"The King is back."That had been about over thirty minutes ago, when Gwen had brought the news to her with absolute excitement. Now, Zezi stood in front of a hefty guard who wouldn't let her go into the room to see him. A gun would have been good right now, just so she could shoot a bullet right through his head."Get out of my way." She snarled. "That is an order!" But the guard stood rigidly at the door, looking straight ahead like he couldn't see her. Like she wasn't even there.Zezi gritted her teeth, as the running around of physicians in the room, slipped into her ears, their chaotic mutterings and Valerick's groans of pain tugging at the strings of her heart. From his side of the bond, she could feel nothing. Guilt dug a grave in her mind, and regret laid in it. Buried, deep, deep down. Her breathing was ragged with the conflict that tussled her around without mercy. Wasn't this what she wanted? Why was she not content with it? She should be happy. She was saving her
The Volakys - the former King's creations, his undead army made out of blood magic, the terror of the Dark Times. These creatures were to the vampires, as the vampires were to the werewolves. That was what the book Zezi had read some months ago had told her about the Dark Times. She imagined that they were even worse.Tension settled in the room, fear consumed the air. "Who told you that?" Laura was the first to snap. Zezi frowned, rage flooding into her veins. "Is it true, Princess? Is this something your White Circle has been dabbling in and keeping a secret from the rest of us?""Don't be ridiculous, pest!" Laura slammed her hands over the table that stood between them. "No one wants to go back to the Dark Times. Why would you even think that we would bring back the Volakys? They were a terror to us."Zezi arched her an eyebrow.They were fools if they thought they could play her around. Bigger fools if they thought she wouldn't notice. Or maybe she was the biggest fool right
Zezi moved a finger, consciousness rushing back into her veins. It didn't feel like she was in the water anymore, didn't feel like she was drowning anymore.Instead, she felt the softness of the sheet beneath her and the smell of the first rain rushing into her lungs as she greedily inhaled. Her eyelids flickered open at that moment, Valerick's hazy outline which was illuminated by the golden light of the room, was all she could see. His hair fell over his face as he hovered over her.Another blink and she could see him clearly. He was alive, he was fine - that was if the familiar webbed lines that tattooed his neck were to be ignored, his peaking fangs and the dangerous look in his black eyes."Don't do that again," his cold voice warned, slicing through the silence, and the sound of clacking irons filled her ears as he moved away.Zezi panicked, and in a quick movement, she made him switch positions with her, trapping him with her thighs, observing at that moment the bundle of chai
Feral. That was how they were. Valerick's actions were fueled by a sort of insanity and an unrestrained thirst. Wherever his lips met her skin, his fangs left an imprint. Her cries of pain morphed into pleasure, as her claws dug into his back and her hands fisted into his hair. With the speed they had, their clothes were long gone in seconds. Naked bodies rubbed against each other. Zezi's ragged breathing filled the room, clashing with the scent of their arousal that perfumed the air. It was sweet, it hung to the roof of their mouth and the back of their throat.He peppered her neck with ferocious kisses and she did the same to him, her tongue slithering over her mark on him, torturing him as he did her. His claws dug into her thighs, and she threw her head back, as she cried. But his mouth had captured a taut nipple and her body jerked in his arms at the conflicting signals the consecutive actions sent through her veins.His tongue flickered and sucked, and her sex ached to have
Invitations were sent out quickly.The castle was bustling with different activities in preparation for the fast-approaching Joining Ceremony. It reminded Zezi of the time she had just gotten to the Castle and seen how the hall was decorated.Gwen had told her back then that it was for the King's wedding and she had been petrified. It was funny that now it was happening and she wasn't feeling the way she had felt those six months ago. She was scared, yes, but it was for a different reason. Something more complicated than her hatred for him or his kind.Immediately Lady Delice had gotten the wind of the coming Joining Ceremony; that was after the night she and Valerick had completed the bond, she had appeared at her doorstep, looking absolutely worried for her. "You know what is going to happen to him. Lady Zezi, why are you letting this happen? You are going to die." She had declared, her feverish hands holding Zezi's own with worry.Even though Zezi knew the ceremony was happening
The ceremony went by in a flash, at least for Zezi. Vows were made and the content of the Silver goblet was gulped down by both parties. They were declared joined and Valerick had declared her to be Lavida's Queen. Zezi had seen a disapproving look glint in the eyes of some of the Lords, but they had been wise to hide it quickly. No one questioned their King because he was the King. The hall was soon filled with music and Valerick, with his hand resting on her back, had taken her around, introducing her to different vampires and hinting at the idea that she would be in The Court soon, taking all their meetings and taking important decisions.He intended for her to take the role of being their Queen fully, and he wasn't hiding it. Most hated it, just like she hated them, but they showed her a fangless smile and tried to act welcoming.Valerick smirked. Of course, he knew how much his plans infuriated his Lords. He wasn't a fool, he was a King and their little games could do nothin
