Xenra a Oh no, Akira. Couldn't she at least get the signal that I didn't want to be disturbed? "Let me see her," I heard Akira's soft voice as she stopped a few feet away from the door. At that instant, a number of guards rushed towards me, and since my head was still bowed, I could only see them after I had lifted my head. One of them pulled my hair backwards; the unexpected force caused me to glare at him and eye him up and down, but they couldn't do anything to me since Akira was watching. But what do I care? Since I didn't want to be selected, I didn't mind appearing rude as long as it would drive her away. They roughly cut and loosened the ropes around my hands and feet and dragged me up like soldiers who had just received a military order. As they began to drag me towards the door, I saw Akira peering through the door. "Be gentle with her," she said gently. 'It seems she isn't as heartless as her big brother, after all,' I said to myself, my words laced w
Xenra"Yes, my lady," the main guard answered firmly. With that, Akira turned around, and before she could walk away, she turned towards me again, a small smile on her face, before walking again.As soon as she left, I heaved a sigh, but I wasn't relieved at all. It was all messed up. I never intended to get into the palace, working as a maid. I knew I had to keep off.I knew I might not be able to keep up with any form of maltreatment, given the history of my heartbreak and hurt. I knew I might get tempted someday and say some things I wasn't supposed to, since I was someone who doesn't know how to bottle up my hurt.I realised working at the palace would get me tired down completely. I wanted to have some form of freedom.I was still fuming over the fact that I was selected when I saw the chief security latrine officer walking towards me. In that instant, I snapped out of the thought that had gotten me busy and forced a smile to my face.I wanted to rile him up and make him see how
XenraAs I made to leave, I was stunned to see a maid standing a few feet away from the door. When did she get in? I thought, as I began to ponder if she had heard my words."When did you get in? What are you doing here?" I threw my questions to her, my eyes narrowing as I attempted to read every one of her nonverbal cues.But my question seemed to have startled her instead. "Oh, I'm so sorry," her response came with a small stuttering."I was supposed to freshen up after you, so I came in here to get my things." Her words tumbled out in a rush. But I heard her last words faintly, as I had already drifted back into thought. Does that mean she had been standing there for quite some time?I took two steps closer to her, my gaze fixed intently on her as I determined to find out if she had heard me and how much she had heard. "Okay," I said as calmly as I could."So, does that mean you heard me just now? Like, you heard what I just said?" I asked her, my words dripping with suspicion as
XenraAs I dwelled on what I had just heard, I felt my blood begin to boil, even as my heart began to pulsate faster with a restrained fury, but then I knew I had to keep my anger in check not to give myself away."So tell me, what are the evil things you heard about her?" I asked as calmly as I could, forcing a smile to my face."Her?" She snorted, "Don't tell me you haven't heard about her," she said, her words dripping with disbelief.At that moment, I began to ponder what would make Zara respond that way, but since I wanted to get as much as I could, I shook my head in response, feigning a complete innocence.As soon as she saw my response, she took quick, short steps towards me, her eyes glinting with a sudden urgency that got me both confused and surprised.As if she were being careful not to be heard, she began, "I heard she's evil." Her words slammed into me, stirring something within me—anger. The anger I had managed to suppress earlier,I wanted to tell her to shut the hole
Xenra I was led by the head guard to Akira's palace. As soon as I got into her palace, I couldn't stop admiring the beautiful scenery, the large garden with a lot of lighting and poles, the spring in the middle of the compound, and the luxurious building. I was wowed by such high-level development. It was clear that Asher was taking good care of her. I had witnessed his care and love for her after the death of their parents, and I could tell that it didn't reduce a bit. Even though Asher was cold-blooded, I needed no one to tell me that he had a soft spot for his sister. The guard led me into a hall that was both large and beautiful. The walls were decorated with different portraits of her and her lovely brother, along with the portraits of their late parents. There were other artistic pictures of different scenery hanging up on the other side of the wall. A large chandelier hung down the high ceiling, with a fireplace at the other end of the wall. As I withdrew m
Xenra"What did you just say?" The chief maiden asked, her brows furrowing with shock and surprise written all over her face. The sternness in her voice was undeniable; she had totally put aside the gentleness I had earlier seen in her.Oh no! Did I just land myself into another trouble? Not again; I shouldn't have involved Asher."Oh, sorry," My response came almost immediately, but then I still needed to ascertain the extent of the trouble I had dived into.I turned instantly to the next maid standing beside me, "Was I loud?" I asked, and as I did, my gaze shifted to the next maid, who nodded her head in response along with the other one.Fuck!Inasmuch as I wanted to know how much they had heard, I didn't know how to ask them about it. I was so engrossed with my thoughts of how arrogant Asher was that I had forgotten to keep my lips sealed and gave myself away.I turned towards the chief maiden and lowered my gaze apologetically, "I'm so sorry, mistress; I didn't mean it that way.
