ANNORAThe sight of a fleet of carriages waiting for us as we emerged from the woods took me by surprise. Aegon nodded to Magnus, who helped Sora into one of the carriages.“I'll ride with Annora,” Aegon said, eyes locking onto mine.I felt a flutter in my chest as I entered the carriage with him. As the door closed behind us, Aegon turned to me, his eyes searching.“Why did you leave, Annora?” he asked again, as if he didn’t know who Wendeline was and what she was capable of.Did he think I left just because I wanted to? I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Wendeline doesn't like me. Why are you acting like you don't know how obstinate she can get?”Aegon's smile was wry. “You're already part of the family now, Annora. Kairel would never want anything to happen to you. What if Ryker had gotten to you? What would Kairel be thinking, feeling?”His words, as tender as they seemed, bruised me. He'd only come to save me because of Kairel?“So you came to save me just because of Kairel?
ANNORA “You!”I spat, my voice venomous. “How could you do something so evil? You almost killed her! What did I ever do to you?”Her face was battered and bruised, proof of the beating she must have received at the hands of the guards.Without hesitation, I rushed towards her, my anger and hurt boiling over. Emily didn't respond, didn't even flinch. She just kept staring at the floor, her expression blank.I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see Aegon standing beside me. “I just wanted you to see her. I didn’t bring her here to be torn apart.”But I shook him off, my emotions too raw to be calmed. “No. I deserve to know why she did this! What did I ever do to her? What would you do in my shoes?!”Aegon’s eyes lingered on mine, the judgment obvious in his expression. I almost forgot how much of a bitch he could be.“The guards found her in the woods today as they went for routine checks in the pack. She tried to escape, but they caught her.She was right under my nose all the
ANNORAI followed Wendeline into the garden, my eyes fixed on her as she wandered through the paths, her cane tapping against the stone floor. But as I watched, I realized that she wasn't using her cane to navigate - she was walking with a confidence that I couldn’t wrap my head around.I trailed behind her, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. Wendeline seemed lost in thought, her eyes fixed on some point in the distance. And then, she stopped in front of a large stone bench, her head tilted back as she gazed up at the stars.I frowned, my mind racing with questions. How could Wendeline be looking at the stars? She was blind, and couldn't see a thing. And yet, she seemed to be drinking in the sight of the night sky, her face tilted up in rapt attention.I watched, mesmerized, as Wendeline stood there, her eyes fixed on the stars. She seemed so peaceful, so serene. But I knew that I couldn't trust her - not after what I had seen.Just as I was starting to wonder what Wendeline
ANNORA I moaned lowly against his lips. I could feel his length pressing against my stomach. The way our tongues fought for dominance sent a shiver down my spine. I was soaking wet, and all he had done was kiss and caress me. I wanted more. I needed more.I shoved the guilt that was eating at me so far behind. I knew this was wrong. But it felt too good to stop now. The way our bodies melted into each other left no room for guilt.“God, you're delectable,” he growled against my neck after each kiss he placed while his hand caressed my breast. He paused, slowly releasing my nipple and watching my breast bounce in my sweater. “Wait, I need to taste you.” He looked at me, slightly hesitant, so I quickly added, “Please?”“You sure? You don't have to….” Before I could stop him, he snatched a fistful of my hair and pushed me to my knees. My eyes widened slightly, a rush of heat going to my core as I stared up at him. The ache between my legs wasn’t going away; it was just intensifying
AegonIt took all of my willpower not to keep thrusting. Her eyes widened when I pulled out, watching the dread spread across her face.Her plea sent jolts of pleasure up my back. “Aegon,” she squealed with desperation from my continuous teasing. Her skin had been cool, and she immediately let out a breathy sigh. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders.As I continued to rub my cock against her wet entrance, she moaned loudly, and I cupped her breast, rolling and pinching her nipple. I tugged on it at the same time that I nipped at the one in my mouth. Her knees came up on either side of me, her legs crossing behind my ass and pressing me into her.I gave her what she wanted, grinding my erection into the apex of her thighs. The feeling was strong without any layers of fabric. She shoved her hand down between us, stroking my erection. And she gripped it a moment later. “Just fuck me!”It twitched in her hand, and I groaned. I dragged my mouth off her nipple and up her chest, leaving
