HERA'S POV I felt a mix of satisfaction and apprehension as I finished dressing up after an intimate encounter with Zahir. The room was filled with a lingering tension, and I couldn't help but notice a new edge to his voice as he urged me to hurry and leave.King Zahir said with a sense of urgency, his words laced with an unmistakable hostility. "Make yourself presentable and leave."I nodded silently, my heart fluttering with a mix of confusion and concern. Something had shifted in Zahir, and his demeanor held a new air of coldness that I hadn't seen before. As I hurriedly gathered my belongings, I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden change."My king," I began, my voice dripping with satisfaction, "I have some news for you. Serafina, that insolent girl, has fled the palace. She dared to defy your authority."I hoped that by revealing this information, I could get the girl into deep trouble with the king. But as I spoke the words, I couldn't help but notice a lack of
SERAFINA’S POV"Serafina, you're back! How did it go?""What happened out there? We were so worried!""Did you encounter any guards or dangers along the way?""Tell us everything, Serafina! We've been anxious since you left!"Their voices overlapped, each question vying for my attention, and I felt a surge of gratitude for their genuine concern. Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I looked into their eyes, my voice filled with a mix of relief and gratitude."I'm here, my dear friends, safe and sound," I began, my words resonating with a sense of calm. "It was a challenging journey, but I managed to find my way back to you all, and I got the herbs"Their eyes widened, their anticipation growing, and I could sense their hunger for details, their thirst for understanding. They had stood by me during my absence, their loyalty unwavering, and I owed them the truth.Their expressions mirrored a mix of awe and admiration, their faith in my abilities reaffirmed. They knew the dangers that
SERAFINAMy heart was pounding in my chest. The weight of anticipation settled upon my shoulders, knowing that this meeting held immense significance for me and my future.As I stepped into the opulent chamber, the air felt heavy with a sense of authority and power. The room seemed to expand before me, adorned with luxurious furnishings and intricate tapestries that whispered tales of history. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the walls, adding an air of mystique to the atmosphere.With every step, the sound of my own footsteps echoed through the chamber, amplifying the nerves that coursed through my veins. I approached the grand desk where King Zahir sat, his regal presence emanating a sense of both strength and wisdom.I lowered myself into a graceful bow, my eyes respectfully fixed on the polished marble floor. "Your Majesty," I spoke, my voice steady but laced with a touch of nervousness, "I greet you with utmost respect and reverence."As I straightened, my g
SERAFINA I swallowed hard, my confusion mounting as King Zahir's words hung in the air. "I... I'm sorry, Your Majesty," I stammered, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't understand what you mean."His piercing gaze bore into mine, a glimmer of annoyance dancing in his eyes. "I observed you dozing off repeatedly," he remarked, his tone laced with a hint of intrigue. "Surely, if you were truly asleep, you would not have been grinding the ink with such fatigue and dozing off repeatedl."A surge of realization washed over me, and I felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment. It seemed that my attempts to hide my brief moments of slumber had not gone unnoticed by the astute king. He had keenly observed my struggle to stay awake, deciphering the truth behind my weariness."I... I apologize, Your Majesty," I stammered, my voice laced with humility. "I did experience a momentary lapse of wakefulness, but I endeavored to fulfill my duties despite it. I assure you, my commitment to servi
SERAFINA "Serafina," she said, her voice low and tense, "if you ever get caught, you need to be prepared. You need to know what's coming."I frowned, confused and a little scared. "What do you mean?" I asked.Dahlia took a deep breath, then spoke in a rushed, urgent whisper. "If you get caught breaking a rule, or doing anything you're not supposed to do...they'll punish you. And the punishment is terrible."I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "What kind of punishment?" I asked again.Dahlia looked away, as if she couldn't bear to meet my eyes. "You'll have to walk on gravel," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For hours. Until the skin on your knees is raw and bleeding. And then, when you finally collapse from exhaustion, the slave trainers will decide if you've suffered enough. If not...they'll keep going. Until they're satisfied."My heart pounded in her chest as Dahlia's threat echoed in her ears. Fear coursed through my veins, but I summoned the courage to
SERAFINAAs the weight of the accusation hung heavily in the air, my mind raced to make sense of the situation. How could herbs be found in my corner when I had used them all? Doubt crept in, clouding my thoughts with confusion and disbelief. I couldn't fathom how this could happen, how I could be framed for a crime I did not commit.In the depths of my thoughts, I recalled the meticulous care I had taken in using every last bit of those herbs, ensuring not a trace remained. Yet here I stood, facing the scornful gaze of Hera, who wasted no time in belittling me.Her words cut through the silence like a knife. "Do you think you're still a princess, Serafina? That you can waltz in and out of this palace as you please?" Hera's voice dripped with condescension, her disdain evident in every syllable.Anger flared within me, mingling with the frustration and confusion. I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure in the face of her scornful accusation.But beneath the anger, a flick
SERAFINAWith every step, my body jerked forward as the guards yanked me through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace. Their grips tightened around my arms, their fingers digging into my flesh, as if determined to ensure my compliance. The air was thick with tension, an undercurrent of anticipation running through the palace walls. Word had spread like wildfire— the former Princess Serafina, the disobedient slave, was about to face her punishment.As we emerged from the dimly lit corridors, the grandeur of the palace's central arena stretched out before me. The sight was chilling. The vast space was teeming with slaves, gathered in hushed anticipation. They stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes fixed on the center of the arena, where my fate awaited.The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the scene below. The vibrant colors of banners and tapestries fluttered in the gentle breeze, creating a stark contrast to the solemnity of the moment. The arena, typically a p
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVESERAFINAAs my eyelids fluttered open, I was immediately greeted by a throbbing ache in my head. The sharp pain pulsed through my temples, as if a thousand drums were beating a chaotic rhythm inside my skull. I winced, trying to orient myself in the dimly lit surroundings.As my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I realized that I was no longer in the arena, surrounded by the prying eyes of the other slaves. Instead, I found myself confined within the confines of a small, dank cell. The putrid stench of dampness and decay hung heavy in the air, assaulting my senses and making my stomach churn.I shifted my gaze downwards, my heart sinking as I caught sight of my peled knees. The wounds that had been inflicted upon them during my agonizing crawl were far worse than I had imagined. Deep, raw gashes crisscrossed the delicate skin, oozing a mixture of blood and dirt. The sight alone made bile rise in my throat, threatening to escape in a wave of nausea.The pain that radiat
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