XenraAs I got to Asher's courtyard, I felt a pang of hesitation settling into my heart; the thoughts of going back to Maltos' Castle after all that had happened made me nervous.My feet slowed down, and my hands got moist. Deep within me, I was contemplating the scenario. I couldn't stop wondering what would happen to me when I got there. I was worried my longing for my home might make me behave out of character and endanger my life.I was still lost in thoughts when Akira's voice cut through the air. "Xenra!" Her shrill voice snapped me back to the present.My head whipped towards her direction, and as I saw her approaching from the other side of the hallway, I forced a small smile to my face and gave her a small bow."I can see you're ready for the journey," she said with a warm smile on her face.As I heard her words, a nervous twitch parted my lips into a small, awkward smile. Despite how I tried to keep it in, I couldn't just stop my heart from racing.Akira's brows knitted wit
XenraWith a renewed determination propelling me forward, I had just taken three steps away from Akira when her voice rang out from behind me, "Xenra!" She called, halting me in my tracks. I spun towards her to find her worry etched on her face, and my mind began to race as I tried to figure out what was the cause of her worry."I need you to do me a favour." Her voice was more like an order than a request. My eyes rolled in thought, and I shook my head and arched my brows, a silent question about what it was she was wanted to ask about."I know this is difficult for you to do, but I beg you, always keep an eye on my brother." She urged, her voice tinged with desperation.My brows scrunched upwards, but before I could get myself to say a word to her, her voice came again."My brother was really into the vampire queen, so I'm talking to you as a woman.""I know that the guards who will go with him might not understand what my brother might do there because they're men, but I'm sure y
AsherJust like a sudden jolt, I felt it again, and in the next five seconds that followed, my left hand began to vibrate again.Gently, I pressed down on my veins with my right hand, and I tried to still the trembling hand, as I didn't want Royce, who was seated beside me, to notice my struggle.At that moment, my mind began to race in search of what to do, and the first thing that dropped in my mind was Xenra's therapy. In that instant, I closed my eyes and replayed what she had done and how she had done it that day, and gradually, I began to trace my veins.Although I could vividly remember how she had done it, I tried to repeat the same therapy on me, but every effort from my end only exacerbated the symptoms, as the hand began to shake faster and uncontrollably this time around."Shit!" I muttered under my breath and gritted my teeth as I tried to suppress the pain I was beginning to feel both on my shoulders and in my left arm.But no matter how hard I tried, nothing seemed to
Asher.With that same determination, I came down from the chariot and matched towards them, my steps heavy with anger.As soon as I was close enough, all the guards turned towards me."Alpha!" They greeted with their heads bowed, except for Xenra who remained seated on the ground with her hands folded in front of her.Her lips were pouted and her brows were knitted. She was clearly angry. But I paid no attention to the look on her face, as I turned towards the head guard."What is going on here?" I questioned with furrowed brows, my voice tinged with irritation.At my words, the head guard relieved his posture, "Alpha, it's this fat guard, she refused to keep moving." The guard affirmed Royce's words.At his words, a scoff of disbelief escaped my lips as it dawned on me that I was delayed because of that annoying, fat maid.I fixed my gaze on her and her nonchalance further picked on my nerves. "Apart from being fat and stupid, are you also useless?" I scoffed, my words heavy with an
RoyceAs I watched the Alpha walk back to the chariot, I felt my chest tightening with wrath. The fact that he kept talking down on me in the presence of everything greatly infuriated me. My teeth gritted as I seethed, even as I pondered how long I had to endure his humiliation. As he got close to the chariot, I snapped out of my thoughts and swore within myself, 'Very soon I'd put an end to this nonsense.' As soon as he settled into the chariot, I pulled my gaze away from him to avoid letting my anger give me away.As I turned away from him, my gaze fell on the faces of the guards who were staring at me with pity on their faces, and I flared up."What the hell are you staring at? Get back to work!" I yelled at them, my voice bearing the weight of the anger brewing within me.At my words, they all dispatched like scared chicks to their various posts.At that moment, I whipped towards Xenra, who was still struggling to get herself up from the ground, and I flinched in anger."Will
XenraMy lips curled into a smirk as I watched Asher's Beta, Royce, climb into the chariot. Deep within me, I was glad my plan was working. As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but savour the fact that I had put up a good show."This is just the beginning," I muttered under my breath.As I dwelled in the euphoria of the moment, I resolved deep within myself to leave a lasting impression in the heart of Asher, for I was determined to get his attention and make him conscious of me.I wasn't going to relent in getting my way back into his life, and nothing would stop me from doing so.As I dwelled on it, I felt my blood boil with a fierce determination."By the time I've succeeded in finding my way back into your life, I'll get everything I want and leave you miserable." I whispered, my words heavy with determination.As I relished the satisfaction I was feeling, my mind began to race with calculations as I sought what else to do at that moment.I knew I had to utilise every opp
