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. “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. Beads of sweat rolled down my skin as I ran through the dark forest. My heart pounded in my ears, the icy cold air slicing through my throat. I glanced behind at my assailants and saw them snarling as they lashed after me. Two-legged monsters, the kind I’ve seen only in my father's books. A devastating scream left my lips. I veered left and scouted over dead leaves and stones, the forest was like an endless circle, no matter how much I ran there seemed not to be an edge. The ground became a blur beneath me. I turned to glance at my assailants and bumped into him. “H-help me!!” I cried, grabbing nothing but a fine set of muscles as I clutched his arms, “ Please, help me!” The stranger. He stood tall, his shoulders broad as the walls of a city. He was wearing a cloak which covered his face. An inexplicable sensation tumbled my existence as our skins touched. Never
My heart pounded louder than the music as I pushed through the crowd. I caught sight of the stranger just as he slipped through the oak door leading to the garden. Dragging a breath, I followed him. The stars twinkled in the night sky as I stepped into the open air, the breeze was icy cold and rustled the leaves. I saw him disappearing into a corner. “Stop!” I commanded but he wouldn’t. Gnashing under my breath, I followed him. My breath formed visible puffs in the air and incoherent voices began to whisper in my ear regardless, I rounded the corner. And then I saw him again, standing before the fountain with his back to me, his cloak billowed under the breeze. “Who are you?” I asked. He wouldn’t answer, nor would he turn around and let me see his face. “I said, who are you?” I darted towards the stranger and right before my eyes, he vanished into thin air. What! A sudden distant laughter cackled in the air. I turned to leave and the path before me
Calix’s POV. “Land ho!!” the lookout man hollered. I closed the compass in my hand and brought out my spyglass, a peep through the device showed a town on top of a hill. Tyr, home sweet home. “Prepare for anchor!” I instructed the men as I walked down the main deck. “Prepare the lines and put out the fender. I want all hands on deck!” “Aye, Aye, Captain!” the men chorused. The sounds of ropes being coiled and sails getting stowed filled the air. My hands clasped behind my back, I strode to the quarterdeck, to Han steering the ship. “How is she?” I asked. “She is steady, no worries about her listing or swaying. And according to my calculations, we should be in Tyr in two hours and that’s at dusk,” he replied and I patted his back. Han was my beta and best friend, we have explored the world together. My gaze darted to the gray hump on the horizon, Tyr, my place of birth. It's been two decade
Warning! This chapter contains mature content, readers' discretion is advised. Calix’s POV. I walked into the room to the sight of two skimpily dressed ladies sprawled on the bed; a brunette and blonde. “Hello alpha,” the blonde said. “You’re welcome, my lord,” the brunette said. I closed the door behind me just as they seductively climbed down from the bed and walked to me. “Hello, ladies!” I said. “I’m Sara and this here is Fienna,” the blonde said pointing to the brunette. “Nice to make your acquaintances. Well, my name is-” “Alpha Calix, the Alpha of all alphas,” the brunette said. “Your reputation precedes you, my lord,” the blonde added. Smiling, the ladies turned to each other and kissed, at first languidly and then increasing the tempo setting the mood for tonight. “Come, Alpha Calix. We would like to entertain you specially tonight.” I allowed them lead me to a couch opposite the bed. “Please, sit
Emily’s POV. The air smelled of salt and cedarwood, blending with the fragrances of the flowers hung on the walls. I tried to read the book in my hands, but my thoughts were disjointed, images from my nightmares flashed in my head and I shut the book. It's been hours since we left the shores of Azalea, hours since I left the main deck of the Great Carrack, and joined my mother in the great cabin. Exhaling, my gaze darted across the windows, to my father and his men working tirelessly under the afternoon sun. “Would you care for some tea?” my mother's gentle voice cut through the atmosphere. We were seated on a couch near the windows. At my mother's question, I straightened on the couch and nodded. “Yes, please,” I replied. A smile lighting Queen Larissa’s expression, she turned and signaled the servant with us in the room and I was served tea. “Thank you,” I mumbled and took some sips. “So, did you feel it last nig
Emily’s POV. My legs were swift as I ran through the forest that bordered the hamlet, tears seeped from my eyes and cascaded down my face. I want to make it stop, the pain that glided down my throat and twisted my stomach, but I couldn’t. I could still see my father’s face, the disappointment etched on his face, and the fact he left without saying goodbye. The soles of my shoes pounded against the forest floor and splashed mud up my feet. My breaths, ragged and frantic lurched in my throat as the tears blurred my vision. I can barely see where I was going but I pressed on, each step taking me away to an unknown destination. My thirst for solitude burned through my nerves. All around me was calm and still, the forest a quiet sanctuary of life and light. The golden rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the thick canopy of leaves above, casting a warm, dappled glow onto the forest floor. The trees stood tall and ancient, their trunks r
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