The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 526

Chapter 526

Chapter 526

The black–clad assailants let out blood–curdling screams and crumpled to the ground all at once. The forest reeked of blood.

Athena’s terrified gaze snapped to where a lone swordsman stood, sword still in hand.

The dim light only revealed the man’s silhouette and his taut, narrow waist.

Only when Athena’s eyes adjusted to the dim light did she finally make out the man’s face.

“Prince Xander!” Athena gasped in surprise.

Xander flashed to her side, finding Athena leaning against a boulder, her body swaying precariously.

The commotion had already alerted the black–clad assailants lurking in the distance.

Xander swiftly pulled Athena close, his arm encircling her waist as he murmured urgently, “We need to leave now.”

Athena nodded. The next instant, she suddenly felt weightless. Xander had effortlessly scooped her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest

The wind whipped past Athena’s ears as the world blurred by in a dizzying rush.

Suddenly, Xander’s deep, urgent voice rang in her ear. “Hold on to me. Tight!”

His voice carried both urgency and deadly intent. Athena immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

Xander tightened his grip around Athena’s waist and whirled. His longsword flashed, steel rang out as he cleaved an incoming arrow clean in two.

Seeing them try to flee, the assassins let loose a hail of arrows to seal off their path.

Xander swept his longsword through the air, unleashing a devastating surge of sword energy that lashed out at the black–clad assailants.

Seeing this, the assailants scattered for cover. Seizing the moment, Xander had already dashed nearly a hundred yards away with Athena.

Now beyond arrow range, the black–clad assailants were forced to abandon their pursuit.

Clutching Xander’s neck, Athena broke out in a cold sweat

at the sight.

Had it not been for Xander’s incredible martial prowess, they would both be corpses by now.

But what truly awed Athena was Xander’s ability to block the enemies‘ retreat, all while holding her securely in his arms.

In the entire Petanion, no one could hold a candle to his courage and strategic brilliance.

Xander landed softly once he spotted a safe place.

Yet he didn’t release Athena. Holding her close, he carried her forward.

Pressed so closely against him, Athena felt a flush of embarrassment. “Put me down,” she murmured, “I can walk on my own.”

Xander gave her a measured glance, but the fierce intensity in his eyes made Athena look away.

She lowered her gaze, unable to hold his burning stare.

“With that injured leg of yours, if I let you walk on your own, you wouldn’t make it out of these woods by dawn,” he said.

His voice brimmed with a silent, tender devotion, while his gaze on Athena was filled with aching remorse.

11:28 Sat, 26 Jul G

Chapter 526

Xander said with regret, “If my men hadn’t lost track of you this time, you and Jessa would never have ended up in such danger

Athena caught the implication in his words and immediately asked, “Did someone intercept your shadow guards?”

Xander responded in a low, rumbling voice from his chest. “It was Michael.”

Athena’s eyes widened in shock. “How could it be him?”

Xander’s gaze turned icy. “Lord Osborne is truly calculating. While pretending to play the hero and protect you, he deliberately put you in danger. It’s shocking that the Osborne family raised a son like him.”

Athena’s cheeks burned. Michael was indeed the type who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted,

If Michael was capable of forcing her into the military academy before, no one could have imagined the greater evils he might be capable of now.

The irony was that Michael remained completely oblivious, always convinced he had everything under control, arrogant and full of himself.

“What are you thinking?” Xander murmured, lowering his gaze to find Athena burying her face against his chest,

She looked like a guilty child, and his heart melted with tenderness.

He realized he had arrived just a moment too late, Athena had surely been scared.

But then she lifted her eyes to his, her voice quiet and unsure. “Prince Xander… why aren’t you scolding me?”

“Scold you? Why would I ever do that?” he asked.

“You warned me before you left not to act recklessly,” Athena said, her voice heavy with shame. “But I completely neglected your warning and nearly got Jessa killed.”

‘So that’s the reason.‘ Xander’s stern expression softened.

He stopped in his tracks and gently ruffled Athena’s hair. “If I were in your shoes, I’d have done the same. You’ve been striving to clear General Perkins’s name, now that you have a lead, how could you let it pass?

“Atheny, people grow up little by little. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

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