What had been meant to be a light shove results in Darian being thrown across the room and he crashes into the wall. An image flashes through my mind, haunting me momentarily at the sight of Darian and the dent in the wall, and I shove it down, deep down, where the rest of my fears lay in deep slumber. Breath hitching and eyes widening with horror, I shoot to my feet, hands covering my lips. "Oh my, are you alright, Dar?!" He groans, peeling himself off the wall. More grunts and sharp breaths has me rushing over to where he tries to pull himself up but he raises a hand, stopping me. "Don't." His eyes flick to mine for a heartbeat, but is long enough to see the disappointment therein. But it is soon replaced with something that causes the hairs on my skin to rise. "Your eyes," he notes, standing. "They're black." I've been having a lot of those in the past month. Flashes of darkness, hazy visions that are filled with red, moments of unwarranted rage. It's
I'm angry. I don't think I have ever been this mad in my entire life. I have held it in, fuming for the entirety of the night. It only increased when I tried to sleep to somehow find a way to talk to Hekate. I had spent hours with my eyes shut, screaming into the darkness that was my mind, but he hadn't come. I'd thought of it as a dream, but he had really marked me, and now, my body is shifting. The flashes, the rage, the red haze, my hormones being haywire, my body getting softer, bigger, my colour becoming surreal, and my skin having the stupid glow that they do--I'm turning into a fucking Lycan! Sitting through classes, being unable to concentrate is a pain in my ass and as soon as the bell is rung, I am heading back to the Star Hall, where I know His Stupid Highness is going to be. Well, he isn't there for once with his betrothed. It just makes me madder and I know if I checked, there is smoke coming out of my ears. I find him a moment
It would seem the whole school wishes to witness the moment I get "suspended". Students are loitering about the hallways, rather than heading to the cafeteria for dinner. They're watching. Waiting for 'The Door' to be opened. Funny how I didn't go through any door when I got dumped here. The Goddess sure has a wonderful sense of humour. "It's only two weeks. I'll be back before you know it," I say, squeezing Dar's fingers reassuringly, but his frown remains. His golden eyes shift to the doors behind me and his features tighten even further. "That's a damn long time." I chuckle, punching his arm playfully. "Don't go all broody on me. I'll be back soon." His breath escapes in a sigh, a gentle breeze that stirs the air between us. Fingers, tender and warm, find their way to my cheek, cradling it with care. A feather-light kiss grace my skin, igniting a delicate dance of sensations within me and my toes curl in my favoured black boots. "I need you here
"Do not come any closer. I will jump from here if you do," the female says as I hurl myself through the doors once more, only to be repelled by an invisible force that will not let me leave this room. I have been trying repeatedly for a minute now but I'm stuck here. "Go ahead, Lorna," he says, eyes sparkling with wicked delight. "A few broken bones can be fixed in time for the ritual come nightfall." I rear back, stunned. Lorna? If she is Lorna and this situation is what I think it is, then...my eyes snaps to the male prowling closer to her. That isn't Rune. It is Hekate. Not that I know the difference between them anymore. The woman peers down from the window. "I would never survive a fall from this height." "You would," he cooes, bracing a hand on her exposed thigh that sits in the windowsill. "The shift is nearly complete. All that is left is the consummation of our bond tonight. A mere fall cannot break a lycan." I don't know
My brows knit together in a perplexed frown as an unexpected torrent of sunlight floods the room, rudely rupturing my dreamless slumber. Grumbling, I instinctively clutch my pillow, seeking reprieve from the sun's intense glare by burying my face beneath its soft embrace. But my reprieve is short-lived, as a loud clatter and startled gasp pierces the air. Jerking the pillow away from my face, I swiftly rise from the bed and my eyes that are weary from crying struggle to adjust to the sudden intrusion. There are maids everywhere, their hands bearing an assortment of attire, shoes, opulent jewelry, and even tiaras, rendering the room an impromptu dressing chamber. "What is this?" I mutter, rubbing my eyes with the back of my palm. "I didn't order for a wardrobe change." "Prepare the bath," my mother's command resonates from the threshold and my mind comes awake in her presence. Behind her, more maids pour in, bearing vessels brimming with liquids that have an into
"I don't understand," I whisper, my voice barely audible amidst the weighty silence that hangs in the air. Mother speaks, words laced with severity. "Upon Hekate's death, the Goddess expressed her wrath, and to the utmost surprise of our predecessors, she did not take our side." Wrapping my hair in a towel, she says behind me in a commanding tone, "Rise." I stretch to my full length and step out of the cauldron. I grab a towel from the hanger and drape it around myself. "So...she brought him back? Don't they say the Goddess forbids manipulating the states between life and death?" Inching out the door, my mother throws over her shoulder, "She was angry enough to keep his soul from crossing into the ether, seeing as he'd cursed every generation yet to be born, condemning all but the humans to death. It didn't make it any better that the curse had taken on a form of its own." Observing her as she raises a diaphanous blue gown and a red garment so deep it verg
