Rae“Come along, men!” Luigi’s voice echoed through the halls. “We need to start making preparations.” Luigi turned away from me, and he headed towards the gate with Jace by his side, the other councilmen walked closely behind them with happy looks on their faces.I didn’t expect Luigi to leave without saying something cruel, or reminding me that my place in the palace was about to come to an end.I guess he was so eager to start planning out for the ceremony that he didn’t have time for his usual taunts.I pushed my thoughts about Luigi away the moment Jace returned.Anna and I exchanged a brief look before she pulled me along. “Come on.” “So… you agreed?” Those were the first words to leave Anna’s mouth the moment we got closer to Jace.Jace exhaled, nodding. “The council didn’t give me a choice.” He spoke in a low voice. Then, almost as if reminding himself, he added, “But… like you said, this is a chance to redeem myself.” Something in his voice made me study him carefull
Rae I turned and my eyes landed on Jace. He was breathing heavily, his grip still tight around my arms. “Von—” My voice broke. “He’s here. I can feel him.” Jace’s eyes darkened. “Rae…Von isn’t here.” “He is!” I responded sharply. Jace’s hands tightened on me. “No, he’s not. Rae, you were about to walk into the sea! Do you even realize what you were doing?” His words hit me like a slap. So did the cold and the darkness. I suddenly became aware of my surroundings and at that moment Reality crashed into me. “How did I get here?” My voice was hoarse and my eyes flickered to Jace. “You were sleepwalking,” Anna said before he could respond. She stood beside him. I didn’t even realize she was here until she spoke. “Sleep waking?” I repeated in shock. Anna nodded. “This is the second time you’ve done it, Rae.” I shook my head, confusion clouding my thoughts. “I wasn’t sleepwalking.” “You were!” Anna’s voice rose in frustration. “If I hadn’t realized you weren’t by my si
RaeThe grand hall was packed with Alphas and Lunas from other packs, all gathered to witness the coronation of the new king. Anna and I took our seats, and Jace approached us.“How are you feeling?” Jace asked.“Good. Anna apologized.” I said staring at Anna who had her head lowered.“It was the right thing to do.” His words seemed to be directed at Anna and from his tone he sounded a bit angry.Was he still hung up on the issue?I didn’t dare ask instead I tried to lighten the mood.“Are you ready for your big day?” I asked, and he shrugged.“I guess.”Then his voice picked up again. “I feel so bad that I didn’t put you into consideration before accepting this position. I should have asked for your permission.”“You don’t have to ask for my permission. I’m a nobody in this pack.”“Von placed you in high significance and so should I.”I smiled at his words. “You fighting for me to stay in this palace shows that you have treated me importantly. You’re going to make a fine king Jace
RaeThe grand hall slowly turned chaotic.People shifted uneasily in their seats. Warriors who were summoned by Jace stepped into the room.“Head to the border!” Jace instructed them.“We aren’t all doomed?” A Luna cried. “I can’t die. I’m carrying the first heir of the Blue-mist pack.” Another voice cried out.Luigi, standing at the front of the hall, lifted a hand to silence the rising panic. “There’s nothing to worry about,” he said in a firm voice. “Our warriors would stop the rogues and the hall is the safest place in the entire kingdom. No one is to leave until we are certain the threat has been eliminated.” Despite his words, there was still this uneasy feeling. Guests from other packs exchanged wary glances, some clutching their cloaks as if expecting an attack to break through the walls at any moment. Amidst the commotion, Jace pulled away from Luigi’s side.I watched as he spoke to a guard by the door, who nodded and walked away. Some seconds later the guard returned
RaeThe next morning, I escorted Malcolm to his car. “So this is goodbye?” Malcom said with a dramatic tone."Do you really have to go?" I asked, glancing up at him. Malcolm smirked, tilting his head slightly. "I could stay... if you need me to keep you company." I shook my head, forcing a small smile. "No, you should go. You have your own life to live, Malcolm, and also I was just trying to sound dramatic.”He studied me for a long moment as if trying to decipher whether I really meant it. Then, with a sigh, he pulled me into a hug. "You know where to find me if you ever need me, right?" I nodded against his shoulder. "I don’t even know my way around this pack." He chuckled. “How could I forget, that Von has kept you locked up in his castle like a lone wolf.”“I would come visiting.” He responded. “Just to make sure you’re doing well.”“You don’t need to do that.”He shook his head. “I will and I must.”With one last squeeze, he let go, stepping back. "Take care of yours
RaeJace led me through the forest as we walked the trees arched above us, their branches whispering in the gentle night breeze. I had no idea where we were going, but the way he moved, made me follow without question. When we finally stopped walking. I noticed we were standing close to a lake. He sly look took over my face and I turned to look at Jace."This is your idea of fun?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Jace grinned. "Yeah. What’s wrong with that?" "I don’t know… this just doesn’t seem like your style," I teased. "I expected something more extreme. Like climbing mountains or wrestling wild animals." He laughed, shaking his head. "I don’t have a wild bone in my body, and you know that." “I thought everyone changes when they become king.”He smirked. "Wow, that hurts." “I’m just trying to be realistic,” I responded.“Or… you are just trying to find a way to criticize me as much as can.”“No, I’m not.”He let out a smile, raising his hand in defense. "Come here," h
