❤️ The Priestess Visit (2) ❤️Dika Chamber:Early the next morning. Dika was already up in her chamber, moving with urgency. She quickly bathed in the warm water a palace maid had brought her. There was no time to waste—she had a mission to complete for Nyxoria, and her only prayer to the gods was that the priestess would be home. Nyxoria wouldn’t be able to keep up her act for too long, and Dika needed to move fast.After drying herself off, she dressed quickly, slipping into her black leather pants and a fitted long-sleeve tunic, stitched at the middle for easy movement. She grabbed her swords, strapping them securely across her back, and took one last glance at herself in the mirror. She wasn't that beautiful but she was very okay with her looks.Unlike Nyxoria, who loved riding her favorite horse, Penelope, Dika preferred relying on her own speed. Running was her strength, and she knew no horse could match the way she moved.Without wasting any more time, she stepped out of the p
❤️ The Priestess Visit (3) ❤️Nyxoria grinned widely, quickly grabbing her quill and parchment. She wrote down a message and handed it to Dika."You finally came."Dika read it and nodded, smiling back.Nyxoria gestured to the bed with her hand and Daisy went over to sit on it.Tharros, standing nearby, wasted no time. “Can you please check on her?” he asked, his tone laced with impatience.He had barely slept after his bath last night, waking up early when Vyrelen informed him that Dika and the High Priestess had arrived. Without hesitation, he had gone to meet them, ushering them into his castle. He didn’t want to waste another second—Nyxoria had suffered long enough. If the priestess could truly heal her, then this would be the last time he would ever raise a hand against her.“Don’t be in such a hurry, Emperor Tharros,” she said, stretching slightly. “I’m hungry. Have your staff prepare something for me. And make sure Mary, Nyxoria’s maid, doesn’t touch it. I don’t eat food from
❤️ Dramatic Nyxoria ❤️Dika tried to push Vyrelen away, but he didn’t budge. When she raised her fist to punch him, he quickly let go. It was a quick kiss, but it was enough to make her blood boil."You kissed me," she said slowly, her voice low with warning. Then she snapped, growling not caring who heard them, "Why would you do that? Are you insane?!"Vyrelen smirked. "I was merely returning the favor. You kissed me yesterday, so I kissed you today. Now, our fate is sealed," he said casually. "And just so you know, I don’t agree with that stupid idea of yours. I don’t share what’s mine, especially not my woman.""I said I’m not marrying you! You cannot force me.""Right, I can’t force you," Vyrelen admitted with a shrug. "But keep in mind, whoever you try to marry that isn’t me will end up dead. And even if you run away with a lover, I’ll find you. There’s no escaping this, Dika. You can’t escape me."Dika ran a hand through her hair, tapping her foot in frustration. "I don’t know
❤️ Her Hunch ❤️Vyrelen shrugged as he stood up to his feet and handed the bowl to Dika. "I did that so you wouldn’t have to stress yourself and still got no thanks for it," he muttered.Dika took the bowl and started eating without looking at him. "I didn’t ask you to. My legs work just fine."Vyrelen opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, a sharp cough interrupted the conversation.All eyes turned to Nyxoria as she coughed and tried to sit up.Tharros was worried as he tried to balance Nyxoria on the bed and rubbed her back in gentle circles to stop the cough."Why is she coughing, Priestess?" His voice was tense.Daisy sighed and wiped an imaginary sweat from her brow. "So you’ve never coughed before in your entire life, Emperor?"Tharros glared but stayed silent, watching as Nyxoria took deep breaths. Slowly, her coughing subsided, and she blinked as if adjusting to her surroundings.Nyxoria cleared her throat and looked at Daisy.Daisy leaned closer. "Can you hear me no
