36The cold wind bit into my fingers as I tightly gripped the reins. My knuckles were probably white by this point. A single torch illuminated the area, and although the lighting was minimal, it somehow provided a bit of reassurance. It took us a while to fully adapt to the darkness that engulfed the forest. I wanted to question why it was so dark in there, especially since we were tasked with retrieving these three essential herbs. I found it hard to fathom how it would be possible, but instead of voicing my bewilderment, I chose to remain silent, thinking that perhaps I should ask when we were safely outside, hopefully still alive.Beside me, I could see Teresa appearing as calm as ever, and it was the first time I had seen her act this way. My mind wandered, and then I realized that it was the cold that had triggered her behavior. She must have remembered and missed her old home, the Western Kingdom. I felt a pang of guilt for involving her in my troubles, but as I had mentioned, t
37I instinctively clutched my chest, feeling a surge of emotion that I knew was due to the mating bond. Alpha Knight's black wolf stood tall and proud, snarling at the beast in front. He briefly glanced at me, and for a moment, my heart raced as if he was making sure I was unharmed. Chance also did the same, nodding to reassure me before turning back to the beast, which was slightly dazed.Both wolves are undeniably intimidating but I knew just how powerful Taowu was, enough to mutilate and slaughter wolves no matter the size. Apparently with the odds against us, I knew that it was impossible to fight our way through. We can only run and hope for the best."Amethyst!"General Rui reined his horse nearby. He grabbed my arm and tried bringing me along, at first I refused but then again, I should know better."A-alpha..." I said, worried although we still haven't talked and reconciled that much."Amethyst! They can fend for their own! Now you need to come with me!"With a hesitant nod,
38Nobody knew that I could hear their dim conversations. It had been that way for a couple more hours as I strayed in between my half-asleep state. Had Alpha Knight noticed my wakefulness then he'd probably deny everything I heard him say. At times he soothes me with words, loving words that I initially thought were directed to Lorraine. I couldn't even believe that it was him, not until he called out my name.Some minutes passed and I was almost breaking through my state. I was forced to move my limbs and fingers despite the heavy feeling. I fervently hoped that I wouldn't find any difficulty in doing such and would soon open my eyes. And fortunately, I did, upon slowly regaining consciousness, what I first saw was Alpha who was looming over me. There was concern and worry when I met his eyes. He was still holding my hand as I groaned slightly in pain."Give her water!" He said, his low, husky voice sending tingles under my skin.I hated to admit it, but it happened again. It seemed
39.1I vocalized my astonishment at the news, asking, "Why did I sleep for such an extended period?"Their voices pranced in my head. The conversations that I heard in my sleep state felt like yesterday. And I'm not sure what to make of that. Remembering everything came with pain to accompany. Come to think of it...where are we? There were a lot of questions that needed much attention, however, my mind registered one worry. How would I continue the ritual? I meekly glanced at Alpha Knight who was conversing with Eric and General Rui, regarding matters that I know nothing of. With Alpha being here, I doubt if the ritual would run smoothly. I just hope that all goes according to plan."The doctor says that you suffered from a concussion after falling. It was a good thing that it wasn't that serious. Perhaps your body must've needed some rest as well, and that explains why you had slept for that long," Eric muttered, and I mentally scolded myself. I did train myself in swimming, but not
39.2Gasping for breath, I awoke from my dream, or perhaps it was a nightmare. The beginning of the dream had been pleasant, but when the woman fixed her gaze upon me, my world crumbled, and I felt as if I'd plunged into a bottomless abyss from which there was no escape. Questions swirled in my mind. Who was this woman, and how did she know my name? Was she addressing me, or was this some kind of recollection from my past?My head couldn't process everything at once. Besides the throbbing pain in my head, there was also a slight pain in my chest. At this moment, I couldn't help but be baffled by the woman, the child, my name, and the place, and thus, my confusion was getting the best of me. Like a door that opens to endless possibilities... All I knew and remember so well was the frost taking over the small abode, a magnificent sight that can also turn into something tragic and disastrous. It could symbolize plenty of meanings, but the only thing that comes to mind is grief.I deliber
40At that moment, a heavy silence hung between us, and it seemed to envelop both of us. The attendant hurried in as if constrained by a tight schedule. I couldn't deny the awkwardness of the situation with Alpha, and I sensed his displeasure when the attendant entered. Alpha Knight gestured for the tub he had requested, and with a piece of clothing in hand, he submerged it in the warm water. He was mere inches from me, and I watched, perplexed, as he dipped the cloth into the water.In a matter of seconds, my questions were answered as he began tending to my frostbitten feet. I instinctively drew my knees toward me, as if seeking solace in a self-embrace, wanting to avoid his care.“I need to warm your feet,”I bit my lip. “I can do it by myself, thank you very much,” I said, before attempting to snatch the piece of cloth in his hands, but his arms were longer than mine.Without a word, Alpha Knight grabbed my arm and forced me to stay in place. I watched him as he reached for my fee
