As I delved deeper into the dense woods, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures surrounded me. The cool autumn breeze filled my lungs as I moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter. Hunger gnawed at my belly, and my arms ached from carrying my bow in search of sustenance, akin to a famished predator. The truth is, hunger grips not just me but all of us in Ferngrove.Until two years ago, Ferngrove thrived. Its lands were abundant, and fishermen returned daily with tales of plentiful catches. However, the past two years have been marked by hardship. Famine has become our unwanted companion. The once plentiful fish have vanished from our waters, and the wildlife seems to be in constant flux. Some whisper of a curse upon Ferngrove, but my father, the village chief, insists it's merely a phase. But how long must we endure?I press forward, my bow at the ready, its wood worn smooth by countless hunts. Each step reinforces my duty to provide for my family in
We waited in tense silence for Father to continue."The villagers are right. Ferngrove is cursed," Father's words echoed in the small room, sending a chill down our spines.Edina's reaction was palpable; her face drained of color, lips pale, and even her usual rosy cheeks devoid of their warmth. She withdrew her hand from Father's grasp, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding his gaze.I was puzzled. What did they know that I didn't? I tried to read Edina's expression, usually an open book to me, but now it was inscrutable.Summoning my courage, I managed to ask, "What's happening?""Do you remember the stories from your childhood?" Father turned to me, while Edina nodded in recognition. Memories of Mother's frightening tales and Father's warnings of a Fae lord with horns and fiery blazing eyes flooded my mind."He cursed the land, bringing famine for two long years before claiming his tribute," I whispered, my voice strained. "But... I thought those were just bedtime stories. Fat
As consciousness slowly seeped back into my senses, I was met with the biting sting of pain radiating from the cut at the base of my neck. Groaning, I struggled to open my eyes, the dim light of the dungeon flickering before me like distant memories. Sweat ran down every corner of my face sticking my long ruby hair to my neck in an uncomfortable manner.Blinking away the haze, I surveyed my surroundings. The dungeon was devoid of windows, enveloped in darkness save for the flickering torch mounted on the stone wall. The air was thick with the musty scent of damp earth and decay, sending a shiver down my spine.With each labored breath, I felt the weight of my predicament press down upon me like a suffocating blanket. Alone in this desolate chamber, I couldn't help but wonder about Edina, Father, and home. Were they safe? Did they mourn my absence, or had they already moved on, resigned to the fate I had chosen?Thoughts of Edina's tear-streaked face and Father's solemn gaze tugged at
As I stepped into the mansion, its exterior charm melted seamlessly into a captivating interior. Beyond the sun-kissed facade lay a mysterious labyrinth of stony corridors and cavernous chambers adorned with glistening chandeliers.My eyes trailed Calia's graceful figure as she navigated the grand halls with effortless poise, blending seamlessly into the grandeur. Yet, despite the lavish surroundings, an eerie emptiness pervaded the air, accentuated by the absence of any attending staff. Our footfalls reverberated through the silence, amplifying the sense of solitude.According to Calia, he's in his study, I reminded myself, my mind grappling with the surreal reality of sharing space with the Dark Lord—the very figure of dread from my childhood nightmares. Curiosity gnawed at me, wondering about the face behind the legend. Would he resemble the monstrous tales, or would he defy expectation, appearing as deceptively human as Rhaenan was?Breaking the silence like a shard of light throu
The mansion remained as tranquil as the day before, yet now, sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting enchanting shadows upon the plush velvet carpet adorned with intricate golden patterns. This place exuded opulence and grandeur.Asterin and Astrea strode ahead, their murmurs barely audible, tempting me to strain my ears in hopes of catching a snippet of their conversation. At last, we halted before a colossal golden door, its brilliance nearly blinding. It could only be genuine gold, a testament to the extravagance of this estate.With a firm knock from Astrea and synchronized movements, Asterin and Astrea swung open the door, revealing a breathtaking sight: the dining room. Its ceiling soared to dizzying heights, reminiscent of a royal castle. Rich hues of gold and crimson enveloped the space, evoking a sense of regality. Golden raven statues perched at each corner, adding an air of mystique to the already majestic ambiance.One of the pixies cleared their throat, th
As Jullian fell to his knees, gasping for air, a voice—my own voice—suddenly broke the tense silence. "Stop," I pleaded, my hands clenched tightly on my lap. "Please, you're going to kill him."All eyes turned to me, but my gaze remained fixed on Valen, whose golden eyes blazed with fury. His gaze bore into mine, as if daring me to defy him further. But in that moment, I knew I couldn't stand by and watch this man's blood be spilled.My plea seemed to snap Valen out of his trance, and for a moment, the intensity in the room lessened. His eyes softened, but only for a fleeting moment, before they hardened once more. "Where's Calia? Did she not inform you to stay out of my business and the business of my court?""Am I not part of the Court now?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity. Valen's gaze remained unfaltering. "Whether a prisoner or a guest, I now belong to this Court. I cannot sit idly by while you kill this man."Rhaenan had stopped eating and was now staring at me as if I
