-Karen-My knees throbbed with pain as I watched her take a few steps towards me. She had a twisted smile on her face as our gazes locked. “Acrid Shadow Thorns!” I was stabbed by a thorny spike that shot off a couple thorny branches through me in different directions. I yelled from the pain but that was only the beginning as I found out. She snapped her fingers and I felt searing pain race through me as I screamed louder from the pain. I writhed from the pain, falling against the ground while the chains tightened up against me. I cried out from the agony I felt all over. I could feel her eyes on me as I lay there panting trying to catch my breath. It hurts so badly! It was worse than demon’s poison! I could hear the small group murmuring among themselves. I could feel Conor’s intense gaze on me as the pain slowly dissipated. “Supreme Heal.” Monica muttered with a hint of reluctance in her voice. The pain left me completely, but I felt slightly heavy from the attack. “I’m not done wit
-Karen-“Silence both of you!” Zachary yelled at them. “Show me the spells. Now.”“I’m not allowed to use those spells without permission.” I refuted firmly. I closed my eyes tightly trying my hardest to resist against the growing pressure. Please just let me leave alone.“It didn’t stop you from using it at your demonstration, though, did it?” He hissed angrily. I shook my head in defiance. “I was defending my life! It was justifiable in that moment! This is not!” I snapped back. He slapped me as hard as he could. Damn that hurt!“Mind you tone when addressing me, woman! Unlike my son, I don’t care if you suffer.” Zachary screamed, raising his hand to me again. “I don’t give a damn what you think is justifiable. I’m commanding you to do something and you will do it expeditiously and without negation!” I shook my head in defiance and he struck me harder in the face. I could hear Bart and Joanne trying to hold Conor back as he tried to come to my aide. I could hear Michael laughing at
-Karen-“You’re quite amazing, little rat… But I’m not done with you either!” Zachary explained snatching my jewel from around my neck and tossing it to Monica. I looked over at him confused as he turned me to face the group. What else does he want? Haven’t I endured enough for one day? “Let me tell you the real reason I summoned you and your hopeless group to bask in my presence.” My eyes flipped over to him as I stood in silence. Conceited much?“For the last five weeks, I had Remus, Germanicus and Octavian do some digging into Lewis’s notes that he sent to us on Zargo and your former Queen’s personal documents. There was a lot of amusing information that had been found pertaining to the status of the kingdom, imports and exports and the Mage Clan. We also investigated the Head Mage’s documents too just to be thorough. I always want to know what was going on in a Kingdom right before I end that dynasty.” He snickered under his breath as he wrapped his left arm around my shoulders. L
-Karen-He flipped the paper and showed me another one with several drawings on it. “This document shows where Roger did the genetic testing to confirm the maternal link to Queen Delia. As you can see here, it says that this was a positive match with less than half a percent of error. Just to be certain and make sure that there was no chance at us making any mistakes, we added Lady Monica’s genetic information into this puzzle so there can be no doubt whatsoever proving your relation to the Queen.” Oh. My. Goodness. I. Can't. Even. Think. “It is noted that all three of you carry the same genetic markers for females in your family.” I felt like I was going to be sick. “Last but not least is the most damning piece of evidence I have.” Zachary cried gleefully, placing the folded document in my hands. I saw that the Royal seal had been broken in half as he watched me with a cold smile. “Read it out loud so we can all hear you, Princess.”I unfolded the document and read over the words an
-Conor-“Oh- She fainted. Must have been too much for her weak mind to handle.” Zachary sneered, pursing his lips as Bart and Joanne quickly rushed to attend Karen. “Take her out of here. She is of no use to me in that condition.” Bart nodded as he and Joanne took Karen out of the Study. Conor went to follow them out, but Zachary grabbed his left arm and held him back. Kay! Please be alright! “And where do you think you’re going?!”“I need to be with her!” Conor snapped angrily as he tried to pull away. “Haven’t you done enough to her today?!” You psychologically tortured her! You planned this all out! You are such a twisted monster.“She will be cared for properly by those two. They don’t require your assistance. You’re a prince not a doctor, Conor.” Zachary scoffed rolling his eyes. He motioned to the two guards at the doors. The doors shut promptly as Zachary smirked coldly at Conor. I know that look on your face father.“You have something planned… What is it?” Conor asked narrowi
-Karen-A horrible odor woke me up. I coughed and gagged from the caustic smell while I tried to gather my wits. I realized I was back in our apartment with Joanne and Bart. He was writing notes down and she helped me sit up. Joanne and Bart were talking to me, but I was too preoccupied to listen. My whole life- It was a lie! Everything I knew about myself. Everything I was ever told. It was all lies. A life of lies, anguish and being shunned... I burst into tears and just cried. Joanne pulled me to her and did her best to console me. Why would they do this to me?“It’s okay Karen! We still love you!” Joanne murmured sweetly as I sobbed in her arms. “You’re still my sister.” I felt confused and hurt by the revelations the king presented. I felt devastated and worthless. Her voice was soothing as I sniffled sadly. I need to calm down and try to think this through. “See, Kay? It’s going to be just fine...” Bart left to get something for us to eat now that they had been able to wake me u
