Calix’s POV. I plummeted into the water and missed a large rock by an inch. Expelling rings of bubbles, I searched the deep and saw her drifting away unconsciously toward the bottom. A few anxious strokes, I got to her, and realized she was bleeding from her head. Cursing under my breath, I propelled us to the top and broke out from the water. Taking a deep breath, I saw my men running down the cliff all shifted into their lycan forms and I glanced at the woman in my arms; I lifted her from the water and howled. I swam to the shore and tried to perform some resuscitation on her like I did the last time under the probing gaze of my men, but none of that seemed to work. My thoughts were all jumbled up even as I collected my cloak from Han, shredded out a part and used it as a bandage around her head. “My lord?.. My lord?” Han interrupted via the mind-link. “We need to get her to a physician in Tyr before it's too late.” He was right. I guess he figured out how much I wasn't
Leia’s POV. “...I won’t let history repeat itself. You’re not coming with us!” Calix’s words cut through my heart like a two-edged sword. I watched him take the men with him, and they left for the hamlet of Cathena, leaving me behind. Crying has never been my thing, but as soon as they left, I hurried to my room, screamed my heart out and lashed out on a few furniture. And then panting, I realized I can actually take up matters in my hands. My cousin, Calix, had instructed the few men left behind to keep an eye on me– but it is I who had my eyes on them few minutes later as I sneaked out of my room and tiptoed toward the underground of the castle. Unlike Calix who was only five years old when this castle and Tyr were attacked by Alpha Thane’s men and we were relocated to Nirian, I was ten years old. I know this castle better than him and the lycans he has assigned to keep watch over me. Panting, I glanced at the long passage at the two
Leia’s POV. Ripping out a large chunk of my cloak, I darted to the river and soaked it in the water. I ran back to him, dropped to my knees beside him and with trembling hands pressed the clothe against the gash on his chest. A raspy groan escaped his lips. His eyes fluttered open, those pools of liquid brown– they locked on mine and then they fluttered and he closed them again. I ran back to the river, washed the clothe and headed back to the forest. This time around, I cleaned up the wound on his shoulder but the wound which was obviously a bite wouldn’t stop bleeding. I applied pressure just as my searching eyes found some marigold plants. I hurried to them, plucked some and began to chew them and applied the poultice on his wounds, holding them up with strips of cloth from my cloak. And then my gaze fell on his member. Good grief! I didn't realize he was naked until now. I peeled off my cloak and covered him up. His skin was burning, and yet he shivered beneath my touch.
Leia’s POV. The speed at which he let go of me and jerked to his feet made my heart jitter. Of course, he was ‘the Randolph,’ Alpha Thane’s gamma, charged with the duty of protecting the Azalean princess. Jealousy coursed through my veins and I sucked it up in a breath as I watched him pick the cloak and wore it. “Princess Emily! Who’s she?” I pretended not knowing who that was. I watched as my mate inspected the bandage on his chest, and he settled his gaze on me. “She’s my alpha’s daughter, the next heir of Azalea,” he said. I gulped. “Is there anything going on between you two?” He gasped and what I’ll call a grimace flitted on his face. “No. She’s my alpha’s daughter. I was there the night she was born, already in my twenties. I watched her grow up. That will be the last thing to ever cross my mind.” Relief flooded through me and I sighed. He lowered himself to a squat in-front of me and smiled. “Was that jealousy you just exp
Calix’s POV. First of all, I am grateful she’s safe and back to the castle in one piece, but fury crashed through me at the thought of her disobeying me. She dared to wave it off and act as though she did nothing. “Calix!” she dipped in a curtsey. More than anything, I wanted to grab her and hurl across the room for her act of insubordination, but I was exhausted after hours of staying awake and watching after my unconscious mate. “I– I was worried about you and the men,” she defended, her voice incredibly low. “I’m sorry.” Jerking to my feet, I was about to pronounce her punishment when the door flung open and Han walked into the room “My lord, there’s something I must show you,” he said. Tension pirouetted in the air, every nerve in my body wrung from curiosity as my gaze traveled from my cousin to my beta. “After you,” I said. With one last glare at my cousin, I moved and strode after my beta, footsteps echoed behind me and I knew it
Emily’s POV. In an endless, boundless, thick veil of darkness, I soared. Time didn't exist here, everything stood at a standstill. I floated, weightless, thoughtless, with no idea of where I was– Am I dead? And then my lashes fluttered open and I welcomed the sharp rays of an afternoon sun. A groan seeped out of my lips. Where am I? What happened to me? My throat was as dry as the desert and my vision was blurry. I shut my eyes again and when I reopened them, the room I was in blurred into focus. High stoned walls, a massive arched window, inset with diamond-shaped panes of leaded glass from which rays of the sunlight oozed, a wooden polished shelf on which stood vases of dried flowers, a mortar and pestle, forceps, scalpel, bone saw, hooks, and needles. There was a side stool just close to the small bed I’d woken in, and there were two other empty beds. The room had the faint scents of beeswax, herbs, and the lingering smoke from the hearth. Slowly, I tried to sit up an
