Zedekiel frowned, his violet eyes fixed on the transmission mirror resting in his palm. Its glow had dimmed, leaving only a faint shimmer across its surface. “That’s… strange,” he murmured. “No one’s answering.”“Maybe they can’t,” Talon said from his place near the hearth, where he was meditating to replenish his energy. He had expended a lot to burn the last fragment of Murrowbane in Zedekiel’s heart and the rest of the Dark magic in his bloodstream. His scarlet eyes flicked to the mirror before narrowing. “For all you know, you could be calling at the worst possible time. Fucking turn it off before you get someone killed.”Zedekiel sighed, his grip on the mirror tightening. Talon was probably right. Whoever sent the mirror had likely stolen it from his library and he could only think of one person who would do that.Cordin.He was the only one besides Ron who had access to the library. If Cordin had managed to get in and send the mirror, it meant they urgently needed to contact him
“This is my fucking business,” Zedekiel shot back, sitting up straighter in the bed. He winced for the sudden movement sent a twinge of pain through his body."Hey, be careful!" Sera exclaimed, alarmed. She tried to help him lean back on the pillow but Zedekiel ignored the pain, giving her a look that meant he was okay before turning back to Talon. “Look you're both my friends, Talon. I can’t just sit here and watch you two waste time fighting. I get it. What Alaric did was bad—”Talon raised a brow in challenge.“Fine,” Zedekiel corrected himself, clearing his throat. “It was horrible. To some extent, unforgivable. But I’ve seen the way you look at him, Talon. You act like you hate him when he’s around, but the second he’s not, you’ve got that lost look in your eyes. Like you want him to come back, like you want to spend hours holding him and talking to him but you also can’t bring yourself to tell him that.”Talon’s expression flickered slightly. His fists loosened, and he let out a
The gates swung fully open, revealing a breathtaking sight. A fleet of pure white horses stretching as far as the eye could see and at the forefront sat Prince Ludiciel, his short silver locks catching the sunlight, a broad grin splitting his face the second he sighted Zedekiel."Brother!" Ludiciel shouted and without hesitation, he leapt off his horse, striding toward him.Zedekiel met him halfway, gripping the back of Ludiciel’s head and pressing their foreheads together.They both dropped their barriers entirely and their minds linked. Memories and experiences rushed into Zedekiel’s consciousness and likewise Ludiciel’s. In the blink of an eye, they both saw everything that they had been through in the entire 3 months they'd been apart."You idiot," Zedekiel muttered, his tone a mixture of fondness and exasperation. A small smile tugged at his lips as he pulled back, ruffling Ludiciel’s hair. "Well done brother."Ludiciel chuckled, engulfing Zedekiel in a tight embrace. "You too, b
Alaric cried because of him. And then the despair and loathing in Alaric’s voice broke his heart.Zedekiel was right. Despite what happened years ago, his feelings for Alaric never diminished. They were just covered by hate and anger.When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, Talon pressed their foreheads together, his ragged breaths brushing against Alaric’s face. His crimson eyes burned with a mix of fury and pure possessiveness that sent a shiver through Alaric’s body.“You—” Alaric started, but his voice faltered when he saw the raw emotion in Talon’s gaze. He was confused. He had said all those things to push Talon away, to make him hate him. Yet here they were, locked in this breathless moment. It made him wonder if Talon had heard his conversation with Lyca from the beginning.Finally, after some seconds, Talon pulled away, his hand dropping from Alaric’s neck.“You say such fucking hateful words but whenever I look into your eyes, all I see is a longing so deep you canno
Her teeth clenched, rivulets of sweat running down her face and back as she absorbed Zedekiel’s pain until she couldn't anymore and spat out a mouthful of blood, stumbling backwards."Mother!" Elliot panicked, rushing towards her.Thankfully, she was caught in time by Sera who gently lowered her unto a nearby chair. "Are you okay?"Elliot held his mother's hands, worried. Sometimes she transfers more pain that she can handle unto herself. "Mother, are you okay?" He asked. "Can you hear us?""Oh my God," She gasped, shuddering as she stared at Zedekiel in disbelief. "how can you deal with all of that pain? I took only a fraction away, but I feel like I’m being melted from the inside out. How can you even walk? Or talk?"Everyone gazed at Zedekiel, shocked. They hadn't thought that he was carrying so much pain and he never said anything.“I only need to think about my little husband." Zedekiel said softly, his voice tinged with sadness as he thought about Ron. "I imagine the kind of pai
The moonlight bathed the castle gardens in a soft silver glow, illuminating the vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. Zedekiel and Ludiciel strolled along the cobblestone path, the quiet hum of nature surrounded them.“How are you holding up?” Prince Ludiciel asked gently, breaking the silence.Zedekiel glanced at his brother, understanding the true intent behind the question. Prince Ludiciel wasn’t asking about his health. He was asking about Ron.“Bad,” Zedekiel admitted sighing heavily. “I can’t concentrate much on anything because he’s all I can think of. I keep thinking about what he's doing, how he's doing, whether he's eating or sleeping well. What I worry about the most is if he's at peace being sealed within his own body or if he's being tormented and if whoever possessed him is treating his body like the treasure it is."He came to a stop before a bush of wild roses swaying gently in the night wind. They reminded him of Prince Ron's soft curls which he loved to touch. H