I'm stuck in my room all day, only called out for dinner alone at a table so long, you'd struggle to hear someone at the other end. At least the meals are good, fit for royalty even. Then it's back to my room for the night with the twin elf taking care of me before bed.But no matter how many questions I ask, no one wants to talk. I'm like a ghost here, invisible and unheard. It's been three days without seeing Rhaenan or Valen. Calia checks on me once a day, probably to make sure I'm not causing trouble.As the sun cast its gentle morning glow through the windows on the fourth day, a rhythmic knock on my door jolted me from my reverie. "Come in," I called out, my curiosity piqued.With a graceful stride, Astrea swept into the room, her wings elegantly folded behind her. It was evident she had flown up here, though she concealed her celestial appendages with practiced poise as she ventured further into the chamber. "Breakfast is served," she announced, her gaze sweeping over me with k
As I walked through the mansion's twisting hallways, my head was full of questions. I reached the library, a huge room filled with books. The shelves went on forever, and the smell of old paper filled the air. I felt like I was being watched as I walked among the stacks.The library exuded an aura of ancient wisdom, its towering wooden shelves adorned with weathered tomes and curious artifacts. A skull of some long-forgotten creature rested on one shelf, its empty eye sockets staring into the abyss, while feathers danced in the air, pinned to the wall like relics of forgotten dreams. It was a place where beauty mingled with horror, where the echoes of forgotten tales whispered through the shadows.As I wandered through the labyrinth of knowledge, my fingers trailed along the spines of the dusty books, each one a gateway to another world. With each step, the stone floor echoed beneath my boots, a steady rhythm punctuating the silence of the room. I couldn't help but wonder if Valen lur
MAERWYNN POVValen leaned back in his chair, sipping from his goblet of wine with an easy confidence that seemed to have returned alongside his power. He looked around at the three of us—Rhaenan, Caelora, and me—with a hint of a smile.“We fly for the main Court in two hours,” he announced, his voice carrying an edge of excitement under its usual composure.Rhaenan lifted an eyebrow, glancing at Valen with a dramatic sigh. “So, I see the power is back. Good news, I suppose.” His gaze shifted toward me, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Whatever you did, Maerwynn, it was effective. Though, for the record, I’m not sure I want to know how it happened.”Valen chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh, I’d be more than happy to explain—”Rhaenan cut him off with a hand raised in protest. “No, no, please spare me the details. Some mysteries are best left unsolved,” he said, feigning a shudder as he threw Caelora a look of mock horror. “Besides, I’m sure it involves far too much… bo
MAERWYNN POV Shifting closer, I positioned myself so his rigid length pressed perfectly between my thighs, resting hot and heavy against my aching core. The first touch of his silken skin against my slick folds drew simultaneous gasps from us, as if we’d both felt that spark travel straight to our bones.His fingers dug into my hips, possessive and grounding, while his gaze, dark and unwavering, held mine with a smoldering intensity."Need much of an excuse to keep me here, tangled in your sheets?" I teased, my fingers brushing along the line of his jaw. "And what if I don’t want to be kept?"His lips curved into a smirk, but his reply was soft, raw. “Then I would beg,” he murmured, the hoarse edge in his voice making it sound like a confession. “For you, I would. You've utterly destroyed me, Maerwynn. Do you have any idea what you've done?”The honesty in his words hit deeper than I’d expected, swelling an ache in my own chest that words could never touch.For him, I’d beg too. I’d
MAERWYNN POV My chest still heaved with ragged breaths, heart hammering as I stumbled to my feet, barely believing what I’d just done. I looked down at the ashes scattered where the Algoth had been, the ground blackened with the remnants of the creature. The red glow, the power that had surged from me—it was like nothing I’d ever felt, a fire born from desperation and fear, and it had obeyed me.Questions flooded my mind, but answers felt distant, as if buried beneath layers of fog. The silence of the woods pressed in around me, thick and watchful, broken only by my shaky breaths. I forced myself to calm down, to take stock of my surroundings. The forest no longer felt like an ally, each shadow seeming to shift with hidden threats, branches curling like reaching hands.I stumbled back down the path, my feet barely finding their footing on the uneven ground. I needed to find Valen, to feel the warmth and safety of his embrace again, to tell him everything that had happened. But even a
