Turns out dinner didn't turn out as bad as Sephora had thought it would. Ambrose had acted like nothing had happened and went back to his usual banter. Sephora was grateful, but couldn't help but feel as though he should share about his concerns about her suitability as his mate. After all, it did concern Sephora as well. But she decided to give him his space, she didn't want to ruin anything, and for him to return to being that stone-faced Lord that had greeted her a few weeks back. She would wait for him to tell her in his own time, what his findings were - if he did indeed find anything at all.Ambrose had at least yielded the rights to choosing dinner that night, and Sephora swore on her life, that she'd never tasted a better cottage pie than the one she devoured that evening. Ambrose had even allowed a little smile to come back, as he watched her demolish her plate of food. Sephora ate like she'd been starved for days, and didn't care one bit about the mess she'd made on the table
Sephora couldn't help grinning as she walked down the steps to the throne room. She was wearing her gift from Ambrose, the shimmering burgundy satin, flowed like liquid as she moved. The thousands of tiny crystals sparked and glittered under the candle light, like droplets of blood trickling down the front of the dress. The off-the-shoulder design of the straps showed off Sephora's long elegant neck and smooth collar bones. She'd opted to hold her fiery auburn hair in a loose bun, with tiny ringlets of red curls escaping to brush her neck. She wore ruby earrings that were shaped in a tear-drop, catching the light and accentuating the red of the dress and her hair. She looked like a living flame, a survivor of pain and bloodshed, the face of a conqueror. And Sephora admitted she'd never looked more intimidating in her entire life. Perhaps that was Ambrose's intention, he said he was going to declare her as his Lady, Joe had told her that Ambrose didn't think she was weak.
Sephora smiled when she turned upon the silent table of Lords and Ladies, intently staring into each of their faces. All the Lords appeared to have their mates sat next to them, all except one.The said Lord was wearing a pitch black suit, his broad shoulders telling Sephora that he too was a warrior with centuries of experience. He was a male of unnaturally good looks, with a defined chin and full mouth, his skin gorgeously tan. His eyes were the most captivating of his features though. Pure grey eyes glistened with a predator's stare, as they met with her's, contrasting with his jet black hair that fell slightly over his face to brush his dark eyebrows. He was terrifying. Sephora wondered what his Soulborn power was.She tried not to flinch at the touch of Ambrose's hand against the flat of her back, hinting for her to sit down. She could feel the heat of his fingers through the satin of her dress, and desperately wished she didn't enjoy the sensation as much as she did. She spared him
[Ambrose]There was nothing but silence in the darkness. He was paralyzed, his limbs didn't want to move. It was cold and hard where he lay, why was he on the floor? A crack of light appeared as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking in pain at the sunlight that was pouring in through the window above him. Sounds and smells became apparent as he came to his senses, birds were singing outside and his breath smelt like something had died and he'd decided to cram it down his throat. Ambrose groaned as he sat himself up, his head pounding like it had been smashed repeatedly against an anvil. He lifted a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes with a wince, what on earth happened? He glanced around at his surroundings, to find himself in his study - no, not his study, his father's study. A red woolen blanket had been carefully pulled over him, that now fell off his shoulders, to reveal that he was still in his beige suit from the Assembly.Ambrose groaned again and lifted himself off the col
After Ambrose’s confession about his past in the council chambers, things between Sephora and the Lord went pretty much back to normal. Only now, there seemed to be a new unspoken trust and understanding between them, that they'd never had before. Sephora was now allowed into any room she wished in the palace - to her delight. When she discovered Ambrose owned a huge ballroom, she frequently found herself sneaking inside to dance when no one was watching.Over the following days, Sephora and Ambrose had slowly developed a silent way of communicating with each other. By using the bond they shared, along with the meaningful glances that they gave each other, they could let the other know what the other was thinking. It was good fun, sending each other emotions and giving silent glances, Ambrose had even said with enough practice they could start learning how to send words to each other through the bond. Sephora found this way of communicating with the Lord incredibly entertaining, espec
The Seer's words hung in the air.The floor felt like it was about to open up and swallow Sephora whole. Her mind was completely blank with shock, she couldn't feel anything - that familiar numbness overtook her senses, and it almost reminded her of when her name had been called out as The Chosen, that same dread.How could it be possible she was an Ardanam? Humans couldn't have a Soulborn power, unless... Sephora felt dizzy - was her soul really that strong? It explained why she was Ambrose's mate, but - how could this be possible?As if The Seer had read her thoughts, she shifted those glowing eyes onto Sephora. Those lips peeling back to reveal those hideous teeth as she gave Sephora a smile. Sephora's stomach dropped to the floor, out of terror and shock. She was about to turn to Ambrose beside her, to see his reaction, as he had gone as silent as her - when he snapped,"Bullshit!" His face was pale. Sephora immediately tensed, as Ambrose clearly forgot his own cautioning about b
