Dolton POVSebastian is off doing... whatever it is Sebastian does. Likely something related to the kidnappings and the children being sold, though I can’t be certain. We’re working separately for now, occasionally consulting one another when input is needed, but otherwise keeping to our respective tasks.For me, the focus is on pinpointing possible locations where the Werewolf King might be hiding those he’s purchased. His palace seems like an obvious choice, but it’s also an impractical one. The risk of guards, maids, and others noticing something is far too great. No, he’s likely smarter than that. If I were in his shoes, I’d have them hidden elsewhere—just like Celine had been when she was younger.Something about the situation gnaws at me. We’ve been assuming that the Werewolf King only became ill recently, but that theory no longer holds water. No—we were wrong. The fact that Celine was used as his personal healer for years speaks volumes. He’s been sick much longer than anyone
Dolton POV I follow his line of sight, tension creeping into the room.“Are you expecting someone?” I ask, already suspecting the answer.“Yes,” he says, his jaw tightening. “Lord Arman and Tatsuya. I’ve reviewed the statements from the gathering. I have enough evidence so it's time to confront them.”That’s a bold move. “And what’s your plan?”He exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Honestly? I’m not sure. Lord Arman has held his position for years. Arktos was supposed to take over when he was ready, but... well, we know how that turned out. Stripping Lord Arman of his title because of Tatsuya’s actions feels excessive, but I can’t just ignore this. The alternative is... I don’t even know.”I sit back, considering the gravity of his situation. “You’re right. Stripping him of his title might be harsh, but you can’t let this slide either. Tatsuya’s actions—whether they were calculated or reckless—crossed a line. You need to make that clear. It might be worth inviting them to the
Celine POVDolton’s frustration is obvious as he storms away. I glance at Jonathan, hoping for clarity. “I need to know everything about Shadebind and Arcane Severance,” I explain, my tone firm.“Jonathan can help you with that while I try and find out where Lord Arman and Tatsuya are,” Sebastian says, stepping closer. “I also need your help with another issue, but this one is more pressing, so focus on it for now.” He kisses me briefly before walking off with his guards.“Shadebind,” Jonathan begins, his tone measured, “is a form of black magic. It hasn’t been used in centuries. It was a weapon in battles, but then people started carrying personal, meaningful objects tied to their hearts. Those objects protected them, and Shadebind eventually fell out of use.”“And it paralyzes?” I ask, my brows knitting together in concern.Jonathan nods. “Yes. It targets specific individuals, groups, or even entire bloodlines. For anyone else, the fog is harmless. But for the intended targets, it’s
Celine POVWhile walking, I scan the journals in my hands, searching for any mention of Shadebind. Frustratingly, I find nothing.“Careful,” Jonathan’s voice startles me, and I look up just in time to see him standing in front of me. I nearly walked into him!“Sorry,” I mumble, clutching the journals. “I can’t find anything about Shadebind or how to remove it. It only explains how it’s cast.”Jonathan nods knowingly. “What you need is Arcane Severance," he explains, and I realize my mistake.Quickly scanning through the pages again, I find the spell. It’s shockingly simple—far too easy, considering its power and purpose.Casting the spell takes only a moment, but my thoughts are consumed by what lies ahead. I’ll have to ensure Sebastian agrees to let me be present when Nylex is locked in the cell.When I finish, I step back and nod. “It’s done,” I say. “Now, let’s speak with Sebastian.”Before we can move, a servant approaches with a small bow. “Your Majesty, you need to choose a dres
DoltonI’ve shifted into my dragon form, and for once, Julius isn’t resisting. No doubt it’s because without this, Celine would be at greater risk. We’re currently seated in a cell directly across from where Nylex will be held.Celine is dressed in old, worn clothes, with a hood pulled low to conceal her face. Our conversation is hushed, knowing that once Nylex arrives, we’ll have to act the part of guard and prisoner. Normal topics are off-limits—his hearing might be sharp enough to pick up even the quietest whispers.“Are you absolutely sure about this?” I ask again, unable to shake my unease. I have to give her one more chance to reconsider. This plan makes me uncomfortable, and the risk feels too high. If Nylex senses her identity, things could spiral out of control before we even get him into the cell.“I’m doing it, Dolton,” she replies with fierce determination. Her tone leaves no room for argument. I nod, accepting her decision. There’s no point in trying to change her mind an
