"Are you ok?" Master Derek asked me with concern laced in his voice and worry in his blue eyes as he dropped me gently on the ground. The ground was cold I was thankful for the fur coat Venetia gave me to put on.
I nodded my head when I've calmed down, " yes I'm fine I...... I had a bad dream" I managed to talk with harsh breath. " I... I saw myself back at the slaves prison. I saw him stab Elia and he stab me too with a knife" I said as tears dropped from my eyes.
" Shhh" Master Derek shushed me up as he patted my head softly " it's ok I'm here now" he said to me. "Sleep my love"
I shook my head saying no " I don't want to have another bad dream again" I said as I looked up at him. Derek wiped away the tears from Aria's eyes.
"You won't have bad dream again, trust me my love" he said to me with a gentle smile on his lips. " Do you trust me? " He asked me. And I nodded my head saying yes.
"Good sleep now, you need to rest. Look we're almost there"
"Hey Elia I'm here" I tapped her again but no response. " She's not responding and her breathing is very faint" I said as I looked behind me to Magnus who was leaning on the entrance of the cell.His grey eyes met with mine " I'm not a doctor Aria let's just get her out of here quickly" he said to me.Of course I know he's not a doctor I said in my head " help me carry her " I said and Magnus sighed before he walked closed to me and carry Elia in his arms gently. Elia hissed in pains " careful please " I said and we left the cell going back to Leonard's office to meet Master Derek.*** When we got to the office , what I saw scared me to my bones. Dead bodies of guards everywhere, some of the guards heads were missing, some thier hands or legs. A guard intestine was out of his stomach, I wanted to throw up badly.The most shocking part was Leonard's head , hands and legs were missing. Just his body on the chair in the offic
It's been two days since we got Elia out of the slaves prison, and she has been in this deep sleep. I wondered why but she's fine as the doctor says, I'm glad she's getting better just waiting for her to wake up.For the past two days, I haven't see Master Derek or Magnus. I wonder where they are, I looked at the time it was six o'clock in the morning.I stretched myself on the bed, as I sat up I turned to look at Elia before coming down from the bed. Thankfully this wasn't Master Derek's room as the bed wasn't high but it was wide.I took off my clothes as I tie a towel around my chest after making sure the door was locked. I walked right into the bathroom, thankfully it was a normal bathroom, everything small for humans like me.I got into the bathtub, the water was warm as I wash my body with soap. I washed my hair, I thought of the time I was in that Godforsaken slave prison with Elia.The sour food given to us, the tattered clothes. We
"Ain't you the little rumoured human girl" I heard a deep masculine voice behind me, I turned around slowly to see who it was. Only to see a male giant staring down at me with his blue eyes. I cloud see the resemblance of Master Derek in his face, could he be his brother or cousin. But that's not the problem right now. I moved backwards as I held my rabbit safe in my hands. I'm in dangerI'm in dangerI'm in danger That was what was ringing in my head, I thought of running away. But even if I run i wouldn't even go far before he will catch. I just wished Master Derek or Magnus was here to save me, what Venetia said to me came to my head. ' king Ethan and Queen Clarissa threatened to kill you when they set eyes on you' Could it be that this giant in front of me was here to kill me, God even if he wants to kill me let him be quick so I won't feel any pains. Many things were going on in my mind, when all of a sudden.
"My love" he said to me , oh how I've missed his gentle voice , he hugged me back caressing my back. I disengage from the hug and looked straight into eyes which was staring back at me with a smile on his lips.He cupped my face in his large palm" did you miss me my love" he asked and I nodded my head." I'm sorry I left you alone, did anyone threaten you"."No" I shook my head and at the same time my stomach growled and my face turned crimson red in embrassment. I turned my head away avoiding his eyes.Derek smiled watching his little mate's reaction "didn't you had dinner already""Uh I ate fruits" I said."" Fruits?" He said and I nodded. " Did you go to the forest by your self " he asked frowning."" No , Prince Liam took me there. He said his your brother "." You met my brother?""Yes" I answered."He came here to meet you?""No , I met him at the garden, so he took me to the forest" I said trut
" Noooo" I screamed as I woke up from my horrible nightmare panting and sweating. My scream woke Derek as he sat up on the bed too moving close to me."My love what happened, why did you scream so loud" he asked me and I started crying." No. don't cry now, come here" he said pulling me close to his body as my head rested on his chest.He caressed my back calming me down as I was still trembling from the nightmare I just had."It's ok, I'm here don't cry" he said to me.When I'm calm, I pulled away from him as I dragged my legs up holding it as I placed my chin on my knees. My eyes were red from crying."Did you had a nightmare again" I heard him ask me and I nodded my head as I sniffed. " I saw him again" I said."He dragged me into a black hole " I said "his eyes were black and... and his tongue was coming out of his mouth like a snake". I said still shaking in fear.Derek wondered why his mate kept on seeing Leonard in
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS DEREK??" Clarissa voice rang inside the dinning room, she couldn't take it anymore.The fork I held in my hand fell back on the table when I heard the queen's angry voice. The question was directed to Derek but her eyes were staring at me angrily.When I looked up to meet her eyes, they were already red as her hand turned to fist, I quickly looked away. Maybe I shouldn't have come here, maybe I should have just been with Elia in the room.If not for the fact that I have nowhere to go, and Derek was the one who saved me from the slaves prison. I wouldn't be here in the first place, atleast I wasn't the only human in this city." what is it mother?" Derek answered his mother in a calm voice not even bothered if she was about to explode on her seat."Eat my love" Derek said to me as he picked the fork on the table and gave it to me. I smiled and collected the fork and but I didn't eat immediately.My gaz
"Ignore him my love" I heard Derek said to me. Him?? And then I saw the woman shifted into a man , she was a shapeshifter too wait? Magnus , I should have known better. " Magnus " I called his name. " Hello dear did you miss me" he said smiling showcasing his perfect white teeth. "You decived me" I said frowning. "Did I?" Magnus said to me feigning an innocent face. Derek who sat on the chair didn't like the way his mate was conversing with Magnus stood up and walked towards his mate who crouched down still holding the pink flowery dress in my hand. "Stop disturbing her" I saw Derek stood in between us . " oops sorry, I was just telling her that the pink dress will look good on her" Magnus said raising both hands up. " My love did you find the one you want" Derek said to me ignoring Magnus who went to seat on the chair I sat before. " Yes I like the pink dress" I said showing it to him.
