Alora POVMy skin is tingling before Leonidas even touches me. The runes on my arms are glowing brightly in anticipation. As he tilts my chin up, he presses his lips to mine. His tongue swipes against the seam of my lips and I open them eagerly. His tongue plunges into my mouth, exploring as his hands caress my body. My body feels like it is on fire. I am hot, too hot. I need to remove this gown. Reaching behind me, I pull at my corset strings. My fingers fumble with the bow, causing me to groan into Leonidas’s mouth. His lips smirk against mine before he pulls away. “Are you having difficulty, My Queen?” He chuckles. I don’t know what has come over me, but I need to feel my skin against his. “It is so warm down here,” I whisper. He steps around me and his fingers work quickly to unlace my corset. He pushes my gown over my shoulders, and it falls to my feet. The warmth of the artificial sun heats my body and goosebumps rise over my skin. Wrapping his arms around me, he
Alora POVLunch is simple, but perfect. There isn’t a giant table between us or other people listening to our conversation. No witches are speaking in riddles, no half brothers are making lewd comments; it is peaceful. While I am licking chocolate off my fingers, Leonidas watches my every move. “What?” “I am just admiring your skills?” He smirks. My finger pauses in my mouth. “I have no idea what you are talking about, but I am sure it is indecent.” “Very much,” he laughs. “I will take great joy in corrupting you.” I roll my eyes and get back to my feet. “My corruption will have to wait. There is an office full of books calling my name.” Leonidas stretches out on the blanket and stares at the false sky. “Is that all you ever think about? Books?”“Up until recently, yes,” I quip before heading toward the door.“Wait,” he calls out. “What are you thinking about now?” “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I laugh. His arm wraps around my waist and pulls me away from the door.
Leonidas POVMy growls and roars echo through the hallways of the castle as I race toward the exit. I shout through the mind link for all available warriors to meet me in front of the castle. I don’t know how long Alfred has been on the run, and I want as many men looking for him as possible. I kick down the front door, sending it flying off the hinges. The heavy wooden door lands in front of my warriors who have gathered. None of them flinch. My lycan steps in front of them, and they all stand at attention. ‘Find Alfred,’ I snarl through the mind link. ‘If you kill him, bring me his head.’‘Yes, Alpha,’ they say together, but one is laughing.The laughing warrior is bold enough to step forward. “What has he done?” I can barely hold back my lycan. He wants to rip this man to pieces for questioning our authority. ‘He threatened your Queen,’ I snarl through the link so everyone can hear. The warrior scoffs loudly. “The Lycan Realm has no Queen.” Drool drips from my lycan’
Alora POVIt feels like it has been hours, but that can't be right. What if something has happened to Leonidas? I don’t think I could live with myself. No, I am catastrophizing. I am sure they have found Alfred and he is being questioned or better yet killed. Still, I can't calm this feeling of dread that has washed over me. It doesn't help that the stone around my neck is pulsing.Bruno is by the door. His boyish, round face is wrinkled with worry. "I am sorry I didn't protect you against Evanora."“It’s okay,” I dismiss him with a wave. "I have bigger things to worry about.""She has never been allowed to touch us before," he continues. "I didn't think...""I said it is okay," I snap. "She didn't hurt me.""Right," he whispers, hanging his head in shame."Don't do that," I groan.Bruno glances up. "Do what?""Look sad," I sigh. "It's fine. There is no need to make me feel guilty."He doesn’t wipe the puppy dog look off his face. I decide it is better not to look at him if I wan
Alora POVI expect Leonidas to turn into the closest bedroom and throw me onto the bed, but he doesn’t. His chest shakes as he laughs, but he continues through the castle. I huff loudly, not willing to hide my annoyance at his reluctance to take me into the nearest bedroom and ravage my body. I do my best to turn my body away from him, even though he has me pinned to his chest.“Don’t be mad, My Queen,” he chuckles. “I want this to be a night you will never forget.” “I thought you liked things sordid,” I joke.Leonidas pauses in the hallway. “Alora, let me treat you like my Queen.” His words melt my irritation away and I snuggle into his chest. In my hurry to be claimed by him, I have forgotten that I am giving him something I won’t be able to give anyone else. Before he continues to our rooms, he kisses me gently on the top of the head. He is so different from the man I first met. The walk to his bedroom feels like it takes hours. My heart is racing in my chest with e
Leonidas POVAfter filling the bath with warm water, I carry my Queen into the bathroom. She hasn’t said a word and is continuing to chew on her lip. The wheels are turning in her brain, and I worry her thoughts are going to deep, dark places.I lower her into the water and turn to walk away. “Are you not going to join me?” She calls after me. A sense of relief washes over me. If she were angry or disappointed, she wouldn’t want me to stay. “I thought you would want some privacy.” “Of course not,” she offers a weak smile.I lower myself into the bath, and she inches closer to me. She spins around and rests her back against my chest. It is a stark difference from our first encounter in the bath. It is hard to believe it was only a few days ago.Alora’s hands dance along the top of the water, making ripples. Her bottom lip is still between her teeth, and I worry she will chew a hole through her lip. “What’s on your mind?” I ask her. “It isn’t what I expected,” she admits.
