Kingsley's Bride

Chapter 24: Clash of Mr and Mrs Kingsley

In a blink, Lord Darius swung his sword mocking Nikolai, and the crowd backed away, forming a circle around the impending confrontation. Nikolai, ever the skilled assassin, drew his blade in response. The air crackled with tension as they began to circle each other, the gleam of their swords catching the dim light of the pub.

"Scarlett, stay back," Lord Darius commanded, his voice steady but laced with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the two men engage in a fierce sword fight. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the pub, each strike sending sparks flying. Their movements were a deadly dance, precise and powerful.

"You're not getting away this time, Nikolai," Lord Darius growled, his strikes growing more aggressive.

"I didn't plan on running, Kingsley. I'm here to finish what I started," Nikolai parried skillfully, a smirk playing on his lips.

The fight grew more intense, the sound of their swords clashing drowning out the noise of the pub. Patrons watched in stunned silence, their faces a mix of fear and fascination. I could barely breathe, my eyes fixed on the deadly duel unfolding before me.

A drunk man, oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, stumbled into the fray. His unsteady movement created a momentary distraction, allowing Nikolai to land a swift jab to Lord Darius's waist. Blood pooled out of Lord Darius's shirt. My heart stopped, and a scream caught in my throat.

But Lord Darius, unfazed by the injury, gave an evil smile. With renewed ferocity, he struck at Nikolai with full speed. The impact was brutal, sending Nikolai's sword flying from his grasp. Darius continued his assault, his strikes merciless and unrelenting.

Nikolai stumbled, blood dripping from his wounds. As he fell to his knees, a woman emerged from the crowd. 

Meredith. 

Her face twisted with determination, she lunged at lord Darius, aiming a dagger at his shoulder and succeeded piercing his shoulder with her dagger. 

"Meredith, no!" I screamed, my voice raw with fear.

Lord Darius, unfazed by the attack, caught Meredith's wrist and threw her to the ground with a swift, brutal motion. He yanked the dagger from his shoulder, wincing only slightly, and tossed it aside. His soldiers surged forward, securing both Nikolai and Meredith.

"How could you, Meredith?" I scolded, my voice trembling with shock and disbelief. "How could you become so ruthless?"

Meredith struggled against the soldiers' grip, her eyes wild with desperation. "Let us go!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the pub.

"Meredith," I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. "What happened to you? Why are you doing this?"

Meredith's gaze locked onto mine, her expression filled with a mix of rage and sorrow. 

"Darius is not what he seems to you, Scarlett. He is a demon."

Her words hung in the air, a chilling accusation that made my blood run cold. Lord Darius's face hardened, and he walked up to Meredith, his eyes blazing with fury. Without warning, he slapped her hard across the face, the sound echoing like a gunshot. I gasped, my heart breaking at the sight.

"Let her go, Darius! This is between you and me. Leave her out of it!" Nikolai's voice rang out, desperate and hoarse.

Lord Darius ignored him, his focus entirely on Meredith. He beat her with a cold, ruthless precision, his fists landing blow after blow. Nikolai's pleas grew more frantic.