Fera stares at me stunned, “You know?”“We’ve not had time to talk about what happened when I was captured by the elves but Balin revealed a lot to me, Fera. I even –” I hesitate, “I think some of the past Righs managed to communicate with me.”She looks pale and I try to reassure her, “You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me anymore. The moonshine is long out of my system. And with Damien in the state he is, we need to find a way to save him, no matter what it takes.” When she falls silent, I look at Caleb, “Why did you ask me about that?”Caleb looks reluctant for some reason, “I – It’s very rare for a Righ to not be already mated to her protector, which is the demon lord. I was under the assumption that perhaps your situation was different-”“I was captured by the elves like I told you,” I tell him, tightly. “Well, at first, they had me convinced of some twisted version of the truth-” which she still didn’t know as yet – “and when they got me to their village, they fed m
“Is that even safe?!” Fera bursts out.“As safe as can be,” Caleb assures her. “I will have to put her into a trance-like state but she will not be harmed. Unfortunately, there is one thing that might be a hindrance.”“What?”He look at me, “I can only put you in the trance for a week. It’s going to put a lot of mental strain on you. A week is the limit.”“If it doesn’t work the first time-“You can’t go back in,” Caleb shakes his head. “With the moonshine having been in your system in such copious amounts, we can’t take the risk.”“So what do we do then?”“You’re willing?” he asks.“Of course!” I need to do something!Seeing Damien so still and lifeless is killing me. I’m still staying in our room, just not on the bed. I spend my nights, talking to him, stroking his hair, trying to get him to respond. I spend my days napping where I can.“We’ll do it tonight then,” Caleb says, firmly.Just then Marty barges in with food and the conversation comes to a halt. But my mind is s
“What is happening outside?!” Fera strides towards me when I enter the castle, dazed. “There’s such a commoti-” Her words die down when she sees the large group following me, “Uh, what is going on, Isabel?”“I –” My mouth is dry. “They swore fealty to me.”I look over my shoulder at the massive group. Not all of them followed me but a majority did.“You had the creatures of the demon realm swear fealty to you?” Fera gapes at me.“I – I’m sorry?” I feel just as confused. “I swear I didn’t mean to.”“I’m not – I’m not asking you to apologize. But how is this possible? The creatures of this land respect the Righ but they’ve never sworn fealty to her before.”“Maybe it’s because of Damien’s situation,” I murmur. But Fera isn’t paying any attention to me, her lips moving and it takes me a moment to realize that she is counting. Finally, she says, slowly, “Except for the Rhoder Tribe, you’ve got one member of each family of creatures. Guards, it seems. Or representatives? What di
I wake up in a gloomy place which makes me frown. It’s dark and damp and I sit up, trying to get my eyes adjust to what is before me.A forest of some sort.I get to my feet and take a few steps forward before realizing that I am alone. My wolf isn’t here with me.It’s an unsettling feeling.Wetting my dry mouth, I call out, “Damien?”Nothing.I really don’t like the look of this forest for some reason. It’s creepy. “Damien!” I shout out now. “Are you here?”I hear a giggling sound and I freeze in fear.Oh, God! Don’t let his Arush be some horror movie scene! I can’t handle psycho knife waving freaks!Another giggle and then a head pops up from a bush. It’s a child. A child with dark curls and amber eyes, “Hi!”He really seems like he’s in the wrong place.“Are you – Are you lost, kid?” I ask, weakly. “Maybe you’re supposed to be in someone else’s Arush.”He grins, “Who’re you?”“I-Isabel,” I watch him climb out of the bush. He looks to be around five.“I’m looking
I stare at him, “What?”He shrugs, pulling me along with him, “Come on! The end is nearly there!”“Where?”I look forward and suddenly where there had only been darkness, I see something that I can only describe as sunlight.I blink.“Am I seeing things?”The child giggles, “You’re funny.”We keep walking-running till we reach the edge of the forest. I step outside into the light only to feel the boy release my hand. I look over my shoulder to see him standing there, in the shadows of the forest, “Well? Aren’t you coming?”He shakes his head, “I can’t.”“What do you mean?” My brows furrow together.“I can’t go beyond the forest,” he smiles at me. “But you’ll be fine now.”Something about the way he looks at me, makes my heart ache. I step towards him and then crouch down, kissing him softly on the cheek, “Okay then. You be careful now.”He smiles at me before taking a few steps back. I keep standing there till I can no longer see him and I feel an odd sensation in my chest.