❤️ Daisy ❤️"I’m glad you will be getting your memories back," Dika said. "At least when you finally remember everything, we will have childhood stories to share.""I can't wait." Nyxoria beamed, excitement lighting up her face."If you need anything, just know I am available and will always have your back.""Thank you, Dika," Nyxoria said sincerely. She glanced toward the window, noting the position of the sun. "There’s still time for you to go to the Arcane, you know."Dika shook her head. "That’s your record, Nyxoria. I’m not breaking it. Besides, I already decided not to attend today. I’m staying here with you until evening."Nyxoria grinned mischievously. "Then let's not waste it, let's go and practice, the courtyard is massive and Tharros won't complain if we damage anything. In fact we are free to do that."Dika raised a brow. "You’re starting to like this insane prince, huh? I thought you’d hate him for defeating you."Nyxoria smirked. "He defeated me so he is worthy of me." B
❤️ Dika And Nyxoria ❤️Tharros Castle:Dika and Nyxoria stepped into the courtyard, the cool morning sun brushing against them as they prepared to fight. Dika pulled out a sword and tossed it to Nyxoria, who caught it with ease."Let’s play," Dika said, drawing her second sword and dropping into a fighting stance.Nyxoria grinned, twirling the sword in her hand perfectly. "Oh, you're on," she said, stepping forward.Dika didn’t waste a second. She lunged, her sword slicing through the air, but Nyxoria sidestepped effortlessly, smirking as she avoided the strike."You will have to do better than that," Nyxoria teased, flipping her sword and tapping the flat side against Dika’s shoulder.Dika scoffed. "Oh, I was just warming up."She faked a move to the left, then turned right, swinging low. Nyxoria barely dodged, her boots skidding on the stone courtyard. The clash of metal rang out, sharp and wild, as they exchanged blows—each strike more reckless than the last. But they were careful
❤️ Tharros Apology ❤️Nyxoria halted her sparring with Dika the moment she caught sight of Tharros approaching them from the corner of her eye. The guards who had gathered to watch the fight quickly returned to their posts, sensing the shift in the air."I will be around somewhere to give you two some privacy," Dika murmured, taking back her second sword from Nyxoria and sliding both into their sheaths.Nyxoria grinned and gave her a nod, watching as Dika strolled off."I sent someone to take her to the garden," Tharros' deep voice pulled Nyxoria's attention back to him. "At least that will keep her busy for a while."Before she could respond, Tharros did something that completely caught her off guard.He knelt down.Right there in front of her, on both knees, with his hands wrapped around hers.The murmurs around them grew louder as guards and castle staff stole glances at the sight of their Emperor kneeling before his bride."I know what you want to say," Tharros spoke first, his ga
❤️ His Tales ❤️"You have no right to let anyone who is not me, especially another man, to touch you," Vyrelen said, his tone firm as he locked eyes with Dika. Then, without warning, he reached for a handful of white roses from the garden and turned back to her.Dika frowned, eyeing the flowers in his hands suspiciously. "What are you doing?"Vyrelen lifted the roses slightly. "I want to put them in your hair since that's what you wanted."Dika scoffed, stepping back as he reached for her cornrows."So you can allow someone else to touch your hair, but not me?""Exactly.""You’re something else," Vyrelen muttered.Dika huffed, crossing her arms. "I was enjoying the view before you came out of nowhere and ruined it for me. So thank you very much, Mr. Poking-Nose. Thank you for chasing away that harmless guard away." She shoved at his chest with all her strength, but to her frustration, he didn’t even budge.Vyrelen merely smirked.Dika glared. "I told you—you're free to chase after any
❤️ The Nightweaver’s Dance ❤️“Dark fire against dark fire,” Vyrelen said, voice low but mocking as the flame that had hovered between them, the one that had waited patiently for Oberon’s command, began to fade and died, dissolving into the air like it had never been there.King Oberon was still frozen in place, his eyes wide, clearly not expecting Vyrelen to carry the same darkness he thought was his alone. Dark fire was a rare one from his ancestors and wig years of perfecting it, it became his strongest power.Recovering from the shock, Oberon forced a smirk and spoke through clenched teeth, “May the best of them win.”Vyrelen’s smirk widened. “Are you telling me that... or trying to encourage yourself?” With that, the flames in Vyrelen’s hair died out.Oberon’s expression twisted with fury. A low snarl rumbled from deep within his chest, and suddenly dark fire exploded from his palms. It wasn’t a calm flame, it was rage turned alive. The flames hissed with black embers, the heat s