RaeThe minute I pulled a cloak over my shoulders, I paced the room, thinking of ways to convince Jace that going into town was a terrible idea. My mind ran through excuses. Maybe I should tell Jace that I had suddenly fallen ill, or I was tired.I thought of more excuses, anything that might make him drop the idea. But deep down, I knew Jace was stubborn.A knock sounded on the door, and Anna slipped inside. She took one look at me, my restless movements, the way I gnawed at my bottom lip, and sighed. "Why do you look like you're about to go into battle?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Because I am," I muttered. Her brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" I huffed. "Jace wants me to go into town with him." Anna's lips twitched. "And that’s a bad thing because…?" "Because I don’t want to go!" I flopped onto the bed, groaning. "I just want to stay inside, but he won’t listen. I told him no, but it’s like talking to a wall." Anna chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds like J
Rae “What was I thinking?” Anna voiced out and I felt like the gravity of the situation was just hitting her. Anna’s shoulders trembled as sobs wracked her body. She covered her face with her hands, her breathing uneven, and my heart clenched at the sight of her breaking down. "I don’t know why I decided to bake him a cake. Now I have ruined things between us," she whispered through her tears. "I’m such a fool, a big fool.” I moved closer to her, wrapping my arms around her tightly. "Anna, don’t say that ably yourself," I murmured, stroking her back gently. She sniffled, pulling back slightly to look at me, her eyes red and filled with doubt. "It’s the truth, Rae. I should’ve just kept the fact that I knew it was his birthday discreet, shouldn’t I?" I sighed, shaking my head. "No, don’t do that to yourself. You were just trying to do something nice for him." "I feel like an idiot Rae and while I sit here I can’t stop replaying this situation over and over in my head," she
Von The distance between Rae and me grew day by day. And I didn’t try to close it. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I understood why it was happening. This was too much for her to process—there was too much pain involved. She needed space, and I wasn’t going to force my presence into a storm she hadn’t calmed yet.So I kept to myself, locking the emotions away and burying my mind in strategy. Every hour was spent thinking, reading old texts, flipping through scrolls.I was searching for any solid thread that could lead to the artifact the seer spoke of. I wanted to be sure that it was real and just something that was made up, when I finally found an old book that documented old artifact I was happy. So it exited. As I closed that book, I made my decision. I was going to find it. And I wasn’t going alone.Landon was coming with me.The idea settled like steel in my bones. I dragged myself out of bed, the morning chilly air biting at my skin as I stood before the mirror and
Von I was torn between two options—go after Rae or deal with the information that the guard just delivered to me.My feet itched to chase her down the servants’ quarters, and to make her feel better… but duty pulled me in the other direction.Roy was already a few steps ahead, and I followed him down the corridor, my gaze still locked on the hallway Rae had disappeared into.“He told you he found a witch?” I asked, my voice sharp.Roy nodded without looking back. “Yes, Your Majesty. Said he found her near the valley.”“And you believe that nonsense?” I pressed, picking up my pace.“What do you mean?” Roy glanced back at me.“Do you really think he found a real witch? Or is this just some random old woman he picked up to fool us again?” My tone was filled with suspicion.Roy hesitated. “I… I don’t know. He seemed sure of her. That’s all I can say.”I didn’t push him further. I clenched my jaw and kept walking, letting silence carry the weight of my thoughts. Landon was a snake—one wh
Rae I stared at Anna in disbelief, my lips parted but no words coming out. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I felt like I was in a nightmare. I managed to pull myself out of the haze staring back at Anna. “You’re saying… I have to die to save the kingdom?” My voice cracked as I spoke, and my legs felt unsteady beneath me.Anna gave a slow nod, her eyes filled with sadness.“I don’t understand,” I said, forcing myself to stand. “Why me? How am I the reason for the curse?”“I don’t know, Rae,” she replied gently. “But Von might. He’s been keeping everything to himself. I think he knows more than he’s saying.”I shook my head. “This can’t be real. I refuse to believe it.”My heart pounded in my chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The walls were closing in. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, crashing into each other. I didn’t want to cry, but tears burned behind my eyes anyway.Anna stepped closer. “Please calm down. Landon’s looking for a witch. He believes there might b
