SERAFINA I sat there, contemplating the game of checkers laid out before me. How could something so simple and seemingly trivial be the source of such defeat for the slave girls? I had anticipated a challenge, a test of skill or strategy, but instead, I found myself facing a mere game of checkers. I couldn't help but wonder why so many had failed at it.Granted, luck played a role, but surely, someone among the multitude of girls should have been able to play and win. It was a game of chance, but it also required a sharp intellect and strategic thinking. I had encountered similar mind games back at the palace, and they posed no challenge for me. So why were the slave girls consistently defeated?And then it dawned on me. The answer was rooted in their upbringing and circumstances. I had been born and bred in the palace, raised as a princess before being forced into slavery. My education and exposure to intellectual pursuits were extensive. But these girls, they had spent their entire
SERAFINA I sat there, staring at the checkers board in disbelief. The pieces were scattered across the wooden surface, and among them, my last move had sealed my victory. It was as if time had frozen, and the room was enveloped in a hushed silence. Even the soldiers, who had been so confident in their skills, wore expressions of shock.My mind raced, trying to comprehend what had just happened. I had been prepared to accept defeat, to endure the consequences that awaited me. But somehow, against all odds, I had emerged victorious. The realization washed over me, and a surge of emotions flooded my veins.The slave girls who had been watching the game erupted in joyous cries, their voices reverberating through the room. Their jubilation was short-lived, however, as a stern glance from the soldiers silenced them immediately. The atmosphere shifted, and a palpable tension settled in the air.I glanced at Steven, whose face mirrored the astonishment I felt. His eyes, usually filled with a
ZAHIR. The moonlight cast an eerie glow through the stained glass windows of the throne room as I paced back and forth, my footsteps echoing in the silence. A cloud of anger and frustration hung heavy in the air, mirroring the storm brewing within me. The third quarter of the twentieth year was upon us, and with it came the ominous reminder of the impending plague. How many times had we suffered under its merciless grip? How many lives had been lost The mere thought of it fueled the flames of rage that burned deep within my chest. I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white as I grappled with the helplessness that surged through my veins. The plague, an unseen enemy, showed no mercy, taking lives indiscriminately and leaving devastation in its wake. I vowed that this time would be different. This time, I would not let it consume my people. The memories of past outbreaks flooded my mind, the images of suffering and despair etched into my very being. I had witnessed the fear in
ZAHIRI stood tall in the grand hall, my gaze fixed upon my Steven. Something in his demeanor caught my attention, a flicker of unease that lingered beneath his composed facade. He can deny it all he wants, but I know there was something wrong. "Steven, is there something troubling you?" I inquired again, my voice firm yet laced with a genuine desire to understand his state of mind.Steven hesitated for a brief moment, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. It was evident that he grappled with the decision to share his concerns, but my stern expression urged him to speak his mind. After a moment's contemplation, he finally replied, his voice steady but guarded."No, Your Majesty," Steven responded, his words measured. "There is nothing that weighs heavily upon me. I am fully prepared to fulfill my duties."Though his words were intended to reassure me, I detected a tinge of reservation in his tone. However, as the king, I knew that certain matters required privacy and delicacy. Acknowl
SERAFINAAs I stepped out of the grand palace gates, the familiar scent of freedom filled my lungs. I relished the sensation of the cool breeze on my face as it gently rustled through the leaves of the towering trees that adorned the outskirts of the palace grounds. The lush greenery of the forest beckoned me forward, promising an escape from the rigid confines of court life.With a woven basket clasped in my hand, I ventured deeper into the woods, my purpose clear: to gather rare herbs that possessed healing properties known only to a select few. The dappled moonlight filtered through the dense foliage, creating a magical interplay of light and shadow that danced across my path.As I navigated the woodland, my senses heightened, attuned to the subtle sounds of nature. The rhythmic melody of howling owls and the soft rustling of animals concealed in the undergrowth provided a comforting symphony of tranquility. However, my serenity was abruptly shattered by the boisterous echoes of ax
ZAHIRAs I rode through the dense forest under the cloak of night, the moon's ethereal glow guiding my path, a sense of both anticipation and urgency pulsed within me. The imminent threat of the plague that loomed over my kingdom demanded a swift resolution, and I sought the aid of the legendary sorceress who dwelled deep within these woods.The towering trees stood like ancient sentinels, their branches reaching towards the starlit sky, casting intricate patterns of shadows upon the forest floor. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, as though the very essence of magic danced within the darkness.My royal horse moved with a steady grace, its hooves muffled by the carpet of fallen leaves that covered the forest floor. The sounds of nature whispered around us, the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl creating an eerie symphony that underscored the weight of my quest.As I approached the designated spot, a clearing bathed in moonlight, a hushed reverence envelo