"I hate you." Sephora panted through her teeth, arms pumping sloppily beside her.For at least 2 hours, Ambrose had made her run laps around the pit. Sephora had been fine for the first hour, and was even fairing quite well for a further twenty minutes, when the sun had risen to full height in the sky, beating down on Sephora's head while she continued to run laps. All the while, Ambrose had crafted himself a stone canopy over his head, in the center of the pit and was now lounging on a chair, that he'd brought over, and was merrily drinking from a glass of ice water. Sephora scowled and Ambrose just chuckled, taking another swig of water."I really, really do hate you." She grumbled. This was not what she'd been expecting to happen.Ambrose snickered again, "No you don't." He sat forward in his chair. "Ok, you can go into a walk now, walk one lap and then come over here."Sephora almost collapsed in relief, as she broke her long strides and started her walk. Sweat was pouring down he
Sephora's blood went colder than the obsidian stone she sat upon. As the weight of Ambrose's words sank through into her very bones.War, was that really what the Lord wanted? Even after everything, after all the bloodshed from 500 years ago, how could Vince possibly want to go back to war. What was his reason, what did he want? What was possibly worth so much sacrifice and waste of lives?Sephora looked to her mate, "Why, why would he go to war - what for?" Her hazel eyes were pleading, and she was sure what felt like pain rippled down their bond, as Ambrose watched her.He shook his head in decline, "I don't know - I was hoping Ravyn would have been able to find out." He lifted his brows up expectantly at the Shadow, who only shook her own dark head in return, her thick dark waves swishing gently with the movement."I'm sorry my Lord, but I couldn't get anything of Vince's motives for amassing this sudden army. Even Lord Daemon was keeping quiet about it, I have no idea what they're
The seven of them stood around the twin pyres in silence, watching the flames climb high into the sky, the wood splitting and crackling under the heat. The yellow of the flames reflected in each of their faces, sorrow and loss weighing down their steady gazes.Lady Valda's eyes were ringed with red once again, only this time the tears did not fall - she would never cry in the presence of Lord Rhonan, regardless of how she felt toward Lance and Megan. No, she had already cried in front of Sephora and Lord Daemon when she'd come out from seeing the healer, and that had been enough for the Winged Lady.There had been worry as to why her wing still hadn't healed 12 hours after she'd been hit by Vince's spear of darkness. Turns out he hadn't just shot through her bone in her wing, but through some vital arteries as well. Her accelerated healing had stopped her from bleeding out altogether, but in doing so had stopped the blood getting to the important muscles in her wing that helped her to
AmbroseHis body trembled, his grazed and bloodied hands shaking. He wasn't entirely sure how he was still standing, not just from the exhaustion in his body, but from what he'd just witnessed - what his mate had just done.He'd been battling with Vince relentlessly, the sly devil had always been quick where he might have lacked power. But where Vince lacked power in his physical side - he'd more than made up for in his tactics and the strength of his Soulborn power. That hideous darkness had hit Ambrose again and again, obliterating several of his obsidian shields before Ambrose could even get close enough to scratch the dark Lord.And all the while, Ambrose had been bellowing for Sephora down their bond. Trying to warn her about the shard of veil-stone, that it would kill her, that he couldn't lose her again, not again. He could endure anything else but losing her.Because if Sephora died, there was nothing to stop this new side of Ambrose dying as well - the side that only his mate
SephoraHer plan had worked. She had poured every ounce of fear and love and anger, every shred of her heart and soul into that shard of stone in her hands as she gave a mighty roar.The blast of her power being unleashed rippled across the crowds, people crying out and wailing in terror, just as that shimmering wave of atmosphere began to descend over the town. Only to be stopped by a blazing sheild of fire. The same sheild of fire she'd once used to stop Ambrose from falling to his death by the cove, Sephora now used it to sheild her family and her people from that toxic Igritann atmosphere.A small part of her trembled though, at the knowledge of what she was doing, at what she was sacrificing for her people. She knew she'd never be able to see her family again, but to loose Ambrose after all that had happened...Sephora's heart bled at the thought, but grit her teeth and continued to pour her soul into that stone. This was bigger than just herself and her mate, this was about the f
