ANNORAI sat outside the healer's tent, my eyes fixed on the entrance as if willing Sora and Wendeline to wake up and tell me everything was going to be okay. But the tent remained still, the only sound coming from Magnus's humming as he tended to his patients.I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about everything that had happened. Aegon's anger, Wendeline's slap, the maids' accusations... it all swirled together in my mind like a toxic storm.And Aegon... why hadn't he even listened to me? Why had he assumed the worst and turned against me? I felt a sting of hurt and betrayal, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.I wiped them away, feeling a sense of determination dawn on me, or maybe it was foolishness. But I needed to talk to Aegon, to make him understand what had really happened. I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest, and began to make my way to his chamber.But before I could take more than a few steps, three guards appeared before me, their faces
AEGONHow do I deal with my conscience?Wrong question. When did I even develop a conscience? My attention was fixated on the pile of documents I had to work on, but I couldn’t barely see a word of it clearly. It had all blurred terribly before my eyes, and my mind was filled with thoughts of Annora and where she was. The worst of all dungeons. It was a war in my head— clashing between what I should have done and what I did, but where was the line? This should be easier for me.It was a mere maid, the daughter of the same man who’d ruined everything I needed. My actions were justified, but my heart could barely rest. Heat seemed to blossom in the low of my stomach, alongside a disturbing swirl that ached.This physical dilemma had never been something I’ve had to deal with. It was a new feeling, ever so nauseating and excessively frustrating. Sitting up with the pen in my grip, I tried to shift my concentration, but my mind reeled.I stood up and began to prance the room. I’d been
ANNORAAegon's lips touched mine, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was sit there, frozen in shock, as he deepened the kiss.But as the seconds ticked by, something inside me shifted. It was like a dam had burst, releasing a flood of emotions I'd been trying to keep locked away. I felt myself melting into the kiss, my lips parting to allow Aegon deeper access.It was like the entire world had come alive. Every sensation was heightened, every feeling intensified. I could feel Aegon's heart pounding against mine, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. I could taste the desperation in his kiss, the hunger and the need.And I responded to it, my own desire rising up to meet his. We kissed as our lives depended on it like we were trying to devour each other whole.But eventually, Aegon pulled away, his chest heaving with exertion. I looked up at him, my eyes wide with confusion and desire. I didn’t want him to sto
AEGONBarely having a chance to process all that had happened with Annora in such a short period, another bombshell had just been dropped. Why would Magnus send such information? That sadist bastard. One of them? Just one of them? I couldn’t help but pray it was Wendeline. I needed it to be her. “Just stay here,” I said gently. It was almost as though my actions were already so out of my control. I didn't understand why I acted this way around her. “It’s still cold out. I’ll see what’s going on and come back to you.”I kissed her. I woke up to cook for her— my brother’s mate. My head felt heavy, my mind scrambled like the writing project of a toddler. But this wasn’t my priority right now. Despite recognizing that, my mind still wouldn't shut down. Annora tried to get out of bed as I picked up my coat at the speed of light, “Let me come, too. Please. I want to know who it is.”“I can’t let you do that,” I responded, eyeing her. All I could see was a weak woman who needed all the re
ANNORAI lay in bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Aegon and the kiss we shared. But as the minutes ticked by, my thoughts turned to Sora and Wendeline. Who was awake? Was it Wendeline, or was it Sora? I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I needed to know.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my legs feeling a bit shaky as I made my way to the healer's tent. But when I arrived, I found that it was empty. The fire was out, and the beds were vacant. I frowned, wondering where everyone could be.And then I remembered the snowstorm that had been raging outside. Maybe the healer had moved the patients to a different location to keep them safe.I decided to ask one of the maids for directions, but as I approached them, they seemed reluctant to talk to me. They whispered to each other, their eyes darting towards me before quickly looking away.I felt a surge of frustration and hurt. Why were they treating me like this? Didn't they know that I was worried sick about Sora and Wend
Annora “P-please!”The monster didn't leave my side, neither did he hear any of my pleas.My voice had gone hoarse from begging for his mercy. I felt his large hand dip into my hair, yanking my head up to gaze at him, my mouth hanging open.My breath was caught in my throat, and I winced in pain, tears flowing down from my eyes, uncontrolled. But the monster wouldn't let go of my hair, rather he grinned as he locked eyes with me. His orbs were as dark as his soul, but I didn't dare look away, not while my hair was tangled around his fist and he yanked it harder, with a devilish precision while his red lips still formed a satisfied smile.My expression morphed into a wince and the tears wouldn't stop flowing.“I want this one…” he announced, a smile snaking his red thin lips, an opening to the hell of his mouth. “I love what her mouth looks like wide open. Keep her in a separate carriage.”Disgust bit through me and my stomach sank. I spat in his face. “Go to hell, Demon! Go to hell!