Xenra"You," the chief maiden pointed at Zara. "You'll be working in the kitchen department," she said. But that was what I begged for; why didn't she just give it to me instead, since she knew she was sending someone to the kitchen?She turned and rang a small bronze bell in her hand, and immediately the maid that had gathered together dispatchedAs I stared at their retreating figures, I couldn't stop wondering what was going on. Why were they suddenly walking towards different exit doors?I was still in my thoughts when someone's voice broke into my head. "That's a dismissal bell and also an assembly bell. For now, it means we should resume our duties," Zara said."I have to go now; let me go begin my duties," she said again. Well, fuck off! Is she riding on the fact that she was working in the kitchen?I wasn't in the right frame of mind; the chief had totally set the pace for a bad day already, and the last thing I needed was someone butting in.As soon as she left, I turned tow
XenraHow dare you, Asher? After all these years, you're still arrogant, rude, and selfish!Well, that was supposed to be to his hearing, but I couldn't get myself to say it to him. I felt my muscles clenching tightly as the weight of his insults settled in my heart, causing my breath to grow heavy, and as I stared at him, I felt like punching him in the face.Well, in reality, I was doing all I could to not show any emotions. But what was he really feeling like? Does he think he was someone so mighty and strong? If not for his guards, I'd have dealt with him already and left a mark he'd never forget in his urgly face.'Did I just say ugly? Come on, he's not ugly, though. That part of him being ugly is definitely a lie.' I felt my anger residing as my attention shifted to his face.Well, that face of his was something I could kill for. How could he be that handsome and cold-blooded? If only he was a little warmer and caring, I'd have been his Luna already."How dare you? Are you sure
AsherAlthough Xenra's words made sense to me, I felt it wasn't the right thing to do in that situation. Deep within me, I knew I had to get to the root of it.I knew I had to confirm all that she had just told us, and not just that; I also needed evidence of Lena and Royce's treason.I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy, and as I fixed my gaze back on Xenra, my determination burnt."I'm not going to tell them Akira is sick," I told her, my words dripping in a matching intensity. "Just as you've suggested, I'll play along with them, but more smartly, so I'll send someone in place of my sister."Akira's head whipped from my face to Xenra's as soon as she heard my words, her brows deeply furrowed.I didn't need anyone to tell me how what I had just said had made her uneasy; it was evident on her face.It seemed as though she was asking Xenra if that was a good idea. But Xenra remained calm; unlike Akira, she betrayed no emotions as she waited for me to go on. Typical of t
XenraAs soon as the words left my lips, Asher went silent, and Akira didn't utter another word. After about four seconds of thick, palpable silence, Asher broke the silence."So, why did you come to me? Why did you use that ritual? You know how dangerous that ritual can be; it can cost you a whole lot," he said, his face etched with concern."Why did you ask the moon goddess to bring you here? What danger am I in?" Asher asked me, his voice calm and relaxed, his gaze fixed intently on me as he waited for my response.As soon as I heard his words, I took a deep breath, as I felt a surge of determination within me.At that moment, my initial sorrows had completely drained out and were replaced with a growing confidence.I had completely shoved aside the momentary self-pity and sadness that had overwhelmed me, and I was now more determined to push through with what had brought me out."First and foremost," I began, my gaze fixed on Asher, "the proposal from the purple moon pack was a li
XenraAkira's head whipped towards me as soon as she heard Asher's words, and her brows furrowed deeply.I could see the fear in her eyes as she stared at me, "What did you do to the vampire queen? What did you do to her?" She asked, her words tumbling out in a helpless rush.The fear written all over her face was unmistakable as she stared desperately at me. "Don't tell me you harmed her when you followed my brother to her pack," she said, panicking.But the words had just left her lips when Asher shook his head in response, "No, she didn't," he said, his voice firm and steady, "I don't think she harmed her; let her start saying the truth."Deep within me, I knew there was no way I'd escape his room without saying the truth; I knew it was time I told them the truth since it had gotten to that.Although I didn't know how they'd react to what I was about to say, I just knew I had to.In that instant, I lifted my head that had been hanging low, and my gaze darted from Asher's face to Ak
