Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Surprise After Surprise

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The silence that followed wasn’t quiet at all.

None of us moved, none of us spoke—we were all transfixed by the scene before us.

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There, on the throne that once ruled over Montrose with cruelty and corruption, a mother and her son sat frozen in their final embrace. The two of them had become stone, captured in the moment of their twisted reconciliation. His head bent against her chest, her arms clutching him desperately, as though even death could not pry them apart.

The air still shimmered faintly around them with magic residue. A phenomenon I could only attribute to their blood, to the fact that they were witches. Witches had more power than sense, power that had caused all of this suffering and ruin.

I pursed my lips. Maybe this was what Kyle had wanted all along. A permanent end. To chain himself to her, finally forcing her to hold him the way he had always longed for

I tore my gaze away, unable to keep staring at the tragic sight.

Warmth slid against my side. Rowan’s arm curled around me, and he pulled me against his chest. His lips brushed the top of my head, a tender kiss that melted some of the tension in my spine.

“It’s over,” he murmured. “It’s finally over.”

I let out a shaky breath, leaning into him. For the first time in what felt like forever, the words didn’t feel like a lie. The war, the fear, the endless plotting–it had finally reached its conclusion.

Around us, the others began to straighten, shoulders losing their rigid edges. Warriors unclenched their fists, allowing themselves to breathe again.

The armored guards who had been under Azalea’s spell scrambled in panic, their boots clanging against the polished floor as they tried to flee. But before they could vanish into the corridors, Cade’s voice rang

out.

“Do not be afraid.”

The guards froze. Cade stepped forward, his presence radiating authority. “We are willing to help,” he continued. “Fenra will extend its hand to Montrose. We will see to it that the people are cared for, that they are not abandoned to despair. Everything in this palace will be appropriated for the people.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall. Guards glanced at one another, uncertain, but no longer running. Some even sank to their knees, their armor clattering in surrender.

Ingrid moved beside Cade, her hair falling across her shoulders. Being a witch herself, she empathized with her own kind. “We’ll help,” she promised. “I swear Montrose will no longer be a kingdom that devours its own. It will be for the people, as it should have always been.”

The guards nodded with more

certainty this time. It clear that they weren’t enemies anymore. They were victims too, just like us.

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11:28 Mon, 29 Sept

Chapter 281 Surprise After Surprise.

A faint stir of movement broke the moment. My head snapped toward it.

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On the side of the throne room, a body twitched. My heart dropped into my stomach as Zaria’s eyes fluttered open. She gasped, panic flashing across her features, and before any of us could react, she bolted upright and turned to run.

But she didn’t get far.

My hand shot out, catching the back of her collar. I yanked hard, dragging her back. She stumbled, choking out a startled cry as she slammed against my chest. I twisted my grip tighter, my lips curling into

a sneer.

“You’re not going anywhere, big sis.”

Her body went rigid. She turned her head toward me, her eyes wide with fear.

Cade’s mouth curved into a smirk as he stepped forward. “You are guilty of treachery, Zaria Fen. And your punishment will be life imprisonment.”

“No!” she screamed, thrashing wildly in my hold. “What did I do? What did I even do to deserve this? Just kill me! Just fucking kill me!”

Her shriek tore through the throne room, a sound born of desperation.

I stared into her wild eyes, my voice as cold as ice. “Death would be mercy for everything you’ve done.”

Her breath hitched, and she finally stopped screaming.

“Chain her,” I ordered.

Two guards rushed forward. I shoved her into their grasp, and she kicked and clawed. Her screams echoed, curses spilling from her lips, but they dragged her away regardless.

I watched her go, the bitterness in my chest strangely satisfying.

The room began to calm again. Conversations buzzed, plans for rebuilding whispered among allies. But I hardly heard them. My heartbeat was still too loud. The demon I had been fighting all this time was finally… gone.

– Just then, a hot, minty breath ghosted over my neck.

“That was hot,” Rowan muttered into my ear.

My entire body jolted. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I whipped my head toward him, glaring.

I scowled, flustered beyond reason.

“Be serious, Rowan,” I muttered.

“I’m sorry, my love,” he whispered back, the playful edge softening in his voice. His gaze dipped. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

The sincerity in his tone stole my breath for a second, but I kept my expression sharp, unwilling to let him get away so easily. “We only just made up,” I reminded him, narrowing my eyes. “Don’t think you’re off the

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Chapter 281 Surprise After Surprise

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