I stare at Damien, taken aback by the shift in his tone It’s less cold fury and more of a mild annoyance.“What? Do you know him?”He mutters something under his breath.“What was that?”“Never mind,” he studies me. “So Caleb is out there With you.”I frown, “What’s going on in your head? I just told you he’s not-”“I’ll decide that,” he says, abruptly, adding something nasty under his breath, aimed at the monk.“You know for someone who is thousands of years old, you sure don’t act like it,” I tell him before looking around. “So what is this place?”He shrugs, tucking his hands in his pockets, “I just woke up here. It’s oddly peaceful.”“Well, snap out of it,” I scowl. “You can’t stay here.”“Has anyone ever told you that you have a terrible bedside manner?” He shakes his head at me.“Well, I’m a little short on time.”“Why?” He grins. “Have places to be?”I stare at him, “The demon realm is fracturing, Damien. Fera is trying to manage everything. She is barely eating. Th
I jolt in shock at his words, “What?”Damien’s eyes are glued on what’s happening around us, “When the elves realized that everything they had done was for naught, in their fury, they used a necromancer to curse the Righ and all that came after her. That’s why I once told you that the Righ’s life is never easy. There are too many hardships.”“But the Gods! Couldn’t they do something?” I feel anger simmering within me. “They sent the Righ in the first place and they’re all powerful-”“They could but they didn’t,” Damien’s voice is ruthless in his own anger. “As long as their purpose was fulfilled, they didn’t care. But they also did not like that the elves interfered in their decision. Especially when the elves found another use for the Righ. That’s why they shunned the elves to the Forest of Shadows. They wanted an entire realm? Now they have to live in a forest. Since the Others now cohabit in the human realm, the elves were forced into a small corner. They did attempt an uprising
I stare at him, “Why do you have to make it sound like that?”“Like what?” Damien raises a brow.“Like you’re doing me a favor!”He grins, “You’re overthinking this-”“Then why are you laughing?!”He wraps his arm around my shoulder, “Maybe because I like watching you get all worked up.”“Sadist.”“I’m the demon king for a reason,” he whispers before pressing his lips against my temple in a surprisingly affectionate gesture. I push him away before wrapping my arms around my knees, “I’m serious, Damien.”“I know,” his voice is unexpectedly quiet. I sneak a look at him and he’s wearing a distant expression on his face. “Love can’t be forced, little wolf, and neither can bonds. I know that from personal experience.”Dismay is like a punch in the gut, “But how do I-”“That monk is wrong,” Damien murmurs. “The Arush will heal me itself. He always was an idiot. Just because you are desperate to save me doesn’t mean the mating bond with form for you. It has never formed so quickly
DAMIENYears pass slowly when eternity is no longer in sight.Standing on the edge of the balcony of the bedroom I’ve shared with Isabel for five hundred years, I watch the lush lands in the distance. The demon realm has never prospered like this before. I’ve never been this content before.In the distance, I hear laughter and I look over to see two of my older sons carrying their sisters in their arms while my other daughter run after them, Cerebus trailing after them.I’ve had children before. I’ve watched them pass on. I still watch over their families. But this is different. This is more precious. Isabel has given me so many children and for once, I will not have to watch them die before me. Twenty strong children, half of whom are now leading their own lives, coming back to visit us. I have never once regretted sharing my life span. Now I get to enjoy my beautiful mate for centuries to come before we move on from this world. Speaking of my mate, I hear her voice.“Junip
I clutch on to Damien’s still body as I see Balin’s body dissolve into nothing within seconds. There is hush across the battlefield as everyone stares in shock at what has just taken place.‘Justice.’The words echoes in everyone’s ears and then I see the realization hit the elves about what is coming to them. The begin to flee.But only if it was that easy.One by one, they fall, their deaths painful and horrific sights.The battle which had come to a halt because of Damien’s sacrifice has now been ended by the interference of the Gods. There is no guilt within me.There is just dark and vicious satisfaction.Let them burn. Let them feel what it is like.The whole thing is over within a couple of minutes and the silence stretches across the field.Finally, the Gods face me, ‘What do you wish from us?’My eyes flicker towards Damien and when I look up, the field is gone. Both me and Damien are in this white space that has no end.“The elves are gone,” I say with great di
My heart is filled with a broken pain that I can’t breathe past.They showed up. But they showed up too late.I’ve lost everything.Damien isn’t breathing. I pull out the spears one by one, ignoring the presence of the beings, tears falling down my face, my chest so tight with pain that I think it will burst. I can’t feel our mating bond!Oh, God! I can’t feel him anymore!The wail that rips from my throat at the realization that he’s left me all alone is a terrifying sound. The earth begins to shake as my grief grows out of control. These powers, these abilities, they’re useless to me!My heart is tearing out of my chest in my madness, the ground shaking.Let it all burn!Let them all die!‘Child.’The voice echoes in my head again and this time I look at those beings, my face ravaged with the tears of a broken woman.‘You cannot destroy these realms.’“I cannot?” I snarl, “Just who do you think you are to tell me what I can or cannot do?!”The more upset I am, th