SERAFINAAs the menacing figures closed in on me, their intentions veiled with malice, a sudden flicker of movement caught my attention. From the shadows emerged a mysterious figure in a cloak, his presence commanding and enigmatic. The air crackled with tension as the confrontation loomed before us.Without hesitation, the cloaked figure leaped into action, his movements fluid and precise. With every swing of his weapon, he fended off the advancing men, their attacks met with an unmatched skill and strength. His cloak billowed behind him, adding an air of mystique to his agile maneuvers.I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest, as the clash of steel reverberated through the air. The sound of metal meeting metal echoed in the darkness, accompanied by the grunts and growls of those engaged in the battle. Each strike delivered by the cloaked figure was met with a forceful parry, pushing back Lord Timothee and his men.With an unwavering determination, the cloaked protector moved sw
SERAFINA As the heavens unleashed their fury, raindrops fell with increasing intensity, soaking me to the bone within seconds. The ominous rumble of thunder reverberated through the air, sending shivers down my spine. The cloak-clad figure ahead of me, undeterred by the downpour, dashed into the mouth of a nearby cave.Driven by both curiosity and a desire for refuge from the relentless rain, I sprinted after him, my feet slipping on the wet ground, my breath ragged. Each step brought me closer to the unknown, the mysterious figure who seemed to hold the key to so many unanswered questions.As I entered the cave, the world outside faded away, replaced by a gloomy sanctuary illuminated only by faint rays of daylight that filtered through cracks in the rock. The scent of damp earth mingled with the muskiness of the cave, enveloping my senses.Water dripped from stalactites overhead, echoing in the hollow space. The ground beneath me felt cool and slightly uneven, a reminder of the cave'
Yes, the book has come to and end! God, it fills me with so much joy to have finally give. This book a befitting ending☺️ I would like to say a big thank you to my readers for putting up with me and still sticking around to read my book. Special shout outs readers with the names Pab, Debra LeBaron Mixer and Chanlin Davies! Y’all are the real MVPs who also almost made me cry whenever I didn’t update and I read your comments, lol. Although I understand that it all came from a place of love for my book and I am so grateful! Thank you so much for coming on this journey with Zahir and Serafina! Now, I know some commonly asked questions. Will there be bonus chapters? Well, I’m thinking about but chances are…I won’t, lol because it will be a huge spoiler for the next book. Yes, the heard right, the next book!☺️In case you haven’t noticed, our dearest human and Lycan couple are having the first hybrid! You did not also forget the prophecy too, did you? Haha😅Well, writing the next book s
ZAHIR It was still dusk and the first morning light was yet to appear. The silence was deafening and I was sure that if I screamed, my voice was going to ring around the whole of Lycaronia. I was relieved. So relieved that everyone was able to escape. I had watched Serafina leave with King Zach and Dahlia in the carriage, not calming down until I got information that they were out of the boundaries. It was just me. Even Steven had left with the others. I had ridden him with the duty of taking care of everything until my return, if it ever happened. But I knew I had to end this once and for all so I stayed back and waited for the Prince to arrive. He was going to meet the shock of his life. I mounted my horse and rode to the eastern part of the boundary as King Zach instructed. According to him, he was going to be coming in through that direction. So I waited on my horse, rage boiling through me when I heard the sound of heavy hooves beating and drawing close to the b
ZAHIR. Several men were stationed in different parts of the border. In less than an hour, the human army had filled the whole place, coming with horses, chariots and carriages. They all helped in informing people. They went from house to house, warning the people about an impending attack while the others helped in the evacuation. Some families left with their vehicles while some were helped into carriages and transported to different Kingdoms. It was safer that way. This went on for several hours nonstop but this didn't eradicate the panic that filled my soul. I remained restless, making enquiries on how things were going on functional posts. I was assured not to worry by Steven. "Where are they being evacuated to though?" Steven asked when he returned from his inspector to give me details of what was happening. "They would have to stay in the Kingdoms for the main time. It's the only option we have because Aries is probably on his way here. We can't risk him finding
