MAGNOLIA PACED BACK AND FORTH IN HER ROOM. It was clear that Daniel was not planning on helping the barons pass that bill.
“This should not be the priority right now.” She slammed her hand on the table.
‘Geoffrey is.’
She crashed down on the chair and leaned into her arms across the table. She remembered when she found out she was pregnant, she was only seventeen and she hated the baron.
She thought of getting rid of the baby because she did not want her child to be brought into her horrible world.
The baron was indifferent, he did not care about children or heirs, but at least he kept his distance from Magnolia when he found out she was pregnant. He did not come to her bed and he did not vent his anger on her and beat her anymore.
Magnolia had secretly bought an herbal mix that would have caused her to lose the baby, but she just stared at it for days without being able to use it.
She could not bring herse
“I STILL THINK THIS IS A BAD IDEA,” Laya complained. “At least, she is not saying she will kill everyone anymore.” Killian smiled sheepishly. Magnolia rolled her eyes at them both. “So how does this spell work?” “You’ll have a different appearance for half an hour, so you better get out of there before the time is up.” “Are you not coming with us?” Magnolia raised a brow. “I can’t get involved in things like this, the tower will find out. I should stay out here anyway, in case something goes wrong.” Laya shrugged. “I think you two can handle yourselves without me.” She handed Magnolia a flask. “Drink.” After a few gulps, Laya gave it to Killian to do the same. “So now what—” the words died in Magnolia’s throat when her voice changed into a deeper and more manly one. “Oh Gods,” she mumbled. She looked at her hands, they were huge and rough. “Did I really need this spell as
MAGNOLIA’S KNEES GAVE IN AND SHE FELL TO THE COBBLED FLOOR. ‘Bastards.’ She gritted her teeth. It was evident that someone was staying there until a little while ago. Even the fire was still blazing. ‘How did they send a message so fast?’ Magnolia slammed her fists against the stones while a few tears escaped through her lashes and fell on her clenched fingers. “Did I just make things worse?” It was obvious that she had, but neither Killian nor Laya had the heart to confirm. “Come on, you should go back home, dear.” Killian pulled her to her feet, she could barely stand. The three of them rode to the castle in silence. It was afternoon already and the day grew even colder. When they reached the front entrance, Magnolia’s eyes fell on a very agitated duke, he was pacing back and forth. As soon as he saw them, he mounted his horse. “Come with me,” Dani
“GREETINGS, YOUR MAJESTIES.” Fred bowed to the king and queen who were having their afternoon tea. “Fred,” the queen called with a smile. “Come, join us for tea.” Lord Saknas obeyed and sat on the settee next to his aunt. “So, parliament is voting the day after tomorrow, do you have anything to report?” “Lord Pruice and I had an encounter earlier,” Fred started. “Two men infiltrated his manor to get information about the boy. They had magical powers.” Both Titus and Monika looked at him with surprise. “Nobles?” Monika uttered. “What sort of magic?” King Titus asked at the same time. “Fire.” “Fire?” The king pushed to his feet with wide eyes. “Both of them?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “I knew I couldn’t trust your incompetent brother with such an important matter.” He glared at his wife. Fred clenched his jaw at the insult to his dead father. “What do you mean, Your Majesty?” Monika thre
“YOU DON’T LOOK TOO WELL, DANIEL,” Henry uttered after studying his friend for a moment. He was pale and beads of sweat were glimmering on his forehead. The duke was too preoccupied to hear him though. “Daniel,” Henry called again. “Yes, what is it?” Daniel looked at him. “Are you alright?” Daniel looked out the window again. “Am I doing the right thing?” he asked after a long silence. “They would not hurt Geoffrey. They know I would kill them all if they did.” “Desperate people take desperate actions,” Henry told him. “Is everything ready for the attack?” “Yes, Laya will contact you directly once they have found Geoffrey.” They had received information about a little boy being brought into a house the day before. He matched Geoffrey’s description. After some more investigation, it was clear that the information was valid. “This is our last chance, I will try to stall the voting as much as I can, u
IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON WHEN DANIEL REACHED HIS CASTLE. He had no idea what to do. He contemplated begging Baron Pruice to return his son and presenting the bill to Parliament again himself. But he needed to inform Magnolia of what had happened first. As soon as he reached the entrance, Magnolia rushed to him. Killian was following behind. “What happened? Where is Geoffrey?” Her eyes were searching. “There were a few complications,” Daniel said. “Let’s discuss it in my office.” There were too many people around, he needed to speak with her in private. “How did the votes go?” Magnolia did not move to follow him. “My love, let’s go inside—” “Answer me,” she insisted. “The bill did not pass,” he answered as he averted his eyes. “What was your vote?” Daniel was silent. “What did you vote, Daniel?” Magnolia grabbed him by his collar and shook him. “I voted against it,” he whispered. Magnolia’s slap was loud eno