RaeThe dim light crept into view, it was blurry and soft at first, like a distant memory trying to settle into focus. My head felt heavy, and my body… foreign. I blinked a few times, trying to ground myself in the space around me. Everything was unfamiliar. I was disoriented. My arms ached, and when I looked down, I noticed wires—tubes—stripped across my body. I couldn’t tell if they were for healing or restraint.Then suddenly I heard soft sobs which broke through my haze.I turned my head, and my eyes landed on Anna. She was hunched over in a chair across the room, her shoulders trembling. Her voice cracked as she muttered to herself, “I think I’ve made a mistake… I shouldn’t have let him go…”What was she talking about? And why was she crying?“Anna…” My voice came out hoarse, it was low and if she wasn’t sitting close by. I was sure she wouldn’t have heard it.Anna’s head jerked up after those words left my lips. Her eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost. “Rae?” she gasped. T
VonThe moment, I saw Landon move I halted my steps, trying to figure out where he was heading. He directed his horse towards the side of the river while he rested on one of the stones. He was facing me now, but because of the trees I was well hidden and I couldn’t be easily detected. I kept watching, waiting for the opportunity when he would finally turn his back. Eventually, he did, and just as I was about to launch myself at him, my horse let out a sharp, loud snort.Landon jerked his head up and during that moment his eyes found mine. I wondered if he had seen me, but the moment I saw him reach for his horse I got the answer to my question.Landon pulled his horse out of the river in one fast move, climbed onto the saddle, and kicked hard. The animal responded instantly, racing through the shallow water, splashing and tearing through the trees.“Landon!” I growled, then yanked my reins.I mounted quickly and dug my heels in. My horse moved forward, its hooves digging into the t
VonI stared at Anna with a coldness that could freeze fire. My eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers, for some kind of remorse, but all I saw was silence. Her lips stayed pressed together, and it was clear she wasn’t planning on explaining anything anytime soon.My anger ignited. It roared up from my chest like a beast unchained. I hit her against the cage once again.“You dare remain silent?” I growled through clenched teeth. “You set him free and you stand here with your mouth shut like it means nothing?”Her gaze flicked to mine, and finally, she spoke in a soft tone. “Even if I explain things to you… you’ll never understand.”I scoffed, tightening my grip. “Did he promise you something? Huh? Is that it? Did Landon feed you some sweet little story?”“No,” she snapped back. “He didn’t promise me anything.”I let out a humorless laugh. “Then why? What in the hell made you think this was a good idea?”She yanked her arm out of my grasp. “Because he said he wants to help this c
Von The night had arrived.I sat in my chambers, wide awake. My sword rested beside me on the table, a sharp glint catching the flicker of torchlight from the wall. I hadn't slept, not even for a second. My instincts told me tonight would be the night they'd try it—the traitors among my guards. Anna’s warning had been clear, and my men were ready. My loyal guards were stationed throughout the palace, hiding in shadows, crouched in corners, armed to the teeth.I paced slowly across the room, boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. Then—just as I paused—came the sound. A low grunt. Then another. It started outside my door. The fight had begun.I moved quickly into the shadows, pressing my back against the cold wall. I could hear the scuffle grow louder. Then came footsteps rushing toward my chamber. Someone was coming for me.I didn’t move.I waited.The door creaked open. I saw the silhouette step in, sword drawn. He didn’t see me. He thought I’d be asleep.He took three step
Von The room was quiet except for the steady ticking of the clock on the wall. I had taken my position at the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my knees, the weight of everything pulling at my chest. Anna stood by the door, her brows furrowed, her lips pressed in a tight line. “Are you going to speak or not ?” I asked, my voice hoarse from lack of rest.She stepped closer, looking over her shoulder like she was afraid someone might be listening. “I don’t know if you are ready to hear this.”I sighed. Nothing else would surprise me, for the past few weeks I had watched my life go for bad to worse to wise. I knew nothing she would say would make a difference in my life.“Just say it, Anna!” I tried to keep my voice neutral trying not to lose my cool.“They’re plotting to kill you, Your Majesty.” Anna finally said.My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”“I overheard the guards talking with a few locals,” she said, her voice low. “They’re working together. They want to overt
Von The deaths in the kingdom had not stopped. Every day brought another body, another cry for help. And in the middle of all that, the truth I had learned clung to me like a second skin. Rae—no, Rose—was my sister. That revelation shattered something in me. It was like a rope had snapped. The very bond that once tethered me to her had been sliced clean through.I no longer looked at Rae the same. Her smile, her voice, the warmth in her eyes—it all haunted me now. I dared not to think of our memories, the feeling of me thrusting into her, the sound of her calling out my name. It felt like a nightmare. I forced myself to think of something. It wasn’t easy and to make things worse I started having dreams. Horrible, violent dreams. In them, I killed her over and over. Sometimes with my hands. Sometimes with a blade. Sometimes I just watched her die, unable to stop it. Every time I closed my eyes, those dreams returned, more vivid and terrifying than the last. Sleep no longer gave m