-Karen-He cupped my face again, “Now my princess is extra pretty.” I felt my cheeks get hot. Your princess… He always called me his princess anyway… Now I really am. “You haven’t blushed like that in a while…” He laughed as I turned even redder. I chuckled and hugged him tightly.“Listen Kay, I really despise your family for what they have allowed to happen to you.” He gave me a serious look. “It pisses me off so bad that they would hide something this important from you. And treating you like you didn’t matter for many years- It makes my blood boil!” He took my right hand within his. “I hate seeing how much this has hurt you because I’m not sure I can help heal that pain and it-” I stopped him by putting my left thumb over his lips.“Just being here for me is enough, Conor.” I grimaced. “I always had my suspicions about it even after I thought I was able disprove the many rumors I heard… But to see it in writing, well… That’s a lot harder for me to deal with.” I cupped his cheek wit
-Karen-“No, you are required to stay here in your apartments as per the King’s instructions.” Conor held me tightly as Remus answered. “Now, get out of the way or I’ll push you out of the way.” Remus hissed coldly. Charles lowered his gaze to the ground as the tension rose in the air. The stream of servants emptied the armoire with expedience within about ten minutes. I was holding on to Conor so tightly my knuckles were white. I cowered closer to him as he kissed my forehead. “Augustus, flank him.”Conor looked down at me with a depressed look. “It’s going to be okay honey… I’ll see you soon, Kay.” He kissed my forehead again as I cried. “I promise you- I’ll see you soon.”He reluctantly stepped away as Remus and Augustus approached me menacingly. I don’t care! I’ll fight both of you! “Come on, Princess. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” I tried to fight viciously as Remus grabbed on to me as carefully as he could. I tried to punch him in the face with my right fist.“Let g
-Conor-“I have a terrible feeling about this Nathan. We need to go to her. As soon as possible.” Conor said pacing back and forth in front of all the Mages. “After she lost consciousness, Eldon came and took her away. All he said was that she was being summoned by a tree. That's when a portal was made for me to come back here.”Nathan's eyes got wide and he lost the coloring in his face. “The Tree summoned her?” A serious yet terrified look remained on his face. Alexander started screaming making everyone jump. A portal opened and everyone stood up while Joanne worked to calm him down. “Karen?” Conor asked feeling hopeful. Eldon walked through carrying her, but he was stoic. “She’s going to be okay, right?”Eldon gently placed her into his arms. He didn’t answer right away. “Not exactly.” The portal shut as all the Mages gathered around. “As you know, she won the war against your father with your help. However, she lost the fight.” He said quietly. “Senescence, has deemed that she i
“Soul Release.” I whispered quietly. I watched as the souls compressed into different color orbs and floated away on the breeze. Bombs started falling around me while breathing became harder. “Healing Serenity.” I’ve used a flurry of spells and I still have a small chunk of magic left. I can easily get two or three more Master spells… I think. I decided to change positions so I could get a better aim at the last large ship flying around. I still have those small ships too… I took a deep breath and sent a Blazing Hypernova up to the middle area of the small ships. They all exploded in a bright flash and the wreckage fell to the destroyed town. I looked around for the large ship, but a bullet ricocheted very close to where I stood. Suddenly, more soldiers appeared charging at me.“Frostfire Surge!” I shouted angrily. All the soldiers shouted in pain and collapsed dead around us in heaps. I pointed up at the sky as the ship tried to leave again. “Blazing Hypernova!” Due to the high level
-Karen-A blow to the back of the head put me on the ground faster than I ever thought possible. Blow after blow was delivered as I squirmed to get away, but Zachary pinned me under him and continued to land a barrage of punches. He yelled and screamed about what I had done to his family. I grabbed his ankle and let him have a taste of ‘Lightning Surge’. It bought me enough precious time to weakly get to my knees.“Recovery Salvo.” I shakily got to my feet and leaned against the wall, but he was no where to be seen. I looked around nervously, but nothing moved. I heard the bullets before I felt them. Hot metal burrowed its way into my right thigh followed by my abdomen, left arm and chest. I collapsed in heap trying to fight the massive amounts of pain I felt. “Healing Serenity!” I whispered under my breath. Damn, another healing spell… I whispered for a portal and fled to the shadows of a building across town. There were still so many ships in the air, and I was starting to feel the
