-Karen-After our secret honeymoon of three days, we started back on the lessons quickly and with gusto. In the first week, I learned a new dance, memorized more Zargan-related town names and what they produced for the Empire, and how to properly address members of the king’s court including Conor. Each time I addressed him as the ‘Highest Prince next to the powerful and great King of Zargo and the Empire’ he would roll his eyes at me and scoff. “I hate that damn title.” Conor grumbled as I would giggle out of amusement. Conor had been required to do a scouting mission a week after we got married. He made sure to take his ring off whenever he left the room as we were trying to keep this a secret as long as possible. He kept the ring in his pocket and then slipped it back on when he came back in the room. The next three weeks slowly ticked by as Joanne helped me learn the most important customs of Zargo. The four of us made sure not to act like anything was out of the ordinary. Just
-Karen-When I woke up, I was in my apartment with Bart and Robert standing over me watching me carefully. I feel horrible. I hurt everywhere. “Kay, can you hear me?” Bart asked as he knelt down next to me. I nodded once and rolled onto my side facing the wall. I want to be in the darkness… It’s too bright in here even with the curtains closed. “You’ve been asleep for three days… We’ve been worried since Robert and I haven’t been able to wake you…” Three days? What the hell did he give me? “What happened when you were with the King? Do you remember anything?”Ugh… My head hurts so badly… I feel sick to my stomach too. “He asked about my jewel. And then gave me a drink- Two glasses… And then I can’t remember anything.” I feel terrible. I must have been mumbling because Robert turned me onto my back. “What did you say, Karen? We couldn’t hear you.” He looked just as concerned. I squinted at him while trying to get my thoughts together. “Light sensitivity…?” I nodded at him. “Did the Ki
-Karen-“But I still have lessons-” I started to protest.“No baby. I want you to take today off from your lessons. Even Charles agrees that you deserve a break. So, today, I’m going to pamper you.” He leaned down and kissed me. “And I don’t want to hear one word to the contrary, stubborn.”“Conor, the king has set forth-” I attempted to protest anyway. He started making out with me to stop me from talking. I cupped his face and pulled away from him so I could continue talking. “I have to-” He pulled my hands away and persisted in shutting me up. “Conor!” I firmly said as he chuckled“I want you to rest, Karen. I mean it! You have been waking up early every day to tend to the garden and then you do a full ten hours of lessons and then we dance… You need to rest. You’re going to burn yourself out. Even Robert says you need a day off!” Conor countered as he cuddled up to my right side as I pursed my lips shaking my head. “I’m worried about you. I’m so proud of your progress but you’re g
-Conor-“Ha! She’s out too.” Conor said proudly as Karen groaned in her sleep as he continued rubbing her down. Ah, my sweet love. You deserve this for all your hard work! I know you’ve been putting a lot of time into your studies.“Joanne’s been asleep for fifteen minutes… I know she’s been tired from trying to keep up with Karen’s arduous schedule. She had no idea that Kay was going to go all in on her lessons.” Bart explained as he rubbed Joanne’s left leg. “I don’t think any of us anticipated her working this hard honestly.”“She said she wants to be a Zargan… She wants to be accepted by our society… And not to have to marry Michael. I’m so proud of her, Bart. I know she has been pushing herself really hard though. I’m worried she will make herself sick with all the effort she is putting forth.” Conor replied as he continued rubbing Karen’s back with a different technique Bart showed him. “I’m happy she has done so well but I want her to take a break. I know she won’t do it volunt
-Karen-Mm… “Conor… I love your kisses.” I murmured as he kept kissing my skin. Before I could do anything else he was making his move on me. “I’m going to make sure you sleep really well tonight.” Conor replied disappearing from my line of sight. I’m going to.As soon as I lost sight of him I grabbed a pillow because I had an idea as to what he was going to do. I was not disappointed with him as he touched me in my most private areas. He knew exactly how to make me want to die from the pleasure. After several minutes, he joined with me kissing my neck repeatedly. “Tell me who the queen is!” Conor whispered in my ear. I felt confused by such a statement at a time like this. “Your mother?” I asked trying not to focus on anything but the pleasure I felt as he worked me down even further.Conor stopped and laughed loudly. “No, my love. That is not what I meant at all!” He leaned down and kissed me several times. “Who’s my queen?”“Oh! Ha. Me!” I replied pulling him down to me. We made
-Conor-“She has been learning a lot… I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it was eventually going to catch up with her.” Joanne said with a frown. “She’s really been pushing herself in all areas, including magically.”“Karen has been trying especially hard to learn our culture for the last several weeks. I’m really proud of her. She learns quickly and retains what she learns.” Conor said looking down at his ring and smiling happily. “Can you believe we have been married for almost four months now?” He asked looking back at her. Why is the blanket moving like that? “Is she shivering?” He asked getting up and touching her forehead. She was cold to the touch and he could see she looked simply exhausted despite two days of not actually doing lessons. “Bring some more blankets please.” Conor instructed, rubbing Karen’s arms vigorously to help warm her up. Maybe it’s another cold spell. I know she still gets them from time to time.“On it!” Joanne said rushing into the next room. She came
-Karen-“Thank you my love. That means a lot to me.” I replied proudly as I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I used to have fatigue attacks all the time when I was a new Mage, Conor. I tried so hard to keep up with the other Mages and I still had to do my servant duties, so I was constantly exhausted.” I recalled finishing the cheese and berries. I cut a piece of the cheesecake and held it to his lips. “Eat it.”“It’s for you though.” He replied shaking his head. I mocked him and he opened his mouth to chide me. I saw my opportunity and took it. We ate the cheesecake together as he glared. You should have seen that coming honey. We constantly harass each other... I giggled as he rolled his eyes. After several minutes, I finished the last bite and licked my lips completely satisfied with my dinner. He took the plate, set it on the table and then went to build a fire to warm the room for me. I silently got up as he stared at the burning fire for more than ten minutes. I know you’re worr
-Karen-We lay there in each other’s embrace panting. “That was amazing… Worth all the yelling and possible beating I’m going to get from Bart later.” He whispered. “I hope that helped warm you up too.” We snickered together quietly.“You think he’s going to yell?” I asked with a grin. Don’t yell too much Bart.“Probably… I’ll just expect it and hope he won't.” He whispered nuzzling my neck. How should I do this…? I have no idea what I should say… “Are you feeling okay? You look exhausted and sad.” He asked with concern. I nodded and sighed. I said the first thing that came to mind. “I have to go away for a while…” I replied sadly. Six weeks… I won't remember anything like last time. “Where are you going?” He asked sitting up next to me. “And why am I just finding out about this now?!” He had concern written all over his face. Uh oh- Uh… “I was afraid you would be mad.” I whispered trying to grab his hand. He pulled away from my grasp and pulled me up to sit next to him. What do I
-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