Day after day, I go through the gruelling routine of scrubbing my skin until it is nearly raw, bathing in near scalding water and having milk dunked over my head, having the lacing of my bodice pulled until I can no longer breath, and my hair nearly pulled from my head in a bid to have it styled outrageously. A hiss of exasperation escapes me as a rogue pin pricks my finger, and I pull out the wretched object from my hair, hurling it across the hall. The room erupts in an abrupt silence as the pin finds its mark, clattering against the marble floor. A collective hush falls upon the gathering, every eye riveted to the rebellious object, as if it were a harbinger of upheaval. Tension hangs heavy in the air and stirred by an unseen force, I rise from my throne and make my way down the daiz. No more. I'm not doing this anymore. Ignoring the male whose words cling to the air, his voice thick with irritation, I skip the steps, eager to get the fuck out of h
My brow knits together as a featherlight touch grazes my cheek, trailing down my neck with an intimate caress that startles me awake. Glacial green eyes lock onto mine, and instinctively, I recoil, scrambling backward until my back collides with the headboard. Still, I don't halt until I lose my balance and topple to the ground. A soft chuckle resonates in the air, and my heart lurches at its sound. "You summoned me, princess, yet your reception lacks enthusiasm." Seizing my pillow from the floor, I hurl it across the room with a surge of preternatural strength. "What the fuck are you doing in here, creep?!" Hekate catches the pillow effortlessly, allowing it to slip from his grasp. "Again, you called." Fuming and cursing, I rise from the ground, massaging my bruised knee. "I did not, and I do not appreciate your intrusion." With hands folded behind his back, he strides around my queen-sized bed, pausing only to perch at its edge, propping his head on his fist. Mi
*Rune*Father holds up two bottles in front of me, stopping me in my pacing. "Come drink with me."I wish to refuse, but panicking and pacing frantically outside the room does nothing to reduce Astrid's screams.It is all I can do to not lose my mind."Make that three," Ronan Blackwood chimes in, snatching my bottle before my fingers can even grip it. "Four, perhaps."I let out a ragged sigh. "Astrid--""Will have your head for drinking while she delivers your child, but I assure you, you do not want to be in that room with her right now." Ronan pulls down the collar of his regal jacket, revealing an old scar across his neck. "This was her mother's gift to me when I thought to ease her of *the pain* by staying by her side."Father snickers, leading us to his receiving chambers. "Zephyr..." He shakes his head, voice trailing off into silent laughter.Minutes span out into hours, and the slow burn of the alcohol in my throat has become somewhat soothing, lulling me and hazing my thoughts
*Hekate*I had always pondered on the possibility of Astrid taking after Lorna in appearances. The Goddess must have a cruel sense of humour. I brush back the silky strands of hair that cover her profile and Astrid stirs, murmuring something in her sleep.It is one of the many things I enjoy--watching her sleep. The lack of tension in her body, the unguarded look about her, her slightly parted lips and the rare smile that graces her face when she dreams—perhaps of me.The bandage around her head starts to slip off and I reach for her, putting it back in place. Her brows furrow and her eyes flutter open.Her blue gaze meets mine, a little unfocused, and it takes a few moments for recognition to register. "Hekate.""Why, you don't seem pleased to see me, princess," I purr, a smirk forming on my lips as she blinks rapidly and licks her own lips, trying to hide her flush."I'm not. Considering you bailed on me and--" She suddenly groans, her head sinking into the pillows as she tries, un
Hekate"Going somewhere?" I ask, gaze dropping to the packed luggage.The woman jumps at my voice, turning immediately to find me leaning against the door. Her eyes widen with fear and surprise. "Prince Rune--""Atlas."One word. One name. Stories untold, secrets buried. A friend. A foe. I have never been able to decide which of them Atlas Moonburn was. The staff in her grasp clatters to the ground and her complexion turns blotchy. Pale. She looks much older now, her allure as a maiden nearly gone. Her grey eyes widen to the side of saucers and she stumbles a step back, reaching behind her for the candle stand.She hurls it at me, trembling with fear. "Oh, Goddess."Displeasure curls my lips and I catch the golden stand, squeezing it hard in my grasp. "That is no way to treat an old friend.""You are no friend of mine!" she scream, hurling a book at me next.My lips kick up as I cross the distance between us. "That isn't what you said when you begged me to kill your sisters.
