand was higher than expected. We earned more than triple our projection."

That's good to hear then. It's just a pity I don't have time to make those potions again. I sat down on my chair, still listening to him. When I looked up, I saw him looking at me intently. "Can you make more?" he asked. I quickly shake my head. Rowan gave a curt nod, "Understood. When you're not busy then."

A pause lingered before he spoke again, his tone a touch lighter. "One last thing ... After the auction this afternoon, may I request two days' rest?"

I tilted my head towards him, my fingers moving again in sharp, dismissive motion. Denied. Rowan groaned, smiling, a clear fake one. This man is throwing a tantrum again. "I knew you wouldn't allow me. I think I might die in exhaustion, Nyx," he muttered under his breath, half-resigned, half-amused.

"Fine, no vacation." He stood straight and bowed with formality. "Then I'll prepare for the auction this afternoon."

I lifted my hand again and signed a single command. Leave.

"Master," he murmured respectfully before turning and stepping out. The door closed with a soft thud. As soon as he left, I leaned back on my chair and inhaled deeply. Geez, today will be exhausting again for sure. Since when was the last time I felt peace?

--- The auction hall buzzed with wealth and secrecy, chandeliers spilling muted light over nobles, merchants, and masked strangers. I sat in the shadowed corner of the balcony, concealed by my cloak and mask, while Rowan stood on the floor below to bid in my name. Whispers drifted around the room like snakes.

"Nyx is here."

"They say the leader never shows their face."

"Is it true? A man? A woman?"

"Whoever they are, even kings fear their reach." I remained utterly still, every movement calculated and calm. Fear was a weapon, and I had forged it into armor. Rowan raised his hand, voice firm, bidding for the items I had marked. One by one, he secured them, each win punctuated by murmurs among the crowd. Everything proceeded without interruption-until the final lot was unveiled. The crowd leaned forward as the velvet cloth was pulled back. Rowan was already preparing to bid when a voice cut through the hall. Smooth. Commanding. Sharp enough to pierce straight into my bones. A voice I had sworn I would never forget.

"I'll take it." I froze. My hands curled into fists inside my gloves, my breath caught behind the mask. Without looking, without needing to see, I knew. Kaelan Ryker Draven. Five years had passed since the night my world burned. Five years since he rejected and humiliated me. And yet here he was, his presence coiling through the air like a storm I had long prepared to face. After five years ... I see you again. The thought burned in my chest, laced with nothing but despise. The hall seemed to shrink when his voice cut through it, deep and merciless. The murmurs that followed trembled with unease.

"That's the Alpha King."

"Two powerful figures are here now. Nyx and Alpha King Kaelan."

"The man who burned a kingdom to the ground." The weight of his name spread like wildfire, and silence followed in its wake. Even those drunk with wealth and arrogance dared not speak too loudly in his presence. Below, Rowan stiffened but kept his composure. His eyes flicked upward, awaiting my silent command. I raised my hand, fingers moving with calm precision. Bid. The war began. Kaelan countered every offer, his voice steady, cold, as though gold and blood were the same to him. The crowd held its breath with each number, excitement tangled with fear. No one dared to interfere-none wished to challenge a king who had turned a kingdom into ashes. And still, I did not falter. From the shadows of the balcony, I signed once more. Raise it. The gavel hovered, the auctioneer's hand trembling with anticipation. Finally, when Rowan delivered the last, crushing bid, Kaelan leaned back in his seat. His lips curved, not in defeat, but in dangerous amusement-as if he were indulging in a game only he knew the rules to. The gavel struck. "Sold!"

The room erupted in whispers, but all I heard was the phantom of his voice, echoing like the crackle of fire that had once devoured my home. The Alpha King ... the man who burned my kingdom. And the man I once called mine. Five years ago, he destroyed me. Now, it was my turn to destroy him.