“I’ll fight you,” the first soldier said. Another random soldier, tall with deep red scars covering much of his body, came forward.“Thank you for taking on our challenge,” I said as Bindi and I squared up on our side to face the two soldiers.“Go!” Bindi yelled, and the fight began.The brawl was loud and chaotic. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Halo and Gabrielle rush to the center of town to see what was happening. I could see horror in their expressions as they watched Bindi and me fight. But this was what I was born to do. I felt more comfortable in that makeshift arena fighting those soldiers than I ever had as queen.The first soldier lunged at me, but neither of us shifted. His brawny frame nearly made me tumble backward, but my knee found his groin and made contact there with the force of my anger and frustration. The other soldier attacked Bindi, and she had him on his back in moments. Without weapons or shifting into our wolves, both Bindi and I had attacked with legs, a
Chapter 14LexI was standing on the edge of Angeline Falls. The majestic water tumbled all around me in sprays of iridescent green and turquoise blue. My heart felt light and joyous as love and joy filled me. I was attending an important event because I was dressed in my finest garments.Suddenly, the scene before me had morphed into an aisle. I was still standing on the edge of the falls, but behind me was a long pathway lined with satin and trimmed with flowers that led to an archway and an altar.Standing at the altar was Bastien Salt, dressed in black from head to toe. I knew it was a wedding; however, I wasn’t the groom, but a king attending as a spectator. Music bloomed from around us as a throng of musicians entered, playing instruments. Their song was melodious and harmonic, and I wanted to feel joy from their rousing, but couldn’t. A cold dread had filled my heart, nearly suffocating me.Then, I saw Aria wearing a white dress that fit her like shimmering clouds. Her long aub
Cheyenne and I frantically flipped through documents, leaving no piece of paper untouched. I rifled through Boris's desk as Cheyenne went through the filing cabinet behind it. There were hundreds of pieces of paper to sort through, so we had to be strategic.“The plans will probably be in some place that is accessible yet hidden, like a top drawer or in its own cabinet apart from the others,” I mentioned as I went through the first drawer of Boris’s desk.In the drawer, I found several bills of sale for people, presumably the workers who were building the ships. The mere sight of these documents made my stomach ache. Polonius was truly a monster. He was still buying people to do his dirty work. No one in Brahman’s Peak had any autonomy. If he took over Onyx Rah, he’d ruin the lives of everyone living in Tobran, especially those who were trusting Aria with a new start. This realization made me hasten my search even more.“This man is a menace,” I muttered, shaking my head as I flashed
When I didn’t hear footsteps in the hallway anymore, I exited the torture chamber and was able to make my way back up near my room without incident. For a moment, I thought I would be safe, but as I got closer to my room, I saw that there were already guards there looking for me.My heart sank. I couldn’t run or hide, so I walked up to them, feigning ignorance.“May I help you?” I asked, walking up to the guards.“You were ordered to stay in your room,” a heavy-set Crypt Claw guard with a scar down his forehead rasped.“I have been staying in my room, but it’s getting cramped in there. I just needed some air.” I tried to sound as bored and unbothered as I possibly could.“What have you been doing, then?” the soldier pressed.“I was walking around, like I said.” I remained nonchalant as I tried to reenter my room.“There were trespassers in the warehouse,” the scarred guard continued with his dark, gravely tone. “They fled on foot. Where is your accomplice?”“What on earth are you talk
“Your wolf has chosen Lex as your mate; he is connected to you. Search within yourself and assess the danger. You’ll know if he’s simply facing something challenging or fighting for his life. For my part, I can sense that he is in the eye of the storm, but I cannot get a read on how well he’s faring,” Sire said, looking a little disappointed in his own magical abilities.“I can’t choose Lex,” I said softly, feeling guilty for admitting it. “He has a kingdom to rule one day. I’ve promised to marry Polonius, or at least make Polonius feel I am free to marry him. Or else, all of Voltaire is in danger.”“True, but those facts don’t change who your wolf has chosen for you,” Sire said, sounding more like a father than he ever had.“How would Halo feel if Lex was the king of Onyx Rah and the kingdom’s alpha?” I asked, seeking Sire’s advice.“Much better than she would Polonius, I’m sure, but I can’t know Halo’s thoughts,” Sire answered. “Lex might be a king beside you, but he cannot be the a
“I honestly believe you are worried because you don’t like being apart from Lex. Polonius can’t kill Lex, and, by that turn, must protect Lex or he won’t be able to marry you. Since you are the key to his delusions of domination over the kingdoms of Tobran, he won’t likely ever kill Lex. If he did, he’d have all of Voltaire to contend with. Up until this point, all he’s done is attempt to marry a servant girl.” Sire laughed. “Not too dastardly.”“You know he’s done much worse than that,” I countered.“To the eyes of the world, he has not. But if he killed or injured Lex, he’d have to pay for those crimes. As a ruler of a kingdom in Tobran, he has every right to wed you. I’m sure Polonius doesn’t want to lose his advantage just to appease his jealousy and envy. Lex might be detained, but he certainly isn’t dead.” Sire’s words assured me, though I still wasn’t entirely convinced. “Go back to bed, Aria,” he said softly. “You will need your rest for the days ahead.”He was right. I had to
She smiled. “I sew, too, so I’ll help them. And the housekeeper’s husband is a potter. He’s coming with their sons.” Like Halo, Gabrielle seemed happy with all these developments.“So we have Midnight Moon Pack members in the house right now?” I asked. “They’re really here?”“I feel so good being among my people,” Halo said in answer. “I’ve only dreamed of Onyx Rah and the Midnight Moon Pack. My siblings don’t care about our heritage or legacy. Xavier has his politics, and Lara her network of thieves, drug dealers, and criminals. Neither of them have any interest in Onyx Rah nor being a part of the royal family.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “They just left me to my studies, and we did our own thing.”“And now, hopefully you will be the beta of the kingdom you always dreamed about,” I said lightly, giving Halo a pleading smile. Though she said nothing in response, we continued to eat and discuss our plans for Onyx Rah.After about an hour's worth of discussion, I could tell that Sire was
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Polonius asked me, walking over to me as beads of sweat gathered at my brow.“I wasn’t looking for anything,” I rasped. “I needed air; my room is dank and musty. I didn’t want to get sick.” I coughed a couple of times in genuine need, as Amadeus’s magic was still pressing down on my body.“Hmm, interesting. But I doubt my warehouse is any less dank or musty.” Polonius’s cool demeanor was even more unnerving than his grandiose boasting.“I didn’t…” But before I could protest again, my voice completely evaporated. My mouth continued to move, but it didn’t produce any sound.“Ah, I was curious to see if he had any more lies to spin,” Polonius laughed. “Perhaps I’ll have to threaten to cut out his tongue for it to finally speak the truth.”“I need a moment alone with him,” Amadeus said in a mechanic monotone.“Alone? I’d rather like to watch.” Polonius’s expressionless face twisted into a disturbing smile.“I don’t want my magic to injure innocent