The dance finally came to an end, and as Valerick led them away from the dancefloor, Zezi peered over her shoulder, her gaze fixed on the door of the hall.They still weren't here yet. "Basit and Riza," Valerick said as they approached the couple and Zezi's heart skipped a beat.He knew them?Of course, he knew them. They had been part of his father's army.They were not Volakys though, the former King hadn't turned them into that. One wonders why. They bowed lightly, showing their respect. They hadn't changed so much since the last time she had seen them, which was expected. Although, instead of Riza allowing her long white hair to flow behind her, she had it braided, so it wasn't sweeping the floor like it had been the night they had met. Basit still kept his full white beard that shrouded his face in mystery. They were dressed in black, a sharp contrast to the color that went along with this type of occasion. "It is good to see you both, thank you for coming."He was just havi
She was headed to the door but someone had appeared in front of her. Ah, by by the Moon, Nicholas again."What are you doing?""Ensuring you are safe.""What," her voice was laced with dry humour and annoyance, "like a bodyguard?"He cringed, refusing to answer that. "Aren't you just a doctor?""Tell that to your mate."Zezi frowned. "Once he gets back, I'll gladly make myself scarce. I don't really fancy your presence.""And I don't fancy yours."He shrugged, sipping from his glass of wine.It smelt like wine this time. "Good."Great, now there was no way she would be able to go after the trio. It didn't seem like any excuse would work on Nicholas, so she didn't even try. What kind of relationship did Valerick have with Nicholas that made him trust this doctor with her safety anyway?Although, it was a good thing he had left someone to look after her, especially with how most of the Lords were unhappy to have her as their Queen, what Zezi found puzzling was that he trusted Nichol
Regret threatened to overcome her but this was not the time to think of her past actions and question herself as to why she had made those decisions without thinking properly. Every second was important and she would not waste of by dwelling on the past. If her assumption about the White Circle was right, Zezi knew she would need the help of everyone she could get, and to test Lord Rosil, she had asked her if she really didn't want her head for killing her son."I totally understand if you do. What kind of mother wouldn't want the head of her son's murderer?"Well, it seemed like she had hit a nerve because, after that, Lord Rosil had plenty to say. "The kind her son wanted to murder. That silly boy thought draining my blood would give him magic, then gave his sister a hard time because she had orchestrated my escape. Sometimes, it had felt like he was two vampires, stuck in one body. He has one that played the role of a Governor perfectly, and the other that displays just how much
"It is different." Zezi finally declared and Lord Rosil frowned, taking a step closer to her. "Are there any other bonds you know of that could be mistaken as a matebond?""No... This..."Zezi shook her head. This wasn't the time to get overwhelmed by sadness or Lord Rosil's stuttering answer. This was the time to get her head straight and think probably.Lord Rosil snapped her fingers like she had just gotten a groundbreaking idea."Well, of course, it is different! Both of you are different." Her green eyes glinted with excitement at her coming explanation and for that brief moment, Zezi remembered Gwen and missed her. "The King is a Soul Seizer and you, are his mate."Zezi nodded, waiting for more, there just had to be more. "And?""Your Majesty, the King had to make a really big sacrifice to kill his father." Everything somehow felt a little quieter to Zezi, and all her focus zeroed in on Lord Rosil as she approached her. "Only self-sacrifice could kill him and he made that. He s
Had Akeem also been taken by the Volakys?That was what Zezi started to worry about when she still hadn't gotten a message back or seen Akeem and it was already some minutes past midnight. She had also gone to the library to check on him, but as expected, his seat was empty. The library had looked untouched by the chaos going on the the castle, it felt peaceful and Zezi lingered around longer, hoping to walk into Valerick.He had said his mother loved the library, and she thought that he was probably here to find peace in that knowledge.But no, Valerick wasn't here either. With a long and heavy sigh, Zezi stood up. She should probably ask Delice if she had seen Akeem, it was good to confirm everything before jumping to conclusions. She wouldn't want to report anything and arouse suspicion regarding her relationship with the librarian, if things turn out differently. Zezi didn't want more walls thrown between her and Valerick, they already had so many problems to deal with at the m