Xenra"Please, Alpha, I'm so tired; I'm drained, there's no iota of strength left in me, and I'm about to faint." I pressed on, my voice breaking as I stared straight into Asher's eyes.But he stood there with his hands hanging on his waist, his forehead deeply furrowed in frustration, yet he didn't say a word to me.From the expression on his face, I didn't need anyone to tell me how angry he was, but then, I also knew he was doing his best to keep his anger in.But since he seemed unyielding to my pleas, I pressed further, despite the fact that he was seething. "Please, Alpha, can I just go back to the pack?" I asked again, "I don't want to be a burden to you anymore."But as soon as the words left my lips, he flared up, "Indeed! You won't just turn back and go to the pack; you'll turn back and go to the land of the dead, where you'd never return!" He stated, his voice heavy with anger, as his words tumbled out in a rush.His anger was clearly written on his face as he growled.At
AsherWe arrived in Maltos' Castle to find the vampire queen and her entourage waiting for us at the entrance of her mansion. As soon as I stepped down from the chariot, she walked towards me, "Asher!" She exclaimed, her eyes glinting with warmth,"What a pleasant surprise!" Her words were wrapped with warmth as we closed up the distance between us."I just wanted to surprise you, vampire queen." I answered in a matching intensity even though there was no smile on my face."I wasn't really happy you had to go through the stress of coming to my pack when you could have just given the orders, and I'd be there." I added calmly.At my words, the vampire queen's lips spread into a barely noticeable smile, which complimented the image of the Xenra I had in my head."That's so thoughtful of you," she responded calmly.I was still trying to accept the reflection of the old Xenra when the vampire queen took my hand and placed a tender kiss on the back of my palm.Her actions made my brows scr
AsherMy heart was filled with warmth as I stared at Xenra's tear-stained face, the pain and weakness that had overwhelmed me gradually seeping off my shoulders.Xenra's words had given me another chance to live, a reason to hold onto life, and I had decided to grab it.Deep within me, I was beginning to feel strength spring up within me, and I knew her prayer had something to do with it.Xenra looked stunned to find me staring at her; on her face was etched a mix of emotions—surprise, excitement, and disbelief—all glinted in her eyes.Her lips parted as she stared at me, but she couldn't utter a word; the surprise she had felt had left her utterly speechless.Seconds stretched on, and none of us tore our gaze away from each other. At that moment, all I felt was peace and truth, a sincerity that couldn't be denied.There was no other word to be said; I had seen and heard it all myself.As we stared at each other, the thudding sounds of boots running towards us made our heads whip towa
XenraMy heart banged faster as I stared at Asher, who was lying down almost motionless. The sight of him looking so weak and frail made my heart jump so hard from fright."Asher!""Asher!" His name tumbled out of my lips as desperation swelled within me. I was in an urgent need to get to him; I tried to drag myself towards him, but I couldn't even move an inch.The transfer I made to save his life had left me feeling like a sack of bones.Chills and goosebumps wrapped around me as I watched him groan in pain. Fear and desperation firmly clung onto me at the thought of him dying.My heart was torn apart, and I couldn't bear to watch his life slip away from him."Asher," I called with every strength I could muster this time around. But my voice was barely above a whisper, rough and harsh.Asher's eyes flickered open, but he couldn't even keep them open. He was so weak and almost lifeless; he couldn't even move an inch."Asher!" I called a little louder again, my voice filled with despe
Asher"Bastard! You bastard!" Leo growled, his voice heavy with a seething rage as he glared at Xenra."You dare lay your filthy hands on my father, and you have the guts to say it to my face?" He continued, disbelieving, ringing in his tone as his eyes glinted with wrath.The veins on his face became more visible as he seethed, and at that moment I felt my strength seeping off my shoulders.My knees couldn't hold me up anymore, and I staggered backward; my steps took Xenra unaware, and despite her efforts to hold me back, I fell to my knees."Asher, Asher, Are you okay?" Xenra asked, her words rushed and urgent as she stared at me, desperation glinting in her eyes.From the look on her face, I could tell she really wasn't waiting for my response. She had gotten the answer herself and had only asked because she was scared. I could see it in her eyes. An unfamiliar look I had never seen before, even when she pretended to be an ordinary maid, even when she went through the harsh punishm