ANNORAI woke up to an empty bed, my heart skipping a beat as I reached out to feel the cold sheets beside me. Aegon was nowhere to be found. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, wondering if I had dreamed the entire night. But the memories of our passionate kiss, the way he had held me, and the way he had made me feel were still etched vividly in my mind.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my bare feet padding softly on the cold stone floor. I went to Aegon's office, hoping to find him there, but the room was empty, and the chair behind the desk was vacant. My heart skipped a beat, and I gulped hard, terror setting in waves. What if he had regretted what had happened between us? What if he didn't feel the same way?I didn’t know if I regretted it yet, but I needed him not to regret it. Making my way out, I walked back to the hallway, I noticed the maids whispering among themselves, their eyes darting towards me.A warm flush rose my cheeks as I remembered that I wasn’t
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
ANNORAI woke up to an empty bed, my heart skipping a beat as I reached out to feel the cold sheets beside me. Aegon was nowhere to be found. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, wondering if I had dreamed the entire night. But the memories of our passionate kiss, the way he had held me, and the way he had made me feel were still etched vividly in my mind.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my bare feet padding softly on the cold stone floor. I went to Aegon's office, hoping to find him there, but the room was empty, and the chair behind the desk was vacant. My heart skipped a beat, and I gulped hard, terror setting in waves. What if he had regretted what had happened between us? What if he didn't feel the same way?I didn’t know if I regretted it yet, but I needed him not to regret it. Making my way out, I walked back to the hallway, I noticed the maids whispering among themselves, their eyes darting towards me.A warm flush rose my cheeks as I remembered that I wasn’t
AegonIt took all of my willpower not to keep thrusting. Her eyes widened when I pulled out, watching the dread spread across her face.Her plea sent jolts of pleasure up my back. “Aegon,” she squealed with desperation from my continuous teasing. Her skin had been cool, and she immediately let out a breathy sigh. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders.As I continued to rub my cock against her wet entrance, she moaned loudly, and I cupped her breast, rolling and pinching her nipple. I tugged on it at the same time that I nipped at the one in my mouth. Her knees came up on either side of me, her legs crossing behind my ass and pressing me into her.I gave her what she wanted, grinding my erection into the apex of her thighs. The feeling was strong without any layers of fabric. She shoved her hand down between us, stroking my erection. And she gripped it a moment later. “Just fuck me!”It twitched in her hand, and I groaned. I dragged my mouth off her nipple and up her chest, leaving
ANNORA I moaned lowly against his lips. I could feel his length pressing against my stomach. The way our tongues fought for dominance sent a shiver down my spine. I was soaking wet, and all he had done was kiss and caress me. I wanted more. I needed more.I shoved the guilt that was eating at me so far behind. I knew this was wrong. But it felt too good to stop now. The way our bodies melted into each other left no room for guilt.“God, you're delectable,” he growled against my neck after each kiss he placed while his hand caressed my breast. He paused, slowly releasing my nipple and watching my breast bounce in my sweater. “Wait, I need to taste you.” He looked at me, slightly hesitant, so I quickly added, “Please?”“You sure? You don't have to….” Before I could stop him, he snatched a fistful of my hair and pushed me to my knees. My eyes widened slightly, a rush of heat going to my core as I stared up at him. The ache between my legs wasn’t going away; it was just intensifying
ANNORAI followed Wendeline into the garden, my eyes fixed on her as she wandered through the paths, her cane tapping against the stone floor. But as I watched, I realized that she wasn't using her cane to navigate - she was walking with a confidence that I couldn’t wrap my head around.I trailed behind her, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. Wendeline seemed lost in thought, her eyes fixed on some point in the distance. And then, she stopped in front of a large stone bench, her head tilted back as she gazed up at the stars.I frowned, my mind racing with questions. How could Wendeline be looking at the stars? She was blind, and couldn't see a thing. And yet, she seemed to be drinking in the sight of the night sky, her face tilted up in rapt attention.I watched, mesmerized, as Wendeline stood there, her eyes fixed on the stars. She seemed so peaceful, so serene. But I knew that I couldn't trust her - not after what I had seen.Just as I was starting to wonder what Wendeline
