ElijahI walk into Asher's room and knock. A moment later, he opens the door and stands looking at me. Okay, I was heartless."I'm sorry for snapping. Do you have five minutes to talk?" I ask, and he nods. Walking back through, I sit beside Seraphine, and Asher sits opposite us."So what's going on?" He looks at me."You keep saying you don't want the responsibility, that you don't want to take on the burden. Is it true? Or something you say because in your mind I will become King?" I ask and wait. He looks at me like I'm a fool. I'm not. I have a plan."Why does it matter?" He looks at me and waits."Because I'm giving up the title Asher, I can't be King here and have Seraphine as my mate. We're from two entirely different worlds." It won't work. In no way would it work."Elijah, you need to consider yourself and think about this," Seraphine looks at me. "You can't live underwater!"She's wrong. "You said there was magic that would make me breathe underwater, so why not?" I go back t
ElijahStorm left a week ago after blessing me, and I've spent my time split between doing things I would like when I become King and with Seraphine.We've gotten closer, and I'm amazed by how much easier it was with Seraphine. It was painful and tiring with Rose. I know that Seraphine expects me to claim her tonight, so I've delayed it.I rushed with Rose, and that was a bad thing."Prince Elijah," I turn and look at Omega Steve. He's almost gone." His words are quiet, and he walks off. I need to delay seeing Seraphine.Walking through the palace, I go down into the cells."Really!" Bailey screams at me, and I nod."Yes, really." Reaching through the bar, I grasp Grant, healing him enough so he doesn't die."You're a monster!" Bailey tries to grab me from behind the bars."Says the one who killed her own son, then hid it. You also willingly took part in kidnapping someone else's children and torturing them." I step closer, not bothered if she reaches me. "He deserves to suffer. You s
AsherIt’s been five weeks since Storm left, and I have to admit I miss her. It feels like forever, and sure, she calls me, but it isn’t the same. Four more weeks, that’s all I have to wait until she comes back.She’s having twin girls, which is fantastic, and I can’t wait for her to come home. My thoughts are ripped away from me at the sound of Zyra kicking a stone across the edge of the cliff.I swear down, if she had fire magic, I would be burned alive just from her glare. I’m in trouble. I was trying to motivate her, but it failed, and now I’m in trouble.“Zyra, I was trying to help,” I explain and look at her.“Help? By pretending your wings didn’t work and you were falling to your death!” She screams, and I nod. I thought it would encourage her to fly. Something that she still hasn’t managed to do.“I’m sorry,” I smile at her.“No one is listening. My wings are broken! I can’t fly. I don’t get why none of you accept that!” She sits down and continues to glare at me. I thought th
AsherWhen we get back, my dad is waiting."It wasn't me," I don't know what it is, or what happened or maybe didn't happen, but for a change, it wasn't me. "I wasn't even here," I explain, and he laughs."No one is in trouble; come through and talk, both of you," he walks towards the offices, and I follow him in, seeing my mum and Darius."You said I wasn't in trouble?" This feels like I'm in trouble."You're not. Sit." My mum smiles at me, so I sit with Zyra next to me."You know Storm is back soon. The day after she gets back, Elijah marries Seraphine. Storm has just told us she wants to get married the day after them." My mum explains, and I nod. I knew it was coming."Which after speaking to Aurelia and Arktos, they have decided because everyone will be here, they will get married the day after Storm and Orion," Darius looks at me. "You two say you want to get married when she learns to fly. How is that going? As the dragons will be here for the other weddings.""I did it," Zyra
AureliaThe Bear’s Kingdom is so different from home. It takes some time to get used to things here and how everything works. While werewolves often had moon gatherings and ran together, Bears have a tradition of hunting together.It’s something I had never tried or experienced before, but slowly, I felt better. Then again, I’ve been here for two months, so I should be better at it by now.Today, Queen Mishka and King Thorben have taken a step back. Arktos and I will lead this ball. It’s our first public appearance together as a couple since we arrived here.I accepted that I would live here. Arktos is going to be King, the only son of the royal family, so I will be his Queen.“How are you feeling?” He looks at me, and I smile.“Nervous, but I’ll be fine,” I say as we reach the door. The dress I’m wearing ensures that my marks are showing. Bears are different to Werewolves.Arktos didn’t bite to claim me; it wouldn’t work anyway, as he’s not a wolf. Instead, Bears claim their mates by
AsherStorm was meant to return before me, but she wasn't here when I returned. All we know is that they slowed down a bit, adding extra hours to the journey.Now, it's been hours. Aurelia is back, and my parents are trying to track down Storm and Orion. It would be easier if they weren't between cities. It would be easier if they answered the phone."Guards should be finding them soon," Darius looks at me. He seems so calm, considering she is missing. Okay, she is not missing, but she is still missing to me anyway."When will we hear from the guards?" I ask, and he shrugs."They were told to call as soon as they found them, so anytime now," he explains. While we wait, my mum walks around, looking just as anxious as me."She will be fine," Zyra walks over and sits beside me."You given up on the silent treatment?" I laugh slightly, and she nods."Only because I feel sorry for you. Don't think I'm over it, though," she smirks, and I nod."I'm sorry," I whisper and kiss her cheek. It wa
