Once the meeting has adjourned, I catch up to Elif just as she’s leaving the meeting hall. “I’m sorry I worried you so much,” I say sincerely as I come up beside her. She sighs, “I’m sorry I lost it with you. I’ve just been on edge lately.” “You don’t have to apologise or explain anything to me, I get it. I think we’re all more than a little on edge these days,” I say kindly as I take her hand in mine. “That doesn’t mean I had the right to scream at you because you were spending time not only with your animai but helping sanguidaes too. I just flew to the worst-case scenario.” “And with everything that has happened if I were in your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing. Elif I’m not angry with you, please don’t beat yourself up over this. I should have said something,” I say pulling her into a tight hug, “I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry too,” she says as she wraps her arms around me. We stay like that for a moment, seeking much-needed comfort from each other. “Want to hang o
It’s been a long day of checking in on sanguidaes and their septs, and if I had the energy of a human I’m sure I’d be exhausted beyond belief, but exhaustion doesn’t come easy to me. The sun is setting and I’m now at my final stop of the day. I admit I might have been rushing through the day, eager to be done so I could be reunited with Yildiz. I sound like an addict, and maybe I am. I’m addicted to Yildiz. Not just addicted but I’m madly in love with her and I still can’t get over the fact that she loves me too. This pure and wonderful being told me she loved me. I never thought someone like me could be loved yet here I am. I have found someone I would give my everything to, who has shown me time and time again she would give me her all without hesitation. The only downside to all this is that at some point I’m going to have to confront Zarseti and tell her she was right and thank her. I can just picture her smug face now laughing at my expense. She knew it that day I went to her. S
I go to lie down on her bed and get comfortable when an idea pops in my head. In a split second, I’m appearing in the Kartheca’s garden surrounded by stunning varieties of flora. Tulips, snowdrops, crocuses, lilies and so many more are in full bloom creating a cascade of colours around the garden giving it a somewhat ethereal appearance. I wish Yildiz could see this, it’s a stunning sight. While she can’t see any of these flowers, she can indulge in their scent, so I do a quick assessment of which floral scents complement each other the best with a plan to fill her room with those exact flowers. I think she will love the gesture, and I know since her sister died she’s had very negative feelings about her home. I’m hoping this will give her new and happy memories to overshadow the bad ones. Just as I have decided which flowers I’ll use the scent of fresh lightning invades my nostrils like a virus. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, my hands ball into fists and I fight the
Makbule and I spent our entire shift going over everything we could recall regarding Isolde and Manon and the more we analysed it the more suspicious things started to appear. You have to understand, we’re talking about crimes spanning centuries, but there could be decades between these crimes. Assessing them as each one occurred seemed straightforward, but truth is, nothing is straightforward when magic is in play. Makbule and I have found it to be strange how someone on the run would repeatedly leave witnesses to so many of her crimes. It’s also strange that in the event that started a chase that has lasted centuries, how was Manon the only one to survive? Given Isolde’s alleged blasé attitude towards life, why not just kill all these people and not have witnesses at all? I even thought back to what we learned the other month about the barrier placed around Longsang. Why would the most powerful makkari on earth ask a lesser makkari to create a barrier that they could easily create
“Yildiz get out of here!” Osiah shouts. “Oh no, I think she should stay,” Jartre says playfully with a malicious undertone. I suddenly watch as a large ball of white energy is thrown at Osiah sending his blood-red aura flying back. I feel the pain hit me to another excruciating degree and can no longer keep myself standing. My body completely gives out and I collapse on the ground, curling up in the foetal position as I will the pain to stop, while simultaneously fearing for Osiah’s safety. As I look over to see signs of Osiah’s aura, I witness a large dome surrounding him made of white energy. I don’t know how after a blow like that, but Osiah is up on his feet. I can see the outline of his fists pounding at the dome that now surrounds him. Another barrier. Fucking barriers. Much like curses, only the person who made the barrier can take it down, except in the case of makkares where their magic is easily trumped by the Gods. But not even a God can destroy the barrier of another God.
