Chapter 20 - Guilt I got dressed. The emerald green was made from velvet and felt so soft against my skin. It was form-fitting, a low v on both front and back. A slit ran up the side, ending just above the thigh. I left my hair half down and pulled the rest up, braiding it into place. As I got ready, I told Oren everything that happened while she was sleeping. She had full access to my memories, but it was nice to hear how I took it all in. “When we return home, I'm going to tear that freaks head right off. I can’t believe we didn’t pick up on it. How no one in training picked it up either is concerning.” I shook my head. “I don’t know. Who knows how much of what he ever told us was real? Who knows if the story is even real? He could have lied to the capital claiming to be full fae. Either way, I’m glad Garren walked in when he did.” Oren paced around my mind, letting out a low whine. “He’s a sneaky little bastard. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into him.” Oren hissed. I blew out
Chapter 21 - Bonds It had been a week since we started looking for Ryuu. Mildred and Hunter had focused a lot of their energy on location spells. They had just left yesterday to travel to the Fae realm. They were under strict orders to remain unseen. To avoid potentially alerting my parents of my location. While they worked there, picking up any traces of the magic she left behind. Garren and I worked on our end, preparing strategies to try and draw her to us once we were close enough to her last location. Garren had explained that it was easier to draw her to us than look for her. With us being closer to the last place with the strongest remnants of her magic, we would be able to use it to call to her. It was more of a theory than anything, but Garren and the others believed it was possible to do with our magic combined. As they said a few times, power was drawn to power, and she couldn't resist the urge to sneak a peek at who was trying to call her. After the tense discussion with
Chapter 22 - Pity Balthazar POV The ancient magic of the Dragon kingdom hummed against my own. Our magic was similar in some aspects. Considering that an actual deity made time to visit this realm from time to time only strengthened its power. But even still, my magic was older than even Ryuu's. But she was not one to consider with light thoughts. She was as beautiful as she was cunning and spiteful. I rightfully earned her hatred, but she rightfully earned my wrath. So when my suspicions led me here, I also knew that she was most likely the one who was also tainted by truths and reasoning for her own gain. I looked over Caspian. Not much had changed since I last visited. The only thing different was the number of people who now busied the streets. No one paid any attention to me as I began walking. Looking at each building I passed. I knew I would feel her presence through the bond once she had arrived. At least I should be, depending on who she was travelling with, it had been al
Chapter 23 - CompromiseImelda’s POVEverything happened so fast. Balthazar charged towards Garren. Though he was built like a giant, Balthazar knocked him to the ground with ease. I rolled out of the way just before Garren tossed him through the air, making him slam into the desk. I was expecting magic, fire, pure power. But instead, the two men fought like humans hitting each other with nothing but their fists. Beating each other bloody. My frozen tongue finally thawed as I felt the pain across my jaw and then my ribs and back. After fighting the bond and being so far away, it crashed into me with a vengeance. Unfortunately, they were both too consumed with hatred for one another to notice what was happening. I clutched my stomach as the jolt of pain rushed through me. I ground my teeth as I forced myself through the pain, standing up.
