The smell of gardenias welcomed her as Dante led her into a private bourgeois estate.
It was surrounded by thick stone walls, with an army of guards patrolling the grounds. Although the area was isolated from the main tower, it was guarded with equal ferocity.
As they approached the towering grand fortress, Emory wondered if this was the king’s court. The guards bowing to Dante when they passed further confirmed her suspicions, making her even more eager to enter. Imagining it may cause Lady Moore to burst into flames made her smile.
A pair of guards flanking the double ornate oak door stepped forward to open the doors as they approached. Then Dante turned to her and gestured with an outstretched hand for her to enter. A snarl slipped unintentionally out of Emory’s mouth as he stared at her.
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I won’t bite,” he joked. “If I do, it’ll only be a little.”
When he leaned in, her breath caught as she stayed perfectly s
They followed the army of guards out of Dante’s estate to the tower, up the stairs and through the winding corridors of the castle. A set of heavy steel doors greeted them when they reached the top. It creaked open slightly, revealing a dark chamber, and Emory peered inside anxiously. As the guard in charge of the others turned to face Emory and Sabine, he frowned. “Lady Sabine, only the hunter was-” “Call me Emory or nothing at all, but never use that word again.” Emory’s words rang out with fiery emphasis. “I’ll be right here, Emory.” Sabine squeezed her hand and stepped back. Running her fingers through her damp red hair, Emory took a deep breath before entering. Whatever this was, she dreaded it because it made her stomach churn and her heart race. As soon as she crossed the threshold, the doors creaked shut and the room lit up. She squinted, straining her eyes to pick up the finer points of the room. Her eyes were drawn to the int
“Dante,” Hendrick grunted before slipping out through the door below the throne.Watching him leave, Emory almost gasped at how much he resembled Dante from behind. Anyway, she was glad he left. It didn’t exactly make her feel better to be alone with Dante, but the lack of an equally intimidating audience made her slightly less wary.“I must give you props. You handled Lady Moore beautifully. You have truly proven your mettle when it comes to managing difficult people, which makes me certain you will be an excellent sovereign.”As the compliment enveloped her like a warm hug, she nearly gushed. After a few minutes of allowing herself to enjoy the feeling, she returned to her usual Stoic composure.“I guess I’d better tell you now that I don’t want to be queen. You’re being incredibly presumptuous by assuming that. You didn’t even ask me what I wanted.”Having to live in this tower wo
“How did it go?” Sabine asked as they followed the guards back towards the king’s tower.“I’m not sure,” Emory replied.At that point, she wasn’t even thinking about the council, but Dante’s response to what she’d asked for.Emory slowed down as they approached the gardenia-scented courtyard. At the centre was a grand fountain with a marble statue of a woman reaching out with an offering of water–that wasn’t there before. Curious at the bizarre sight, Emory wondered what triggered the sudden appearance.The memory of Dante’s request brought a sigh to her lips. Giving Dante what he wanted was the only way to free her family. It was her fault they were captured; she had to pay the price. Even so, she didn’t understand why Dante was so determined to destroy Morrian. Was this his desperate attempt to stop Aworyn from scourging the Lycans?Unless she figured this out fast, Mor
With her eyes closed, she breathed in the soothing scent of the lavender steam. All the tension and anxieties of the day slowly melted away. Ah, the power of a hot bath—it was like a hug for her muscles!She let her mind wander, allowing herself to simply be in the moment, thinking of nothing in particular.The last twenty-four hours had been such chaos and this was the only time she’d had to think about anything all day. A tiny shaft of moonlight shone through a crack in the curtain, illuminating a single rose petal on the edge of the tub.Unbidden, Trey popped into her head, and she hissed. All this was his fault, and she was still mad at him. After her bath, she had to come up with a backup plan in case things did not work out with Dante’s plan. Another yawn followed as the steaming water lulled her to sleep.Emory.Aworyn’s voice echoed as if she was right next to her. She had to admit that putting her in a tour
There was almost nothing underneath the beige gown she had on, except for the knife strapped to her right upper thigh. With a subtle tug, she let the thin fabric caress her skin, the light colour accentuating her golden tan. The straps of the dress crossed across her chest and fell down her shoulders to drape over her back like a cape. With her crimson hair in a neat ponytail, her neck and arms were on full display.Taking in the surrounding forest around the castle walls, she licked her lips and tasted the strawberry gloss Sabine had stained them with. With her bare feet digging into the sand, she observed the flock of women clad in red hooded robes and golden slashes around her and Sabine.“Did Dante explain how the ceremony works?” Sabine asked her.Emory looked up at the full moon shining brightly in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the forest, then at the group of women again.“What’s there to tell? At least it’s not
Dante and his men sped through the forest, his senses on high alert. Every crackle of a twig, every rustle of leaves, and every whisper of the wind filled the air. He knew someone would try to obstruct the ceremony, so he sent Emory off with the flock and followed quietly behind. Keeping up with her was easy. That sweet, sensual Edlrin scent of bleak sunflower with a hint of jasmine was hard to miss. He knew their connection would only intensify after they joined. When he saw Emory and the flock standing in the middle of the Magnolia path surrounded by rogues, his beast growled: a reaction that made him quiver with delight. A burning feral hunger twinkled in Emory’s eyes as she battled one, while Sabine faced two. He watched his mate for a moment, then turned to the rogue whose scent stood out like red on white. “Kael,” Crixus growled next to him. It was Kael, a loyal sentinel who had always served faithfully in the past, and Dante couldn’t understand
“Let’s begin. Take her hand, son of Wulric,” Aworyn commanded, breaking Emory out of her reverie.Aworyn’s long, wavy silver locks floated behind her and Dante complied, bowing before taking her hand. His touch was electric, like a thousand tiny sparks. Emory looked up into his eyes and time seemed to stand still.They stood face-to-face as the world around them faded. It was almost as if the goddess’ magical presence had enchanted them, intensifying their bond. Then something Aworyn said echoed in her head.Son of Wulric?Emory squinted at Dante. She couldn’t believe it--he was related to Lycan King Wulric, and as if to confirm it, the wind seemed to carry his name on its wings. It didn’t make any sense; the Moores were not of noble blood. There was no way in hell Dante was related to Lord Rydell Wulric, the second son of the first king of Morrian.“Son of Wulric?” she asked him.