SephoraHer plan had worked. She had poured every ounce of fear and love and anger, every shred of her heart and soul into that shard of stone in her hands as she gave a mighty roar.The blast of her power being unleashed rippled across the crowds, people crying out and wailing in terror, just as that shimmering wave of atmosphere began to descend over the town. Only to be stopped by a blazing sheild of fire. The same sheild of fire she'd once used to stop Ambrose from falling to his death by the cove, Sephora now used it to sheild her family and her people from that toxic Igritann atmosphere.A small part of her trembled though, at the knowledge of what she was doing, at what she was sacrificing for her people. She knew she'd never be able to see her family again, but to loose Ambrose after all that had happened...Sephora's heart bled at the thought, but grit her teeth and continued to pour her soul into that stone. This was bigger than just herself and her mate, this was about the
Sephora let out a piercing scream of grief and rage as she watched that pink red Veil slowly ripple away like a wave drawing back into the sea. All sense and reason vanished from her mind as her knees buckled from beneath her and the world swayed from under her feet.She vaguely heard Ambrose roaring from behind her, followed by the clashing of steel. Lady Valda was crumpled in a heap on the bloodied ground, Lord Daemon's face was pale as he ran for her. Ravyn was still crouched over Joe, blood continuing to gurgle from the General's chest, his lips turning a feint shade of purple.But none of that mattered now.With tears streaming down her face, Sephora burst into a sprint with all her strength, toward the broken remains of the Veil-Stones.Massive, pale opal-like boulders and rocks lay scattered everywhere, armoured limbs left slightly exposed beneath them from where Ambrose's men had been too slow to get out of the way. Sephora ran
[Ambrose]The Lord of mountains sprinted toward the dark Lord with a earth rumbling growl. Not even waiting for Sephora to give the order to attack, before Ambrose was summoning spears of diamond and obsidian to his hands and hurling them with all his immortal strength.Vince had barely enough time to respond, before his grey eyes went wide and he dodged, summoning shields of black mist to block the oncoming attacks. After 500 years of knowing each other, they both knew how each other moved, knew how powerful each other's Soulborn power was.So it was hardly a surprise to see the fear flickering behind the dark Lord's eyes, hidden carefully behind that serpentine grin of his. He knew what Ambrose was capable of doing, knew what kind of terrors he could achieve with his power.Ambrose was barely holding that side of him at bay. The mere sight of Vince, already stirring his rage into something dark and wild.Punches and cannon balls of flame shot past Ambrose, their heat and intensity en
[Ravyn]The Shadow of Queen Sephora Beltane and Lord Ambrose Stone, laughed as she thrust both her blades into the stomachs of Vince's soldiers, not even waiting for their corpses to fall, before she moved onto the next. She was a whirling mist of death and fury. Fighting for her freedom, her people, an entire race who had no idea just how much the Queen loved them. And now, they stood a chance at winning - now the odds didn't look so impossible.Reinforcements had come. They had finally come, and boy - did Lady Valda train her legion well.Winged warriors, male and female alike, dropped from the skies like fallen angels. Scooping up grown men into the air, taking off and dropping them like a stone, or barreling them into a group of dark soldiers. Their incredible feathered wings tucked in tight, as some of them wielded swords or spears, their movements swift and graceful, despite the weight on their backs. They were a force to be reckoned with.It fired up Ravyn's own spirits enough,
[Sephora]The sky was still darkened with what seemed like a cloud of infinite smoke and death. The tidal wave of Vince's men continued to slam into Sephora and Ambrose's defenses. Though they were holding strong, a line of silver holding back the inky black darkness - the line was beginning to crumble and the men were starting to tire. They couldn't hold this up forever, something had to give.But they had no reinforcements. No reinforcements were coming to their aid.Over the sounds of battle cries and the screams of dying males and females, Sephora tried to wrap her mind around what that meant about the fate Veil-Stones. And more importantly, what it would mean for her family's fate, the fate of the Mortal world.Neither could she think of a solution. Those extra armies were all they had as a plan of defense, and now...Sephora's bloodied hands began shaking again, that familiar fear and hopelessness was beginning to paralyze her once again. New doubts began swimming around in her
Because if that sheild was broken, there was nothing stopping Vince from getting to the stones, and all it took was for one stone to be destroyed and the Veil would come down."Tell me what you're thinking."Ravyn turned her head to find Joe's powerful dark eyes focused on her, his face open in question, but his brow evidently laced with worry and nerves.The Shadow had to fight to form words, since her tongue had become leaden with anxiety. "I'm worried for Sephora and Ambrose." She confessed, surprised that she'd chosen to be honest with the General for once.Even Joe seemed to be surprised, his eyebrows raising a little, before forcing a light smile, "And what about me - you're not worried about me?"Ravyn couldn't help but roll her eyes, "No, I'm definitely not worried about you."Joe chuckled, "So cold, even to the end." His mouth twitched with laughter, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "And what if I was to die tragically, heroically killed in battle? Would you still n