Ella - POV "Why can't I just catch a break? I keep seeing Darcus shadowing me everywhere." Hana and I sat in the back of the restaurant's garden area. We had decided to forgo the spa, my rage needing a physical outlet. Unfortunately, poor Hana became the unwilling audience to my tirade for an hour. "Why doesn't that jerk Darcus just go to hell and spontaneously combust? I can't understand this guy," I lamented. "Ella, seriously, calm down. You're giving me a headache," Hana finally snapped, halting my pacing and complaining. I joined her on the bench and tried to regain my composure with a few deep breaths. "Amid all my drama, I forgot to ask about your doctor's appointment." Hana's gaze dropped to her stomach, and she smiled softly. "I was overjoyed when I saw our baby on the sonography screen. I can't wait to meet him or her. Luke was ecstatic too, as you know," she began, but her voice trailed off into sadness. I could tell Hana was grappling with the pain she associated with L
Ella - POV "Of course, let's go, Babe. We're done here." Wrapping my arm around him, James graced me with a radiant smile that fluttered my heart. Why was he so irresistible? Darcus remained impassive, devoid of any visible emotion. As James's hand settled on mine, it returned my attention to him. We left Darcus behind, his watchful gaze prickling at my back. "Ella, you're mine." A voice echoing Darcus's tones resonated in my head, causing me to halt abruptly. James shot me a confused and concerned look, trying to figure out why I'd stopped. Turning around, I saw Darcus was already out of sight. "I just had a strange feeling, James; I just..." His expression deepened with worry. A wave of weakness swept over me, causing my knees to buckle. Quickly reacting, James caught me around the waist, stopping my fall. "Don't worry, Babe. I'm here. We're going home so you can rest." Confusion whirled inside me as he lifted me in a bridal carry to the car, securing me gently in the passenger s
Darcus - POV Seated in a dimly lit room, I nursed a whiskey, the liquor doing little to ease the pain. Seeing Ella so close to the warlock stung. I could feel Drago, my dragon, flinching at the sight of our mate with someone else. I missed Ella deeply, yet I couldn't let others, particularly my mother, meddle with my destiny. Regrettably, I'd made the mistake of heeding her advice, naively believing I was protecting Ella. I should've sought counsel from the shrine's priest and followed his guidance to solve the issue. I still had an opportunity to discuss my concerns with Tiamat's priest, but I had to keep them under wraps. If other royals discovered my problems, it would alarm those internal enemies who knew my weaknesses and sought to exploit them. The Duke Garcia family, Zac, and my mother were the only ones who knew about Ella, my mate. Apart from them, no one was aware of my human partner. My father and I had a strained relationship. He needed to be informed about my mate, an
Darcus - POV "Your Majesty, the search team has found no trace of our former king yet. However, as soon as I receive an update from the team, I will immediately notify you, Your Majesty," she said calmly, her voice belying the rage in her eyes. My glare caused her to straighten her posture. How dare she express anger toward me when she is at fault? "I need more knights to get to work so I can find my father and bring him home safely," I ordered. As a sign of acceptance, she bowed her head, and some royal aristocrats noticed the tension between my mother and me, while others were baffled by what was happening. "I believe we can adjourn the meeting, and we will inform you all as soon as we have further information," I added. The royals left the court, and I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "I think you should take a nap, Your Majesty, since you haven't slept the entire day," Mr. Henry said from my left side. "I can't sleep at all. I'm going to find my father and bring him home
Ella - POV James didn't tell me what he and Darcus discussed, but he assured me it wasn't a big deal. I tried to elicit information from James regarding his conversation, but he refused to provide any details. Meanwhile, James was getting ready to leave for California, and I was preparing breakfast for everyone. "Are you still upset I didn't tell you what Darcus and I discussed? It was just business talk, Ella, so let it go," James finally spoke up as he attempted to assist me with breakfast preparation. "Do you think I'm upset? I'm not; I didn't even say anything," I replied. James held my hand while I whipped the egg yolks to a froth. When I looked into his eyes, he pulled me closer to him. He knew me so well that I couldn't keep a straight face before him. James kissed my cheeks, forehead, and lips until I couldn't help but respond with a smile. "God, stop being so..." James captured my lips, and we kissed deeply. We eventually parted, both panting for breath. "If you keep goin
Darcus - POV After spending an hour talking with Henry and taking a brief moment to relax, I embarked on a search for my father, accompanied by a group of knights. Henry joined me on this journey. As we passed through villages, I couldn't help but notice the apprehension in the eyes of the villagers, who had likely realized the significance of the imperial Knights being near their homes. "We have scoured every secluded area, including the desert building, but there is no sign of King Ladon, your Majesty," Henry informed me, sharing the reports received from the knights dispatched by my mother to search for my father. I pondered for a while, growing increasingly concerned about my father's whereabouts. If he had been kidnapped, I would have expected to receive a ransom letter by now. The thought of an enemy attacking my father sent a wave of anxiety through me. "Is it true that my father went to the meeting with the wolf realm alone?" I asked suddenly, prompting Henry to turn his a
Darcus - POV Henry had announced to the dragon court that the former King had returned home safely but had passed out from exhaustion while traveling through the forest. The reports from Henry indicated that some aristocrats accepted this explanation while others remained skeptical. I found myself sitting in my father's room after the doctors had administered medication to him. They explained that my father's health was deteriorating due to losing his mate bond, and his dragon essence was slowly fading. Many nobles visited my father, and knights heavily guarded the room. My mother paid a visit, putting on a sobbing and acting display. Meanwhile, my father remained unconscious. I left and headed to my office to attend to the pile of unfinished work. "Darcus," my father called out as I turned away from the papers. "Why are you awake when you should be resting? Our knights are here to watch over you," I replied, concerned for his well-being. My father appeared weak and on the verge of
Ella - POV I enjoyed three days of working in peace, without seeing Darcus's face. I made Sofia work extra hours to compensate for my indulgence, and I noticed the dark circles under her eyes from the excessive workload. But I knew Sofia wouldn't stop bullying me, so I had to remain on guard. Today is the day I have to face Darcus. I consider asking him about what he said to James, hoping for a genuine response, but I can't trust his words. So, I decided to abandon the idea of questioning Darcus. As I reach the office and head to the rooftop venue where Avery's farewell function will take place this evening, I realize much work is needed. I need to oversee the preparations, ensure the decorations are up to par, and arrange for all the employees from different branches to attend. Furthermore, I have received word from Darcus that his father will also be at the function today. I have never met Darcus's parents since our relationship never progressed to that point. "Sofia, we need an