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Epilogue
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Rise of the cardinal Chapter 1
Xander POV They took her… They took Ida. My mate was now in the hands of Osprey. I wanted to shift into Lycan form and jump into the swarm of knights and decapitate every last one of them. However, Gideon’s silver chain was still wrapped around my arm, preventing me from raining chaos among those I wanted dead. Gideon kept shoving me back, using all the strength he must have had. I was stronger than him, but he was more stubborn than I would have liked. Gideon kept pushing and grabbing my shoulders, forcing me down on the ground. He put me down on my stomach, placed his knee on my neck, and twisted my left arm behind my back. He dislocated my shoulder when he pulled harder. I could barely feel it. I was high on adrenaline and couldn’t feel anything. Ida… “You’re no good to Ida if you’re dead, Alex. Hold it together until we figure something out.” Gideon hissed while repositioning himself on me. His voice sounded out of focus and was barely audible in my ears. “I didn’t see Diana
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 2
Xander POV “Before I tell you anything, will you promise me I can bury Diana with her family? She has been away from us for far too long, and it pains me that, once I finally found her, I lost her within the same week.” Spoke Denis softly. He was looking at his sister with tears in his eyes. “We were very close when we were younger. We only had each other. But when I started training to become head curator, Diana left to find work elsewhere. I had heard she had married and had a child. Diana sent letters once every while, but it all stopped when the uprising happened. I thought she had died. Would you know where my nephew is?” His presence still annoyed me, but I didn’t quite know what to reply regarding that. None of us knew Diana had had a family in the past. When she came to work for High Hill Estate, she was alone, and Diana told no one she had a son. “I’m afraid this is news to us. Diana never mentioned she had family, nor did she ever ask to leave the estate to tend to her c
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 3
I woke up in the dark. The humidity had seeped through the walls, coating my skin and my now torn dress. My wrists were bound by metal cuffs hanging over my head, chafing my skin and making it raw. I could barely see the outlines of my confinement, and there seemed to be no windows that could let me know the time of day. I had no clue if they had trapped me there for hours, let alone days. My body ached. My muscles were numb, and my bones hurt like they had rattled me and tossed me on the ground multiple times. I tried to lift myself but slumped after my attempt. I felt my knees were too weak to raise myself. I tried to get up again, but the sudden rush of blood made my head ache, and the dizziness I felt made me retch the little content I had in my stomach. The bile burned my throat, making me gag, and I twisted my body sideways to prevent myself from spilling the coming up-chuck on myself. I had to admit that the smell inside the room was rancid, as if years of urine had never been
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 4
“Make sure she’s attached properly to the chain post, Harrier. Oh, and keep those shackles tight; we don’t want her doing something we don’t want.” Shrike bellowed at his partner. I figured Harrier had been the other man who had come with Shrike to pay me a brief visit. They had kept me sedated, so I was fuzzy about the timeframe. Had it been the day before or the one before that? I couldn’t tell. “Strip her down to her undergarments and let her hang there for a while. I’ll need to inform his majesty that we will begin shortly.” Shrike left, and Harrier slipped a knife in the back of my dress, breaking the delicate cloth and jerking away the corset. He didn’t remove all my clothing, he just opened the back, and everything fell loosely, hanging slightly from my arms. I pressed my chest on the chain post. My shoulders curved upward since my hands were bound by chains near the top of the column. They had not given me whatever had been in the vial before bringing me here. I assumed my
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 5
“It’s ‘King.’” Osprey corrected. “I no longer go by Duke or Lord. You should know that by now.” He moved closer and went to take my arm. I flinched and pressed closer to the wall beside me. Osprey stepped forward again and took my hand, gently pulling me into the center of the room. He gestured to take a seat and returned to his desk. Once he sat down, I looked towards the door and wondered if I would make it out before his long strides caught up with me. He must have understood what was going through my head; he simply smiled and placed a hand under his chin. “You’re free to leave my company, Cressida. However, I think you would rather have mine than Shrike’s. He can be a stubborn man, which is exactly why he works for me. People usually respond better with a little motivation.” I had mixed feelings. Of course, I didn’t want to return to Shrike, but I didn’t want to be in Osprey’s presence either. He folded his hands in front of him and set his piercing green eyes in my direction
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 6