“MY LADY, YOU SHOULD EAT SOMETHING,” Clara said with a twisted face. Magnolia had not eaten anything for the past few days. She spent every day in her bed either crying, sleeping, or sitting on the edge and staring into the distance. The maid pushed the table closer to the duchess, but just like her previous failed attempts, Magnolia did not even acknowledge her presence. Clara sighed before she left the room. She knew Magnolia was not going to touch the food, but she still left it for her just in case. She would go back to check on her in an hour or so. “How is she?” Henry asked, as soon as Clara closed the door. “The same,” she answered with a dejected face. “I see. Please keep trying.” “Of course, Lord Flock.” Henry walked away to check on Daniel. He too had not been well. He had not left his office since the incident. Henry waited for the duke to burst in rage and march to Baron Pruice and every
MAGNOLIA AND DANIEL SAT ACROSS EACH OTHER SILENTLY, both avoiding each other’s eyes. They had not seen each other for a few days—since the funeral—and they had not spoken since the day they received Geoffrey’s body. They sat there for what felt like hours as the heavy rain outside tapped against the windows and the blazing flames in the fireplace crackled. “How have you been?” Daniel finally broke the silence, but he was still unable to meet his wife’s gaze. “Horrible, as I am sure you can imagine.” Her voice was low and cold. “Right.” Magnolia looked at him, and as soon as she did, her eyes softened. Daniel looked as exhausted as she did. His dark circles and red eyes suggested that he could not sleep and probably cried a lot, just like her. He was disheveled and it appeared he had not shaved in days. There was not even a hint of the confident and proud Duke of Salicera, the man sitting in f
MAGNOLIA RUSHED AWAY, putting as much distance as possible between her and Daniel. She knew that her resolve would falter if she heard him call her once more. His voice was filled with despair, and it broke her heart. She took fast steps to her room where Killian was waiting for her. He did not need to ask her about the result of her conversation with the duke, her tears gave it away. “Do you still want to do it?” he asked. “I owe it to my son,” was all she said. Magnolia grabbed a small bag and packed a few things, not many. Geoffrey’s peluche, the book Killian gave her, and the money she had. “I am ready.” “Mag, are you sure about this? You love the duke.” “Love has nothing to do with this,” Magnolia snapped. “And yes, I am sure.” She left the room first before her brother followed. When they reached the entrance, they found Henry standing there while holding two horses. “Your Grace, at
“GOOD MORNING, LOVE,” Daniel greeted Magnolia as soon as she opened her eyes. “Good morning.” She smiled. “Let me just confess that, even though I have not held my wife in months and there is nothing more that I wanted to do last night, I am still happy with this situation.” Daniel motioned to Geoffrey who was sleeping between the two. Magnolia laughed until her eyes teared. “I look forward to when you do have the chance to hold your wife, Your Grace,” Magnolia teased. “Now you have me daydreaming about things a gentleman should not be daydreaming about.” Daniel raised a brow, making Magnolia laugh even harder. “Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa.” “Good morning, dear.” Magnolia showered him with kisses and hugs. The three of them got ready and headed to the dining hall. They were all excited to have breakfast together, like the old happy days. They joined Paula and enjoyed a peaceful family breakf
“I’M BUSY, MAG,” Killian said as he moved one of the crates from the cart. “You have not taken a break for hours,” Magnolia did not add a word, but she stared at him with determined eyes. The gray eyes that reminded Killian of their father every time he looked at them. He chuckled. “Fine.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ll take a break now.” Magnolia beamed and linked her arm through his. “I have made sandwiches.” She wiggled the basket she was holding. Killian smiled. “Good, I am starving.” He was so happy to see life back in his sister’s eyes. Ever since Laya found them and told her about Geoffrey, she was back to being herself again. She missed her son, but knowing that he was alive and safe was enough to make her happy. A picnic this time of the year would usually be impossible, but the day was quite hot for the season. The siblings walked a bit until they reached a vast plain. They spread a blanket and s
“ALRIGHT, I WILL TELL THEM. But I will come back as soon as I do.” Magnolia nodded at Daniel before giving her full attention to Titus. They both stared at each other for a moment. ‘The man who killed my parents and Daniel’s parents is standing before me.’ Her jaw clenched. She was going to bring him to justice, though. A public execution decided by his old allies would be an even more humiliating ending for this murderer. “That is exactly why no Gottanlich should have stayed alive,” Titus said, motioning toward the two mages still stuck to the wall. “Your powers are too strong and dangerous.” “It’s amusing that you are alright with people’s powers if they are serving you, but once they oppose you, they are too strong and dangerous.” Magnolia shrugged. “Do you really think that your decisions that led us here were the right ones?” The king was silent for a moment.“I don’t regret any of my decisions,” he fin
