Ariana’s POVIn a sudden twist of events, I wasn’t dead.Jasper’s sword hung above me, dancing in my face. In a way, if felt like it mocked me. The sharp blade hovering above me, capable of taking my life but just not doing it.I wondered why I wanted to live, why in that moment where I thought my life had ended, I decided not to die.I had no one and the empire my father built was in shambles. But looking at the face above me that mocked me, thrilling in his devious act of mercy, my decision had been made.I knew I wanted to kill him. I had said it, meaning every word as though I tattooed it in my bones.My death ultimately meant nothing when I thought about it so why should I decide to die now? When he’d still be alive, why would I die living in a world where he simply lived and triumphed?In my father’s kingdom, in my own domain. He had no right to be here, he had no right to take their lives, he had no right to defeat me with such power I couldn’t wield to my will, power I couldn’
Ariana’s POVI opened my eyes the next day to see that the entire kingdom had been told a falsehood, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.So I kept mute, watching as the doctor kept calling my name in an attempt to know if I was present, but I stared emptily not answering anyone, not even myself.I remained like that for three days not moving. I kept having nightmares of the moment it all happened, as well as the stark reminder that I was now truly an orphan.The doctor said I had survived a rebel group surprise attack, which to him was a remarkable feat, because my injuries were life threatening. He mentioned that I had a broken bone in the middle of my hand, and a slit arm. There was also a stab on the place above my heart, and the purple bruise on my cheek further showed my pitiful state.He tried to be sympathetic, and compassionate. He talked about my parents alleged disappearance, and his words caused a punch to my heart, not that he noticed.He spoke that Jasper had bec
Lorna’s POVWhen the time was just right, or rather when my hatred couldn’t wait without pause any longer, I lunged at Jasper with a sword in both hands, stabbing him.The feeling of his flesh being harshly pierced caused me so much euphoria I was trembling from the excitement. It pleased me so much.I was finally able to cause him pain, the way he did when he sent me to eternal damnation. He was the cause of my misery. He was the reason I had to sell my soul and that of my child. So he deserved the same fate as me if we were both going to suffer eternally.The thought to kill him first came when he’d threatened to kill all the first born children in the land. After hearing that I lost my ability to reason.So he was this demonic to really do it once and wanting to doing it consistently. I couldn’t watch another murder.Watching him torture Ariana filled me with anger and her unwillingness to bow her head to him — it captured me forever.It was almost like I was watching a more horrif
Ariana’s POVWhen I was sixteen, my mother asked me the kind of wedding I’d dreamed to have and then — though hidden — in love with my best friend, Jasper, I blushed, the daydreams of what would’ve been my happiest day flooding in.With a cheeky smile, I answered, “A quiet wedding, where we’re all surrounded by family and peace with good wishes from the people of Warwick.”Six years later, here I stood, dressed in a fully blown wedding gown, with Jasper beside me, a full prideful grin in display.There was no smile on my face, hardly any presence of life within me but when I was asked to read my vows, I did. When I was asked if I took Jasper as my husband and all it entailed, I let the silence hang for one minute before replying - “Yes, I do.”There was a shaky clap that came after, before it grew louder. My parents weren’t here, smiling at me with so much pride and happiness.The wedding wasn’t a quiet wedding as Jasper invited everyone he could, and the whole wedding looked so sour.
Ariana’s POVThere were a lot of questions that roamed through my mind at that moment but I faced the most pressing issue - what did Fenrir’s presence in my room meant and what plans did he have.He continued standing in front of me, smiling, his faint bruises showing.“Even when I was about to steal your entire dream from you with blood dripping down your head, you didn’t look this dried up. What more monstrosities did he commit against you, your majesty?” He folded his arms.I said nothing, watching him with my entire guard on. The way I answered his question would determine what route of approach I had chosen to uncover his mission and his reply would be the key.“I will grant you a simple wish if you help me escape Warwick. After I discover the secret to killing the current king, finishing him off and taking back my throne.”His smirk turned into a wide grin, “You have a deal.”His reply and agreement for assistance came so quickly without hesitation it shocked me. I eyed him susp
Ariana’s POVThe border came in front of us, the heavily oppressive energy causing us to raise our guard and quieten our movements. I walked closer behind Fenrir, watching the intense amount of guards present.“Do as instructed, quickly.” He whispered harshly.I responded with quickness, popping a grape in my mouth, swallowing with a sour look written on my face.My face then began to shrunken, losing all its remaining fire, going very pale. My skin looked tired, down and without the smoothness of luxury. I had gone from royalty to roadside pauper who strangers would actually feel bad for.The grape was a potion that was created to poison beauty, creating a mockery of what was once desired. In my terms, the perfect cover.I then moved to his side, turning my face away although not fully. Fenrir walked firmly as though we had nothing to hide.When we got to the border, each eye watched us as we passed by, either suspiciously or on default as we proceeded to the gate. I found it simply
Ariana’s POVBy afternoon, Sigil and I had reached a small town just before the Central Academy.What fascinated me about this place was that regardless of if being an extremely small town, it embraced a vibrancy Warwick did not have, especially currently. There were decorated traditional lights on buildings as we passed through, and the entire place bustled with activity.“A fascinating place, isn’t it?” Sigil spoke, watching me with a smile.“Yes, it is.” I answered truthfully, filled with a strange kind of warmth.Secretly I hoped for this kind of future for Warwick. Maybe this was the dream my father struggled to actualize.He caught up to me, “You know the best thing about this place?” He asked, grinning from ear to ear.I shook my head, actually interested.“If you’re lost with no place to stay, all you have to do is walk up to someone and tell them. Instantly you’ll be offered numerous places to rest and the active officials will take their time to help you. Amazing, right?”Tr
Damon’s POVEach passing day without news from Ariana crippled me. It felt as though someone had placed a ticking bomb in front of me without knowing when it was eventually going to explode.Some days I could hardly sleep or blink and some times it felt like my sanity was being tethered away from me by the sharp jaws of anxiety. What enraged me the most was the fact that I was insufferably useless.I couldn’t leave, I couldn’t run towards her light no matter how much I dreamed of it, I was doomed to be here, where the shadow wanted me to be.In some ways I had been kept in a maze with the singular entrance and open route inexistent, leaving me searching around in a prison of no escape. But I never stopped searching regardless hoping that I’d still find the exit, and she’d be standing there, waiting for me.“Sir,” A student called from behind me.I paused, not bothering to turn back, “What is it?”“I... just,” He stuttered, clearing their throat, “I’m looking for a book and I don’t kno