Lucia POV I had just finished sealing the envelope when there was a gentle knock on my door. I pressed the ripples of my dress smoothly over my stomach and gently got up, swaying my hips as I went to answer. “Yes?” I asked politely when I saw the petite maid standing before me. She had her head down and curtsied quickly, then came into the room and closed the door behind her. I placed my hands delicately over the front of my dress and smiled at her softly. “I have arranged everything, Milady. Will you require anything else before I take my leave? Someone should come over and bring you down. I have asked it to be me, but I suspect they will send a footman instead.” I chuckled at her words. Of course, they would send someone else. It didn’t matter. I had done everything I needed to do here. Now, I only had to wait until they would summon me. “I have a letter I would like you to send out, but please be discreet and have it sent by someone trustworthy.” I took her hand and gave her a
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 7
I woke up drenched in sweat and shivering. The wounds on my back had healed to some extent, but I feared they had gotten infected, not allowing them to heal right. The fever sent me vivid dreams, but the most recurring one was regarding a white dove bird landing on a wolf, then taking off and disappearing into the sky under the howling cries of the wolf. I thought it was connected to Xander, somehow. My hosts had kept their word and had not fed me for days. The only thing I had in my stomach was the vial's content that incapacitated me. Shrike or Harrier came two times a day to give it to me. Whether I obliged or fought, the liquid slid down my throat and numbed my whole body. It left me in an unresponsive state, yet still able to feel the cold and uncomfortable floor that served as my bed. I didn’t know what exactly was in that vial. It wasn’t water, but at least I was getting some liquid inside of me. Had I not had that, I thought I would not have lasted very long. Diana had mentio
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 8
I opened my eyes to the startling sunlight. I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes to the harsh stream. I had not seen the sun in what felt like weeks. I instinctively placed my arm in front of my face to shield it and was surprised it had come over my eyes with no resistance. They did not tie me to anything, and I could easily move my body. I also didn’t feel lethargic anymore. I was lying on top of a nice comfortable bed in clean clothes. The window drapes were slightly opened and helped illuminate the room. It was my old bedroom, the one I used to have when I lived here. Had all of this been a bad dream? I rolled myself off the bed. My lower back hurt, as did my insides. I lifted the nightgown and saw the faded scars on my ribs. No, it hadn’t been a dream. But why did Osprey transfer me here when he seemed willing to torture me to near-death? Again, why would he let me have complete control over my magic when he did everything to prevent me from using it? This made little sense.
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Rise of the cardinal Epilogue
Ida POV - Three years later I placed my quill down and looked at the manuscript I had finished. I had worked on it for three years. It had been an arduous task, especially since it recounted the story of my life—a life I had no memory of. I looked it over once more, and once I was satisfied, I closed the book and backed away into my chair. Xander had presented me with this blank book years ago. He had encouraged me to talk to everyone and gather all the stories they had to share of past moments we had lived together. Otis had been a tremendous help. He told me of my upbringing and of my parents. He had known me the longest and had emphasized that my parent’s legacy lived on through me. I was more than happy to write everything down on the blank pages of that book if it helped me understand where I belonged in this world. The first year had been challenging. Many individuals came to speak with me, and I didn't know who they were. They wanted me to become queen. They said it was my b
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 65 - End
Xander POV Trepidation and falling into the unknown had been things entirely foreign to me. In the past, I had always been the sort of person who calculated every possibility. It was partly because of my Lycan side, being logical, cautious and using those primal instincts. I never took chances without thinking of the outcomes. If I took a risk, at least I knew what could happen, and I would know how to react when faced with them. Ever since I joined my life with my fated mate eight months ago, I had become reckless and impulsive—my Lycan side as well. Everything I did, I did for her, so we would never be parted again, and I often found myself in situations where I didn’t know the ending. As I watched Ida floating above me, unmoving with her heart-wrenching, teary-eyed face, I knew in that instant that she was making a tough choice, and I had not been privy to her plan. I shouted her name and extended my hands, hoping that by some miracle, I would catch her an
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 64
Otis and Xander charged the guards that were looking out at the battle unfolding. They had not thought of being attacked from the back. They would have never suspected someone would have come through a different entrance than the ones at the base of the mountain. Xander was limited in what he could do, as he couldn’t fully transform into Lycan form, but he did his best with the situation and helped until I had regained a little of my strength. I had lost a lot of blood, and although I had healed myself, I still had slightly blurred vision and slurred movements. I thought I looked inebriated. The piercing sounds of clashing swords and dreadful screams resounded inside my ears. I placed a hand on a tree and worked hard to stay upright. I needed to get my head straight if I wanted to face Osprey, and trepidation spread over me like a cold shower. I squinted my eyes when I saw flashes of colour out on the battlefield. I momentarily wondered if I had imagined it,
