Sited upon his stone throne was Waylon.Standing before him were his subjects; Zipporah, Drac, and Smeden."You assured me," Waylon murmured as his eyes moved from one body frame to another.He was dressed in royal blue apparel with a red cape attached at the shoulders. Upon his head sat a golden crown embellished with rubies, emerald green and blue sapphire stones. In his hand was a long staff made of bronze with glyph carvings, each knuckle of his finger was adorned with gold rings. He was lounging in his seat with an air of royalty while addressing the trio gathered before his mini-assembly."The sorceress was the one who recommended her," Drac said casting a side glance at Zipporah.Waylon's gaze shifted to Zipporah "Yes, it was you who brought her. You assured me of her outstanding abilities and skill set."Zipporah shrugged "She was indeed a clever, slippery, and resourceful hireling. It's a shame she could not complete her mission.""But Lamias are said to be formidable and fea
Zipporah smirked to herself as she descended the stone steps.The assembly had come to a close and they were all free to go. As she walked down the steps that wound around the walls and led to the lower part of the fortress, to the base level of the dungeons. Her lips curved into a wry smile.For a moment there, she thought she had been caught.Thanks to her quick response, she had shifted the blame to the nymphs. Removing herself from close scrutiny. It would have been a catastrophe if he found out she was the supposed thief.A blow to her ego.Howls echoed through this level from different creatures she had captured with the help of Waylon's men and locked up in these dungeons, to use their blood for her dark magic."Silence!" she snapped at them, her voice dripping with malice.The cries immediately ceased.She began to walk from one cell to another, the creatures scurried into the depth of the cell when they saw her glower at them. One cell held a griffin, another held a chimera, a
"I heard a voice," Candice said as she stared at herself in the mirror."You did?" Bernice asked from her position on a couch."What kind of voice?" Everette mused as she put some pins around the dress Candice was wearing.They were having a casual conversation as Candice tried on different dresses. Early that morning, Everette had arrived at her bedroom with over a dozen dresses from the seamstress.Two weeks had already passed by since Bernice and Rojan had returned from the earth plane.The head of staff, at the house had casually informed her that a date for a banquet had been scheduled, and on that day, she would be introduced to society.Yes, you heard that right.She had been informed, notified, and made aware without any consultation from her, that her very own debut to society had been set up.The only prior information she had gotten was when Wayne had taken her to the red chamber in the city center, where she had eavesdropped on their conversation. He had not bothered to di
Candice felt awash with satisfaction.It felt good to put smiles on the face of someone.She wished she could gift her more, but the Head of staff would not let it slide. He was in charge of the domestic funds and ran the house on a strict budget, only making adjustments if and when directly instructed by his Lord Alpha. She would definitely gift Everette, Jason, Jordan, and Sally a little token before she said goodbye to them forever."What are you intently thinking about?" Bernice asked."Nothing interesting," Candice murmured as she walked over to join her on the couch. She had donned a simple green dress, dotted with white polka dots."You have been frequently spacing out these days, tell me what's on your mind?""I-I just wish that my life wasn't so complicated. Like this was some sort of dream, I was not in a parallel universe. I would just wake up and everything would be back to normal," her voice was strained, with all the pent-up emotions raging within her."Why would you wan
Two days later.5:30 pm.The Great Arena, Central City.Plane Woede.Candice peeped through the crack of the door.She had opened it just a tiny fraction, so she could see into the vast corridor. This place was the size of a standard Olympic stadium. It could seat a total of a hundred thousand people.She was the item for the great gathering, yet she was confined to a tiny change room, in the enclave of the small outpost that marked the stadium's back office. A small provision of rooms was where all the operations were carried out backstage, before showing it to the public.Where was Wayne?She gritted her teeth in anxiety as she felt the pressure settle in. It was nerve-wracking, pulse palpitating, and teeth clattering.Her stomach was knotted tight while her heart was racing. She was about to make a big entrance into the world of the werewolves and it was taking a toll on her self-confidence.She wondered why Wayne had been aloft, all through the number of days that led to this very