By the time of the morning I was woken up by the aroma of food, my gaze moved to the dinning table and I saw lots of food on the table and some fruits with two glasses of water. I heard running water coming from the bathroom, it was then I noticed that Derek wasn't in bed with me, I got out of the duvet that covered me as my feet touched the white marble floor, and before I could take any step, he came out of the bathroom with his hair dripping water , he had a towel round his waist and a towel on his neck which he used in drying his wet hair. When our eyes met , he smiled at me " good morning my love , did you sleep well?". He asked me. "Yes " I said nodding my head as my gaze landed on his bare chest, his mouthwatering strong abs calling for me to touch them. His strong arms, broad shoulders, I noticed that he had a bird tattoo that has it wings spread across his chest, I quickly tore my eyes away from the breathtaking view before me looking d
The shadows exploded outward, swallowing the room in a suffocating wave of cold. The torches flickered wildly before snuffing out, plunging them into near darkness.Elia clutched Elizabeth tightly to her chest, backing away as Magnus’s body convulsed, his form twisting unnaturally. His once-familiar features contorted with something inhuman, veins pulsing like blackened roots under his skin.Derek gritted his teeth and moved between Magnus and the others, summoning his power in an instant. His hands glowed with crackling energy, ready to strike if needed. “Magnus, listen to me! You can fight this—”But the voice that came from Magnus was not his own.“Fight?” the distorted voice mocked, echoing through the chamber. “There is no fight. There is only surrender.”Then, the shadows moved.They lashed out like living tendrils, striking at Derek first. He barely had time to react before he was thrown backward, crashing into the stone wall with a brutal force.“Derek!” Aria’s voice rang out
The weight of Magnus’s confession settled over them like a thick fog. Alan’s power wasn’t gone—it had shifted, latched onto Magnus like a parasite waiting to consume him. They couldn’t afford to keep this to themselves.Derek was the first to move. He helped Magnus to his feet, his grip firm. “We need to tell the others. Now.”Magnus flinched at the thought. His body still trembled, his skin clammy with sweat. “Elia…” His voice cracked. “How am I supposed to tell her?”Aria’s chest tightened. Elia had already suffered enough—first with Alan’s magic corrupting Magnus, and then watching her husband struggle to control himself. Now this?“She deserves to know,” Aria said gently. “All of them do.”Magnus ran a hand through his hair, exhaling shakily. “What if I lose control in front of them?”Derek shook his head. “Then we make sure you don’t.” His tone was absolute. “Let’s go.”Aria hesitated, her hand drifting instinctively to her stomach. Something about all of this felt… wrong. The da
The weight of their decision settled over them like a storm cloud, thick with unspoken fears. Aria’s fingers remained pressed against her stomach, as if seeking reassurance from the life growing inside her. She could feel her magic humming beneath her skin, stronger than ever—but also unpredictable.Derek crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. “If we’re going to do this, we need to be careful. Alan’s magic didn’t just disappear. It’s somewhere, lingering. And if we go looking for it, we need to be prepared for whatever we find.”Magnus leaned against the stone wall, his expression unreadable. “You don’t think I know that?” His voice was rough with frustration. “It’s inside me. I feel it every second. And every second, it’s getting harder to fight.”Aria studied him closely. The way his hands trembled, the slight flicker of shadow clinging to his form—he was holding himself together by sheer force of will.“We can’t wait any longer,” she said. “We need to find a way to trace the remnants of
Magnus took a step back, shaking his head. “No.” His voice was low, strained. “You’re wrong.”Aria felt a cold weight settle in her stomach. “I want to be wrong, Magnus. But I’m not.”He clenched his fists, his breathing heavy. The air around them shifted—charged with an unseen force.Derek reached for his sword instinctively. “Magnus, stay with us.”“I am with you!” Magnus snapped, but the darkness in his veins pulsed. His pupils dilated, and Aria saw it again—that flicker of something inhuman in his eyes.Derek moved between them. “Aria, if he loses control again—”“I won’t,” Magnus ground out, but even he didn’t sound convinced.Aria reached for him. “Magnus, listen to me—”He flinched at her touch, and suddenly, a force erupted from him, slamming into the walls with enough power to shake the room.Books flew from their shelves. Candles flickered and died. The air turned suffocating.Magnus gasped, doubling over as if in pain. His fingers dug into the stone floor, his breathing rag