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 63
Jordan used his nose to locate Xander, and once we heard a war horn echo faintly through the underground tunnels, the three of us froze.“It’s starting,” Otis whispered.The colours on my face drained, and I hurriedly grabbed Jordan’s arm.“Are you sure Xander is close?”“Positive. He’s down there somewhere.”“Good. We can take it from here. Find the Lycans and help the rebellion!”Jordan hesitated but accepted my orders. He walked away, then circled around and stared at me with nervous eyes.“What of Lynn? Where is she?”“She’s safe with the healers away from the battlefield.”Jordan nodded and doubled back, running into the darkness. Otis and I continued our way down the path until it forked, and not long after, there was a wooden door to our left. There weren’t any guards, but I could hear some discussing further away
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 62
Silas POVThe tension in the air was palpable. Everyone was on edge, and the slightest noise made all the rebels jump. We had a restless night of marching before taking a break, and I feared it would not sufficiently prepare us for the battle to come.When we stopped, the rebellion leaders and I discussed the plan, and I thought it good. We had everything ready, and everyone present knew the risks they were taking. None of them left in the night, and everyone was accounted for in the early morning before the sun rose.A rebel woman brought everyone something to drink to help perk us up, but I just stared at the beverage and couldn’t find the will to swallow the hot drink. I didn’t have the stomach for it. What made me even more anxious was that I hadn't heard from Ida yet. She had left us in the evening the day before, and I wondered if she fared well with her wielder friend. I knew she could take care of herself, but if what the shifter that a
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 61
The black mass of the western mountain appeared before Otis and me. It separated a narrow passage between Mirra and White Birch districts, leading to either the Spruce Cove or Willow regions. It wasn’t as tall as the other mountain ranges, but it was sizable nonetheless.I dropped lower above the tree line and climbed the mountainside by flight.“What are we looking for exactly?”Near the top of steep cliffs, there was a tunnel that led inside the secret passages of the mountain. From what I had gleaned from the forest earth, there were a few, but that one had seemed unoccupied and our best chance at getting in undetected.“A passage. We’re almost there, I think. It’s harder to spot in the dark.”“Please tell me you have a plan,” Otis grumbled as I took more speed.“I do, and I don’t. My plan was to get us here.”I thought I heard Otis mumble, but I ignored him. M
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 60
Xander POV The silver shackles that bound my wrists and ankles burned my skin. I winced and shifted my weight, wanting to prevent the bindings from touching too much skin. I slowly opened my eyes. There was no difference between having them close or open. Complete darkness surrounded me. Only the scar of Ida’s blue mark left a dim glow on my skin. But it wasn’t enough to see anything clearly. The clinking of another set of shackles resonated in the space, and I heard a grunting sound coming from another person. The other prisoner coughed and hissed as the silver stung them. “Who’s still alive?” I asked in a hushed tone. “It’s me… Jordan.” Good. Jordan was still here. He was the strongest out of the ten Lycans that accompanied me on this mission. “Can you recall what happened to us?” “Some, not much. We went inside the village. It was silent. Shifters attacked us, but they weren't shifters. I tore a leg from one of them, but it
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 59
I saw red and jumped off my horse.“Ida! Don’t do it. I know what you’re thinking!” Silas pleaded. His voice was frantic, and he followed suit, dismounting his horse to grab my arms and stop me.I shook my arm out of his insistent hold and jumped backward.“We waited too long. The plan won’t work. If Xander or any other Lycans have not returned, they were taken by Osprey’s men… or Osprey himself. Arm everyone, now! I’ll take Otis with me, and we’ll go straight to White Birch Castle. Keep moving in that direction and keep your eyes peeled. I have a feeling this fight will happen much sooner than expected.”‘Then I’m coming with you!”“Don’t be absurd.” I scoffed at Silas. “The rebellion needs you here. Who will lead them all once the battle starts? I can do it with Otis.”I tried to show him I was confident, but I only wanted to
Rise of the cardinal Chapter 58
As soon as Roselin and Count Robin had produced and distributed the immunizing liquid against the incapacitating effects of the other, we quickly set for White Birch plain. All the shifters followed the moving party from the forest, while all the human rebels took the road with hundreds of wagons in tow. We needed to move the weapons, the armours, the food and water supplies.Only a handful of elderly rebels stayed in Perch. They would reroute any other rebels that arrived from farther districts. My heart broke when no wielders showed up, making me think that Otis and I were the only ones brave enough to show ourselves. I refused to believe we were the last two left.We had been on the road for over a week. It would take another day to reach the designated portion of the plain, where the rebellion intended to set up and prepare for the war. By my calculations, Junco had most likely arrived in Osprey City two or three days ago, which made me worry.I was atop my