Zedekiel froze, the words echoing in his mind like a deafening roar. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.Pregnant? Ron was pregnant?His violet eyes widened in disbelief. “B-But how is that even possible?” he asked. “You’re telling me that Ron is not only fighting for his soul but also carrying my child?”"Uh...children, Your Majesty." Cordin corrected hesitantly. "Prince Ron is pregnant with not just one child Your Majesty, but… four.”The mirror trembled in Zedekiel’s hand as he staggered backward, but Ludiciel instinctively reached out, steadying his brother.“Are you sure about this, Cordin?” Ludiciel asked, unable to believe what he was hearing too.“I swear on the Earth Spirit, Your Highness,” Cordin said earnestly. “The royal physician sensed four distinct breaths. Prince Ron is pregnant with quadruplets.”Zedekiel’s knees buckled. “I-I need to sit down,” he muttered, unable to comprehend the news.Ludiciel guided him to a nearby stone bench in the moonlit garden. He sank onto
In the stillness of the night, the Nethridge castle grounds were eerily silent. Only a faint crackle of static electricity in the air could be heard in the garden. Suddenly, a space within the garden split open with a crack, a jagged tear forming in the fabric of reality itself. Lightning leapt from the fissure, streaking across the darkness like veins of molten silver. The rift widened, until it stood as tall as a grown man, its edges rippling like disturbed water with streaks of lightenin around it.From within the space, a figure emerged. Cloaked in robes as dark as midnight, every inch of the being was concealed except for its hands. The exposed fingers were blackened, the colour of charred wood, and thin, writhing lines coiled and twisted beneath the translucent skin, like snakes moving around.The portal snapped shut after the figure stepped out. The lush grass beneath its feet turned brittle and brown, the vibrant flowers shriveling and collapsing into ash. With every step he t
Kayziel snickered inwardly, though he kept his expression solemn. It didn’t matter whether the phoenix joined or not. The moment Zedekiel saw what he had to show, the damage would have already been done. He couldn't believe his nephew was still so naive. Even after all the centuries that had passed, he still trusted people easily.So foolish.Zedekiel had hacked off his limbs one by one and sealed him beneath the sacred roots of the Mother Tree. Stripped him of power, dignity, and freedom.Now, he had destroyed his plans to take over Netheridge and live a good life. Why should he let Zedekiel be happy?He already knew that Zedekiel was not going to let him off. He was going to die in the most painful way Zedekiel could conjure so he would take something from Zedekiel first.If he could not live, then let his nephew’s love burn instead.“What are you waiting for?” Zedekiel snarled, his grip tightening around the Soul Crucible. He had half a mind to not see what Kayziel wanted to show t
Alaric didn’t answer. His face, usually impassive, was drawn tight. His onyx eyes were stormy and his lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but no words came. He clenched his jaw and fists, unable to tell Zedekiel what he was about to see. How would he even tell him? They had opened the lantern, ready to unleash hell on whoever had possessed Ron but when they saw who it was, they knew Zedekiel had to be called back.Zedekiel drew in a deep breath. He didn’t need words to know something was deeply wrong. He couldn't wait to know what it was so he increased his speed, disappearing in a blur and reappearing before the cell door in the dungeon’s lowest levels. Alaric arrived three seconds later.They both stood still for a moment, facing the thick metal door and Zedekiel curled his fists. It was time to face whoever had made their lives hell for 3 months.He pushed open the door, the hinges creaking as they stepped inside. The room was dimly lit by the light pearls embedded into the walls
“Wow, I never knew Prince Ron was so brave and fierce.” Elliot said to Prince Ludiciel, looking thoroughly fascinated.Prince Ludiciel wasn't sure if it was because of Prince Ron or the story or both.“Judging by his looks, one would think he cannot handle a sword but did you see those moves?” Elliot continued. “He once wrestled a python and rescued a princess from a tiger. Then he saved your brother and travelled all the way to the North to marry him. Isn't that amazing?”Prince Ludiciel didn't know whether to laugh or cry. “It's amazing indeed.” He answered, nodding. He couldn't even imagine Prince Ron wrestling a python or rescuing a princess from a tiger. Knowing the lazy Prince, he would just assign Leo to do all the fighting and rescuing.Then again, it didn't really matter. It was a nice story Prince Ron told. Now he knew how Prince Ron met his brother.“But wait,” Elliot said, pausing. “If Prince Ron went after your brother, when did he get the chance to tell the story to the