"I am busy, what is it?" Wayne drawled, going to take a sit in the corner of the room."I have been trying to talk to you for over a week now, but you keep rebuffing me with the same response "I am busy, let's talk later," she mimicked.He let out an exasperated sigh "Okay, I do not have a lot of time right now. I am here, you may speak."You may speak.How annoying, like she needed his permission to speak or express herself. She was not here to beg his permission; she was here to cut a deal. A smooth negotiation at best, and a rough haggle at worst."I wanted to speak to you about something," she began.When he saw her pause, he waved her on impatiently."You actually owe me a wish and I am here to collect on it," she stated.She saw his eyes narrow in a suspicious appraisal, then he linked his fingers on his lap and cocked his head to the side "Go on."Unsure of what his body gesture signified, she went on "I want you to allow Everette to go into fabrics and designs, to go to fashio
He had just stepped into a black tuxedo when a light knock rapped on his door.He didn't bother to ask; he knew who it was. Without waiting for an invitation, the door was pushed open and Rojan walked in."Good timing, come help me with my cufflinks," he held out his hands to Rojan."What will you do without me?" Rojan said with a grin as he approached him, he received the small box with the jade blue cufflinks and began to roll his sleeves. He was wearing an oxblood V-neck, long-sleeve flame print shirt with slim-fitted coffee brown trousers. His unruly red hair was perfectly parted and styled with the curls sleek with wax."You clean up nicely Rojan, one would think you are putting more effort into your looks for a certain lady," he teased."I always look good," Rojan countered, then went on "How about yourself? One would wonder why you refused to compliment your mate. Does her beauty scare you? Scared you will fall hopelessly for her?"Wayne let out a scoff "You wish,""Yet here we
She began to descend the stairs slowly, taking a step at a time.Wayne did not know when or how he had moved. But he was at the bottom of the stairs, waiting to receive her. When she reached the last step, he stretched forth his hand, for the second time tonight.She took it, letting him guide her down and onto the floor.This simple gesture made his heart tighten with emotion, she was entrusting herself into his hands, following his lead. And it sat heavy in his chest what he planned to do to her.Regardless, he would not change his plans.He turned around and addressed the crowd "The party is hereby officially open, enjoy yourselves," he said and they all clapped enthusiastically.He led her to a table at the corner and poured her a glass of wine "Care for some?" he offered."Is it alcoholic?" she asked."Yes, but it is a sweet red wine and not the rum you dislike," he explained and then added, "You look great by the way."She eyed him suspiciously "Is that a compliment?""Could be,
After a solid hour of doing nothing but crying her eyes out.She drew back from Everette and wiped at her cheeks.The wheels of her thoughts had begun to spin in a different direction. Her mind seeking an escape from this harsh reality. A whirlwind of ideas blew through her brain like a hurricane.While she agreed that she was an easy target to be used and deceived, she would be a complete fool to stay put and watch as Wayne carried out his plans and trampled all over her."I need to leave, Everette," she whispered.Her maidservant's eyes widened "What?""I need to leave immediately, I cannot just sit around and wait for him to do these horrible things to me," she repeated."Are you trying to run away milady?" Everette whispered as her eyes darted toward the door, nervously."I am not running away, I am simply leaving," she stated, then she let out a bitter laugh "This…place was never home, to begin with. I was only a passing guest and now it's time to leave.""You would not be able to
Everette rushed to hold her."Are you okay milady? Did you confront him? What did he say?" she asked all at once with concern in her voice.She was unable to respond. Too shocked to speak, so she did what she could only do, which was to let the tears flow from deep within her soul.She felt an agony like no other.Her shoulders shook, her chest heaved and her stomach knotted. Snot ran down her nose all the way to her mouth, saliva drooled from the edges of her lips down to her chest. A vein jumped in her temple, throbbing like a migraine as she felt her world crash around her.Her whole body trembled and yet she could not utter a sound.Her eyes burned as though it was her blood that gushed from them instead of water.The emotion was so raw, so painful.He had deceived her, betrayed her trust, and broken her soul.He had everything planned out from the beginning, she was just a pawn in his game. A ragdoll he could use and dispose of, a cheap accessory that could be bought with money.