Calix’s POV. The desire to rip off my clothes and shift into my lycanthrope rippled through me as I strode out of the sick bay and shut the door after me. Gnashing my teeth, I leaned on the door and growled. I can’t believe I just kissed my enemy’s daughter, the one person I’d vowed to destroy. Dragging a breath, I signaled at the guards stationed at the door and while they locked it, I strode out of the hallway, hurried down the stairs, and soon hit the foyer. Proceeding to the terrace, I took a deep breath wishing I could flush out the intoxicating scent of her which seemed to follow me wherever I went. Sulking under my breath, I proceeded to the royal garden, to one of the white wooden benches, and sat. Fvck! How did I get to this point? All I wanted was to come back to Tyr, spend some time with my people, take revenge on the alpha who destroyed my home, and then go back to Nirian. Never did I see this coming, that I’d end up desiring; not in the littlest bit; the daug
Calix’s POV. A mixture of shock and fear ballooned inside me as I took in the broken earthenwares, the flipped-over mattresses, and the torn bedsheets scattered about the place. My gaze traveled over the droplets of blood on the floor, and the incoherent writings on the wall. But none of these bothered me as the sight of my mate hurdled in a corner laughing at herself, her hair was disheveled, and her hands streaked with blood and grime as she clutched a knife. “By the stars and shadows! Somebody stop her!” Mr. Westley clamored. My lungs struggled for air, my heart pounding in uneven, frantic beats as Han and the guards behind me scooted forward and soon, were upon her. They wrestled with her, wrung the knife from her hands, and pinned her to the floor. “Quick! Get some chains and keep her restrained before she harms someone!” Mr. Westley clamored again. Words failed me. I watched as Han hurried out of the room and my gaze was back on my mate– this wasn’t the girl I kissed so
Emily’s POV. “I’d like to ride with Lady Leia—alone,” I said, and an awkward silence fell in the courtyard, just like the other day in the dining hall. “What?” Leia gasped, staring at me as though I'd grown an extra head. Han’s eyes were as wide as meatballs and Calix stiffened—his gaze flickering suspiciously between Leia and me. “Yes, thank you.” I offered them a warm smile and took the footman’s hand, stepping gracefully into the carriage. I settled into my seat and then popped my head through the window. “Are you coming, Lady Leia?” She glanced at Calix as though seeking his permission to proceed, and then gulping, she gazed at me and smiled. “Of course, Your Highness.” She joined me in the carriage and the footman shut the door. Across the window, Calix and Han continued to gaze at me even as I tapped the carriage and the chauffeur moved forward the carriage. Moments later, Leia and I exchanged a quiet glance as the three carriages came to a brief stop at the castle
Emily’s POV. A shiver charred down my spine at his command. It wasn’t just his words but the way his eyes darkened as he stared at me; reminding me of how he pleasured me this morning by the window. I was wearing two-piece sleepwear made from expensive silk. The top was a sleeveless chemise of a pale ivory hue. Its neckline was adorned with delicate lace and small embroidered flowers in white and gold thread. The second half was a matching silk skirt. It was long and flowing, with a subtle shimmer that caught the dim light of the room. The waistband rested gently on my hips and was secured by a silk drawstring that flowed into soft pleats beyond my knees. Slowly, I slipped the top over my head, the soft material gliding down my arms before I dropped it on the bed. Calix’s gaze widened slightly, his dark eyes trailing over the sight of my bare skin. When his gaze lingered on my brea,sts, his jaw tightened, and a faint flush crept up his neck. He glanced away for a mom
Emily’s POV. Dawn came earlier than I anticipated, rays of the morning sun seeped through the windows and landed on my face. A groan escaped my lips. I tried to move, but my body felt heavy, like it didn’t belong to me. “Hello, bella.” My eyes fluttered open and I caught sight of Calix staring down at me at the foot of the bed. “I- I can’t move my body!” He chuckled. “Are you sure you can train today? We could reschedule,” he said, his voice laced with concern and amusement. “No! We’re not rescheduling anything. I-can-do-this.” I said each word as I forced myself to sit up on the bed. Calix watched me amusingly and shook his head. “You can be stubborn. We’re rescheduling; You can barely move!” I eyed him and groaned as a dull pain rippled through my waist. “I’ve told you, no rescheduling,” I rasped. For the first time, I noticed he was already dressed up for today, wearing a pair of dark-blue breeches to match with a white tunic and black boot
