Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 253

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them by Mira Lorian**

**Chapter 253**

Rania’s heart was a battlefield, caught in a storm of fear and loathing that twisted and coiled around her very essence. It was a tumultuous mix of emotions, a complex tapestry that suffocated her spirit, making the prospect of peace feel like a distant dream. The burden of these feelings had grown heavy over time, and she recognized that the only way to break free was to confront them directly. Today, she had summoned the courage to take that pivotal step.

As she readied herself for the meeting with Killian after what felt like an eternity, a torrent of questions crashed through her mind like waves against a rocky shore. Would seeing him again reignite the flames of hatred that had once burned so fiercely within her? Would the familiar tendrils of fear wrap around her heart once more, dragging her back into the abyss of despair?

However, when the moment finally arrived, Rania was taken aback by an unexpected wave of indifference. The man who had once held such sway over her emotions now appeared diminished, almost pitiful. Killian stood before her, disheveled and broken, his body marred by dirt and dried blood, the foul odor that clung to him enough to churn her stomach.

This was not the formidable figure she had once dreaded. No, that version of Killian had faded into obscurity, replaced by a shadow of his former self—one who had endured months of hardship, leaving him nearly unrecognizable. As she met his gaze, Rania felt a surprising sense of neutrality wash over her. There was no joy in witnessing his downfall, nor was there fear. Instead, she realized that she had outgrown the emotions that had once consumed her—her fear and hatred had finally dissipated into nothingness.

With this newfound clarity, Rania felt no inclination to linger in the cell any longer. She had faced her past and emerged unscathed, a victory that filled her with a quiet sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

As she turned to leave, Killian’s desperate cries echoed through the cold, damp air of the cell, a haunting reminder of their shared history. He called her name with a mixture of desperation and anger, pleading for her to return, his voice rising and falling like the tide in a storm.

But Rania remained steadfast, her resolve unyielding. She stepped through the heavy door, which slammed shut behind her with a resounding thud, muffling Killian’s pleas and sealing away the chaos of their past.

Emerging into the light, a bitter taste lingered in the back of her throat. What had she wanted to say to him? Why had she felt compelled to visit? Killian was left with nothing but questions and a gnawing curiosity that would haunt him, especially with the dark cloud of the king’s decree of execution looming over him.

“Are you alright, my queen?” Cam’s voice cut through Rania’s thoughts, his brow furrowed with concern as he took in her pale complexion.

“I’m fine, just a bit tired,” Rania replied, attempting to mask the truth that weighed heavily on her heart. Tomorrow would bring Killian’s execution, a reality that pressed down on her like a leaden shroud. “I want to go back now.”

“Of course, let’s head back,” Cam responded, his enthusiasm evident as he guided her away from the dungeon.

Lucian followed silently, trailing behind them, but the atmosphere around them shifted. The warriors stationed near the dungeon suddenly tensed, a palpable anxiety spreading among them like wildfire.

Lost in her own thoughts, Rania was oblivious to the warriors’ unease until she stepped outside the dungeon and spotted Maximus waiting for her. They had mentioned informing the king of her visit, but no one had anticipated that he would come personally to the dungeon.

The warriors exchanged nervous glances, the fear of the king’s wrath gripping their hearts at the thought of having allowed the queen into such a place.

To their surprise, however, Maximus remained silent, simply taking Rania’s hand in his own with a gentle touch that radiated warmth.

As they walked side by side, the other warriors instinctively parted to make way for them, sighing in relief at the sight of the king appearing to be in a good mood.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Maximus asked softly, his grip on her hand firm yet tender, as if he could sense the inner conflict she was grappling with.

“Yes,” Rania nodded, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her emotions still fresh. “I did.”

“Did it bring you happiness?” he inquired, guiding her toward the mountains behind the palace, where the wild wolves roamed freely, their presence a reminder of the untamed spirit that lay within her.

Rania paused, her mind racing as she contemplated her emotions before responding. “No,” she finally admitted, the truth spilling out like a reluctant confession. “But I don’t feel bad either. I thought I would have some sort of reaction, but I simply… don’t care.” She turned to Maximus, searching his eyes for understanding. “Is that wrong? Am I heartless?”

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