She could not believe Wayne had written this contract.Would not believe he had so cold-heartedly drawn up such a heartless, wicked, demeaning contract for her.No, not the Wayne she knew.How well do you know him? A small voice murmured in her head.For the four months she had stayed with him, she could attest to certain things he was capable of and this was too despicable to be true.Shook her head to clear it "Where did you get this from?""I found it lying in a corner in his office when Earnest instructed me to clean it this morning," Everette responded.Candice opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She swallowed and tried again "I can't believe this Everette, I just can't," she turned on her heel and started towards the door."Where are you going?" Everette called behind her."I am going to confront him with this," she threw over her shoulder.Before Everette could say anything else, she had opened her room door and was heading out. Her eyes had narrowed to slits and she saw re
Candice clutched the scroll in her lap as she looked outside the window of the coach.She had just finished with the elders at the assembly and Jason was taking her back home from the city.Whoof, she sighed softly.She had accomplished her mission today, had been so nervous, but somehow, she had gotten it done.Her heart was full of joy and she couldn't wait to present this gift to Wayne.It was his father's dream to remove the borders and now she had set the ball rolling.Eventually, in a few years, the borders would cease to exist. She would continue to push bit by bit until it was completely done.This gift was her token of appreciation to Wayne for all the times he had rescued her, taken Bernice in, and revived her from death's door.She didn't want to always be at the receiving end of his benevolence, wanted to be able to give to him as well.To prove to herself that she was worthy to love him and to receive his love. She would be a partner that he could count on, who would stan
Wayne sat watching the waves from his balcony.He saw the rise and fall of every tide in the distance.The movement of the water as each wave flowed and crashed on the stones at the shore.Anyone who saw him now would think he was enjoying the beautiful scenery and the warm rays of the afternoon's sun.Far from it.For while his eyes watched, he saw nothing. While his skin absorbed the warmth, he felt nothing.His external surroundings were vague, fading into nothingness while his mind echoed a single question: What do I do next?His plans had utterly failed.The recreation of the beast did not take effect and she was still human. All his efforts had been for nothing. What was he supposed to do now?Ten years of searching, of doing everything he could to find her, and she was utterly useless to him.His future of having kids and raising a family was unachievable now.Sabine said the bones were never wrong. What if for once they were wrong?Could she really be his? What if she was not
Well, it looked like a chair, but was different in some aspects.It was made with leather and its back panel was slanted in a way to make you recline your back, while still sitting. It also had leg sockets, in which you could insert your legs, and a large armrest for comfort.A very unique type of chair indeed, one he had not seen before.Once the carriers had off-loaded the chair and left, an elder spoke up "So this treasure you speak about is a chair?"Candice smiled broadly "It is unlike any other chair. More satisfying than silver and gold. Who would volunteer to give it a try?" She asked.They all hesitated, reluctant to try it out. However, Thaddeus owned up "I will honor you and give it a try. Be warned though, I am very critical and would not spare you my honest opinion."She nodded in agreement.With that being said, he pulled on a pulley and his elevated chair began to lower to the ground until his feet finally touched solid ground. Then he got out of his chair and slowly wa
Entertaining.He was more than a millennium old and had seen his fair share of the world.Few things intrigued him; in his own right, he had seen everything. Could predict a situation before it occurred and 90 percent of the time, he was always right.Therefore, the girl him before him, standing in the midst of the assembly with a brave, yet frightful countenance, intrigued him greatly.How dare she summon them unescorted by her mate?A human girl, demanding they converge before her?A mortal, a weakling. An unwanted guest that had the privilege of being Luna, an informal rank.If she was not yet crowned queen, she had no right to demand their audience. They only answered to the throne.She had no real idea who they were, if she knew she would be scared to approach them. They were the very pillars of this realm, the lineage of the founding fathers. The backbone of this dynasty upon which the king ruled and thrived. Each one of them had served this nation in their prime, giving their l
She had been pinning to go home ever since.Now that the cavalry was here to rescue them and take them back home, the thrill of returning home had faded.Leaving a hollow emptiness inside her."How fares our king and Luna?" Rojan asked casually, as though he had not just shattered her heart a moment ago."King Wayne is doing well and our Luna is bustling with energy as she follows him about his duties," Kefas replied.Wait.Did that mean Candice was now well?Rojan and her exchanged glances, then he nodded. Indicating to her that Candice must be fine.Oh, thank goodness.Even though she had fallen short of being a dependable friend, she was glad that Candice had someone like Wayne, other than her to rely on. Someone who truly wanted her was showing her how much he cherished her.Unlike a certain male, who had torn her heart to pieces without batting an eye.Leaving Rojan and Kefas to discuss, she went about gathering her clothes. Rojan instantly signaled for the others to leave and he
"What's a nymph? That's a good thing, right?" She asked unsure."Nymphs are just as their name implies, promiscuous despicable creatures with excessive sexual desires or sexual appetites. Always seeking male company or partaking in harems or orgies to sate themselves. Yet they are insatiable, it is a compulsion of their nature, an inbuilt behavior, a trait, a curse." He said bluntly.A curse.The word reverberated in her mind. She could see how Rojan would see those traits to be a curse, he was after all, the prince of celibacy that enshrined self-preservation beyond anything else.Damn it, how had she ended up this way?She saw him turn around and quickly begin to wear his clothes, picking them up from all the directions he had thrown them last night.But they had not finished what they started."Rojan wait," she moved to him to hold his jacket before he wore it. He immediately left the Jacket in her hands and put distance between them."Why are you acting this way? From what you jus