-Conor-Conor looked over to Joanne and smiled sadly. I just have to be patient… It’s going to be over soon. “Honestly, it kills me every time, Jo. Part of me quietly wonders what happens if she doesn’t wake up? What if I never see her again?” He stood up, walking over to his dresser to get fresh clothes. “I wouldn’t want to live if she wasn’t with me. It might sound cliche, but she’s the light in my world and right now, I feel like I'm in the damn dark.” He said turning around to face his cousin. “What would you do if you lost Bart?” I know you’d kill yourself this time. I wouldn’t put it past you not to.She smiled sadly. “That’s easy. I would hang myself. I know I have to get married to another man when we go home… And it’s so hard to think that I won't be able to be with the man that I love… I wish we didn’t ever have to go home.” She said looking down. “I don’t want to marry Justinian… He killed my closest friend because she gave birth to a daughter… And then he killed the baby!”
-Conor-The days continued to slip by as the fifth week march approached. The baby gained the missing weight and a bit extra so there was no further concern over his weight for the time being. The five-week mark came, and Karen woke up and ate more of her dreaded cubes. She rubbed her belly proudly and after talking with Conor for ten minutes, she went back to sleep. The sixth week came and went. Karen slept soundly as she hugged her growing belly in her sleep. The king had sent Conor on another mission and was becoming increasingly frustrated with Nathan’s antics with the decoy camps and clever traps. Zachary practically ignored any mention of Karen at this time to Conor’s extreme relief. However, there was an increase in missions he had to go on to Conor’s great dismay.Two days before the seventh week, Bart had Bertha come by to check on Karen as all three of them had become extremely nervous about this. “We are two days away from the seven-week mark… She hasn’t woken up at all in
-Karen-I slowly opened my eyes and felt Conor’s warmth right next to me. I looked over to him and saw that he was sleeping. He looked exhausted but happy. He moved his hand over my belly and cuddled closer to me. Curiously, I looked down and saw that my belly was quite large. Oh, my goodness! I’m huge! Bigger than the first time which made me nervous because I knew immediately I was far beyond the six-week mark. I look like I swallowed a boulder… I wanted to wake Conor up as fast as I could to find out, but I resisted the temptation. Instead, I balled up one of the blankets next to me and propped myself up into a much more comfortable position. Ah! That’s better! My poor love… I watched Conor sleep for a while until I couldn’t resist waking him up. I slipped back down under the warm blankets so that I could be closer to him. Gently, I caressed his face watching him snuggle into my palm. Conor… I felt warm and content seeing him sleeping so peacefully next to me. I leaned down and ki
-Karen-“Oh… I have a great idea as to what you could ask for…” He smirked and then closed his eyes as I continued working him. “And you don’t even have to ask-” He moaned gently as I carefully got up and mounted him. “Oh… I have waited so long for this.” He slipped himself inside and it was nothing short of breath taking. I rolled my hips and watched him lose his mind from the pleasure. His eyes were so dark and full of desire. “You never disappoint… But now it’s your turn to lose your mind.” He gently rolled me on to my back and went to work on me. I felt so much more pleasure this time around as he kept diving deeper into me. I felt vulnerable in the best way. I grabbed his hands as I shivered from the pleasure under him. I called his name and he joined me several moments later.He lay back down next me and held me to him as we slowly came down from our cloud of bliss. “Again… Please?” I murmured to him. We can celebrate me finally waking up the best way… Making love for most of th
-Karen-I grabbed a plate and stuffed a little bit of everything onto it with the exception of the steak. I grabbed a double serving of it. “Thank you! I’m so hungry too!” This baby wants meat! I have eaten so much steak in the last week… He’s gonna be a meat man like his Papa. He’s a little piggy!“Me too Kay! I don’t know why but I have been so famished lately.” Joanne said following right behind me. “I just want to eat and sleep sometimes…” Hmm. I wonder why?“I told you it’s ‘cause your stressed out over the extra work I’ve been having to do, baby.” Bart explained, sitting down next to Joanne. He rubbed her right hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I haven’t been able to spend as much time with you as we normally do… Those Mages have been really going to town on the soldiers…” I raised an eyebrow. “My workload has practically doubled and since she hasn’t been feeling well, I won't let her help… I will once she feels better.” Bart explained with a frown. Oh… Well, that would ex
The next day, we were sitting at the table playing the game called Onde. Conor had a small basket with snacks and cider brought in while we played. It had been quiet and peaceful all day. Conor was helping me play against Bart and Joanne since it was easier to learn when you played on a team. Sixth round and we have lost each one. I was not very good at this game, but I was told that this too would be something I would need to practice. “We should play Conquain again.” I said to Joanne with a smirk. I can at least win at that!“No way! You’ll wipe the floor with us! Like you do every time Kay.” She replied rolling her eyes. “You’re doing pretty good at Onde for a beginner- C’mon, it’s your turn to go.” As I picked up the next card, there was a single heavy knock at the door. Hmm? Before any of us could respond, the doors flew open and Zachary, the Generals, Michael, Monica and ten guards stormed in. This is it- Game over. I immediately felt my heart sink as the terrifying thoughts o
-Karen-I’ve had enough of this! I laughed coldly at Zachary and stood up. The other three watched me with apprehension while I said as hatefully as possible, “Alright, I’ll apologize!” He smirked and nodded at me to continue. I’m not even slightly sorry for what I’m going to say. “I apologize that you’re a cold-hearted and callous man who, like my dear mother, can't let anyone be happy. I apologize that someone like you created such a wonderful man who deserves a better role model than he was given. How dare you call yourself a father! You’re just an abomination! Constantly attacking people to make yourself feel important. My oh my, how tiny your dick and ego must be, that you feel you have to antagonize and torment the hell out of others just to get anything out of the deal. Shame on you! You’re a terrible person! You should be apologizing to us for being a tyrant!” I felt my anger well up at the thought of how he would blatantly attack all of them. Calm down Alex. I know this is st
-Karen-“It’s really too bad because Conor is very apt on the battlefield. But the Empire is not a battlefield and cannot be treated as such...” Zachary continued calmly as he twirled the dagger between his fingers. “I know his mother will be most unhappy to hear the news that one of those pesky Resistance Mages took him out with an extremely well-aimed attack.” Zachary stated with a cruel grin as he turned back to Bart and Joanne. “As for you two morons- I’ll let you two have one more chance since I feel like I can still use you… If either of you slip up again, I’ll have you executed with no more effort than it took to have Conor beaten nearly to death.” He pulled some folded papers out of his back pocket, opened them, and laid them on the table facing Bart and Joanne. Just to add to it, he angrily stabbed the dagger through the papers as they flinched.They both had grim expressions as they looked at the papers. “I just have to sign them. I’ve already signed Conor’s and that nasty l
-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