AnnoraMy heart had burst into a sprint, clamouring against my ribcage like it tried to tear itself out. The fear gripped me like a vice, choking the air out of my lungs. No. No.My legs wouldn't even move. I barely batted an eyelid and he was right before me, his eyes fixated on my skin and I grew hot. My entire nervous system and nerve endings reached disarray.“So delicate,” he cooed and something inside me rose. I didn't know what it was, but I hoped it was the intense hate I felt for him. My body wouldn't stop shaking.His fingers swept the strands of my hair to the side, and I felt sweat streaming down my forehead as I gazed up at him with eyes holding nothing but terror.I stared at the tattoo designs that adorned his arms, my eyes blazing with fury. He grabbed my chin and pulled me to look up at him. “Do you…like what you see?”He looked like a god. He was built like one. This was the devil they spoke of?Face modeled after the most gorgeous of angels, only for his personali
AnnoraThe carriage was driven into a castle, a majestic fortress of stone and steel. I lay coiled up like a snake, my body curled in a tight ball. Memories came flooding back, bringing anguish and causing my eyes to swell and redden. It was painful to even glance at the sky.The walls of his castle were thick and frightening, with a large gate of iron that seemed impenetrable. I felt the heaviness of the chain that was clamped around my wrist and its weight dragged me down as I moved my arms.This was hell. The sobbing tones of the other prisoners beside me reminded me that this captivity might be permanent. There was no way out!Aegon had taken it all.I was still trying to come to terms with my fate when a giant man, covered in tattoos that looked similar to Aegon's, approached our carriage.I felt his grip on my chain pulling me downward as other soldiers took the remaining prisoners. Our chains echoed through the floor like a rail track. “Move it!” he commanded, pushing me fo
ANNORAI lay in bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Aegon and the kiss we shared. But as the minutes ticked by, my thoughts turned to Sora and Wendeline. Who was awake? Was it Wendeline, or was it Sora? I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I needed to know.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my legs feeling a bit shaky as I made my way to the healer's tent. But when I arrived, I found that it was empty. The fire was out, and the beds were vacant. I frowned, wondering where everyone could be.And then I remembered the snowstorm that had been raging outside. Maybe the healer had moved the patients to a different location to keep them safe.I decided to ask one of the maids for directions, but as I approached them, they seemed reluctant to talk to me. They whispered to each other, their eyes darting towards me before quickly looking away.I felt a surge of frustration and hurt. Why were they treating me like this? Didn't they know that I was worried sick about Sora and Wend
AEGONBarely having a chance to process all that had happened with Annora in such a short period, another bombshell had just been dropped. Why would Magnus send such information? That sadist bastard. One of them? Just one of them? I couldn’t help but pray it was Wendeline. I needed it to be her. “Just stay here,” I said gently. It was almost as though my actions were already so out of my control. I didn't understand why I acted this way around her. “It’s still cold out. I’ll see what’s going on and come back to you.”I kissed her. I woke up to cook for her— my brother’s mate. My head felt heavy, my mind scrambled like the writing project of a toddler. But this wasn’t my priority right now. Despite recognizing that, my mind still wouldn't shut down. Annora tried to get out of bed as I picked up my coat at the speed of light, “Let me come, too. Please. I want to know who it is.”“I can’t let you do that,” I responded, eyeing her. All I could see was a weak woman who needed all the re
ANNORAAegon's lips touched mine, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was sit there, frozen in shock, as he deepened the kiss.But as the seconds ticked by, something inside me shifted. It was like a dam had burst, releasing a flood of emotions I'd been trying to keep locked away. I felt myself melting into the kiss, my lips parting to allow Aegon deeper access.It was like the entire world had come alive. Every sensation was heightened, every feeling intensified. I could feel Aegon's heart pounding against mine, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. I could taste the desperation in his kiss, the hunger and the need.And I responded to it, my own desire rising up to meet his. We kissed as our lives depended on it like we were trying to devour each other whole.But eventually, Aegon pulled away, his chest heaving with exertion. I looked up at him, my eyes wide with confusion and desire. I didn’t want him to sto
AEGONHow do I deal with my conscience?Wrong question. When did I even develop a conscience? My attention was fixated on the pile of documents I had to work on, but I couldn’t barely see a word of it clearly. It had all blurred terribly before my eyes, and my mind was filled with thoughts of Annora and where she was. The worst of all dungeons. It was a war in my head— clashing between what I should have done and what I did, but where was the line? This should be easier for me.It was a mere maid, the daughter of the same man who’d ruined everything I needed. My actions were justified, but my heart could barely rest. Heat seemed to blossom in the low of my stomach, alongside a disturbing swirl that ached.This physical dilemma had never been something I’ve had to deal with. It was a new feeling, ever so nauseating and excessively frustrating. Sitting up with the pen in my grip, I tried to shift my concentration, but my mind reeled.I stood up and began to prance the room. I’d been