Chapter 24 - Untold TruthsAfter we all settled on what had happened in the study, Garren decided we needed to head somewhere less conspicuous. We also knew it was to prevent Balthazar from having any more time figuring out his way through the castle grounds. After he glamoured himself again, we headed out towards the warrior building. Jumping right into asking Balthazar how much he knew and what our best strategy should be.Even though the debriefing room was large, it felt tiny with the constant glares andsnide comments everyone seemed to make towards my mate. More than a few occasions were when I had to step outside to get some air because of how uncomfortable I was becoming. I slowly walked back to the room when I heard shouting. I quickened my pace, rushing into the room to make sure another brawl wasn't about to break out.“Well, I don’t like it. Wh
Chapter 25 - Love“Remember what I said. Once we get there, we will be out in the open. We must hurry on our horses and get for cover. The giants are cruel beings, and the monsters they are tasked with keeping from ever escaping their realms are even more ruthless.” Garren instructed as we all gathered around him. My hand tightened around my horse's reins, my knuckles turning white. Reaching to grip his shoulder with the other. I felt him tense as Balthazar rested his hand on his forearm. Mildred and Hunter following after him.“Don’t let go and ready your feet for the drop.” We all nodded. I shifted my feet apart, bending my knees to prepare for the impact. Garren opened the map switching it to the realm of the giant's.“Dalir.” As the words left his lips, the world around us began
Chapter 26 - HurtI ran through the thick of the forest—the taunting of the night creatures gaining on me. My foot snagged a root throwing me into the ground. My face smacking off the dark earth, my nose crunching under pressure. I didn't have time to stop the bleeding or fix the break. I only had time to get up and continue running. I could hear the howls and snarls growing closer with each passing second.“Immeldaa.” The voice taunted as it hunted me. I was the prey, and it was the predator, a role I was never meant to play. The voice was a haunting echo mixed between demonic and a phantom whisper.I scrambled to get back on my feet. My knees threatening to collapse beneath me. I could feel my face already bruising, breathing becoming harder as my nasal passages swelled shut. My heart pounded in my chest, threatening to break through my rib cage. Sweat
Chapter 27 - MatesBalthazar’s POVI couldn’t get the way she felt against me as she slept out of my head. Every thought seemed to circle back to her head, resting on my chest. The sigh of relief she gave when I held her tight made my heart race, the warmth of her body matching mine. When I finally pushed the thoughts of her away. It was as if Terra was taunting me herself. The breeze would shift, and the smell of vanilla and chocolate would find a way to me, bringing them all back.The ride through the forest was only a temporary distraction. Once we made camp, I had nothing to keep my mind or hands busy. My thoughts kept pushing me to be near her. Talk to her, do anything to get her attention. I felt like a kid trying to earn the love of a pet. No, a pet wasn't a good comparison or was it. I don’t know an
Epilogue *Five years later.* "Deep breath in and let it go through your nose with each hit. Stay steady on your feet." I shouted at Kai as he moved to make his next swing at his target. He did a quick sidestep before spinning and slicing the demon's head clear off. "Better?" He panted as he approached the bench for water. "Much better. Next, we will work on hand-to-hand combat. Then I think you'll be ready for your first collection. I think this time we will have you face Jade. These illusions aren't cutting it." He nodded before taking a swig of his drink. He let out a loud breath before running his hands through his short brown hair. "It would be easier if I could fight you. Besides Jade and Balt, you're the only other person here who knows what they're doing." He mused as he adjusted the blades sheathed to his bicep. "I know, but until I'm fully in control of my powers, I don't want to risk hurting you," I explained. He rolled his eyes before sitting down on the bench with
Chapter 45 -Queen of the underworldTwo weeks had gone by since Balthazar, and I came home. There hasn't been a moment that's gone by where I am not being taught the ways of the underworld, from learning the laws of a deal to the reasons behind a specific sentence. I didn't know there were so many forms of torture available. What is even more unnerving is that the demons assigned to deliver said torture have been doing it their whole lives. Jade told me a few stories of her encounters with the beasts of the torture cells and had warned me never to cross one. Balthazar laughed at her warnings and reminded her who I was. Even with his faith in the hierarchy, Oren and I still vowed never to go there alone.Between us, not being able to keep our hands to ourselves and learning everything I had to before I was officially crowned Queen. Balthazar expl