He paused dramatically and everyone shook their heads.“Exactly! No, he didn’t!” Prince Ron pointed with glee. “He turned every one of them down, declaring boldly that he would only marry for true love!”Everyone went; “Awww.”“And then!” Prince Ron threw up his hands with a dramatic flourish. “One day, the brave Prince was at an inn. He’d heard rumors about some King in the North—one who dared to ask for his sister’s hand in marriage. But this Prince wasn’t the type to trust someone based on hearsay, so he went himself to gather intel.”At this point, Zedekiel frowned. Why did the story sound familiar but wrong somehow?“So there he was, chilling at the bar, sipping on ginger ale and chatting with the barkeep, when he spotted someone. A ridiculously handsome man, sitting alone in the corner, just enjoying his meal.”Zedekiel’s frown deepened. This story sounded really familiar…“What the handsome man didn’t realize,” Prince Ron continued, “was that a group of shady-looking bandits ha
Prince Ron gasped, eyes going wide. “Your what?!”Elliot smiled sheepishly, but his eyes flicked affectionately to Prince Ludiciel as he held his hand. He never really thought some harmless flirting with an Elf Prince in a flower house would result in a relationship but he was happy it did. Prince Ludiciel was the most caring, considerate, and loving creature he had ever met.Prince Ron was still stunned. He glanced at his beloved who was just smiling and then he realised that his beloved already knew! Was he the only one that didn't know? Was he the last to know? Why didn't they tell him first? His brother-in-law had found a partner! He was the one that was supposed to announce it in a grand style! Throw a party! Celebrate!He gazed at the couple then asked with little hope. “I-I'm not the last one to know, am I?”Zedekiel shook his head with a sigh. Was that was his little husband was concerned about?The Ice Fairy Queen, Prince Ludiciel and Elliot chuckled.“Well…the entire Royal f
Prince Ron sat obediently on a bed—well, as obediently as he could manage—while the Ice Fairy Queen moved gracefully around him, her shimmering white gown trailing like mist on ice. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled as she checked over him and gently examined his belly.“Would you stop staring at her and smiling like that?” Zedekiel, who was beside him, holding his hand, huffed.Prince Ron blinked. “But I’ve never seen an ice fairy before, let alone their queen.” He replied with a pout. Besides, she was really pretty. Her knee-length snow-white hair swayed as she moved, and everything about her was elegant, ethereal… cold, but really beautiful. He wondered if she had wings and if she would show him if he asked.“I don’t care.” Zedekiel grumbled. “Stop staring. Now. It's rude.” And what happened to him being the most handsome in the world? If his little husband wanted to stare at someone, couldn't he stare at him? The Ice Fairy Queen was his friend but he couldn't help feeling jealous whe
From the sidelines, Alaric and Talon watched in silence. Neither spoke, neither moved. They just stood there, watching Zedekiel and Prince Ron, a million thoughts racing through their minds.Talon’s gaze lingered on Prince Ron and Zedekiel, the way Zedekiel held his Prince Ron so tight, yet so gentle, the way Prince Ron melted into him, safe, reassured, like he trusted Zedekiel more than his own self and looked to the Elf King to keep him together. Prince Ron looked at Zedekiel like he was the only one he could see. As if when they were together, nothing else mattered and it was just them.His hands clenched at his sides in frustration. He wanted that. He wanted that and more. He felt envious—achingly envious. To the extent that his chest felt stuffy, and his teeth ached. He wanted to hold a particular person like that, have the person look at him with that kind of love, that kind of devotion. He wanted the person to trust him, to make him feel like he was the only one in the entire w
Prince Ron beamed, rubbing the back of his precious frying pan. Oh, he’ll make it count alright.And make it count he did.Some minutes later, the dungeon echoed with a loud CLANG as Prince Ron’s frying pan made direct contact with Hugh’s head. The unfortunate man let out a strangled grunt before slumping forward, completely dazed. He didn’t know if it was because he had received several beatings from Zedekiel earlier, but the human Prince’s hit was quite painful. He was tired and he wanted it all to stop.But Prince Ron was not done. He signaled the guards to lift Hugh up which they did. He then took two steps back and BANG! smacked Hugh on the side of his face. Blood sprayed against the wall of the cell and Hugh groaned, coughing out a mouthful of blood and a few teeth.Everyone’s eyes widened in alarm. Was the human prince that strong or was the frying pan really that heavy?Prince Ron glared down at Hugh, his grip tightening around the handle of the frying pan. For three months, h
Prince Ron’s attention, however, was immediately drawn to the weird and spooky looking lantern. His emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity as he pointed at the lantern. "What is that?" he asked, staring at the glowing light. He had never seen such a lantern before. Could it be a genie? He wouldn’t be surprised if it was though. He fell in love with his sister’s husband to be who turned out to be an Elf, married him while having sex under the moonlight and was now carrying his babies. He had also been kidnapped by a deranged Elf and was saved by his beloved who brought along a weak rude witch. They even battled the Dark Lord from hell who came to take him away and some hours ago, he was possessed by an evil uncle Elf spirit. Seeing a genie now who could grant three of his wishes would not surprise him at all.Although, he did truly wish it was a genie. His first wish would be to have more stamina so he could go long hours in bed with his beloved! He could never forget the way his beloved