❤️ The Fight for Her Hand Begins (4) ❤️King Oberon clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on his hands bulged, and without thinking, he slammed one of them down on the armrest of his seat. A loud crack split through the wood, drawing startled glances from a few nearby people, especially his elder of councils who are close to him. But no one dared speak. They all felt the fury rolling off him like heat from a wildfire.He was livid.Not just because he had lost, but because of how it happened. The fight he had put so much hope in, two warriors he had trusted with his reputation, his pride, his revenge, had ended in humiliation. The Cindercloak warrior, Legion, who once burned through battlefields without mercy, had fallen without Vyrelen even breaking a sweat. And the cursed spirit of Ashland, an ancient being said to hold the wrath of the land itself, was destroyed like it was made of sand, not stone.Oberon had thought at least one of them would wound Vyrelen. Just one injury.
❤️ The Fight for Her Hand Begins (3)❤️"I should make a move? Did you not see what he just did to the Cindercloak warrior?" the spirit's voice echoed through King Oberon's mind, filled with hesitation. "You’re not blind, are you, my Lord? That man didn’t even lift a hand to win.""Are you defying me?" Oberon snapped back through their mind link, his fists clenching tightly on the armrest. His eyes stayed locked on the arena. "You made a promise to fight my opponent. And you know well, the Fae never go back on their word.""A promise is a promise," the spirit replied calmly. "I will fight. But you could’ve told me your opponent was Tharros." There was silence for a moment. "Fighting someone connected to him is not like you fighting a warrior."Oberon ignored the warning and returned his focus to the arena."The winner of this round goes to the Emperor’s warrior," High King Vyr’s voice rang across the silent crowd, breaking the tension. "According to the rules, the fight continues until
❤️ The Fight for Her Hand Begins (2)❤️Ashland:Ashland, the sacred battleground where Kings and Queens came to prove their strength, was packed with people. Each section was divided by species, the werewolves sat with their council of elders, King Vyr and Princess Nasa seated at the front. Next came the vampires with their queen, followed by the mermaid queen and her people, then the witch king, and more.Everyone was seated and was anticipating the fight that was about to happen, it was as if nearly every kingdom was present in Ashland. At the center of it all was the arena, a place where only one could walk away. A fight to the death.Tharros sat above the rest of the rulers, in a seat made for the Emperor. He had made sure seats were prepared for Nyxoria and her friend Dika. When they arrived, Vyrelen dropped Dika off before heading to the arena. Tharros made sure Nyxoria sat beside her. He turned his seat backwards which faced the arena and sat down.“You’re not watching the figh
❤️ The Fight for Her Hand Begins ❤️Early The Next Morning:Elyria Kingdom:King Vyr, who had fallen asleep in his throne room after another failed search, was woken up by his daughter, Nasa.“You didn’t sleep in your chamber, did you?” Nasa asked, helping him to his feet. “Something’s bothering you.”Taking his seat and nodding his head. "Yes, something is truly troubling me." King Vyr admitted."Whatever it is, it can wait," Nasa said which made Vyr to look up at her."It can't wait, Nasa. Don't you care about my feelings anymore? Or do you not realize I will die if I don't find it?" He asked."I am not saying it's not important, but I am saying whatever it is can wait because we have a fight to watch," Nasa said. "Everyone is talking about it in the Arcane, we have got to go." She added.It was as if someone poured cold water on Vyr's body and it drew him to what today is."Today is the day of the fight?" King Vyr asked standing up to his feet, the tiredness gone.Nasa nodded her h