Leia’s POV. The castle was shrouded in midnight’s silence. Everyone has retired to their chambers—my cousin and his mate too. Slowly, I stepped out of my room and quietly shut the door after me. My cloak billowed after me as I hurried down the hallways of the castle, clutching tight the incense burner in my hands. Footsteps inched closer and I dodged, stepping into the shadows of a close-by alcove. Two guards strolled past, their voices low as they patrolled the area. Heaving a sigh, I stepped out from my hiding and continued in my tracks, doubling my steps. I arrived at the royal kitchen and stuffed enough fruits and bread in my pockets, and also refilled my water can. Again, footsteps inched towards me. Quickly gathering my things, I ducked behind an inbuilt shelf. It was a chef. He rummaged through the counters and sighed. “There you are!” He picked up a blue mug and glanced around the kitchen suspiciously. I pressed myself further into the shelf, stilli
Emily’s POV. Leia led me to a raised platform on the center of the battleground. “We shall kickstart your training with some stretching” she explained. Striding to the center of the ring, she began to stretch; lunges, squats, sideways bends, and I tried to copy her. At first, my muscles snapped and hurt unfamiliar with such movements, but I pushed on. “Good. You’ve got more grace than I expected, but grace alone won’t save you in a battle,” Leia explained. “Our next step is jogging,” she explained. “We’re going to run around the arena five times,” she explained and took the lead. At first, I thought it was simple, not until we completed our second lap and headed for the third. My calves burned, my breaths came in short and ragged as I stumbled after Leia. “Stop!” Leia instructed and I didn’t hesitate to halt in my tracks, leaning forward with my hands on my knees as I struggled to catch my breath. “To be able to control
Emily’s POV. The sheets were still warm where he had been and his scent lingered—a sign that it hadn’t been long since he left. “Calix?” I called out and sat on the bed. A wave of sadness swept through me as I realized I was all by myself—again, and then I heard the faint sound of water trickling in the washroom. Movements followed and the door swung open. He stepped into the room, droplets of water slid down his damp hair, trailing over his shoulder, down to the hard planes of his stomach where a white towel clung. “Where you looking for me?” he asked and I recollected myself. “Yes. No. I thought you left,” I stuttered. A smug smile spilling on his lips, he crossed the room and sat next to me. “I’d never leave without saying goodbye unless it's inevitable,” he muttered and planted a passionate kiss on my lips, one that left me closing my eyes and leaning into him as he deepened it. Painfully, the kiss ended and he cupped my face. “Good morning,” he greeted. “A good
Calix’s POV. The sight of her was a perfection. My mate stood in the soft glow of the candlelight, her silk nightdress clinging to her curves in ways that left my breath hitching in my throat. Her black hair spilled loosely past her shoulders, the strands catching the warm light and framing her delicate face, highlighting her blue eyes. My gaze involuntarily dipped lower, tracing the curve of her collarbone and lingering on the swell of her cleavage visible above the delicate neckline of the gown. The contrast between the silk dress and her soft skin was maddening. A growl rumbled low in my chest, willing me to close the distance, but I fought against it. If I go to her now, I wouldn’t hesitate to take right there which might be frightening for her. The fire she was unknowingly eliciting in me, was so wild and raw I was afraid if I ravaged her right now, I might leave her with bruises—like the handmaidens. I dragged my gaze back up to her face, willing myself to focus on
Calix’s POV. A growl rumbled in my chest. My late father's best friend was the last person I wanted to set my eyes on. “I may not have enough evidence to pin the accusation that he wrote to the Nirian parliament, but I have a strong feeling it's him.” “Could it be he’s here to admit to his crimes?” Han asked. “Mr. Westley? Admit to his crimes?” I scoffed. “Nobody admits to treason certainly not Mr. Westley. He’s smarter than that,” I replied and climbed down the stairs. “So what should I do?” Han asked, joining me. “Send him away.” I glanced at my beta. “Tell him I’m in no mood for visitors.” “Yes, my lord.” Han bowed and doubled his pace down the stairs but curiosity rippled through me. “Where’s he?” I asked. We both halted in our tracks and Han turned around. “I didn’t let him inside. He’s waiting on the terrace,” he said. A smile touched my lips—once again, I was proud of having him as my beta. He knew better not to let an
Emily’s POV. Each step cued me into further anxiety as we headed to the tiltyard; a sickening knot tying in my stomach. It felt like the night of my eighteenth birthday ball when I was first introduced to the public. Calix’s hand holding mine was the only thing steadying me now, giving me the strength I needed. “Are you sure you can do this?” Calix asked, his voice soft. “I can.” I nodded. He glanced at me, his eyes searching mine for any hint of indecision, but I forced myself to hold his gaze. The air shifted as we approached the tiltyard. I could almost hear the low hums of the people gathered inside. Instead of the usual entrance of the tiltyard, Han, Calix, and I walked down a corridor, and then a grand staircase appeared ahead shielded by a canopy. Somehow, this tiltyard was familiar with the one in Azalea, with a special entrance to royalties. I caught a glimpse of the guards flanking the area and the entrance of the gallery. Clim