Zezi's heart was pounding with regret as she ran up the stairs of the castle at an unfathomable speed.Why had she left to watch the execution in the first? She should have never left. She should have never convinced herself that she needed to be at the Execution for all the reasons she had thought it was important before. Right now, they all felt very useless.George and Aunt Alice had stayed behind to be with Mira. Not like they would have been allowed to watch the execution, not like they wanted to either. Gwen had stayed too.Oh, by the Moon, Zezi hoped they were all okay. She screeched to a stop right in front of her daughter's door, flinging it open as fast as she could. Her eyes combed the room and horror seeped through her veins at what she found... or rather what she didn't. Mira's bed was empty. George and Aunt Alice were nowhere to be found, along with Gwen who was...Wait!George and Aunt Alice were on the floor, unconscious. Zezi ran to them, accessing the situation
Valerick looked unmoved and it was hard for Zezi to figure out what he was feeling through the bond. His side of it was still blocked.This was frustrating!She was sitting right by his side but it seemed like a whole wall had been thrown between them. Her attention moved to the Princess, who sat upright, her gaze unmoving from Riza as she clocked her claws together. Zezi wondered if she had poison beneath them, and mentally noted to herself not to get too close to Laura no matter what. She couldn't be trusted right now. But then, when was she ever worthy of trust? They were all unworthy.From the other corner of Zezi's eyes, she watched Lady Delice's reaction. The Royal Advisor kept a calm demeanour but something about hers and Laura's aura were off.From what Zezi could deduce, they were scared that Riza was going to talk about the White Circle.That made Zezi curious. What about the oath she had made before joining the White Circle to keep their business secret? Everyone had
After that, Zezi had gone to see Delice. She didn't even have to share her suspicion, the Royal Advisor had beat her to it."Just be vigilant," Lady Delice had said, as they hurried away from the den, and up the stairs. "I think there is more to this than we know, I will ask Laura soon." Leaving Lady Delice, she had ran into Akeem, whose path she had blocked. His eyes which were originally filled with worry turned into those of attack but she refused to move. Instead, she pulled him aside into the Hall of Statues. So much was going on in the Castle lately, their presence here would most likely go unnoticed. "She turned you, didn't she?" Zezi said the moment the door was shut behind her. "But something had been different in the process. That is why you are different."Hope lit in Zezi's heart. Maybe she would be able to get what her daughter was before the tests would be conducted.Maybe her daughter was just like Akeem. Akeem's face shadowed with secrecy. "I don't know what you a
"I don't have it. I gave it away.""To whom?"Her eyes found his, it had only been for a moment before she looked back at the King, pleading."Please, he didn't do it. He didn't mean it--""Who did you give it to?""Oliver. I gave it to Oli, my mate.""It was a gift of trust." Oliver stood up from the chair, his eyes twinkling with the glint of the ever-present humor. "I didn't even use it. I didn't do this, I didn't do anything. Tell them, Laura!" He ended with a smile. Rage blazed in her eyes, seamlessly mixing with helplessness. It was such a sight. Beautiful."You did it."His smile dwindled."I know you did it and that is why things haven't been the same between us.""Things haven't been the same between us because I spent a night with Riza."Gasps filled the court at the implied reference to cheating. It was a scandalous thing and very distasteful thing to happen between mates, fated or chosen. It was an act deserving of punishment.How hypocritical these vampires were, Zez
"What gives you the audacity to put a royal Pureblood in these filthy chains?!" The Princess's voice rang through the hall, bouncing off the walls, her glare directed to the guard that had just dragged her in and pushed her into the Accused box.Raising her head, she accessed her surroundings, a formation that seemed so high, that it made her feel like she was in a pit, with iron railings camping her. On the high chairs on her left side, different Lords were seated, while on her right, the Governors along with her sweet Delice, Oli. Behind her were the people.Wait!Next to her brother was that fur bastard whose existence was an absolute irritation. This was the Royal Court of Lavida, what an absolute disgrace it was to be in this box. Laura felt repulsed by everything. "You stand in the presence of the King and Queen of Lavida, Royal Adviser, Governors, Lords, and the people, to speak in your defence against the accusations that you are the one behind the Volakys attack!" That br
Valerick was nowhere to be found and even though she didn't want to, Zezi started to panic.Until, she had met Nicholas who told her that the King had to attend to other pressing issues that had more priority than "chit-chatting" with her. When she asked about Mira's health, he tried his best to seem reassuring but Zezi could see straight through his lie.Dr. Nicholas didn't know if her daughter would ever wake up. It was strange. If she really was a vampire, then why was she at the risk of dying without the Volakys venom ever being in her veins in the first place?This just didn't make any sense. "She has been starved for too long. Years! I don't even know how she had survived this long. My guess is that she is some kind of hybrid and that other part has been the one keeping her alive, and the overworking has been killing that part of her. That is why she is always sick. It will be a medical breakthrough to get to the root of this."He had declared in absolute excitement."My daug