MAERWYNN POV I stirred in the dark, cocooned in warmth, Valen’s arm wrapped around me like a lifeline. His breath was steady against my neck, each exhale warm, soothing, grounding me in the present. Even in sleep, he held me close, fingers curled softly around my waist, as though he knew I needed him.But there it was again—a sound, just beyond the edges of my dreams, slipping into my mind like a whisper woven into the stillness of night. It was faint, almost like the rustling of leaves, but insistent.“Maerwynn…”The voice was soft, featherlight, yet it sent a chill down my spine. I blinked, squinting through the darkness of the room, trying to ground myself, trying to ignore it, but it tugged at me, pulling me out of the warmth, out of the comfort of Valen’s embrace.I shifted carefully, untangling myself from him. His arm slid away reluctantly, his hand slipping over the sheets, fingers brushing against me as if he sensed my leaving even in his sleep. I paused, just for a moment,
MAERWYNN POV“Who is Phillian?” I asked, watching Valen as we stood alone in his study. His fingers traced the air with effortless precision, casting spells that brought books gliding off the shelves, floating momentarily before finding their rightful places again.“The Prince of Lyria,” he replied casually, his attention still on the books. “He lives in the palace at the heart of Lyria. The Cidron is with him as well.”My heart gave an eager jolt at the mention of the Cidron. I’d heard stories about it for months, but to think I’d finally see it felt surreal. My mind drifted back to the map I’d seen, with the Palace—a tiny island nestled within the vastness of Lyria—right in the center of everything. But I couldn’t help my curiosity. “Why is he called Prince?”Valen seemed to read my thoughts, a faint smile playing on his lips. “We don’t have a king. Calling someone a ‘king’ would imply ownership of all the lands. But in truth, the five Lords rule over Lyria, with the Prince as an au
MAERWYNN POVAs I stepped into the garden, the morning air kissed my cheeks, carrying the scent of jasmine and damp earth. My gaze settled on Father, standing by Valen with a familiar ease that was surprising. They looked deep in conversation, voices low, their profiles softened by the sun filtering through the trees.Seeing me, Father’s face lifted, and a warmth filled his gaze. “Maerwynn,” he called, his tone laced with pride, though something softer lingered there too. He opened his arms, and before I knew it, I was wrapped in his embrace, the strength of his hold as grounding as the roots of an ancient tree.I waited, almost held my breath, expecting him to ask why I would leave with the faeries when Ferngrove had always been my home. My place was here, wasn’t it? Among the people I’d grown up with, the quiet familiarity of this town, the humans who felt so much like family. And yet, a deeper part of me whispered otherwise.I wasn’t like them—hadn’t been for as long as I could rem
MAERWYNN POVThe days that followed were as bleak as the encroaching winter. Valen and the others were leaving today, and so was I. Ferngrove had been my home, but Lyria was now my future, not just because of my mating bond with Valen, one of its High Lords, but because unlike Ferngrove, I had earned my place there.I had fought, survived, and therefore, I deserved to live in Lyria. Besides Father and Edina, there was nothing left for me here but names like "Faerie whore." Many in the village had wondered how I survived the trials of Lyria and emerged unscathed, suspiciously close to one of its leaders.Of course, the simplest explanation they could come up with was that I had slept my way through it all. The whispers were painful, but if even Adrian—the one person I thought would stand by me—could say such a thing, then I knew it was on everyone else’s lips too.“You’re gripping that bag awfully tight,” Valen’s voice cut through my thoughts. I looked up to see him leaning casually ag
MAERWYNN POV The past week had been a blur of grief and obligation, a ceaseless parade of townsfolk pouring through the doors, offering their condolences to Edina and the rest of us. It was almost mechanical—their hushed words, their somber faces, the baskets of tidings they brought. Wine, bread, berries, carefully wrapped in cloth. Someone had even knitted sweaters and shawls, as though wool could warm the kind of cold that had settled into this house, into Edinas bones, since Lorcan’s death.I hated it—the gestures, the empty sympathy. It felt like a veil over the reality we were living in, as though these gifts could somehow patch the gaping wound left behind. But Edina needed it. She clung to those small acts of kindness, retreating behind the routine of accepting them with a tight smile, her eyes hollow and distant.Valen and the others had done what they could, vanquishing the Algoths from the woods and temporarily reinforcing the barrier. It had been a hollow victory, though.
EDINA POVDinner time had long passed, and Maerwynn still wasn’t here, despite saying she’d return by now. I busied myself, helping the servants arrange the table. Plates, napkins, cutlery—it was something to do, to keep my mind occupied. Father and Adrian hadn’t returned from the harbor either. I didn’t expect to see them until noon tomorrow at the earliest.“Water pitcher, miss,” Helena, one of the younger servants, smiled kindly as she set the pitcher down, her voice soft. I returned the smile, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes, and moved the pitcher to the center of the table, ensuring everything was perfectly in place.Satisfied with my work, I rubbed my hands together, the ring on my finger sliding smoothly as I turned it absentmindedly. A tight smile etched itself on my lips. I hadn’t expected to grow this comfortable around the Faeries, not so quickly. Perhaps it was because watching Maerwynn with them had made it seem so effortless.She was always so free with them, laughi