Sebastian spins around, his expression stormy. “You were told to stay quiet and not get involved,” he snaps at Celine.Celine opens her mouth to retort, but Sebastian raises a hand to cut her off. “Because of your actions, he likely won’t speak now. We’ve lost any chance of getting the information we need.”He’s not wrong. Nylex had talked because he was confident he could escape. Now, knowing he’s bound indefinitely, he has no reason to cooperate.“I was trying to help!” Celine fires back, her voice tinged with frustration.“Help how?” Sebastian challenges, his tone sharp.Celine falls silent, unable to answer. She wasn’t trying to help; she was angry, and she wanted to challenge Nylex. Sebastian hadn’t been in any danger—Nylex’s words, though meant to torment him, were under control.“He was behind the fog,” Celine argues defensively.“And it was resolved. He wasn’t actively doing anything when you interfered,” Sebastian counters, his voice tightening with frustration.I rub my face
Celine POVI spend the evening with Nischola, who reassures me that the baby is thriving. She also helps me practice the wedding dance, and to my relief, she claims I picked it up quickly and performed well.I hope she’s being honest because the thought of messing up in front of the entire kingdom tomorrow is mortifying. Yes, the entire kingdom—the wedding is being broadcast live. There’s no hiding from anyone.After a few hours, I return to my room, seeking solitude. I slip into a warm bath, letting the water soothe me. Closing my eyes, I try to relax, but my mind refuses to co
Celine POVI glance around, noticing something odd—there are no male guards nearby. The tradition is stricter than I realized. The closest male guards are stationed far down the hall, their distance intentional. It’s as though an invisible barrier has been placed around me, a reminder of the ancient customs dictating this day.As I approach the grand hall, the ornate doors are pulled open by two female attendants. My breath catches as I step inside. The room is magnificent, every surface gleaming with gold accents and sparkling chandeliers. The crowd is vast—lords, ladies, and dignitaries from every corner of the kingdom gathered to witness this union. Their eyes turn to me, murmurs of admiration and awe ri
CelineThe air in the great hall remains thick with unease long after the last ruler departs. Doubt lingers like a specter in the eyes of those who remain. I stand firm, unwilling to show weakness, but inside, my mind churns. The witches’ words haunt me, and the weight of leadership presses down with suffocating force.Before I can dwell on it further, a scout rushes into the hall, his breath ragged, eyes wide with urgency. “My Queen,” he says, bowing slightly, “our spies have returned with intelligence.”I motion for him to continue.“The witches have retreated,” he reports, voice strained. “They’ve taken refuge in an abandoned fortress, one that once belonged to the Werewolf King before he rose to power.”My stomach tightens. A place linked to the Werewolf King. That can’t be a coincidence. “Where?”The scout hesitates, then unfolds a rough map,
Celine POVAn unnatural chill settling over my skin like something unseen is watching me. I recognize the feeling instantly. They’re back.I don’t turn immediately. Instead, I steady myself, helping Dolton keep his footing as his body struggles to adjust. He’s weak but standing, his breathing uneven as he leans slightly against me. My pulse thrums, a sharp rhythm in my ears as I slowly lift my gaze toward the entrance.They step from the shadows as if they were never truly gone. The witches stand before me, their presence heavy with power, their dark robes pooling around them like moving ink. The older one smirks, eyes gleaming with something far too satisfied. His companion, younger but just as dangerous, watches me carefully. They are not here to fight, at least not yet.The older witch tilts his head slightly, considering me. “You’ve done well, Queen Goddess, but you should have left the sigil alone.”His voic
Celine POVI move deeper into the vault, the cold tightening around me like unseen hands pressing against my skin. The air is thick, heavy with an ancient weight, a presence that hums beneath the surface of reality. Every step echoes against the stone, the sound swallowed by the vast chamber stretching before me.The torches flicker wildly along the walls, casting distorted shadows that stretch and twist unnaturally. The entire chamber pulses with a slow, rhythmic energy, like a heartbeat buried beneath the earth. This place is alive.I take a steady breath, pushing forward. Shelves line the circular space, filled with tomes that have likely not been touched for centuries. The scent of dust and age clings to the air. Glass cases hold artifacts, relics of long-forgotten magic, their energy faint but steady. Scrolls, bound in twine, are stacked haphazardly across stone tables. There is so much knowledge here, so much power, but I do not have time to explore it. I
Sebastian POVI let Celine focus and walk away with Jonathan. The moment the heavy iron doors groan shut behind us, a tense silence falls over the hall. It lasts only a moment before the argument erupts.“I don’t believe it,” one of the remaining Bear Kings growls, his massive form radiating restrained fury. “That wasn’t our brother. I know him, and he would never stand with witches.”Aarmon, the Vampire King, stands unfazed, arms crossed over his chest. His dark eyes gleam with irritation, but his voice remains calm, composed. “Then explain why he left with them,” he challenges. “Explain why he was the one to turn against us the moment the spell took hold. You want to chase a ghost, be my guest, but my concern is stopping the witches before they strike again.”The second Bear King slams a fist against the already fractured stone of the hall. “We have to find him. Whatever those bastards di