ANNORA “You!”I spat, my voice venomous. “How could you do something so evil? You almost killed her! What did I ever do to you?”Her face was battered and bruised, proof of the beating she must have received at the hands of the guards.Without hesitation, I rushed towards her, my anger and hurt boiling over. Emily didn't respond, didn't even flinch. She just kept staring at the floor, her expression blank.I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see Aegon standing beside me. “I just wanted you to see her. I didn’t bring her here to be torn apart.”But I shook him off, my emotions too raw to be calmed. “No. I deserve to know why she did this! What did I ever do to her? What would you do in my shoes?!”Aegon’s eyes lingered on mine, the judgment obvious in his expression. I almost forgot how much of a bitch he could be.“The guards found her in the woods today as they went for routine checks in the pack. She tried to escape, but they caught her.She was right under my nose all the
ANNORAThe sight of a fleet of carriages waiting for us as we emerged from the woods took me by surprise. Aegon nodded to Magnus, who helped Sora into one of the carriages.“I'll ride with Annora,” Aegon said, eyes locking onto mine.I felt a flutter in my chest as I entered the carriage with him. As the door closed behind us, Aegon turned to me, his eyes searching.“Why did you leave, Annora?” he asked again, as if he didn’t know who Wendeline was and what she was capable of.Did he think I left just because I wanted to? I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Wendeline doesn't like me. Why are you acting like you don't know how obstinate she can get?”Aegon's smile was wry. “You're already part of the family now, Annora. Kairel would never want anything to happen to you. What if Ryker had gotten to you? What would Kairel be thinking, feeling?”His words, as tender as they seemed, bruised me. He'd only come to save me because of Kairel?“So you came to save me just because of Kairel?
AEGONI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was met with a wave of pain that threatened to engulf me, and I gritted my teeth to keep from crying out. Where was I? What had happened?As I struggled to sit up, a voice announced, “He's awake! Get Magnus!” I winced, my head spinning, as footsteps rushed out of the room. I looked around, trying to take in everything at once. I was surrounded by familiar furnishings in my chamber, but something felt off.Memories began to trickle back, fragmented and disjointed. I remembered the hunting trip, the woods, and...Annora. I remembered pushing her out of the way, feeling the arrow pierce my flesh.I tried to sit up again, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the bed. What was wrong with me?The pain wasn’t numbed, but it was bearable, sinking into my back and slowly eating away at it. It wasn’t ignorable.Just as I was starting to feel like I was going to pass out, Magnus rushed into the room, a l
ANNORAI sat beside Aegon's bed, my eyes fixed on his pale face. The events of the previous day replayed in my mind like a nightmare - the arrow flying towards me, Aegon pushing me out of the way, the sound of the arrow piercing his flesh. I shuddered at the memory, a wave of guilt washing over me.Magnus had treated Aegon's wound, but the arrow had been poisoned, and it would take time for the poison to be flushed out of his system. I had stayed by his side all night, watching as Magnus tended to him, changing his bandages and administering medicine.As the first light of dawn crept into the room, I finally felt my eyelids drooping. I leaned back in my chair, trying to rest, but my eyes refused to stay closed. I looked up to see Magnus standing over me, a gentle smile on his face.“How is he?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Magnus nodded reassuringly. “He's fighting it. He'll be fine, very soon.”I nodded, relief washing over me. Magnus turned to me, his eyes narrowing sli
ANNORAAnd there was blood everywhere. On my hands, on the floor, all over him. “Aegon! Please!” I shouted, feeling myself hit a limit in my throat. It felt clogged— a huge bile sitting on it, blocking out words and my cries.I was still discombobulated by how fast he had yanked me out of the way. He took the arrow. That could have hit me. It could have hit me. There wasn’t anyone else in sight, not even a rustle to hear. I didn’t even know where the arrow had come from. Confusion dawned on me like a fog, clouding my vision, and I just crashed on the floor next to him, my hands all over him as though touching him would do a thing to change what had happened,“Anyone out there?!” I yelled, “Anyone! Someone is hurt!” Aegon had fallen on his back now, his face flat on the floor. My gaze was glued to the arrow protruding in his back, my hands shaking uncontrollably.It felt like my brain had been wiped clean, yet simultaneously thrown into a fight or flight response, but my body wouldn'