Xenra."You bastard!" Lenhandro cursed, staggering backward, his eyes wide open in shock. The disbelief and pain written all over his face were palpable.He winced and gasped for breath, desperately trying to cling to life as it began to slip away from him, but there was nothing he could do while I watched in anticipation as he struggled all he could, until he finally collapsed with a heavy thud.The veins on his face and neck were now visible, and his laboured breathing was now very audible. He bared his teeth, unmistakable wishes in his eyes as he glared at me, but all he could do was curse.The sight of him struggling to hold onto life made me chuckle, the sound of which echoed the mockery and contentment in my heart.Lenhandro's eyes fluttered as he tried to stay awake, but then, even he seemed to have realised he wouldn't be able to stop what was coming.As it dawned on him that he couldn't do anything to stop his inevitable demise, he growled again, "You bastard!" Shooting an an
XenraMy lips spread into a small smile as I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy. "Really?" I asked him. "You want us to join hands together?"My words were wrapped with surprise as I spoke, staring at him in a feigned excitement."Of course, my love," Lenhandro swiftly replied, determination ringing in his tone."We can join hands together, and you'd see just how we can take over the world. The world is large enough for both of us to rule." He added, conviction echoing in his voice as he gestured.He halted in his tracks, and I saw him swallow hard. "Look, Xenra, I'm not ready to fight with you; I would never do that again," he said. "I'm ready to go with your terms."His furrowed brows were supposed to convey his sincerity, but I could see right through him, and I knew it was a mask over his evil ambition.As if he hadn't said enough, he continued, "I'm really sorry about what happened; believe me, I really regretted it," he said, "I've really missed you so much, my lo
XenraMy steps were heavy with determination as I rushed through the hallway with just one intent in mind—to get to Lenhandro.The hallway was packed with maids and male servants, who were hastily running in all directions, speaking for safety, while Leo's and Lenhandro's soldiers chased them, slashing them with their swords.Cries of anguish and fear echoed in the whole of the palace, but the soldiers didn't spare them.Inside the hall, Asher's soldiers were already fighting against the invaders, clashing against them, and they tried to secure their home.Seeing the maids and the old servants being slaughtered greatly enraged me, and I marched towards them.Since Lenhandro's soldiers had come from the main entrance, I knew if I could break through the approaching guards, I'd get to the bastard who betrayed me.As I brooded over my wrath, a soldier fell beside me, and his spear slipped from his grasp. Without waiting for another second, I swiftly picked it up, and with that same inten
Asher"Quickly, let's go," Xenra said to the guard that supported my other arm, and they both led me into the secret passage.As we walked through it, I kept hearing the loud wails and screams of my people, conveying their agony and distress.The sound of metal clashing against another filled the air and made my heart ache. That was the cry of my innocent citizen, and the fact that I had to hide to save my life broke my heart.As we walked through the dimly lit passage, my heart kept bleeding as their voices filled the whole space.Deep within me, I knew I had to do something; I knew I shouldn't be the coward who abandoned his people and flew to safety while his people were being sacrificed in their home.Filled with that determination, I halted in my tracks, refusing to be led farther away from my people, who were sacrificing their lives for our clan.Xenra's head whipped towards me, but before she could say a word about it, I swiftly began to speak:"This whole thing will lead to ev
Xenra"No," I shook desperately as I stared at him, "I can't leave you." My words tumbled out in a determined rush.Seeing him getting weaker and weaker was already a painful sight, but what I couldn't bear to do was to leave him alone just as he had requested."What is wrong with you?!" Asher said, more like a statement than a question. "I'm asking you to leave now. Do you want Lenhandro to kill you again and have the last laugh?""He's your worst enemy, and we both know you'd forever be uneasy if you don't have your revenge against him tonight," Asher added, his voice firm and resolute.Asher's breath finally stabilised, but then I knew it wasn't something to rejoice over, since that was the nature of the poison. My clan's mate had always referred to it as "the poisonous deceit."I knew it was the last gathering of strength that would last for just twelve hours after the person had been injected, before his eventual demise."As you can see, I'm getting better and can take care of my
AsherI could feel my spirit gradually leaving my body as I lay there. The whole of me felt heavy; I was tired of struggling, and my vision began to blur.Vaguely, I heard Lena hiss and saw her walk away from the room. The victorious smile I saw on her face jabbed at my heart even as it dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to save my people and defend what I had always held dear.My mind began to reel with countless thoughts, a chaotic mix of thoughts that made my mind run wild as I sought a solution.But no matter how much I tried, I just couldn't get my mind to focus. The intense pain I was feeling inside wouldn't allow me to focus on a possible solution, and I began to wonder if that was how I would die.My chest was tightening within me, and my breath grew short. Gradually, I began to gasp for breath.Outside my room, I could hear the footsteps of soldiers running towards the entrance. I could also hear the heavy thuds of soldiers on the marbled floor outside the mansion as they r