41.1"What are you doing here?" I asked, well aware that my shock and confusion were evident.Alpha donned an extravagant warrior's attire, one I had never witnessed him wearing previously. Clutched in his hand was a bouquet of flowers, and his expression remained inscrutable."Amethyst...I wanted to talk to you,""Alpha...did you set me up? You and Teresa?"I fixed my gaze on him, anticipating a response. When he nodded, I drew in a deep breath. Why was he repeating this? What did he expect me to do?"Amethyst...you and I, we need to talk... Start over,""You believe it's that simple?" I stared at him in sheer disbelief. My positive memories of him had become hazy. My knowledge of him was sparse, and the same held true for his perception of me. If we weren't bound as mates, I was certain he wouldn't even consider me as a woman. He saw me as an enemy, and I held that belief.For months on end, I actually believed him—believed his words. Due to that, my worth dwindled, like a blue flam
41.2Early in the morning, I received an unexpected visitor, but I wasn't yet fully dressed to receive them.I grumbled softly under my breath, feeling the weight of my body as I rose from the bed. I proceeded directly to the private bathhouse on the palace grounds. Despite my prolonged stay in this place, I still struggled to adapt to the scorching heat brought by the sun. It was a discomfort I had to endure, but I also acknowledged its value. If the West was too cold for me, the Eastern Kingdom was indeed excessively hot and humid. I needed to stay composed and keep my body accustomed to these conditions. I couldn't complain, particularly when I was treated fairly in this realm.Teresa entered the bathhouse with my clothing in hand, and I simply gestured for her to place it anywhere. She nodded, laying it on a wooden chair. Without wasting any time, I submerged myself in the water from head to toe. With the hot weather unlike in Eric's residence, I could feel sweat forming on my ski
70"Head west of the City; come find me there."The boy didn't hesitate, snatching the letter from my hand. He unintentionally glimpsed at my covered face, the glow in my eyes briefly holding his attention long enough to unsettle him. Pocketing the letter, he quickly exited the dimly lit room. The echoes of multiple footsteps reached my ears as I clenched my hands together, contemplating the day that lay ahead. I needed to act swiftly, preempting any suspicion from the Northern guards regarding the threats I had sent.The flickering light and the tolling of bells disrupted my thoughts. Something triggered my senses, but it faded as Accius' presence became apparent. Too tense to meet him outside, I awaited him within the small cabin. After a brief moment, the sound of hooves ceased at the entrance. I envisioned Accius dismounting, his familiar scowl etched across his features."I was hoping you'd come to the tavern.""I couldn't, not when most of the members are my own, not when I betr
69Trigger Warning"There's always a duality of good and evil. Aligning yourself with great men is crucial if you aim to be the strongest,"Sitting by the fire, I felt a tumult of emotions, none of which carried warmth. Jean held my hand, tracing the lines of my palm with his finger. Despite the platter of food in front of me, I refrained from touching it, repelled by the presence of this monster by my side. Contrary to my expectations upon returning, the room remained empty. I used to dread solitude, but now, I longed for the company of another person."I never declared a desire for power,"Jean released his grip on me. "That is what you sought when I rescued... and trained you. I provided you with everything you needed, and in return, you betrayed us by crossing the line with our enemy."Snatching my wrist, Jean forcefully pushed me onto the long wooden table. I struggled against his hold, and a flood of malevolent thoughts accompanied a frantic heartbeat. "Why are you doing this? W
68"Jean... what does he have to do with me?""What are you talking about?"I urgently seized his shoulders, a sense of desperation taking hold of me. "Tell me who I am... h-how I grew up by Alastair’s side. Who was I before?"He sighed heavily, a weight settling in the air. "You were his aide. His spy... sometimes a champion. You followed orders, you... were manipulated into believing Alastair’s cause. But your mother... well, she led not only a rebellion but gave us all hope. Those of us who were lost and without a home."As Accius spoke, a flood of conflicting emotions surged within me. The revelation about my past hit me like a tidal wave, each word chipping away at the facade that surrounded my upbringing. The connection to Alastair, the manipulation, everything was a bitter pill to swallow. And yet, in contrast, my mother's actions painted a picture of resilience and defiance that stirred a newfound sense of purpose within me. The weight of my past is now intertwined with the po