Mara’s anticlimactic death has me reeling. But now is not the time to worry about that. I shift into my wolf form, attacking the enemy with a ruthlessness. It’s true what the witch said. My mating bond has increased my strength. I feel lighter on my feet as I wade through the elves like they’re ants. My speed is faster, although not to the level of that of Damien’s.I can feel some of my abilities leaking through but I’ve still not been able to access my abilities. I’m a little disappointed. I thought weakening the seal would have more of an impact but aside from this soft leakage of warm sensation, there is nothing else.I feel frustrated but I can’t do anything.Damien, though.Damien is stronger than I have ever seen. He’s cutting down the elves with speed, his focus sharp. His laughter is vicious and despite that, my heart flutters in my chest at how glorious he looks. I look at him and that is my mistake.You never allow yourself to get distracted on the battlefield.A
The troops are already waiting in their battle positions when we arrive.Damien brings me with him to the battlefield. He’s wearing a suit of dark armor and I feel tense, “The Rubab Stone-”“I’ll have to be more careful,” his voice is calm. “Last time I wasn’t as aware. This time I know I am not invincible.”“Damien,” my heart is twisting in my chest. “I-”He cups my cheek, his voice gentle, “I’ll be fine, little wolf. Just don’t leave your guards.”I know he would have preferred to stash me somewhere but it’s clear that he wants me close by. After so many traitors popping up after the first battle, it only makes sense.“Don’t let anybody catch you off guard,” he thrusts a sword into my hand. “Trust your instinct when you fight. They’re going to try and separate us. Let’s make sure that, that doesn’t happen.”I give him a small smile, feeling a sliver of hope on seeing his confidence.“Okay.”I get on my toes and press a sweet kiss to his mouth.We don’t get more time togethe
“What is it?” “Something has happened in the demon realm,” he says, grimly, before looking down at my hand.I shake my head, “The pain is gone.”“Good, let’s go.”“Thank you,” I give the witch a weak smile, not knowing whether to actually be grateful or blame her for the wrong that has happened in my life. But it’s always a good idea to be graceful.She waves us off and I’m in Damien’s arms as he runs out of the cave, past the trees, towards the temple.“The portal-”“Caleb will open it when I give the signal,” he’s not even out of breath as he rushes down the temple where the shrine gates are.As we move towards the town, I grab his shoulder, “Wait! What is that?!”The sky is orange.“How long were we inside?” I mutter. “Is the sun rising?”“No,” Damien says after a long moment. “It’s fire. The town has been set on fire.”“We have to help-”But Damien holds me back, “Look.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he is saying. And then I see the arrows shooting within the
“There has to be something someone can do,” I ask, forcing my voice to stay calm, despite the roiling fear inside of me.The witch’s voice is kind now, “I’m afraid not. You’re not the first who has tried to seek a way to undo the curse.”It’s hard to keep my tears at bay. The tears are not of sadness but rather of the crippling fear of the unknown future that awaits me. At this point, I am already aware of the nature of the painful deaths a majority of the Righs faced. It was just physical pain they had to go through, that would have been fine. Horrifying as it may be, one can tolerate that to an extent. But seeing your loved ones be tortured? The mental anguish is not something I will be able to take any longer. My suffering may be different from that of the previous Righs. It may not even compare. But for me, it is enough. I am reaching my breaking point. There are so many people in my life that I now care about, so many people who can be used against me. It frightens me to th
The witch studies me, “There have been numerous prophecies recorded about the Righs over time but there was one that was recorded by a Righ who was born to a Seer and a witch. You can call it a curse or a prophecy.”I instantly remember what I saw. The memory of the battlefield. The woman who was held down, screaming.My blood turns to ice as I recall that memory. It still gives me nightmares. “The downfall of the elves. From the hands of the weakest of the Righs. And right now,” the witch looks at me, “no offence, but you are the weakest Righ there is.”I’m being hit by so many curveballs that getting my feelings hurt is at the bottom of the list right now.“It’s funny that you think I’m going to bring about the downfall of the elves when I can’t even protect myself or use my abilities.”My voice is tight with barely restrained anger.“The stars have aligned and the stars have never lied before,” the witch says, easily. “The time is drawing nearer for the final battle.”I don
I feel my knees turn weak, “What?”“But you created the seal!” Damien snaps. “You should be able to break it!”“Logically, yes,” the witch says, calmly. “But this seal is special. It draws its power through sacrifice of fate. Those spells are impossible to break.”A shutter falls over Damien’s face, “What have you done?”I look between the two feeling like I’m in the dark, “What does she mean? What do you mean by a sacrifice of fate?”The witch studies me and for the first time, I see a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes for me, “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that.”I push past Damien, “I do. What do you mean a sacrifice of fate?! Whose fate?!”She looks at Damien before meeting my gaze, “The Righ is a powerful entity. You think it was easy for even somebody like me to be able to contain your powers? No. If I had used a normal spell, as strong as I might have tried to make it, it would have broken against your powers. I needed something stronger. Something that woul