Chapter 43 - I Love YouWe sheered into what I could only assume to be his bedroom. A huge king bed sat in the middle of the room. A white fur carpet laid beneath his bed. A perfect contrast to the black marbled floor and black bedding. The whole room smelled of him, and it made my head spin and my heart race. The walls of the room were red. The one wall was made entirely of glass facing the city. The northern lights were dancing with the twinkling stars. As much as I wanted to appreciate the beautiful scenery, I wanted to enjoy Balthazar more.Garren warned me about how the bond would drive us crazy with lust. But I wasn't sure how I had ignored such an urge before now. Maybe it was the distraction of the mission or the fact that we hadn't entirely accepted each other until now. But now, all I craved was his touch, his lips on mine. I craved the throaty laugh he gave when he was teasing, temp
Chapter 42 - GodricI hugged Balor goodbye as I left his room. He refused to see me off. He was too upset with what I had given up. I made him swear never to utter a word of it to our family. I would tell them when I was ready, he reluctantly agreed. He said he also had to build up the nerve to tell our parents that he was leaving Gardania and heading back to the packhouse in the human realm."Still refused to come to dinner?" Nesrin asked as I shut the door behind me."Of course he did. But he will get over it. Did you know he was talking about going to live with Aunt Cass and Uncle Ty?" She nodded."Yeah, he mentioned it to me a while back, but mother and father shut him down. Saying he would make a great blacksmith. That he didn't need to worry about it
Chapter 41 - GoodbyesImelda's POV"I don't want you anymore," Balthazar shouted at me."You're no use to me like this. You can't even give me a child. Let alone how pathetic you look trying to rule the underworld. You don't belong here, by my side." He continued to belittle me—each word slicing deeper. I knelt in front of him. My head hung low. I was too ashamed to look up at him. My eyes were swollen from crying. My throat was dry and sore."You had one job, and you couldn't even do that right. I knew you were weak, but I didn't think you were this weak." Oren hissed. I shook my head."I'm sorry." My voice was a mere whisper."I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
Chapter 40 - InnocenceThe forest around us was full of life, just like I remembered. The trees all holding golden flowers that smelt of citrus. The sky was the brightest blue. All the colours in my home were vibrant. Something I slowly forgot while I was away. The sound of birds chirping filled the air giving everything a calming element."Why do you hurt people?" The little girl asked, pulling my attention back to her."That's a bold question for someone your age," I said, avoiding the answer."I'm more mature than I look. I have to be. My family is preparing me to be a leader, and leaders ask bold questions and make hard decisions. At least that's what I've been told." I frowned a little at the statement. Why would a child no more than nine be forced to
Chapter 39 - ChoicesThe pathwas exactly how it looked, dark and cold. It was as if I was caught in another realm entirely. The trees were dead, the sound of crows echoed throughout the dead forest. A thin layer of fog coated the ground, and the air smelt stale. Not even a twinkling star shined above my head. My footsteps crunching against the gravel and dirt echoing in beat with my heart. I swallowed hard as I pushed back the nerves that kept prickling at my skin.I held my head high as I kept moving forward, subconsciously counting my footsteps as I went. A harsh, cold wind blew my hair around. It was then I realized I was still only in a light tunic and pants. I fought the shiver that tried to take hold of me. No matter what I was going to face, I would face it all to ensure a future for all wo
Chapter 38 - PricesEmpress Sorin stared at us all. I swore I could see the stars twinkle in her golden eyes now and then. Then, aswift smile graced her lips as she took a sip of her tea. She placed her dainty teacup, littered with purple and blue flowers. The rim dipped in gold. No one else made a move to drink their tea. It was almost humorous picturing any of the men holding such tiny cups in their big hands.“This is awkward. Should we speak first?” Oren mused. I bit the inside of my cheek, clearing my throat.“You said you would like to discuss the future-“ Sorin held up her finger, cutting me off. I glanced over to see the corner of Balthazar’s lip tipping up slightly.I gave him a subtle glare as I turned my attention back to the Empress of d
Chapter 37 - Dragon Spirit Imelda’s POV “How did you get here?” I asked, my voice mixed with both relief and fear. “I go where you go. Nothing could stop me from reaching you.” He turned his gaze to Ryuu. “Not even you, you pathetic excuse for a female.” He sneered. I stared in disbelief. If there were ever a time not to insult someone, it would be now. But Balthazar never played by the rules. He was a king. After all, he made them. Ryuu scoffed. “Oh Balt, I love when you talk dirty to me.” She said, her tone salty. I cringed at the mention of his nickname. I had to remember that she did once mean something to him. Before she hated him, she had loved him.