ZAHIR. It had to be a dream of some sorts because I didn't believe it was King Zach standing before us. A bigger dream that Serafina was carrying my child. If anyone told me two surprises couldn't coexist, I could easily debunk their statement with these scenarios happening before me. As soon as he set eyes on Serafina, his lips trembled as tears filled his eyes. He moved towards her, his arms spread out to wrap her in a hug but I stretched out my hand, stopping him as he made a move. "How dare you?" I asked, my voice in a low rumble. "What are you doing here? How did you get into my Kingdom?" My eyes narrowed on him. He raised both of his hands in surrender, his expression giving nothing away. "I mean no harm. I am here with good intentions." "Then state it." I gritted out, ignoring Serafina who stood beside me, moving from one side to the other. "I am here to warn you about something," He continued, then his eyes darted towards Serafina. "I am sure she know
SERAFINA. A gust of wind blew my hair forwards and I forced it back behind my ear before taking in my environment. I was standing on a pier. I recognised this immediately. Turning, I began to walk out of the pier towards the sandy beaches. I was finally back to my mother and this time, I wanted to remain here for good. I wanted to be with my mother. I was done going through all the pain and suffering and didn't want to go back anymore. Being here, right where my mother was, mattered the most to me and I was glad to finally make my way back here. I caught sight of her. She was still dressed in the same clothing. She was gathering sticks to make a fire and when she caught sight of me coming towards her, they dropped to the ground and she straightened. I stopped before her with a teary smile on my face and she pulled me into a hug. We remained in silence until she pulled away and wiped the tears off my cheek. "I want to remain here with you, mother. I don't want to go bac
ZAHIR. For days, I stayed locked up in my room, drinking my life away and inflicting pain on her when I had the chance to. It was equivalent to inflicting pain on myself but I was unable to stop myself, unable to stop this pain in my chest. Hell, I was far more miserable than she was, beating myself up each time I inflicted pain on her. But there was nothing I could do about it. I was long gone. Things had gone awry in a space of a few days since finding her rummaging my things. I had sent her out in anger and so much hurt. Hell, I had expected her to say something to pacify me at least. Something she really meant and not some stupid fucking apology. Then I thought she had escaped from the palace, unable to take more from me. It had put me through so much panic. I knew how I had searched for her while beating myself up for putting her through a lot only for her to coke running back to me herself. My anger had returned, only intensifying when I caught a whiff of an all too famili
HERA. Thunk! Sweat dropped from my brows as I kept cutting wood with a heavy ax. Well, it wasn't so heavy but with how I had moved from a position where maids were at my beck and call, this was a fucking downgrade. But that didn't really matter right now. Not even the splinter that pierced through the other surface of my skin. I pulled it out and continued to split wood, sweat pouring down my back. Once I was done, I gathered the wood in my arm and took it to the furnace where I usually cooked, dropping them all to the floor and looking down at my palm. With every passing day, it was a countdown to the tone Zahir would tire of Serafina and come back to me. Very soon, I was going to be out of this terrible place and in his arms once again. Hours ago, I'd been returning from the river after going to fetch water for my hut. It was really far away and I was so exhausted and had been on the verge of breaking down and bursting into tears. I had cursed Serafina in my mind, wish
SERAFINA. "Remain still and I'll let you go. I mean no harm." A distinct familiar voice said from behind me. I nodded and the hold was released. Turning, it was Prince Aries standing before me. My eyes widened in surprise and I blinked to be sure I wasn't seeing an apparition. I had seen a lot of that recently and I wasn't sure what to believe anymore. He smiled. "Yes, it's me. I know you don't believe but it's me, Sera, it’s Aries." "I know who you are," I blinked, taking a few steps back and wondering if I should be happy about this development or if I should feel uncomfortable. However, I couldn’t hide my shock. It’s the second time Aries has found his way into Lycaronia somehow. “How are you here?” In one move, he was standing before me, his eyes light with cheer. Then he pulled me into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around me and filling me with his warmth. I was just taking all of this in when he pulled slightly away and cupped my cheeks. His lips brushed mine in a so
SERAFINA. In a space of one day, things had fallen apart. So bad that I couldn't even pick up the pieces. I'd be thrown out of his chambers thereby, reducing me from the post of his mistress to a mere slave once again. I had returned to my room in a teary mess, trying not to think of how he had looked at me with utter disdain, like he couldn't stand me. How had he gone from being all over me to barely wanting me to be in his presence? As much as I tried not to think too much about it, I was greatly hurt by it. I couldn't stand the gossip from the maids either. Whenever I passed by a group, all they did was glance at each other, their gazes telling tales I didn't need to hear verbally. A few of them were bold enough to whisper when I passed by. I couldn't even snap at them to stop. That respect had been stripped off like it was never even there. I had lost favor in the sight of the king, they said. He must have gotten tired of me because I couldn't satisfy his needs, all