Zezi didn't know ease from morning till night. She had different worries filling up her mind. Worries about Gwen and most especially, worries about the King. Despite not still meeting Akeem and his so called High Pillar, Zezi had tried to still put her plan in motion, continued establishing the line of friendship that she was building between her and the King. She had searched and searched for him in all the non suspecting ways she could, but she didn't find him. At a point she had been even tempted to go up to his floor, but that would look too suspicious. It wasn't as if this was the Full Moon night when she could simply blame nature for her sudden uncontrollable intense desire to see him. So she had, instead, made her presence available in places that she had hoped he would be, places she was permitted to be in herself. He hadn't been there in any of those places.Wow, he was being really deblibate with giving her space. Arrgh! That was the last thing she needed right now!F
Delice froze, looking at Zezi, seeming to communicate something with her through her eyes, before staggering to the door. Zezi frowned. What was she trying to communicate with the eye language? What a weird thing to do. They weren't even that close.What a weird night. "It is Oliver-- why does this palce stink of fur creatur--" her voice trailed into a sharp hiss when he gaze landed on Zezi. "You.""You." Zezi replied with a smug smile, watching her interlock her elbow with Delice. Something stirred in her to chase trouble, she enjoyed watching Laura fight as a result of her hatred towards the wolves and most especially her, coupled with her helplessness at the whole situation.It was sought of therapeutic to know that someone else was going through as much misery. "What are you doing here?" She moved her elbow away from Delice and shot her a sharp disapproving look. "You opened your door to the fur creature?""She didn't." Zezi shrugged. "I jumped in through the window.""That'
"Or maybe not." The paper got snapped out of her hand and Zezi had to force herself not to offer Laura a dirty look. Instead, she settled deeper into the chair, a light smile dancing on her lips, as her gaze fixed on the ceiling and the beautiful paintings carved upon it, paintings that her mind was too crowed with thoughts to appreciate. "Whatever. What are we having for dinner?""Something sufficient and rich." Laura answered, something gleaming in her voice. Zezi bit the inside of her cheek, as much as she was sure she hadn't given herself away, it seemed Laura was pretty confident about the whole paper situation.How could she even see what was written on it? Wasn't it supposed to be visible to only her, Akeem or probably members of the White Circle. Gwen had lied then.Ah. Gwen was really good. If she survived tonight, she would ensure to get rid of her. Would it be sad? Most definitely. Would it be necessary? Absolutely."I think she means specifically." Delice's voice w
That name burned her tongue. It hurt to refer to the wolf like she was a being deserving of been appraised as someone with quality but Laura was ready to do anything to get her brother to go to the dinner. Even if that anything would mean calling the wolf low life by her name, instead of all the other derogatory terms that lived rent free in her head.She would do all that and more.Her brother took a step forward, and her heart raced with fear, his anger rolling from him in waves, rushing into her lungs and threatening to choke her."We all are."Laura pushed back again her fear and look up right at him but it was only a moment, before she was looking pass his shoulder instead.That was what she always did. She never looked at him, he was too fearful to be looked upon but she had always managed to keep her head straight while her eyes pass over his shoulders. "Besides, I have an announcement, a surprise. Two surprises."He turned away, picking up a towel and wiping it over the gre
She sprung up on her feet but the next thing she heard made her stop and smirk. "You just kicked my balls. What is wrong with you, sweet Bun?"The next thing Zezi saw was Delice rushing out of the kitchen, her eyes a little sharp and calculative before they took on their usual saintly aura and she settled into her seat. Oliver came in next, a smile plastered on his face but before he could make it to his seat, Laura had come into the dining room."Oli baby!" She pulled him into an embrace, then let him go while talking about how she had missed him even if they had barely been apart for a day. When they headed back to his seat, Laura noticed a little limp in his footsteps while she pushed her own chair backwards."Are you alright, Olibaby? You are limping.""Yeah, I-hen, ran into a cabinet.""Must have been an awkward moment for the cabinet." Zezi chuckled, settling into her seat as an awkward moment set in."I assume your brother won't be making it, Princess." The anger that grew i
Zezi's eyes widened as she watched the piece of paper slip into the King's hand. "What is this?" It almost felt like the question was directed at her but it wasn't."I know that you think I hate the fur creatur--" Laura's voice was cut off with a growl from the King. The hall fell into silence again as Laura gritted her teeth at her mistake Of course, the King wouldn't take it lightly that his mate be given funny condescending names. Good thing she was about to destroy all the goodness he would ever see in her. After this, she would be ruined and she would finally be able to call that despicable thing all the dirty names in the world and he wouldn't have a say against it. In fact, he might even fancy one of the names and refer to her by it.In past tense too, hopefully."I know you think I hate Lady Zezi, but Brother, she has been planning with some traitors on how to get rid of you and take over the kingdom. This paper proves it all."The silence was defeaning.Not for Zezi though
Luck seemed to be on Zezi's side because the King was just about to shut the door when she had appeared at the end of the hallway."Your Majesty." She called out, despite not screaming her lungs out she knew that he had heard her and the way his back stiffened and the door stilled midway, showed that he indeed had.She stopped in her tracks, when she was only a few steps away from him, her heart racing once again from the smell of the rain that flooded into her nostrils, a sharp twist of grimace shifted into her features as the smell of death that she had caught up on earlier disturbed her breath. This wasn't his, although it was coming from his room.What was it?What kind of creature possessed this kind of foul stench? "What do you want?"Had he been in a fight with the creature? Had he been attacked, perhaps?Her heart twisted at the thought and she tried to assess him as much as possible from his turned back to see if he was alright. "What. Do. You. Want?" He turned slightly to
When the King moved towards her drawers, Zezi's heart jumped with panic then she relaxed when she remembered that she had kept the letters somewhere else. His presence was suspicious, she wondered if he had come here to confirm the fact about the letters, find more evidence that could actually stand against her, or had he, despite his demeanour earlier, trusted his sister's claim against her?From where she was standing a little distance away from him and by the door, she could hardly see what he was doing. The fear that rushed into her lungs as different thoughts about what he could possibly be getting involved with at her dressing table, forced her to ask. Thankfully, she had sounded more in control then how her mental state was in."What are you doing?""Setting up candles." He answered bluntly and with a gruff. It was then that she notice the flickering golden glow in front of him and the earthy scent that lightly swept passed her nose.It was so calming, she could almost feel it
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