“I apologize for causing you all this trouble, Trey,” Emory said. “It was thoughtless of me and I feel terrible about it.”“It’s the curse of having a little sister. I’m glad you’re okay.” Trey squeezed her shoulder.Emory knew he was only trying to make her feel better. This wasn’t the time to confront him about pushing her away and not letting her be with Larc and Nolan before they passed. The thought snapped her back to Dante who was now next to her.“You…” she trailed off, opting instead to use her link with him.She closed her eyes, sensing the warmth that permeated the bond between her and Dante. She felt his emotions and thoughts and knew he did hers too. Feeling complete in an entirely new way, she smiled.Why did your sentinels attack my brothers? You owe me an explanation.Nodding, Dante’s jaw clenched. “There’s a lot to talk a
Kain watched Rahl’s commander along with a few Lycans lead the Chavére Alpha in. Crixus was a tall man with a heavy beard and broad shoulders, dressed in matching black uniforms as the Lycan guards. As the Chavére Alpha entered, he bowed slightly to the Lycan King, but his eyes betrayed a subtle disdain. “I’d like a moment with Emory, King Rahl,” the Chavére Alpha requested. Standing back, Kain watched Rahl settle into a black throne that hadn’t been there before. It appeared to be made of pure shadows shifting and curling around his form like a living creature. Looking closely at it, he noticed the mandalas absorbing the surrounding light and pulsing like stars. Taking in this extraordinary sight, Kain realized that Rahl’s power was far greater than he had ever imagined. In his peripheral vision, he caught Kinshra rounding the corner to meet her nephew. They had such striking green eyes, reminding him of Emory. While the Chavére Alpha shared Emory’s deep ebony skin, his eyes we
Her lips thinned into a tight line, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at Aworyn.She understood the goddess’s intention—to provoke her, push her limits, and unsettle her resolve. But she wasn’t going to let Aworyn’s manipulations get to her.“I am not here to engage in a battle of egos, Aworyn,” Emory continued. “I won’t play your games. Whatever is left to settle between you and me, and Rodyn, we will do it today. Now stop acting like a child and get down here!”Aworyn descended, her beautiful green eyes flashing with anger. “How dare you speak to me like that? I am divine, an immortal force! You are nothing compared to my power!”“Unless power is solely based on immortality or divine status, you’re a complete fraud!” Emory retorted.Aworyn’s face contorted with rage as she raised her hand, preparing to unleash her wrath. But before she could act, Emory’s own powers surged forth, forming a protective barrier around her. Keeping her eyes on Aworyn, Emory could only sneak a quick pee
“You don’t mean Rodyn told you where he was going, but you didn’t tell me,” Emory saidTaking a deep breath, Kain met Emory’s gaze. “He didn’t want you to know where he was going, Emory,” Kain admitted. “I gave him my word, and I couldn’t go back on it. I only do it now because the stakes are high.”She struggled to accept his excuse for withholding the truth, even though she understood it. She regretted not pressing him for the truth before. Instead of demanding answers about Rodyn’s whereabouts, she was distracted by her desire for Kain.Now that the situation was urgent, she was even more frustrated with Rodyn. After they talked about him not letting her in, he went and did this? It made her feel coddled, which made her even more frustrated.“Where is he?” Emory murmured quietly.“It’ll be alright,” Kinshra said calmly, stepping closer. “I know you worry about Rodyn, but you have to understand where Kain’s coming from. We have to get to Rodyn right away.”She walked away from her a
Emory’s gaze met Kain’s as he settled into the bench adjacent to them.“I felt the disturbance. Are you alright?” he asked her.“I’m fine, Kain,” she said, looking at Rahl.The look in Rahl’s eyes was hostile. “I don’t know how things work where you’re from, but jumping on the king’s carriage like that is monumentally idiotic and disrespectful.”“My apologies for the intrusion. I couldn’t ignore the unstable surge of energy coming from Emory. I had to make sure she was safe.”“She’ll always be safe with me. You have no right to interfere!”Despite the way he was glaring at Rahl, Kain’s voice remained calm. “I understand your concern. But she’s my mate, and I can’t ignore her distress.”Rahl sighed loudly. “I only want good things for you, Emory. But I need some time to process all of this.”“I’m not trying to usurp your place, Rahl. She needs help navigating the intricacies of our bonds.”“I barely have a place with her,” Rahl said.Their back and forth didn’t interest her. Her only c