AsherIn that instant, my gaze flew to the door, and just as I had suspected, the locks were intact.As I fixed my gaze back on Xenra, I saw her lips trembling as she tried to make coherent words. But the only thing she could say was "I-I-I."The fear written all over her face was unmistakable as she stuttered, which made me even more curious, and my brows furrowed.Seconds stretched on but she couldn't utter a word, at least nothing coherent that I could make sense of. She couldn't even meet my gaze.After about five seconds, she fixed her gaze on me. "I, um... The—the..." She said, but I swiftly interrupted her, even as I decided to go straight to what I wanted to know.At that moment, I didn't need anyone to tell me otherwise; she was strange, and I knew it; something was definitely off about her, and she had just proven it to me, again."Who are you?" I asked her as calmly as I could, "There's no need to lie to me." I said."From the first day, you healed me, I knew there was some
XenraI halted in my tracks as a great sense of hesitation settled within me. My mind was flooded with countless thoughts, and I began to ponder how to go about it.In that instant, it dawned on me that I was only too concerned about their safety that I didn't even think about how to go about it.As my thoughts stretched on, something crept into my heart, a diversion that made my brows furrow."Does it mean Asher likes me?" I muttered beneath my breath, but I didn't even allow the thoughts to settle in my heart before I shook it off."No, it can't be. It's not even possible," I said to myself, my voice heavy with conviction. "Maybe the moon goddess allowed it to happen because she wanted to save them." With that in mind, I quickly shoved off the thoughts as I decided to face the situation, but then I hesitated once more."What should I do? How do I go about this?" I whispered, my mind reeling with countless thoughts.I knew I couldn't just walk up to Asher and tell him his mate was p
XenraIn that instant, I sprang to my feet, and my mind spiralled with countless thoughts as I sought means to get out of the dungeon.My fists clenched with fierce determination, and I marched forward, my steps carrying me towards the entrance of the dungeon room.For the first time ever since I was thrown into the dungeon, I deliberately stared at the gate that held me enclosed, a strong iron gate that stood from floor to roof.As I stared at it, a thought dropped into my heart, but as I pondered on it, I realised it was risky."This wouldn't do!" I snapped out of it, knowing that breaking down the gate would attract the attention of the people in the other cell and the guards."It will complicate everything and make it even more difficult to save them," I said to myself, shaking the thought from my mind.I didn't need anyone to tell me that I'd have to pass through the guards at the various posts to get to Asher even if I successfully pulled down the gate.I knew even if I threw wh
XenraI tried to wrap my head around what was going on and why they had said such a thing like that, but nothing seemed to make sense to me.After about ten seconds of trying in vain, I snapped out of the thoughts that had kept me busy and decided to shove it aside."After all, it has nothing to do with me," I said, shrugging, and then I began to walk back to the spot of my meditation.As I settled in the spot and tried to continue with my training, their voices kept breaking into my thoughts, making it impossible for me to focus.As I snapped back to the present, I couldn't shake off the nudge that had settled deep in my heart, a great sense of uneasiness that kept taking my mind back to the people in the other cell, and I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on."If it was about Akira, why are they doing it secretly?" I asked myself, my brows furrowing as I drifted back into thought, wondering why they really had to hide in the darkness to do whatever they had to do.As my
XenraAfter a long session of meditation and cultivation that day, I stretched my limbs, my lips spreading into a smile as I felt a great sense of peace within me."The past week in the dungeon has been the best in my life," I said to myself and drew in a deep breath.As I slowly opened my eyes, I could feel a great sense of strength and renewed energy within me."No doubt, I'm back!" I said to myself, my lips curling into a determined smile as I felt the surging powers within me."I didn't need anyone to tell me they were back. "This dark dungeon has been a great help to me. Thanks to the calm and quietness."Aside from the fact that I could feel my vampire spirit within me, I could also feel the emergence of my wolf with great intensity.As a hybrid, I had never felt that part of me before, or maybe I had never really given myself to that side of me.But this dungeon has really helped me in aligning with that side of me, and not just that, but to also master the powers and ways to t
LenaAs I pondered what Royce had just told me, something dropped in my mind, snapping me off the thoughts that had kept me busy.My head whipped towards him, and in that instant, I asked, "Did you just say 'hidden dungeon?'" My voice was rushed and urgent."Is that nowhere that fat maid?" My brows slightly furrowed as I stared at him."Yes, my lady, that's where she is." Royce firmly replied. Hearing his response made me snort, and I began to slice the beef on my plate again.As I did so, I continued, "You can just tell the men to start experimenting with her by pouring some of the content in her body. After all, she's useless now to everyone." The words had barely left my lips when I continued savouring the beef again, even as I relished the satisfaction of what I had just said.A light chuckle broke out of Royce's lips instead as soon as he heard my words, the sound of which belied the hesitation in his heart."As long as I like the fact that we think alike, my lady, remember when