'Yildiz, meet Oshmin, the God of Life and Death.' Those words keep repeating themselves over and over in my head. Every single one ringing with truth. My animai is the God, Oshmin? But… that can’t be. He’s a sanguidae, he… he’s called himself Osiah several times and never have I felt him lying. This doesn’t make any sense; this has to be another trick. “You really are a fucking prick, Jartre,” Morrtemis hisses. “Oh, I’m the prick? I may have caused this one some trauma, but I never lied. I told her from the beginning her animai wasn’t who he said he was. I admitted this was all about my revenge on him. I don’t deny any of what I’ve done, but unlike all of you I wasn’t dishonest about it.” He lets me go leaving me frozen in place. I can’t even will my body to move. I just stay here stiff as a statue as I listen to my world unravel. Jartre walks over to the barrier around Osi… now I’m not even sure what to call him, and leans against it, “You’ve done a fine job shielding her from me
I’m still trying to process everything that has just happened. I keep hoping I’ll wake up and this will all have just been another terrible nightmare. But much like the day I found Nuray’s body, I’m painfully awake. This is all really happening. I’ve just been some toy for the Gods to play with. One God manufacturing my love life, one torturing me and another lying and deceiving me. And thinking about it, I can’t believe a selfish, psychotic, egotistical jerk like Jartre made the pure and good beings that are raitruums, like how does that make any sense? “Thank you, he needed to hear that,” says Oshmin softly. “Don’t you dare thank me, you’re not any better. Jartre was right. You lied and deceived my daughter. You had every opportunity to tell the truth and you dodged it at every turn. To show her so much disrespect when she has shown you nothing but love and patience. I should kick your ass myself,” she rants indignantly. “I’d pay to see that,” chimes in Morrtemis. “It’s not like
Oshmin POV As I appear inside my home I catch the subtle, somewhat faded scent of Yildiz and it causes me to lose every shred of my control. One by one I begin demolishing everything in my path. I grab the sofa and rip it in half with my bare hands as a scream of anguish echoes around the room. As my chest heaves, my eyes zero in on the dining table; images of the intimate moment Yildiz and I shared on it invading my mind and tormenting me. It was right there where I told her I loved her. It was right there she surrendered herself to me in a way no one else has, and how did I repay her? Lies and deceit. I storm over to the table and slam my fists down on it causing it to split in two. My anger still not satisfied, I take the two broken halves and hurl them through the glass window. The two broken pieces fly off into the distance never to be seen again as the glass wall that makes up the front of my home shatters into pieces in front of me. How apt. A perfect depiction of my life righ
Thank you to everyone who has joined me for another instalment in the Queen Among series. I have enjoyed all of your comments with each passing day. Seeing you all connect with the story and characters truly touched me. I truly hope that if you are in the mood you will consider donating gems, and most importantly, leaving a review of this book on the book's main page. It would do me and my book a huge favour and will also allow me to hear your thoughts on the story. Speaking of story... Here is a breakdown of the series so far, what currently exists and what is to come! Currently Available: Book 1 - A Queen Among Alphas (completed and also available on paperback) Book 2 - A Queen Among Snakes (completed and coming soon to paperback) Book 3 - A Queen Among Blood (completed and coming soon to paperback) Bite-Size Luna - A prequel spin-off to A Queen Among Alphas (completed and coming soon to paperback) COMING SOON IN THE SERIES: Book 4 - A Queen Among Darkness Book 5 - A Queen
Oshmin POV Time slips away as I hold Yildiz in my arms, but soon she is springing up on her feet and quickly undressing before me, which I am not complaining about. “What are you doing?” I ask, as my eyes remain glued in captivation as I watch each piece of fabric disappear from her body leaving only exquisite, glittering mocha curves behind. “If you think I’m just going to sit and stare at a stunning, magical oasis like this and not get in, you’re out of your mind,” she says with glee and promptly dives into the water. The golden glitter of her skin now looking all the more stunning under the twinkling aquamarine waters. Eager to join her, with a snap of my fingers my clothes are in a pile beside me, and I am diving into the water with her. We both break the surface and instantly she begins splashing me. “Oh, you want to play it like that? Game on,” I smirk as I use a fraction of my energy to send a decent-sized wave of water at her. “Hey! That’s cheating,” she pouts, wiping the
Oshmin POV The last few days have been filled with more drama. I used to think my life was very dramatic, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I spent eons reliving one dramatic – or traumatic – experience and believed it followed me everywhere, but after what I’ve experienced in the last few weeks while being with Yildiz, I realise my life was incredibly mundane. We Gods do the bare minimum and then call it a day, Yildiz and her sisters are trying to solve a hundred problems at once and trying to save thousands, if not millions, of lives a day. The miraculous thing is they never complain, and I mean REALLY complain. One bad thing happened to me, and I never shut up about it. Irshiusts see the worst in people and the world around them, take care of the sick, wounded and mistreated and are witness to horrors no being should ever witness, and they do it all with compassion and tolerance – to a degree. They save lives every single day and hardly get so much as a thank you, but they cont
