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[ELARA]“Alright,” I say, shrugging. “We can pretend and forget that ever happened. It was a moment of weakness and well, you and I are both young. We’re bound to… our bodies are bound to want… things. B-But it was dangerous anyway. And stupid.”Lady Brook’s words usher into my thoughts. The King proposes to wed Princess Daphne to Prince Magnus. This marriage gives him the kingdom of Wyvern, because Daphne is the heir to the throne.Magnus' eyes darken. His lips form a frown that says he doesn’t agree. But his words don’t. “Valen will be difficult to handle. But Rasmus has sworn an oath to keep this a secret. He only wishes to play a scientist and delve into experimentation,” he says, completely diverging from the topic in discussion, but then it's for the best. “I always thought Prince Rasmus was more rational. Turns out he was just upset that I happened to be the first to get my hands on a mutated hydralith.”“What about Alina?” I ask, arguably, the most pressing question. “Are we to
[ELARA]As I quietly make my way to the guest quarters, every step fills me with dread, slowing my pace. My arms shiver, and it is not just from the cold of the place being built underneath carved ground.How do I break it to a mother that her only daughter has turned into a rogue? The worst fate that can be cast upon a werewolf? And that I feel partially responsible for it?I had some hope in me this morning when my eyes opened beside the sleeping figure of Magnus. We visited Alina in her locked cell, passing through the concealed entrance, and found her transitioned. I knew it was coming, and I refused to believe it until I saw those bloodshot eyes and rabid fangs.She growled furiously the moment we approached, rattling the silver bars, without a care that they were searing the skin of her hands. Magnus had to drag me out of the dungeons because I couldn’t move or speak.It was terrifying, somehow even more than when I saw Alec. I loved him, and I falsely believed a part of him was
[ELARA]"Princess Elara," Valen says, his voice a soft murmur that barely disturbs the still air of the dimly lit library. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't come." He closes the book in his hand with a quiet thud, the sound echoing faintly in the silence, and makes his way towards me with a grace that makes his footsteps almost silent on the polished wooden floor.His singular eye moves from my trembling hands to my face, a fleeting smirk tugging at his lips as he remarks, "You look shaken."I draw in a deep breath, feeling a wave of annoyance wash over me. "I just delivered the news of someone’s rogueness to her mother and my father," I mutter, my voice tight. "How else am I expected to look?""Her mother and your father? That’s interesting," he muses, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You’re surely a little relieved about the whole thing after what she did to you," he accuses, gesturing with a sweeping motion for me to take a seat on a cushioned chair by the fireplace, its embers
[ELARA]“What’s going on here?” Magnus’ voice cuts through the air, sharp and angry. He storms into the library, his golden eyes glaring at the spot on the table where Valen’s hands intertwine with mine. I let go of Valen’s hands abruptly, rising from the chair. “Magnus,” I mumble his name as he stops right in front of me. “What’s going on here?” he asks again, his eyes searching for an answer while brimming with anger. “What are you doing here alone with Lord Blackbane?”Valen answers the question even though it's not directed at him, his voice smooth, “As I said last night, Your Highness, I’m offering the Princess some distraction from our current troubles. Trying to indulge her into the habit of reading. And, I’m pleased to inform you that she has shown a keen interest in gaining knowledge.”Magnus’ eyes narrow at the vampire’s words before they stray over the open book on the table. He draws in a sharp breath. “I think that’s enough knowledge gained for today,” he announces, and
[ELARA]We’re not even given the opportunity to answer him, forget about the irrational anger I feel on being interrupted. Celeste barges in, pushing aside Alistair before she faces me, her eyes red and swollen with tears. Her demand comes in a desperate, hard voice, “Where is my daughter?”“Lady Celeste, you must calm yourself,” Alistair tells her in a relaxed voice, barely bothered with being pushed aside. “You cannot barge into the Prince’s chambers like this.”She ignores him, instead reaching for me. Her arms splay out as she nears me, but Magnus steps in front. “Lady Celeste, I’ll take you to see your daughter,” he assures her. “But I need you to be patient.”“Patient? You want me to be patient? When my daughter has been turned into a rogue? I need to see her now,” she urges, her eyes widened in manic fury. “Now!”“That’s not possible,” Magnus answers simply, shaking his head. It is the calmness in Magnus’ voice that sends her over the edge. She lets out a blood-curdling screech
[MAGNUS]Although I’m headed straight for the dungeons, my path is intruded by the young Lord Jaromir. He notices me before I do and halts, bowing when I near him. “Prince Magnus,” he greets in a heavy voice that doesn’t match his frail figure. The redness of his swollen eyes has faded. But there’s a resolve in them which is quite hard to miss, a sort of anger I recognise quite well. My father was once taken away from me as well. Unjustly. At least he didn’t have to see his father’s head being cut off with his own eyes. The Goddess spared him that cruelty. A sigh escapes my lips, annoyance striking me. Time is the most valuable asset at the moment. The more I delay meeting Rasmus and bringing him closer to Ruelle, the more likely I am to be forced to make a rash decision to save my sister. An alliance with Qaiven will be beneficial in the long run. Not just to me, but to the Kingdom I'll rule one day.Aren’t all these efforts made in the name of becoming a king? ‘First try and survi
[MAGNUS]I clear my throat, bracing myself for the words I’m about to say. “A wedding I do not approve of. I’d rather have my sister marry you.”Rasmus frowns, his gaze unwavering as he studies my face. “That was direct,” he mutters, the words almost swallowed by the growls coming from Alina’s cell. I shrug, but keep my voice firm as I reply, “I’m an emissary of the council now. It is my job to improve ties with other kingdoms.”“Through a marriage…” Rasmus echoes, his tone thoughtful. His gaze drops to the floor as he shakes his head. “To Qaiven? My councilors wouldn’t approve. We’re a neutral kingdom. And marriage is a hasty task… Besides, I don’t want to interfere with the trade.”For some reason, his words ignite a flicker of hope in me. “Is that the only reason? Does that mean you’d consider Ruelle?”“Only reason?” he repeats, this time with a mocking grin. “Well, those are the ones I can think of right now,” he answers, the words almost playful. “Frankly, marriage doesn’t intere
[ELARA]I’ll run away.Ruelle’s words echo in my mind long after she’s gone. There can’t be any seriousness to them, but I saw the determination in her eyes.Where will she go if she truly runs away? And how far can she go before she’s caught?Eldric won’t let her off so easily, and perhaps after discovering her attempt to escape, he will claim her a traitor and punish her. Anything in his capacity to humiliate and hurt Magnus.And Magnus? How will he take this? There’s no way Magnus will know of Ruelle’s plan and actually let it be successful. He wouldn’t pick this over letting her marry Zander.And there are far more dangerous things out there for a princess on the run…‘Don’t tell Magnus,’ Lila voices her advice, making me gasp.This isn’t something I can keep from him. Can I?‘Don’t you care for Ruelle?’ are Lila’s next words. ‘She doesn’t want him to know.’Of course, Ruelle doesn’t want Magnus to know about this. But that doesn’t make it right.A rustle from behind me pulls me o