StormBeing in the Fae kingdom was terrific. I'm eager to return home, though. Which, I guess, was my mistake. The Fae doctor warned me to stay calm and not push myself.Well, I did. I pushed myself too much to get ready and leave on time. When it came time to stop in town for a break, it lasted ten minutes before I insisted we begin the journey again.Stress didn't help clearly as I went into labour in the back of the car while arguing with Orion. He did nothing wrong; I just wanted to get home despite the drivers and guards needing a break.I was vocal when my waters broke, and I began to have pains. We had stopped in the middle of rogue territory but didn't have a choice. It was just good thinking of Queen Nymeria that we take a doctor with us.If we hadn't, then what? I hate to think of how bad things could have gone without the doctor there. Orion was amazing, though; he helped keep my calm while I was panicking and freaking out.It was after I had the girls and was holding them
StormThe weddings passed by quickly. Each had its traditions, and it was amazing to see the differences between them.Elijah and Seraphine's wedding was held under the palace in the sea. What followed was truly extraordinary. Using magic, the guests were bestowed with the ability to breathe underwater, a transformation that left everyone in awe.It felt strange at first, but slowly, I relaxed and got used to it. Talking was an issue; I panicked when I considered drowning, but the magic made it possible to speak. It was like we were mermaids without the tails.Everyone's outfits were stunning, made with shells, pears and such. It was nice to see the Merfolk's traditions.Elijah has done fantastic. He's been focused on helping change the palace to fit Seraphine, learning to become King, and learning the Merfolk language.This means that while he said his vows so we could understand them, he repeated them in the Merfolk language. It was a special moment, something that Seraphine and her
Asher POVI look down at Katla. She's only a few days old. After speaking with Zyra, she decided that the space in the mountains would be a retreat—a place for us to escape to, somewhere Katla could get used to what it is like to live in the Dragon Kingdom.We have spent a few days there, but not many. Apparently, she wants to be in the palace close to the others. Part of me feels like that's because they were her support while I was hiding away.It's shown her what having a family around can do. We're close, minus Aurelia. She seems to be thriving with the Bears and keeping her distance. Other than returning that day when I was going crazy and needed help, she rarely came back. We've adjusted and got used to that, however.She wants her life away from here; she wants her own life, not one that is connected to us. She should have that if she wants it."Hey."Turning, I see Elijah walk to me.He laughs slightly and takes Katla from my arms. "You look exhausted; fun night?"It's only 4
Asher POVI walk out of the room and go to where I know they will be. As I step into the office, they turn to face me.Darius shakes his head. "You should be with Zyra.""I was, but considering this is brought on by the Dragons, I should be helping." I walk further in and look at the papers."Nothing to help with," my dad shrugs. "His son is clean, Seraphine can tell. Things were explained to him. He had no idea about the arranged marriage and, to be honest, was shocked, as he apparently had a mate."So the son won't be an issue. Is that what he's saying?"Look, both Eliphas and Durnalin are in the cells, away from each other. The son has gone. Apparently, he has a whole life with his mate. His dad told him the dragons had requested their presence at events." Darius explains.It makes no sense, though. "Why? Why would the dragons want the warlocks there?" How didn't his son question it?"Apparently, because Eliphas and his son are the strongest warlocks, they invited them to make a un
Asher POVI wait and watch."Prince Asher, soon to be King, tell me something." He walks to the bars and leans against them. "Where do Warlocks belong?"My head tilts; they belong wherever they want to. I don't understand his question."See, there is no answer as we don't belong anywhere. There is the werewolf kingdom, fae, dragons and everything else. Witches and warlocks are forced to live in one of those kingdoms, with no real power."So this was all about getting power? My body is pushed back, and my eyes widen as I see King Drakon reach through the bars—his hand clamps around Eliphas' neck.I guess he's fixed, and his curse is gone. My dad and Darius drag him away, and I watch Eliphas drop to the floor, clutching his neck. The blood runs down from where King Drakon's nails dug in."We need answers; killing him won't get them." My dad turns and faces Eliphas."Apparently, this was all for power." Which still makes no sense."It wasn't just for power. We wanted our own kingdom, our