“From this day forward, you are Keeper of the Realms.”She watched as he put the crown on her head and stepped back with a bow before they all disappeared. Emory squeezed her eyes shut, her head throbbing from an unpleasant sensation.Are you alright?Rahl’s voice echoed through her mind and dispelled the unease within a split second. Nodding, she looked at him, fascinated by his ability to calm her heart no matter where she was.Is this over? I need to discuss something with you.He immediately got up and walked to her. After he helped her off the throne, he gave the council and officials a head bob that made them spread out.“The monarch and queen of the mighty Empire of Morrian will now lead the procession around Eleadoi,” the officiant announced, and the hall rose.At the bottom of the stairs, Crixus and his men lined up beside Sabine and the red flock; their attire matched Rahl’s. On their way down the aisle, Emory couldn’t help but glance at Rahl.As Rahl moved, the cream fabric
Kain’s lips pressed against Emory’s neck, sending shivers up her spine. She leaned into his touch, her senses awakening to their electrifying connection. His gentle, passionate kisses stirred desire deep within her, igniting a flame that burned with intensity. Emory let out a deep sigh as Kain’s lips trailed down her collarbone, her breathing becoming more laboured with every passing second.His hands slipped under her robe to explore the contours of her body. They glided along her curves, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Her breath quickened, her heart beating hard against her chest as she succumbed to the intoxicating sensations that invaded her.While they savoured the moment, soaking up the bliss of their intimate embrace, the world faded into the background.Emory’s fingers tangled in Kain’s hair, pulling him closer, craving more of his touch. Their lips finally met in a fiery kiss, their desires colliding in a passionate exchange. Kain’s calloused hands caressed her back,
Emory quickly turned off the shower and reached for a towel, wrapping it tightly around herself before stepping out. Aworyn stood in the corner of the bathroom, her tall, angelic figure spellbinding in the tiny space. Those green eyes stared into Emory’s. Although she couldn’t help but be enamoured by Aworyn’s beauty, Emory snapped out of her reverie quickly. “What do you want?” she asked in an icy tone. She stepped forward. “I know you have a lot of questions, doubts, and possibly even anger towards me. But please hear me out. There are things you need to know.” Emory’s grip on the towel tightened as conflicting emotions surged within her. A part of her yearned for answers, for closure about the mysteries surrounding her life. But a part of her, still haunted by past betrayals, wanted her to punish Aworyn. Aworyn had blocked out memories starting on her sixteenth birthday, and even though they were returned she couldn’t make sense of some of them. Aworyn’s plans had been in motio
Emory’s heart raced when his lips touched hers; they were fierce and demanding. It was impossible not to respond, her desire growing stronger with every passing minute. But she knew they had to focus on the many things at hand, even as she lost herself in the moment. She pulled away, her breathing ragged. “Wait,” she said. “We have a lot to do.” His expression was serious as he looked at her. “I know,” he said. “But if we’re being honest, this is top of the list.” Taking a cautious step away from him, she licked her lips and eyed him. “Rahl.” “Lady Chavére,” he said with a smile and stepped forward after her. “I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?” “We both know you know the answer to that.” Emory eyed him, then turned towards the stairwell as she sensed Sabine closing in. Rahl followed her gaze, watching until Sabine came into view at the top of the stairs. Gasping, she bolted down to them. Sabine held her shoulders and looked at her. “Are you okay?” she asked. “I’m ok.”
“There's no way you weren’t trained by Kinshra.”Her mind jumped back to the present when Rahl said that. He should be with the council, not here.“What?” Her arm throbbed in pain, and her thoughts were jumbled, making it difficult to concentrate. “What are you doing back here?” she asked, an edge of suspicion in her voice.“I couldn’t leave you here. Especially after Kathleen summoned the king’s warriors. I had to make sure she didn’t do anything foolish.”“Oh.” She groaned.“You didn’t answer me,” he said. “It’s hard to believe someone with your skills wasn’t trained by Kinshra. Was that a lie to stop the tournament?”A sharp pain shot through her shoulder as she shook her head. “No, it’s not a lie,” she said, her voice strained. “Kinshra never trained me.”His eyes narrowed. &ld