Celine POVKneeling beside the factured sigil, my hand hover over the smoldering bloo-forged markings. The air around it crackles with raw magic, thick and oppressive. It clings to my skin like an unseen force, trying to push my away. This sigil isn't just a spell, it's wound and carved deep into the foundation of this place pulsing with stolen power.It should have shattered when I attacked it, but instead, it lingers, a binding forged through blood. Exhaling, I force myself to think. If this was made with blood, there has to be a way that blood can unmake it. A sacrifice to balance the scales again.Without hesitation, I morph a hand into my dragon and drag a sharp edge of my nail across my palm, cutting deep enough for a thin line of crimson to well up. The moment my blood drips onto the sigil, a violent surge of energy explodes outward.Pain slashes through my palm as my hand is thrown back, the heat races up my arm like fire. I bite back a cry, my en
Jonathan POVCeline moves before anyone else, stepping toward the two remaining witches like a predator stalking prey. Her magic hums in the air, thick and volatile, coiling beneath her skin. The fractured sigil still smolders on the ground, its energy resisting its destruction, and Dolton remains motionless.Everything about this moment feels wrong.The older witch doesn’t flinch as Celine approaches, his expression eerily calm, as if he already knows how this ends. The younger one, however, shifts uneasily, eyes darting to the sigil before flicking toward the exit. He’s already calculating an escape, but he won’t make it.Celine halts a few feet from them, her voice sharp and commanding. “What did you do?”The taller witch exhales slowly, eyes still locked on the sigil instead of her. “It’s not broken,” he muses. “And it won’t be. Not unless you understand what you’re dealing with.”Her magic tightens around us, pressing against my skin like static before a storm. I take a slow step
Celine POVI take a slow breath, steadying myself as I prepare to break the sigil. My magic coils beneath my skin, simmering, but I force myself to stay in control. This isn’t about brute force. The sigil wasn’t just made to bind, it was made to resist. If I let my emotions control me, the magic will push back harder.I kneel beside the scorched markings, pressing my palms lightly against the fractured stone. The energy still lingers. I can feel the remnants of the blood magic woven into it, pulsing faintly, clinging to its purpose even as the spell itself begins to weaken.The magic fights me immediately.A sharp pulse of resistance presses back against my own power, like an invisible hand trying to shove me away. I grit my teeth and dig deeper, pushing my magic through the cracks in the spellwork. It twists and resists, writhing like a living thing, trying to close itself off.The air around me thickens. The sigil surges violently beneath my fingertips, a final attempt to hold its f
Celine POVA heavy silence fills the hall, thick with the scent of burnt magic and blood. My heart pounds as I stare at the fallen bodies around me, my mates lying still, their breathing steady but unnervingly shallow. I reach for the bond that should be connecting me to them, but the moment I try, a wall slams into me, severing the link. My stomach clenches, a cold sweat breaking out across my skin.The witches remain standing near the entrance, their cloaks shifting unnaturally, their presence distorting the air around them. They are waiting. Watching. Their faces are obscured, but I can feel their satisfaction, the weight of their amusement pressing against my skin like a cruel whisper.A sudden, ragged breath shatters the silence. The sound is unnatural, deep and slow, like a man coming back to life. I turn sharply, and my stomach twists as one of the Bear Kings sits up. His movements are fluid but wrong, like something wearing his skin rather than belonging to it. His shoulders r
Celine POVThe grand hall is warm with the glow of chandeliers, the candlelight flickering across polished stone walls. The scent of roasted meats, aged wine, and sweet spices fills the air, a stark contrast to the tension that lingers beneath the surface. Conversations weave through the room in polite murmurs, the occasional laughter breaking the stiffness that clings to the gathering. Despite the illusion of peace, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that coils tightly in my chest.Seated between Sebastian and Jonathan, with Dolton across from me, I force myself to appear at ease. Their presence should ground me, yet the weight of my vision refuses to leave me. The image of myself kneeling in chains before Gregory, powerless and at his mercy, claws at the edges of my mind. I can’t allow myself to dwell on it, not here, not now.Further down the table, the three Bear Kings eat in silence, their broad forms looming over their plates. They rarely speak, but their gazes scan the room wi