-Karen-“Karen? Is that you?” A familiar voice called to me.I turned around and saw an old acquaintance of mine named Oriana. She was a bit older than I was. She was tall and slender with black wavy hair and sharp blue eyes. “Oriana! How are you?” I asked her happily.“I’ve been well despite the invasion. Good to see you made it through…” She said warmly. She looked over my clothes and gave me a quizzical smile. “Did they change the uniforms for servants? I don’t recall that happening when Zargo took over.” She walked over to the counter and started unfolding the bolts of fabric. “How much fabric were you looking for?”“They didn’t change the uniforms… But I’m not a typical servant anymore either.” I answered trying to figure out how to explain my new position. Despite the companion offer, I was still an official servant to Conor even if he didn’t treat me like one. “May I please have three yards of each fabric? Four of the black though please.” I walked over to the scrap bin and pic
-Karen-“Actually, I was looking at that one. It reminds me of one of the hybrids I made… I named it Dark Devotion. It was the prettiest rose I had created, and it was my favorite one. I have a barrette that is similar to this pin.” I said thinking fondly of the times I would stay out in the garden falling asleep under the open sky surrounded by my flowers.Conor and the shop keep joined us fifteen minutes later. “Have you picked something, Kay?” Conor whispered in my ear. “Yes... May I please get this pretty brooch?” I asked pointing at the rose bloom. It’s pretty and it will make him happy. I hope.“Absolutely! Jasper, if you please.” Conor instructed the shop keep.“Yes, Majesty.” Jasper pulled at the beautiful pin and handed it to me. I carefully ran my finger over it and then kissed it sweetly. “Thank you Conor. I love it!” I pinned it to my dress and showed it off to him.“A pretty rose pin for a gorgeous flower.” Conor said proudly. He kissed me warmly and led us out of the j
-Karen-A week had passed since I found out about Novo’s death. I was an emotional wreck as I tried to deal with it as best I could. I’d never felt so devastated about anything and it never really occurred to me how powerful death was. No one I cared about had ever died until Lizette and now Novo. All three of them had been extremely supportive and did their best to cheer me up as I grieved. The first two days I did nothing but cry and sleep. I felt even more helpless than ever but the three of them took care of me. Conor was especially supportive of me. He would sit and let me cry while he stroked my hair and hummed the tune from before.On the third day of the week, Conor had started doing the drills in the morning again and then was back around lunch time each day. I waited at the door for him and as soon as he would come in the room, I would greet him with warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. I had started to become much closer to all three of them during this time. It felt wonderfu
-Karen-“I do! I borrowed a book from the library when I first became a Mage. It was called 'Nomel Palace'. There are two other palaces in this kingdom. One in Dareme and the other is in Ralio. Dareme used to be the original capitol until the Lucevkin Dynasty took over. Back before the dynasty took over, these lands were just separate small kingdoms. Eventually, they banded together to fight off the kingdom of Imogau. As far as I know, we are the only kingdom with Mages but I'm not very certain about that. I think the other kingdoms might have Mages but there numbers are much smaller in comparison to Mazifik's.” I explained, wracking my brain for this information.“Well, we started the invasion with the kingdom of Covina in the far east and then worked our way over to Mazifik. From what I saw, no other country has Mages and if they did, they hid them very well.” He paused a moment. “What I can say is that the other kingdoms did not put up a fight like Mazifik. Father had sent a messen
-Karen-He chuckled while he caressed my left cheek. “You’re my princess.” I started to object but he silenced me with a kiss. “If you agree to be my companion, when I am King, I will make you one. So, then you’ll really be my princess.” I opened my mouth to protest but he pulled me to him and kissed me several times. “Nope. Not a word. You don’t really ask for anything… That makes me want to shower you with anything I can get my hands on. Everything!” I giggled. “But you’ve already done enough for me, Conor. I can't ask you for anything else. That would be greedy and rude.” I cupped his face as I leaned in and kissed him slowly. “Enough.” We kissed passionately for several minutes. He smirked deviously. “No! You better not!” I snapped as he laughed heartily.“You can’t tell me what to do, Kay. I’m the prince remember?” He whispered against my lips. I gave him another dirty look as we laughed.“I hate when you use that on me.” I glowered with a pout. Cocky jerk.“That’s the only way
-Karen-Oh! Yes. Joanne didn’t exactly explain the other part. I nodded as I pulled back from him. “I do actually. Explain to me, if you don’t mind, what is really supposed to happen between lovers. I know Joanne said she is loud with Bart but that’s all I got from her. I don’t know anything else beyond that.” I asked curiously. I mean I’m practically stupid when it comes to that. Like I know more about butchering a chicken then being with someone.“The intimate part?” I nodded and watched his expression. “It’s never supposed to hurt. Accidents can happen if you’re not paying attention but, ideally, the whole act should be nothing but pleasure for both of us.” He smirked at that. “It should make you feel so much all at once and at the same time, it allows you to connect and bond with your lover. It deepens the bond so much further than just spending time together. Like for instance, I want to teach you to dance and I want you to teach me how to sew, right?” I nodded as I followed alon
-Karen-I woke up in the big bed alone wondering if I would always have these sweet nights with Conor. The lullaby he hummed to me was so soothing and it made me feel elated. Conor William Victor. He’s really something else! I sat up trying to wake up quickly when Bart and Joanne came through the doors. Joanne was carrying a tray as they smiled warmly at me.“Morning Kay! Hope you’re feeling alright!” Joanne inquired kindly while I stretched and yawned. I stood up and walked over to the table as Bart and Joanne smirked. They already know. No question by the looks on their faces.“We heard you accepted his offer.” Bart said as he and Joanne traded warm smiles. “We think you made a wonderful choice.” I dug into breakfast hungrily and devoured the bacon as soon as I saw it. I made Joanne burst out laughing while Bart chuckled with amusement. After I ate, I was full and sleepy all over again. I could use another nap.“He stayed in our apartment last night.” Joanne explained with a bigger
-Karen-I turned back and straightened up the bed and picked out his clothes. Next I started getting the towels and soaps ready. “Kay! You don’t have to do that you know?” Joanne called from the main room. I rolled my eyes and continued trying to make sure that he would have everything he needed for his shower. I’m his servant- Yes, I do! Undergarments. Pants and shirt. Body towel, hair towel, soap and shampoo. And the conditioner- I think that’s it?I dried the floor with the towel from my shower. As I crossed the main room into the armoire room, I dropped the used towel into the small basket. I opened the door to look myself over in the new mirror. I tightened the sash in the back and flounced my hair. I shut the armoire door when I heard the main door open. I bolted to the door as Conor walked through. As soon as he shut the door, I pounced on him and hugged him tightly.“I missed you!” I whispered as he hugged me back tightly.“Not as much as I missed you!” Conor said kissing me r
-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