Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3158

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3158

In the pouring rain, Iridessa fled the Throne Hall, stumbling through deserted streets until she collapsed into a narrow, lightless alley. With her back pressed against the icy stone wall, she finally dared to breathe.

Escaping death—simply surviving—was a kind of joy, and she was no exception. If she could live, she did not want to die.

Yet confusion quickly followed relief.

Why hadn’t Andrew killed her?

Could it really be as he claimed—that he spared her because of her mother?

Iridessa’s thoughts were in complete disarray. More than fear, she felt lost.

She had always been simple. Conservative. A princess raised with restraint and rules carved into her bones. And yet, something irreversible had happened between her and that man—something she could neither undo nor deny.

Originally, she should have resisted with everything she had. She should have chosen death if necessary, to preserve the dignity and purity expected of an Eastonia princess.

But she hadn’t.

Her hand rose unconsciously to her chest. It was still warm.

Just moments ago, it had been held firmly—claimed—by him.

Her breathing quickened. Memories surged back: the shock of that first time, the dizzy closeness, the overwhelming pressure that left her mind blank. Perhaps it was precisely because he was the man she was meant to kill that everything had felt so unbearably intense.

Shame flooded her.

And yet… she had to face the truth.

She hadn’t felt disgust. She hadn’t felt hatred.

Instead, she knew—with frightening clarity—that from this moment on, she had truly become a woman.

She would never forget this rainy night. Never forget that man’s strong arms, or the way his presence had swallowed her whole—forceful, yet impossibly gentle.

Only when her body was soaked through and numbed by cold did Iridessa drag herself back to the hotel.

Vance had already been pacing anxiously. When he saw her return, relief flashed across his face.

“Iridessa,” he asked eagerly, “did you succeed?”

The forced smile she gave him made his heart sink instantly.

“So… you failed?” he said hoarsely.

Iridessa nodded. “I’m sorry, Vance. I failed.”

Disappointment flickered across his face, but it quickly hardened into urgency. “We can’t stay in Throne City anymore. We need to leave immediately. Otherwise, Andrew will come after us.”

Iridessa said nothing—only gave a quiet hum of agreement.

As they headed downstairs, Vance couldn’t hold back. “What exactly happened? Did you even get close to Andrew?”

She followed in silence before shaking her head. “I did meet him.”

Vance stopped short, shocked. “Then you shouldn’t have failed. With your covert arts, I can’t imagine you missing after getting that close. No matter how sharp Andrew is, there’s no way he had no openings.”

Iridessa exhaled slowly. Her exhaustion was written plainly on her face. “Vance, stop asking. I failed. That’s all. Let’s leave—leave the Wastelands and the Outlands behind. I want to go home.”

His expression darkened. “This trip accomplished nothing. If I’d known, I would’ve stormed the Veiled Paradise myself. Damn it. Now Throne City has fallen into Andrew’s hands. A one-man dominance is inevitable.”

Iridessa neither agreed nor argued. She had suddenly lost all interest in his ambitions, his dreams of conquest, even the family’s future.

All she wanted was to get as far away from this place as possible.

Yet no matter how far she ran, she couldn’t erase that man’s shadow from her mind.

After they safely left Throne City and entered the Wastelands, Vance abruptly stopped and turned around.

“Iridessa,” he said coldly, “you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you? If you failed, there’s no way you should’ve come back alive. Tell me. I want to know everything.”

For the first time, irritation flared in her chest.

“I have nothing to say,” she replied coolly. “I failed. That’s it. And don’t speak to me in that commanding tone.”

Vance stared at her, stunned.

She continued calmly, “I was captured. Nyx intended to kill me.”

“And then?” he demanded.

“Andrew stopped her,” Iridessa said. “He asked about my relationship with Mother. When he learned I was her daughter, he spared me for her sake.”

Vance clenched his fists. “That bastard. I knew it. He must’ve been entangled with Mother back then. A disgrace to our family—and to Eastonia.”

Iridessa shook her head. “Andrew said he spared me because Mother once helped him. He denied any improper relationship.”

“Bullshit!” Vance roared.

Lowering her gaze, she whispered, “I think… what he said might be true.”

“What did you say?” Vance snapped.

“Nothing,” she replied softly. “Let’s go.”

He snorted. “We’re not going home yet. We’re going to find someone.”

“Who?”

“Ezekiel Beckett,” Vance said coldly. “Sorya had forces in the Outlands too. That brat stayed quiet—he must be planning something.”

“Whatever,” Iridessa said without interest. “As long as we don’t stay in Throne City. As long as I don’t see him.”

Vance studied her for a moment. “You’re acting strange tonight. Forget it. Get some rest. I know you were frightened. Someone like Andrew isn’t easy to deal with.”

That night, far from Throne City, Iridessa slept uneasily.

She woke suddenly in shock.

Gasping, she lifted the blanket—and froze.

Her nightdress, her legs, the bedsheets beneath her were damp.

Her face burned as she reached out with trembling fingers. The sheets felt sticky.

She buried her face in her hands, mortified.

How could this happen?

How could she dream of him again—of that overwhelming force, that unbearable closeness?

Tears welled but refused to fall.

Iridessa curled in on herself, shaking, convinced that she was beyond saving.