I gave him a curious stare. Regardless of what he envisioned, it had to be doable. Otherwise, I'm unwilling to do things I am incapable of doing. At the moment, Accius is in full-on mystifying mode. Sure enough, I was correct in my suspicions."You've got this. This is in your hands now. You just need to do the same thing you did in the snowy mountains,"I paused at his remark. How did he know that? Was he among the vampires that attacked the East?Concerned about his involvement, my heart raced. From what I can tell about him, he seems like a sincere individual. I'm not usually a good judge of character. However, my situation does not permit me to be judgmental. I had to make do with the resources at my disposal. That leaves him the only person I can place my trust in at this point in time. It's a gamble, but I'm willing to take it if it means getting out of this abyssal place. I need to find a way to reconnect with Knight.As a response, I gave a nonchalant nod. At the very least, I
66 He said, "The only real reason you can't is because you were in the wrong place to begin with. This is where you belong. Where you once lived. Time is not only the answer to getting your answers, sometimes you just need to go back to the past... go back to where you truly belong." I sighed, acknowledging the truth in his words. "You're right. If I want to remember, then this place is the perfect setting to harness my memories." The decision to confront the past, to explore this familiar yet mysterious place, lingered in the air like a quiet resolution. The surroundings, once overlooked, now held the potential to be a canvas for the fragments of recollection. I stood there, a silent observer ready to retrace steps that had faded into my memories. The air seemed charged with subtle energy as if the very atmosphere held the key to unlocking the doorways to remembrance. The familiar sights and sounds took on new significance, transforming into clues that could lead me back to the mo
65In the midst of the soft whispers of falling snowflakes, I cautiously made my way beyond the grand doors of the snowy castle manor. The air was sharp and cold, and the floors beneath my boots were uniformly blanketed with snow. The entire world around me had transformed into a winter wonderland—so, this is the North. The castle's majestic turrets stood tall, resembling silent sentinels against the canvas of the pristine, snow-covered landscape.I was enveloped in a snug, fur-lined cloak of deep burgundy, its rich hue contrasting beautifully with the surrounding white. In my hands, I clutched the letter from Fionna. The soft crunch of snow beneath my boots reverberated in silence as I ventured into the castle's courtyard, hoping that no guards were lurking nearby.The snowflakes continued their delicate dance, settling on my golden hair and creating a glistening crown. The scent of pine and the distant crackling of a fireplace wafted through the air, enveloping the surroundings in a
64Having regained my composure, I finally took a much-needed break, a rarity in recent times. However, Jean's icy and threatening stare continued to haunt my thoughts, and his words persisted in my nightmares.Following the tumultuous events, Jean, unable to suppress his anger, departed without providing any clarification. The uneasy atmosphere from the brief gathering would have overwhelmed me if Alastair hadn't done the same.I rubbed my temples while squeezing my eyes shut tight. I was overcome with emotion as the snowstorm raged outside. This desolate place was becoming familiar territory for my former self, but that person was no longer here. Thoughts of being involved in such awful acts, the murders, tortured my mind. What if I'm to blame for this? If that is the case, is it too late to change?After a prolonged internal struggle, I managed to regain my composure. Now was not the time to entertain such unsettling thoughts; my immediate concern was to escape.I meticulously exam
63It took me a while to fully process what I had just learned. His words echoed in my ears, casting a shadow over every corner of my mind and emotions. How? How is it possible? A myriad of questions swirled in my head, and none of the answers I could conjure seemed acceptable. Could he really be my father? I used to believe it was the man I saw in my mother's memories—Leo. Honestly, I never anticipated Alastair's involvement to be this profound. Somehow, my mind struggles to comprehend the idea. I can't fathom the truth if he is indeed my father. It just doesn't seem plausible.He won't be...everThe lingering shadow of Alastaire's presence still cast a pall over my mind after his unwelcome visit. However, he didn't depart without leaving a message: 'Tomorrow, you will be meeting someone. Bring your best behavior.'Naturally, I was terrified—terrified of the person I would meet. The horrors of the past and the recent attacks weighed heavily on my mind. And Teresa... how could I forge
62Before I could fully recover, I mulled over what had happened. Unlike the resistance the vampires show in sunlight, the energy burst from within made dying in sunlight a probability. Vampires can have enchantments and that of course was used to diminish their inability to be exposed in daylight. Teresa looked at me in her wolf form, her eyes going wide, as she too was taken aback. I could practically guess the questions streaming in her mind. But besides that, the battle is not yet finished. “Keep your attention elsewhere Teresa!” I exclaimed, and again, she responded with a growl. A flash of angry vampires showing their fangs darted in our direction. As much as I wanted to mimic the burst of power, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t. I don’t know how…I tried to hide my difficulty summoning the energy once more but they were fast, and in a rapid moment, they tipped me over, I crashed and scrambled across the ground Then one vampire approached me. I glanced around me and noticed