Asher POVI'm anxious. It's been two days since the curse was lifted, and I'm glad to be back to normal. All that is at risk, though. Tonight, I have to be close to whoever is pretending to be King Drakon. That then risks it happening again, and if it does, will it start slow again or begin where it was removed?I've noticed Elijah, Storm, and Aurelia are quiet. Whatever was done has worn them out, which I didn't want."Are you ready?" Zyra hugs me, and I nod. I'm not. We need answers and to figure out who it is."Be careful, okay?" I don't like that I'm not going to be there."It's you who needs to be careful. You will be in a confined space with him. If anything goes wrong." She looks at me worriedly.Wrapping my arms around her, I smile. "I'll be fine; once he's in the cell, he can't do anything." I kissed her and gave her a final hug before walking away.Getting to the cells, I sit in one and wait. I'm hoping the plan works. If we can get him in the cell, then his magic and power
Asher POVI can see Zyra is struggling, and I don’t blame her either. She just found out her brother is missing.“Look, when Seraphine checked trying to find out the issue with him, she saw King Drakon, but it wasn’t him. Whoever it was is who we believe Cursed Asher.” My mum grasps her hands and smiles. “We’ve got people tracking down where your brother really is. There’s a reason for this, and it’s you, Zyra. Seraphine could sense the curses were put on Asher and Elijah to try and push you to return home.”Zyra looks around the room and seems increasingly worried. “What about Ryker? Is he okay? Does he know?” She waits, and I don’t know the answer to that.“I’m sorry, we don’t know. You need to stay here, Zyra. We have a plan, and we’re hoping Seraphine can uncover more when the person comes here.”She nods and sits, looking lost.“We are expecting Seraphine to return late tonight or early tomorrow. If they can’t fix the issue, then we will keep working to.” My mum smiles and hugs h
Asher POVAfter about an hour of sitting in the cell with Zyra, I ordered her to leave. I wanted to spend time with her, but she shouldn't have been sitting in the cells with me.So, I've been alone for hours, waiting to find out their plan. They hadn't thought this through. I need to leave the cell to go to the room. As soon as I step out of this cell, it will come back. Then what?I'm willing to agree to anything right now if it gets me out of this cell and back with Zyra. The footsteps have me standing, and I watch my dad and Darius walk towards me."What's your plan? How am I to do this?" They haven't thought it through."You need to shift." Darius looks at me.I laugh at him. Is that some kind of joke? "You want me to shift, so that what? I can kill people easier?"My dad sighs and steps forward. "Please do as you're told. You won't understand why we're saying you can shift, but shift. Into your wolf, not dragon."Of course, I won't understand; they haven't explained it to me. If
Elijah POVI sit in the office; Seraphine has left. She's meeting her family halfway in the hopes they have something that can help. Merfolk are powerful creatures with extraordinary abilities.Curses and such are something they specialise in."We're going to request that King Drakon attend a celebration for Zyra's pregnancy. It means we can get what we need and figure out who it is and what their aim is." My dad looks at me, and he makes it sound so simple. This isn't simple."He's going to ask why Asher isn't present, then what?" We can't lie and hide him. "It will look suspicious.""Not if Zyra invites him, she won't know, remember. She can invite him, and whoever is portraying King Drakon won't suspect anything. We're going to be honest and explain something is wrong with Asher, and he's not well."So we're not hiding the issue."He could be in the cell for weeks, so we've had things moved down there for him. The plan is later to test how he is with someone in the cell with him. T
Asher POVI watch as Elijah glares at everyone and backs up more."Elijah, we need to know." My mum steps towards him."I saw him once, just once! You all need to focus on Asher, not me! He's the one that is cursed, not me!" He shouts and steps back. He backs into my dad, and he grabs Elijah as Seraphine steps forward and grips his head.His screams echo around the cells, and it's all over just as quickly as it starts. His body falls to the floor, and he cradles his head."Well?" Darius looks at Seraphine."You're going to need a warlock, or I'll need to contact my family and see if they have something to clear the curses." Her words make me look towards Elijah. So, he is also cursed."Asher's curse is to make him push everyone out and make him think he has a mad wolf so that Zyra leaves. Elijah's was to hate Asher, likely to intensify it." Seraphine smiles slightly. "There's no mate, Elijah. The curse is what's stopping us from having a baby. There's no third mate." Her words have hi
Asher POVNo one speaks, likely because they know what I said is the truth. I need to die; there is nothing they can do to change that."Explain the process, what happened, how it started, when it happens." Darius pulls a chair over and sits outside the cell.I laugh. "Why do I need to talk? Why do I need to explain? You're proving you believe me by keeping me locked in here and being too afraid to come near your own son."Nothing I say can change that."Asher, I'm not opening the cell because I don't trust you to try and run. So explain it to me, tell me how it's progressed, and let's be sure that is what is happening." He waits, and I watch my mum, Elijah, and dad sit with him."It began with whispers. The words were barely audible, but I heard whispers in my ear. They got louder and began to sound like words. Whispers were one thing, but then I began to see people dead and my wolf above them." It was a warning to me to hide, to push them away, and not let them close to me."When do