Ava's POVAs I entered the castle, I set up my mama pacing anxiously in the hall. Her eyes locked onto mine, and she rushed towards me, gashes streaming down her face. She enveloped me in a warm grasp, holding me tightly as if she would no way let me go.Once we composed ourselves, she led me to a near chamber, her eyes filled with concern." Tell me everything, Ava," she prompted, her voice pulsing.I reported my entire fire, from the Black Witch's business to my deliverance by Lorcan. I also revealed the shocking verity about Lorcan's lineage, which sounded to confirm my mama 's reservations." I had wondered if he might be Lucifer's son," she said, her brow furrowed in study." But I could not be certain."I pressed her for information about the longstanding feud between her and her family, the Black Witch Coven Queen. My mama 's expression turned dimmed, and she began to relate a tale of stock contest, magic, and treason that had gauged decades.In the soft gleam of the chamber's ni
Ava's PovThe dining hall of the castle was filled with the warm glow of the early sun streaming through its wide windows, illuminating the polished wood and the elaborately woven tapestries. The smell of freshly burned chuck and the low murmur of conversation filled the air. There was a tangible sense of respite and rejuvenation despite the recent struggles and the arduous path to recovery that lay ahead.I saw my mother Endora sitting at the head of the table, having a lengthy conversation with Lorcan and a few of our abettors, as soon as I walked into the hall. Her demeanor remained formidable, her gaze piercing and brimming with the strength and knowledge that had brought us through so much.She smiled warmly and said, "Good morning, Ava," her face softening as she spotted me. Our recent battle wounds had healed, but the memories lingered, deeply ingrained in our hearts and thoughts.I said, "Good morning, Mother," and sat down next to her."How are the medications coming on?"Endo
Lorcan's POV"My father, Lucifer, began to expound on the necessity of destroying the human kingdom, his voice growing more fervent with each passing moment. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, and his words dripped with venom.'They are a plague, a cancer that must be cut out if we are to survive,' he spat. 'Their greed, their selfishness, their destruction of the natural world... it's a poison that threatens to consume us all.'I felt a surge of unease as I listened to his words, my mind racing with the implications of what he was saying. I knew that he had always harbored a deep disdain for the human kingdom, but this was something different. This was a call to action, a declaration of war.'Dad, stop,' I interrupted, my voice firm but respectful. 'This isn't about revenge or hatred. It's about understanding and coexistence.'Lucifer's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. 'You dare to question me, Lorcan?' he growled. 'I am your king, and I know what is best for
Lorcan's POV The hall voided in silence, leaving only my father and me locked in a violent regard- down. The pressure was palpable, a thick pressure that made the air feel heavy. He eventually gestured for me to sit and join him for a mess. I complied, curiosity mingling with the moping wrathfulness from our earlier argument.Why was n’t he addressing the issue that had brought such a rift between us? We ate in silence, the only sound being the clinking of implements against plates.The food tasted like ash in my mouth, my mind contending with a whirlwind of questions. Yet, my father’s expression remained inscrutable, revealing nothing of his studies or intentions. After the mess, we retired to our separate apartments, the implied pressure still hanging between us like a dark pall. As we walked through the dimly lit corridors, my father stopped in front of a large, ornate oil painting oil hanging on the wall. The oil was an assessing sight, gauging nearly the
AVA’S POVI reluctantly stood up, looked around, and slowly walked back to my room. Feeling weak, my legs couldn’t carry me. I felt literal pains on them, though I had no injury. My heart seemed to be empty, and at the verge of passing out. I tried holding unto my breath, but the reverse was the case that they flew farther.“O! What a life! I never saw this coming. This is so overwhelming for me”, I lamented, in a dejected tone. My head kept banging, as though someone held it tightly while hitting it aginst the wall. My eyes were hot, and peppery as if I cried a bucket of tears.“gods of my forefathers, help me! I’m insufficient in myself, I can’t bear and manage this depressing storm all by myself. How do I walk past these hectic moments of my life?”, I wailed bitterly. I was distressed beyond my control. The feeling of knocking out again swirled within me. The mayhemic thought of given up clouded my consciousness, weakened my sanity, and sense of reasoning.At a point, I blacked out
Lorcan's PovThat night, I couldn't get rid of the uneasiness that had been developing inside of me and found myself wide awake. My activities for the day should have left me exhausted, but I was unable to fall asleep. I rolled from one end of the bed to the other, turning from side to side. I got up, went over to the window, and threw it open. A sharp gust of air entered, cooling my flesh to the touch. A bead of sweat trickled down the back of my neck and congealed there before disappearing. I turned to return to the bed. My heart thumped with yearning; my eyes were sleep-deprived. Then it dawned on me what was keeping me awake—or, more accurately, who was. It was Ava. I wanted her. Her demeanor, scent, and visage stayed with me; she made an impression. It was impossible for me to ignore the notion of her.As I collapsed onto my bed, I fixed my gaze on the ceiling and the kingdom map that was painted above, seeing that all of the lines and shapes seemed to reorganize to create her f
Ava's POVAva woke up feeling tired and groggy, her body aching all over. She slowly opened her eyes, only to find a figure lying on her bed, sleeping soundly. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear the haze, and sat up with a start."Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger. "What are you doing in my bed?!"The figure stirred, opening his eyes to meet hers. Ava's anger turned to shock as she realized it was Lorcan, the prince she had argued with just the day before."Lorcan! What are you doing here?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising.Lorcan smiled lazily, stretching his arms above his head. "Good morning, Ava. I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing in my arms?"Ava's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "I...I didn't know it was you," she stammered. "I thought you were...someone else."Lorcan's smile grew wider. "Someone else? Ah, Ava. You wound me. I thought our night together was unforgettable."Ava's anger boiled over. "Get out! Get out of my bed a
Ava's POVQueen Endora led me to a secluded glade in the palace gardens, surrounded by towering trees and a babbling brook. "This is where we will practice, Ava," she said, her eyes shining with encouragement. "Remember, controlling your powers takes time and patience, but with dedication and persistence, you will master them."She began by teaching me deep breathing exercises, showing me how to calm my mind and focus my energy. I practiced inhaling deeply, holding my breath, and exhaling slowly, feeling my magic respond to my calm state.Next, she introduced me to physical exercises, demonstrating intricate hand movements and gestures that helped channel my magic. I followed her lead, my fingers weaving patterns in the air as I practiced directing my energy.We also worked on meditation techniques, sitting cross-legged on the grass as Queen Endora guided me through visualizations and affirmations. I closed my eyes, imagining a bright light at my core, and repeated phrases like "I am