“What’s he going to do? Tell them?” Lukas gives an incredulous laugh “Leon is the type to observe chaos from a far and enjoy it. He doesn’t like petty squabbles.” “Are they too unrefined for him?” I mutter “Definitely.” He answers anyway, and pours me a glass of wine too “Didn’t I tell you? We’ll
“You sound like you have someone in mind.” I say Lukas grins “Who better than the people who’ve already faced one of these Lycans?” Oh! Of course, since the bodies were cremated, it means someone had to kill the effected Lycans first. “They’re a tough bunch though.” Lukas puts a fist to his chin
Come along… Come along?! I stare dumfounded at the Empress’ face, far from any tact I’ve learned in my life. “What could you have to talk about with My Lady, Your Majesty?” Zen asks, coming to stand by my side “Isn’t this what you’re after?” The Empress gives him an unimpressed look “To restore t
“I would take that as a compliment, Your Majesty.” I make sure to hesitate when I raise my head again, peering at her. She gives me a smirk, slightly amused and starts walking again. I follow a step behind, but she beckons me forward, so we walk side by side. “Do you know imperial etiquette?” I d
“You two haven’t been properly introduced to each other, have you?” She says, then looks back at the Knight He doesn’t hesitate “Captain of the Empress’ Royal Guard, Theodore, at your service, Lady Sigmond. It is an honor to make your acquainted.” It takes very ounce of willpower in my bones not t
The walk back to the Crystal palace is most winded one I’ve ever taken. No longer has Sir Theodore left that I break into a run, hurrying to the hallway where my room is, my heart beating loud in my ears. So this is what she had in mind the moment she knew Zen had a ‘soulmate’. Someone to hold ont
“Did I? All I did was talk about my ambitious goals and you were so enthralled that you forgot everything that was on your mind.” Lukas winks “Hardly my fault, don’t you think?” I shake my head with a sigh. Well, I’ll give it to him that he successfully distracted me and consequently, I feel a lot
Of course, I know that much. I know just how easily my life could end here any moment. But still… “You don’t sound like you disapprove though.” I point out “Don’t you think I might drag down the team?” “Magic affinity is helpful when looking for traces of a curse.” Lukas tells me “And one of your
I barely manage to find a waste bucket before everything I had for breakfast retches out. My throat burns. My vision is blurry. I dry heave every single thing in my stomach, warmth seeps out of the corners of my eyes. I can’t breathe. The smell of blood is everywhere. I sit there, holding the edges
The smell of rotting flesh is disgusting. Its muscle memory to pull the gloves over my hands, pick a scalpel off the medical tray. The body on the metal table in front of me has no head. ‘You have to take a sample of flesh, a sample of blood and take a look at the internal organs.’ Aunt Cynthia’s
How adorable. Apparently, I’m the only one who thinks so, since when I turn back around, everyone from the fourth prince and the first order to passing strangers and our coachman is looking on in disbelief. Is it so difficult to imagine Zen would get along with children? “Don’t leave your mouth ha
“My Lady, am I mistaken or is the fourth prince avoiding me?” I look up from knotting the satchel to my belt to face Zen. There’s a slight furrow in his brows, and he looks at Lukas, standing far, far from us and talking with the first order soldiers. The fourth prince has indeed, been avoiding Ze
I need to move. But even as I think that, I cant bring myself to move. He’s holding me too firmly, I think, entirely reasonable. I won’t be able to slip away like this. Even the most critical part of me can’t find that to be entirely an excuse. After last night, I doubt there’s anyone who would lik
I wake up to the sound of a door knock. My sleep hazed brain registers the sound, recognizes it, and promptly ignores it in favor of cuddling into the warmth of my bed once more. I don’t want to wake up just yet, since last night I fell asleep so late— Last night? My eyes open, blurry with sleep,
But he’s looking at me now, as if the answer might crush him, as if he’s bracing himself for it. I reach out to drape my arms over his shoulders gently, they hang down in front of his chest lightly. “Why? Because you did your job?” I ask quietly, hold his gaze “Or because you didn’t hesitate to do
“Lift your arm, please.” I say, and my voice comes out soft If we weren’t sitting so close to each other, I would’ve missed it. His shoulders tense up, the even breathing stilled into nothing. “You don’t have to do that, Dinah.” Zen finally says My brows furrow. Zen might be a warrior among warri
On the second floor hallway of the hotel, my eyes drift to the room where Zen is supposed to be. My room is just at its side. I wonder if I knock on his door right now, would he be annoyed? He did ask not to be disturbed. The image of his bloodied arm flashes in my mind. Just a moment. I just want