❤️ The Night Before Ashland ❤️"I don’t get it, Tharros. I know Vyrelen is your right-hand man, but calling him your shadow? That’s a little hard to believe," Nyxoria said, frowning."I know it’s strange, my love. But one day, you’ll understand," Tharros replied gently."So, he’s really fighting Oberon tomorrow?" she asked again to be sure and when Tharros nodded his head, she continued. "Where is the fight taking place?""Ashland." Tharros responded.Nyxoria's eyes widened in shock. "Ashland? The same Ashland that is at the outskirts of all kingdoms, the land that is forbidden to enter? That same Ashland?"Tharros nodded his head once again. "That same Ashland.""Why would Oberon choose such a cursed place? I heard there is an evil spirit that lives there who has a Fae blood and is very dangerous. If Vyrelen fights there, he’s walking into death. And we don’t even know who his opponent is.""You’re worried?" Tharros asked, smiling softly."Of course I am! Aren’t you? Vyrelen could di
❤️ Thousand Years To Love You ❤️Nyxoria noticed Tharros was leading her toward the garden. Once she sat down, a servant girl arrived with a bowl full of apples and grapes, placed it on the table, gave a small bow, and quietly left, just as Vyrelen and Dika walked in. Dika took a seat, while Vyrelen remained standing beside Tharros."What did she mean by ‘they… and you know them’?" Nyxoria asked Tharros.Tharros snapped out of his thoughts and gave her a small smile. "I might have an idea of who she was talking about, but I can't be too sure if it is them.""And what if it really is them?" she asked again.Tharros let out a deep breath. "They won’t hurt you, Nyxoria. I promise. I won’t let them. Trust me, they can't.""But why are they after me? I haven't hurt anyone and people that I don't know of are trying to hurt me," Nyxoria said with a frown and picked up an apple, biting into it angrily, nearly taking half of it in one go."When she’s upset, she eats like that," Dika commented,
❤️ Fefe's Fall ❤️Nyxoria had her bath. The water was warm, likely brought in by a servant, so she didn’t waste any time. Once she was done, she slipped into one of the long dresses Tharros had gotten for her that fit her.Not long after, they left for the throne room. This time, they didn’t use Tharros’ shadows. Nyxoria wanted to walk, to stretch her legs a bit.Taking her sword with her.††Throne Room:Fefe, still pretending to be Daisy, was getting frustrated. She had been standing for nearly an hour, and Nyxoria was still nowhere in sight.But what really annoyed her wasn’t the wait, it was Vyrelen.He had left the throne room briefly, returned before she could even blink, and told her Nyxoria and Tharros were on their way. When he first brought her in, she’d tried to sit in one of the empty seats around the round table, but Vyrelen stopped her.“Those aren’t for you,” he’d said flatly. “I’ll bring you a chair.”That was a lie.Instead of fetching a chair, he went to sit in one o
❤️ Unveiling Fefe ❤️Dika's Dream:Dika saw herself in an empty large room that could pass for a palace, The walls were painted red, but something about the color made her uneasy, it looked too much like real blood. She was alone, yet she felt like someone was watching her. Then, a woman appeared in front of her, tall, striking and beautiful, with two horns on her head."Who are you?” Dika asked immediately, eyes narrowing as she took a defensive step back. Theme first thing she noticed was the two horns in Bana's head.“I am Lady Bana,” the woman said smoothly. “I’ve come to offer you a proposal.”“So, I’m guessing you’re the one who pulled me into this weird dream?” Dika asked.Lady Bana nodded her head. “Yes. Like I said, I have a proposal for you and you will like it.”“And what’s that?” Dika asked, her tone sharp.“Join me,” Lady Bana said simply. “Help me destroy Nyxoria.”Dika blinked. “Wait—Nyxoria as in my friend Nyxoria? That Nyxoria?”“The one you know,” Lady Bana confirme