Morning came too quickly. The tension that had settled over them the night before hadn’t lifted, and as they prepared to leave for the archives, Aria couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into something they weren’t ready for.The journey was quiet, save for the sound of their footsteps against the cold stone halls. Aria kept a hand on her stomach, a subconscious habit she had developed since realizing she was pregnant. She hadn’t told the others—not yet. Not until she understood what was happening to her.Magnus walked beside her, his movements more controlled than before, but there was still a weight to them, as if he were forcing himself to keep the corruption at bay. Derek led the way, his grip tight on the hilt of his sword. He was always prepared for a fight, but this time, Aria knew his concern was for her.They arrived at the archives, an ancient chamber buried deep beneath the castle. Dust clung to the air, illuminated by the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. Rows
Aria sat beside Magnus, exhausted but determined. The session had drained her, and yet, she knew this was only the beginning.Magnus exhaled heavily, his fingers twitching as he clenched and unclenched his fists. “I almost lost control again.”“But you didn’t,” Aria reminded him, her voice gentle but firm. “That’s what matters.”His jaw tightened. “What if next time I do?”Aria hesitated. There was a next time. There always would be.But she wouldn’t let him fall into doubt.“You won’t,” she said, gripping his wrist. “Because I’ll be here. We all will.”Magnus looked at her, eyes clouded with uncertainty—but there was something else there, too. A flicker of belief.Before he could respond, the chamber doors swung open.Derek stepped in, his expression grim. “We need to talk.”Aria turned to him, immediately sensing his unease. “What is it?”Derek’s gaze flickered to Magnus, then back to her. “It’s about you.”Aria frowned. “Me?”Derek nodded, stepping closer. “I’ve been watching, Aria
The next morning, as the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Magnus and Aria stood in the clearing beyond the castle walls. The air was still charged with tension from the previous night, but this was the first step toward reclaiming control.Magnus flexed his hands, feeling the restless power still writhing within him. He was afraid. Afraid of losing himself again. Afraid of hurting someone. Afraid that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be the same again.But then he looked at Aria.She stood before him, steady, unshaken. There was a quiet strength in her now, something deeper than before. Her presence alone was grounding.“Alright,” Aria said, drawing a slow breath. “First, I need you to close your eyes.”Magnus frowned but obeyed.“Feel the magic inside you,” she continued. “Don’t fight it. Just listen.”He tried. At first, all he could sense was chaos—wild energy rushing through his veins, sharp, erratic, unpredictable. It was like a storm he
Magnus collapsed to his knees, gasping as the remnants of darkness flickered around him like dying embers. The magic inside him had not vanished—it still pulsed within his veins—but it was no longer in control. The corruption had been tempered, its hunger subdued by Aria’s power. He trembled as he lifted his head, his once-shadowed eyes now holding a glimmer of clarity. Aria stepped back, her breathing unsteady. Her body swayed slightly, exhaustion weighing her down. Derek was by her side in an instant, his strong arms steadying her before she could collapse. He gazed at her in awe, then concern. “Aria, that was incredible,” he murmured. “But you shouldn’t have pushed yourself so hard.” She shook her head, pressing a hand to her belly. “I had to. It was the only way to reach him.” Frederick took a cautious step toward Magnus, his fists clenched at his sides. “Is it over?” Magnus let out a shuddering breath. “No,” he admitted, his voice hoarse. “I can still feel it inside me…
Amid the chaos and the crumbling stone, a deep, resolute calm began to emanate from Aria. Her eyes, wide with determination, fixed on the writhing, tormented form of Magnus. The dark energy that had taken root in him pulsed like a malignant heartbeat, threatening to consume everything in its path. But in that moment, something within Aria stirred—a power she had never fully acknowledged before. Her hand pressed against her belly, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. A soft, luminous glow began to spread from her, as if her unborn child were a beacon of hope amid the encroaching darkness. The golden light was warm and steady, contrasting sharply with the inky shadows and her she thought of Magnus and decided it time to step in, at the same time she’s scared of the dark power surrounding magnus and not wanting anything to harm her unborn child. She left her room for the dungeon upon seeing magnus in this state her heart sank and she couldn’t take it. She saw how exhau