DANIEL WAS THE FIRST TO CHARGE AT THE MAGES. With incredible speed, he ran to the closest one to him and brought his sword down on him with everything he got. The mage had no time to put up a full defense. He flew across the room until he crashed into the wall next to Titus. The king watched with wide eyes. The shocked mages finally came back to their senses and moved to attack. Two Mages turned to face Daniel. They were ready to kill him for what he had done to their friend, especially the woman. The other two men faced Magnolia. One held a staff and the other had bolts dancing in his open palms. “I should warn you,” Magnolia said. “I have been practicing my magic every day for the past month.” The man with the staff scoffed. “We have been doing that for years.” He threw his partner a look and the latter grinned. “Alright then, give it your best shot.” “Enough with the chatting, just kill her already,” Titus screamed f
“YOUR GRACE,” the royal knights’ commander called. “My men cannot hold any longer.” Daniel knew it would come down to this, the majority of the royal knights could not use magic and physical strength was weak compared to magic, especially against the Tower of Gods’ Mages. “Where the hell are the knights?” the duke asked his commander. They had sent for them a while ago. At least more knights from House Van Konigl could use magic, and the rest had magical shields and swords. They could do more damage than the royal knights. “I will send someone else immediately, Your Grace.” Victor hurried away. “Do you not think that it’s time to give up, Duke?” Titus’ voice came from a balcony on the third floor. “I have about fifty Mages here, and more spread around the grounds. You should already know how this fight will end.” Daniel looked at the man who only weeks ago was a father figure to him. None of those feelings remained anymore though
“COMMANDER,” King Titus barked. “Yes, Your Majesty.” The commander turned to the royal knights who were encircling the king and queen. “Bring Their Majesties to safety immediately,” he ordered. The knights complied and escorted them away. Another swarm of knights rushed in to block the way behind the monarchs. “So predictable,” Daniel whispered with a smile. “No one shall pass,” the royal knights’ commander announced. “Royal Knights,” Daniel called. “I do not wish to clash with you, a blood bath is not necessary here. We are all children of the First Queen Magtig and I do not wish to harm my brothers.” Daniel looked around at the hard faces staring at him. “King Titus has let us all down. He has abandoned the values that make us who we are. Sadly, he does not have Malorenia’s best interest in mind anymore. He is too worried about making sure the Crown Prince, who is not a pureblood, inherits the throne. He cannot see reas
- TWO WEEKS BEFORE - “Your Grace.” Magnolia jumped in surprise. The voice came from the shadows of the trees, it sounded quite close, but she could not see anyone. Killian had warned her not to walk in these woods alone, but she really needed some time away from everyone. She has not been able to be alone since they had met with the Phoenix. Magnolia’s flames ignited. “Who goes there?” “It’s me, Magnolia.” Laya walked from behind a tree into the beams of the afternoon sun that filtered through the branches. “Laya? How did you find me?” They had been using a blockage spell ever since they left Salicera. It was impossible for anyone to find them through magic. “It took a lot of effort, so I’m glad you recognize that.” Laya smirked. “Did Daniel send you? I will not go back with you, so if that’s why you’re here, you have wasted your time.” Magnolia folded her arms in front of her ches
KING TITUS STOOD ON THE RAISED PLATFORM, ready to address the guests. Queen Monika and Princess Aurora were standing behind him. They looked as merry as he did. There were many people standing around. The men who were participating in the Hunt stood on the left, the spectators to the right. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this year’s Winter Hunt,” Titus announced. “We are honored to have many guests from neighboring countries, this year. I hope that you enjoy this tradition of ours that we have maintained for hundreds of years.” “I’m surprised he remembers this tradition and not the one where the king must be a pureblood,” Henry whispered to Daniel. “I also hope that this will be the first step to developing relations with our neighbors, for the prosperity of all,” the king continued. “May the Gods protect you and send preys your way. Let the Winter Hunt begin.” Titus raised a wine glass in the air before the guest mirrored his ac
THE SITTING ROOM WAS BRIGHT, which was not common in winter afternoons. It was surprisingly sunny. Of course, the winter sun only provided light, no warmth at all. The fire was blazing in the fireplace and next to it, Geoffrey played with Ben. “I do not appreciate being left in the dark, Daniel,” Paula reprimanded. The duke looked at his aunt for a moment. He felt guilty for lying to her, or rather, hiding his plans from her. But it would be better for her in case he failed. She would at least not be involved and hopefully be safe from any punishment. “You bring us to this hidden place and tell me to stay here until you come back to get us. What are you going to do, Daniel?” “Aunt Paula, it’s better if you don’t know. I want you to stay safe so please don’t ask me any questions.” Paula pressed her lips together but did not complain anymore. “This place is like a fortress, no one can sneak in so you will be safe as long as the g