-Karen-“We don’t have a choice anymore!” I snapped back frustratedly. “This is it, Conor- We fight or we die- I’m not about to let him claim victory. There is going to have to be a risk in order to win this fight. I plan on coming back, you know.”“But what if you don’t, Kay? What if Eldon doesn’t revive you?” Conor asked firmly. He cupped my face and stared me in the eyes. “What if you’re gone forever?” What if… Such a big 'what if' and its running through my mind too.I didn’t answer him right away. “I’m going to die someday. I’d rather die fighting for my family and the people I care about than to run and live in fear wondering if today will be the day. As long as I don’t exhaust my magic and turn into a demon, I should be fine.” I’ve used a small bit of my magic, but I still have more than plenty. As long as I can take them out in fifteen to twenty Master level attacks, it should be okay. Permitting this doesn’t drag out for very long.I could see he was very much not accepting o
-Karen-“Your sudden jerking movements re-opened a wound I repaired.” Bart explained as I lay still looking up at the ceiling of the empty crypt bed. “I stitched it closed but you can't be doing those type of movements yet.” I sighed feeling useless as another bomb shook the ground.“Let me put some salve on her stitches, doctor.” Valerie murmured rubbing in a sweet smelling cream. “This should help numb the stitches so they won't hurt if you do have to move.”“Thank you both.” I replied, slowly sitting up. “Those bombs have been falling for the last three days now. How much more punishment can the main floor of the Crypts take?” I asked Nathan, feeling uneasy about our situation.I could see that Nathan was very reluctant to answer. “It probably won't be much longer, honestly. We have to make some hard choices now. The only other place we can go is the Forest and that has its own set of challenges and hazards as you know.” He heaved a heavy sigh, rubbing his face from the growing pre
-Karen-At the snap of my fingers, my brother’s arms were torn from his body. Screams of agony echoed around me while the soldiers took aim at me. A soldier was yelling, but I paid him no mind. I heard the same soldier call my brother’s name, Marcus, telling him to hold on. I giggled softly enjoying this scary side of myself and met Marcus’s now terrified yet agonized gaze. “Marcus… I’m going to annihilate you and as I do, I will make sure that your soul quivers in unimaginable terror.” He some how lost more coloring in is face at my calm words“Ground Spears!” I shouted angrily punching up into the air. The soldiers that surrounded us were now high up on the points of the spears with blood gushing and dripping down the jagged rocks, more groans and moans of pain filling the air which was tainted with the scent of blood. “Soul Snatch!” I ripped the wispy soul out of the body, and he looked terrified. “Soul’s Doom!” Just like before, a white demon charged right at him and shredded his
-Karen-I woke up enveloped in warmth, but I was extremely sore. I really felt like I hit every tree branch coming down from that fall. So sweet- He changed my dress. The orchid under dress. I looked over to my right and saw Conor and Alexander cuddled up next to me both sleeping with their mouths open. Ha- My loves. “Conor!” I whispered softly. I tried to roll over and found out that was a mistake. Ah! I’m still busted up pretty badly… I grabbed his hand that was cupping my left cheek and gently squeezed it. Wake up!Without opening his eyes, “You’re the most recklessly insane person I know, Karen Anne Elizabeth. That was awe-inspiring, terrifying and thrilling all at once, but I don’t want to repeat that any time soon.” Conor said rubbing my cheek with his index finger. Mm. So warm… “We’ve only lost two ships in two separate incidents before but that was insane!” He opened an eye and leaned into me. “You have a lot of injuries still. You broke lots of bones. Bet you’re sore?”“Very!
-Karen-Conor groaned while rubbing his face and then looked up at me. He rubbed his eyes again. “Is that really you, Kay? You’re not an illusion, right?” He whispered sitting up quickly and grabbing my left hand pressing my palm to his lips. “You know I’m not upset with you- Don’t you?” I dropped my gaze feeling so much shame as I stood before him. “I-”“You may not be upset but I am.” I interrupted quietly. “I just see myself punching you and then charging at Joanne and then the nightmares I had. I may not be cursed anymore but the weight of my guilt is so heavy. I feel like I should just die and end everything once and for all. But that wouldn’t be fair to you or to Alex.” I closed the gap between us and hugged him tightly. “I love you Conor. I love you and I hate that I only hurt you… I feel like I do nothing but that.”He was silent but he held me tightly to him after he pulled me onto his lap. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get this again.” Conor kissed my cheek and nuzzled my
-Karen-Sweet kisses on my lips woke me up though it took me several minutes to realize I was in bed next to Conor. As soon as I did, I tried to move away from him. “Ah ah ah!” He captured me quickly and pulled me back to him. No. Please don’t!I completely avoided his gazes and wouldn’t let him kiss me at all. “Karen- You won’t even look at me.” I could hear the disappointment in his voice. “Alexander cried all night after you left. Will you at least hug him?” I shook my head. “He says Mama now.” I don’t care. I can’t be here anymore! I only hurt you. I can’t continue to be a danger to you and everyone else here.I took advantage of the situation and pulled away from him. “Karen! Wait!” I left the tent as quickly as I could hearing him following me. “Please just listen to me!”All eyes were on me and it shot me right back to the memory of charging at Joanne. I dashed to the clearing and left the camp as fast as I could. I raced back to the Royal Crypt, crying the whole way. The guilt