ANNORAI sat outside the healer's tent, my eyes fixed on the entrance as if willing Sora and Wendeline to wake up and tell me everything was going to be okay. But the tent remained still, the only sound coming from Magnus's humming as he tended to his patients.I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about everything that had happened. Aegon's anger, Wendeline's slap, the maids' accusations... it all swirled together in my mind like a toxic storm.And Aegon... why hadn't he even listened to me? Why had he assumed the worst and turned against me? I felt a sting of hurt and betrayal, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.I wiped them away, feeling a sense of determination dawn on me, or maybe it was foolishness. But I needed to talk to Aegon, to make him understand what had really happened. I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest, and began to make my way to his chamber.But before I could take more than a few steps, three guards appeared before me, their faces
AEGONFuck! Fuck!“Wendeline!” I bellowed as I pummeled down the hallway with my heart in my throat, set ablaze with fury. With worry.What happened!? What happened to her?? All I heard from the maid was that she was passed unconscious and I lost it all— every single tinge of sanity left in me vanished and I was left a mere shell of what I was supposed to be.I’d become less of an Alpha. More of a brother. A mere, powerful brother. I took the turn that led me outside, to the healers tent and the crowd pointed where I needed to look.“Leave! All of you!” I panted, sweat dripping from my head. My visual was clouded and my head pounded. Not Wendeline. Not her. I had done everything and would anything to ensure she never got hurt, ever. All of this was for her! Every single thing. “Where is she!? What happened?!” There was no one to question, I’d just sent them all away. The closer I got to the healer’s doorstep, the harder walking seemed. There was a clog in my chest– a sharp, shapele
ANNORAI made my way through the winding corridors, my feet carrying me on autopilot as my mind replayed the events of the past hour. Wendeline's words still stung, and I couldn't help but wonder why she hated me so much. My heart still raced fast from managing all that tension.Eventually, I found myself standing outside the healer's hut, my hand reaching out to knock on the door. But before I could, the door swung open, and a stern-looking healer blocked my path.“Can I help you?” she asked gruffly, eyeing me up and down that I felt like the smallest thing to ever exist.“I'm here to see Sora,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.The healer raised an eyebrow. “I'm afraid that's not possible. Magnus is attending to her, and he's given strict instructions that no one is to disturb her.”Fiery anger gushed in my veins, but I knew better than to argue with the healer. Instead, I nodded curtly and turned to leave.But as I walked away, I caught sight of Magnus sitting in the cor
AEGON“Wendeline?” Annora whispered, biting into the word like it was the most distasteful thing she’d ever named. “Is that Wendeline?”I shook my head, shifting my attention back to the the door, “Come–” “Are you insane?!” Annora yelled at me, wide-eyed like I had taken a knife to her neck. “You can’t let her in! She will know I am here. In the same room as you, Oh my god. She can’t find me here.”My brow pulled together because I didn’t understand what the problem with that situation was supposed to be. “And?”“And??” She repeated, then got cut short by Wendeline’s persistent knocking. “How else can I get out?”“You’re thinking about yourself way too much, woman.” I stood up and headed for the door, “Just sit still and look pretty. You being here is almost as insignificant as–”I heard a puffing sound and turned on my heels, then the scent hit me. Annora was way busy and determined to spray my perfume all over the room to cover her scent. What? And that wasn’t all, she dashed int
ANNORALeft Wing, Fourth room, I recited as I ate though it already felt like my throat was clogged yet my stomach wanted food. The emotions started to crash hard after I was done, sitting limply on the chair and thinking of how I never would have thought my life would change for any reason. Even the change I had always imagined was nothing like this.Now, I was an orphan, slaving away in a stranger’s pack with my one and only friend lying unconscious on the healer’s bed. My stomach flipped, and beads of sweat formed on my forehead.This wasn’t life. I needed to get even and get out of here. Get even? Even killing Aegon would never be able to make up for how much of a bastard he’d been, how many lives he’d wasted. This evening was a test. He seemed normal, so human with feelings and wrinkled smiles and jokes, all of that rubbed me off in the wrongest way. Why was he suddenly acting so different?I rose to my feet, feeling my eyes spin and my head start to ache like I was hit with a