As I make my way down to the cells that reside deep under the Kartheca, I can already hear the voices of my sisters deep within the earthly confines. I take my final step and begin walking down the corridor when the sound of someone’s approaching footsteps gain my attention. “Let me the fuck out of here!” screams the inhabitant of the cell to my right. I stop and turn to face the dim lime-green aura with its faded olive-green hue now standing before me. “I see the concept of a life sentence still confuses you,” I say casually. “I’m an Alpha! Who the fuck do you think you are to treat me like this?” he says as I hear the sound of him hocking up phlegm. I tilt my head to the left just as I hear the wad of phlegm fly past me and hit the wall behind me. That is beyond disgusting. “You were an Alpha and a despicable one at that. Ivan, allow me to remind you that you lost your title the moment you were brought into our custody and a new Alpha was appointed of your pack. Not only are you
Oshmin POV “Are you done with your inner thoughts, or would you like a little more time?” Yildiz asks in a bored tone. I roll my eyes, “Anyone ever tell you how annoying that is?” “Truth be told, I didn’t come here to bust your cosmic balls. I know you and Yildiz have hashed it out and you have been brutally honest. Things are looking up for the two of you and for that I am thrilled. What happened is in the past. Actually, all of that isn’t why I’m here now,” she admits, her tone becoming serious. I sit forward and give her my undivided attention, “I know that look. That’s the look of you’re about to drop a cryptic bomb on me.” “Am I that transparent?” she says with a wry smile. “No, I’ve just known you a long time. What’s going on?” I ask, cutting to the chase. “When I told you I gave you an animai because I wanted you to be happy, that wasn’t a lie.” “Never thought it was…” I say tentatively. “That being said, I had additional reasons for wanting you to be happy.” Her face
Oshmin POV I lay back with my arms under my head already missing Yildiz being wrapped in my arms. As I stare through the glass walls of her room at the stunning view outside, I can’t help but become frustrated. I’m a cosmic being with the power to give Yildiz all the answers she seeks, but because of my own idea to prevent us Gods from meddling, I’m stuck laying here unable to do a single thing to help her. I feel like I shot myself in the foot before ever even realising it. “You made the right call, Oshmin,” I suddenly hear Zarseti’s voice. I look over to see the fuchsia-haired Goddess standing off to the side in a rather stunning purple kaftan with gold beading across the bust and shoulders and lined down the arms and framing the sleeves. “What is with you and the kaftan collection?” I enquire. She walks over and leans against the window, ignoring my question. “Even my daughters need to learn life is not about cutting corners or taking the easy way. We all have our own destinies
The sound of urgent fists pounding against my bedroom door pulls me from my wonderful sleep, but as my senses wake up one by one, I take in the pleasurable heat brought by being nestled in my animai’s arms and his intoxicating scent. I want to stay like this forever, but the pounding is relentless. “I get the feeling they won’t go away until you answer the door,” says Oshmin in a sleepy voice. I groan and bury myself deeper against his side. “Make them go away,” I grumble. “They’re your sisters, you make them go away,” he argues, turning his back to me and depriving me of my cosy snuggle spot. I pout and land a jab to his back that causes me to wince and shake my hand as my finger throbs in protest. Stupid indestructible God. “I bet that hurt you more than it hurt me,” he lazily mocks. “Smartass,” I mutter. Begrudgingly I fling off the covers, get up and make my way to the bedroom door. I open it and finally bring the pounding to a halt. “Was all of that really necessary?” I ask
Oshmin POV I lay in Yildiz’s bed captivated by her every move as she changes into very fitted sky-blue satin shorts and a matching camisole for bed. I could watch her do the most mundane things for all time and never get bored. Is that because of the bond or simply because I love her? I guess I don’t care really. “I just have to take off my makeup and then I’m done.” “I could help,” I offer. “You want to take my makeup off for me?” she asks with a questioning eyebrow. I shrug, “Only if you want me to. I would be more effective though,” I point out. “Hmm. Good point. Okay, time to become the God of Makeup Removal,” she says as she saunters to the bathroom. I let out a loud laugh at her new title for me. Morrtemis would love that. I get up and follow her into the bathroom and look at all the products laid out on the counter. It’s like a chemistry lab in here. “Um, maybe I could just use magic,” I suggest. “Nope. You’re going to do it like I do. Now get to work,” she orders, but
Oshmin POV She wraps her elbow around mine and escorts me out of the door. This is a literal case of the blind leading the blind as Yildiz navigates our way through the Kartheca effortlessly, since I don't know my way around, before arriving at two gigantic doors. I can hear the voices inside that have now dropped to a whisper as we began to approach. Yildiz is right, people who can speak telepathically should just do so and save themselves the embarrassment. Yildiz pushes open one of the doors and guides me into the vastest dining hall I’ve ever seen. Pristine white marbled floors, with square marble pillars lining either side of the lengthy room. The spaces between the pillars are open and blanketed by curtains of white chiffon that dance gently in the breeze from outside. The vaulted ceiling is intricately carved and depicts the origins of every single supernatural being that exists. There are carved statues of women powerfully posed at the top of each pillar and it takes me a mo