Pain. That was the first thing I felt when I woke up. A dull, persistent ache spread through my body, making every breath a struggle. My vision blurred as I tried to move, but a firm hand pushed me back down.
"Easy," a deep voice murmured. "You're still weak."
I blinked several times, forcing my vision to focus. The face above me was unfamiliar strong features, dark hair that curled slightly at the ends, and piercing amber eyes that held an intensity I couldn't place.
"Who…?" My voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.
The man sat back, crossing his arms. "Gideon Valcrest. And you, Your Majesty, are lucky to be alive."
The title stung. I wasn't an empress anymore. Kaelion had seen to that.
Memories crashed into me all at once the cold dungeon, the betrayal in Kaelion's silver eyes, Selina's smug smile, the sentence of death. And then, the execution. The guillotine. My heart pounded. I should be dead. Why wasn't I dead?
"You saved me?" My throat burned as I spoke.
Gideon gave a curt nod. "The rebellion has eyes everywhere. When we heard the execution was moved ahead of schedule, I had to act fast. We barely got you out in time."
"The rebellion?" I frowned, pushing myself up on weak arms. I finally took in my surroundings a dimly lit room with stone walls, a single wooden table with maps and weapons scattered across it. A fire flickered in the corner, casting shadows on the walls. This wasn't a palace. This was a hideout.
Gideon exhaled. "Not everyone believes in the empire's lies, Your Majesty. There are those who see the corruption, the deceit. We fight for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves."
I laughed, but it was hollow. "Justice? For me? The empire calls me a traitor. Even if I tell the truth, no one will believe me."
Gideon's gaze darkened. "You don't understand, do you? You are the spark. The empire thinks you're dead. That makes you powerful. If you return, if you rise from the ashes, you will be the proof that the empire's rule is built on lies. You can be their worst nightmare."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. Could I really fight back?
I had spent my life being the perfect empress, the devoted wife, the woman who stood beside her husband even when others doubted him. And where had that gotten me? Condemned to die.
"Why did you save me?" I asked, watching him carefully. "What do you gain from this?"
Gideon smirked, but there was no humor in his eyes. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting the emperor to suffer."
I studied him, sensing a deeper pain beneath his composed exterior. Kaelion had wronged many people, not just me.
Silence stretched between us before Gideon stood. "Rest for now. We'll talk more when you're stronger."
He left, shutting the door behind him. Alone, I curled my fingers into fists, the ache in my body nothing compared to the fire that now burned in my heart.
Kaelion thought he had won. That I was gone. That I was no longer a threat.
He was wrong.
I wasn't Evelyn Rosendale, the betrayed empress anymore. I was someone new. Someone reborn.
And I would make them all pay.