*Rune*She jumped, if I am to believe what I have been told.I stand motionless outside the infirmary, listening to Priestess recall what lead to her jumping off the railing for what seems like the umpteenth time."For the past few days, I noticed the dark aura about her. Her sadness and growing anger. I tried to help her. I tried to make her comfortable enough to confide in me. She finally opened up today. She told me she hated being here. She hated him and couldn't stand being married to a monster and sharing his bed." The Priestess' voice breaks and sadness overwhelms her features. "She said she couldn't take anymore of it. I tried to stop her, but she was too fast for me."It doesn't sound like Astrid. I know that all of it has been weighing down on her. I could see the depression and helplessness, and often times than not, I had made sure to convince her otherwise.None of what the woman speaks sounds like my mate.But it was she who had spoken to her last and called for help whe
The next days were hectic. The news spread like wild fire and all of Lycanthia wanted to see the 'pregnant wife' of the prince.More than half of my day was spent in the throne room, listening to the people talk about how radiant I looked and how much better it might have been if I was fully Lycan now.Apparently, the reason I haven't shifted completely is because of the child. My body's defense mechanism to protect it. There will be complications from a shift at this stage.There are gifts, tons of them that I have absolutely no use for and end up giving out to the maids once the revelries are over. I see very little of Rune. He spends most of his time in the villages, helping in whatever way he can.At night, he returns covered in gore and soot. He heads straight to my room, jarring me from sleep as he slips in bed beside me, shaking and holding me tightly, like he fears he might lose me.Sometimes, he spends the night, other nights, I wake up alone.The latter hurts, but I understa
My lips are swollen and tingling when Rune pulls back, and I am left breathless and stunned. His hands rest on either sides of me, and he remains suspended above me, peering down at me with barely leashed desire. “You are unbelievable,” he tells me, laughter evident in his voice. “You’re welcome,” I reply, trying to shake off the lingering heat. "Are we going to address the issue or pretend it didn't happen?" His brows rise. “I never asked Gin to spend the night with me. These grounds are not suitable for women. I sent her home.” A weight I hadn't realized was there lifts from my chest, but I maintain a narrowed gaze. “She sure seemed to have a different idea.” I pout. “You have a thing for lingerie?” A mischievous smile plays on his lips. “Only if you’re wearing it.” I shrug, fighting the upward tugging of my lips. “I’ll consider it. Not for you, of course. Might take a stroll around your gardens in it, just because I can.” He leans f
The atmosphere is grim, and halfway through to the town, my anger dissipates. The captain of Rune’s guard—Queen Zephyr wouldn’t let me head out alone, since I am carrying the ‘royal baby’—leads us through the towns and we go from bedazzling buildings high enough to touch the skies to the ruins left behind by the Void. There is darkness, smoke and rot and I wheeze at the putrid stench of it all. A few onlookers notice my group as we pass by—myself, Boris and a maid who holds all of our supplies—and they watch with bleak, fatigued gazes. I have seen this before, and it takes me back to the plague. Shivers run down my spine as I see uniformed guards lifting the wailing children into carriages. There are burning piles and the stench of incinerated flesh greets me as we ride deeper into the village. The situation worsens, and I can't help but gag, hurriedly covering my mouth to stifle the urge to vomit. “We could turn around, Your Grace. You should not h
"I had no choice," I sigh, my voice filled with weariness and regret. "Tell me you believe me at least, Boris."Boris remains silent, his gaze fixed on something beyond the railing. Lost in his thoughts, he seems distant, oblivious to my presence. I follow his line of sight, drawn to the crowd of maids in the gardens, their chatter blending with the sound of flowing water. He looks positively lost, staring at one in particular. Brown hair, meek and pleasant faced."Like her?" He blinks, returning to the present, and a blush spreads across his face. "No," he stammers, his embarrassment evident.I give him a knowing look before releasing an exasperated sigh and turning my gaze back to the castle gates. Rune has been absent all day, and uncertainty gnaws at me. Guilt is eating me up from inside, even if I know I had every right to keep the truth from him.Today, for the first time, I attempted to reach out through our bond, seeking connection, but only silence greeted me. Not anger, jus
Rune loves me.I spent the better part of my night pacing my room and scolding myself. I shouldn't have reacted that way. But then...what was I supposed to do? Smile, tell him I love him too and move my things to his room?*Yes,* Sloan chides. She's mad at me, has been since last night. I scowl as I take the staircases down to the dinning hall. After my epic flop last night, I thought I'd honour Rune's invitation for breakfast with his family.I'm not ready to be all lovey dovey with them--though, I doubt they would be welcoming as well, but...this isn't for them.I feel the tug on the bond as I draw closer to the hall, and my insides twist in complicated knots. I suck in my bottom lip, biting lightly on it nervously.And when the guards let me through the door, heads turn in my direction. King Fenrir, Queen Zephyr, Rune, Gin...my heart slams into my chest when I see a familiar dark haired male, seated next to Gin. Darian's here.Why is Darian here?My steps falter and my palms go cl