Alora POVI sit in the bath until the water is cold. Even though I am shivering, I can’t bring myself to get out of the water. If I do, it will all become too real. Leonidas will be gone, and I don’t know when or if he will return. I can already feel his absence from the castle, and I don’t think it has been an hour. My heart aches without him here. What if I have to live lifetimes without him? It is a pain I don’t think I can bear. “Queen Alora,” Bruno yells through the door. “Are you okay? You have been in there for a while.” I wipe the tears from my cheeks. “I am fine. Why are you still here?” “It is complicated,” he stutters through the door. “I am not supposed to leave you unattended.” “That is ridiculous,” I laugh. Even in Leonidas’s absence, he is going to make sure I am well protected. “Ridiculous or not,” Bruno sighs. “We are bunk mates now.” “The fuck we are!” I hop from the bath and splash water all over the floor. As I reach for a towel, I slip on t
Alora POVMy whole body is shaking. I am expected to return to the Fae Realm. Morgan doesn’t know what she is asking of me. Maybe she didn’t see the full future, but I know that is a lie. She must have known how I got here if she saw the war one hundred years before it began. There is only one problem. How do I get to the veil? I don’t know the way. “Queen Alora,” Bruno bangs on the study door. “Are you in there? Why is the door locked?” “Fuck,” I mumble. I forgot all about Bruno. How can I disappear from the castle when he is determined to constantly be at my side? “I have the pants,” he calls out again. “Right,” I yell back, trying not to sound nervous. This will be my only chance. I steady my breaths and walk to the door. I open it just wide enough to stick my hand out, but Bruno tries to push his way in. Bracing my weight against the door, I grab for the pants. “I am not changing in front of you.” It is a careful skirt around the truth, but it is enough
Alora POVLeonidas pauses, looking down on me. There is an eagerness in his gaze, but also concern. My magic reaches for his feelings without my permission. It latches onto his emotions, and it is suffocating. They are intense, and tears sting my eyes. I force my magic away and reach for him. “I am not made of glass,” I assure him. “You won’t break me.” He joins me on the bed, carefully positioning himself between my legs. His fingers swipe my hair out of my eyes, and he sighs. “You look so fragile.”“I am not,” I say. Wrapping my leg around him, I force him to roll onto his back. His hands rest lightly on my hips as I straddle him. Moving my body slowly, I run my core over the length of his harden cock, and he tightens his grip. I moan in satisfaction and continue to tease us both. A growl rumbles in his chest, and he flexes his fingers on my hips. I chuckle, and he glares at me. “What is so funny?”“Do you want to be inside me?” I smile. He nods with a silly grin
Leonidas POVMy warriors scatter, and several Fae do the same. I refuse to leave Alfred alive, but I can't bring myself to leave Alora's side. I didn't realize being away from her would be so painful. I don't understand how my father could betray the mate bond. Alora is all I will ever want.Her shoulders slump over, and a stray tear leaves a track through the blood on her face. In one night, she has lost and gained so much."Let's find a place to get you cleaned up," I whisper."Aren't you going to look for Alfred?" She asks."There is no need." I pull her close. "My men have it covered.""I just want to go home," she cries as she collapses into my chest."This is your home," the Fae woman that killed Estes interrupts us.Alora straightens her shoulders and sucks in a sharp breath. "This realm has never been my home.""You are our Queen," the woman pleads. "You can't leave us without a ruler.""Ivy," Alora groans. "I don't know anything about this realm. Just let me leave.""This is
Alora POVEstes puts up a fight even though his powers are no match for mine. It is wind against wind. Gusts of powerful air move across the room, whipping angrily against my skin. I do my best to retaliate, but these powers are new to me.I am desperate to keep the rest of the party safe from our battle. My concentration is split. One hand controls the vortex surrounding Estes and me, and the other is blasting air at him.My arms are growing tired, and Estes's attacks are cutting into my flesh. I can only hope that mine are doing the same to him. Sweat is beginning to form on his brow, and he looks tired. This might be my chance to end this. But I am not paying attention, and I don't see the silver glint of the knife in his latest attack until it is too late.The blade sticks in my arm, and I scream in frustration. I can't risk pulling it at and losing the vortex. My arm hangs limply at my side, and I fear he has won.He lifts his hand to deal the final blow, but only whisps come fro
Leonidas POVThis is possibly the biggest mistake I have ever made as king. The Fae Queen is dead in my castle, the future Fae King is hiding in one of my guest rooms, the full moon has disappeared from the Fae Realm, and it is likely we won’t be able to shift. Still, I am marching into the Fae castle with my army.Lobo is at my side. There is a feral look in his eyes. It seems as if he has been waiting for this fight."What's the game plan?" He asks."Honestly," I laugh." Find Alora.""No diplomacy?" He cracks his knuckles."Not this time," I snarl. "Not after what I learned from Queen Fauna, but let’s not kill everyone in our path."A smile spreads across his lips. "But those who resist?” “Fair game,” I reply. Somehow, we have managed to make it into the forest surrounding the Fae Castle. Either they are so confident in their abilities that they do not feel the need to protect themselves, or this is a trap. I am leaning toward the latter.I peer through the trees, looking for a
Alora POVElric is chasing me down the hallways of the castle, quietly pleading for me to stop and return to my room. He is trying to tell me how Leonidas will kill him if anything happens to me, but I ignore everything coming out of his mouth. My mother did not bestow her powers to me so I could hide in a dark room of the Fae castle and let men do all the work. She gave me her powers so I could restore the natural order of things. I hate to admit it, but I might need his help. Spinning around, I look him in the eyes. “Where can I find Estes?” He looks away and shuffles his feet. “There is another party in the castle tonight. He is probably there with Ivy.” I look him up and down. There is a sneer on his lips. He cares for my aunt, but why? Then I realize how blind I am. “She is your mate.” His teeth grind together, and his jaw locks. “Yes.” “Interesting,” I mutter. Then I step closer to him, studying his features carefully.Suddenly, it feels like I am transported i
I want to offer an apology for the delay in updates. One of my children has an illness she will be dealing with for the rest of her life. Just know that I am doing my best to try to keep up with updates. Until things calm down a little, I am going to aim for 3-4 updates a week. Hopefully, when the smoke clears, I will be able to finish up this story. I know some will view this as an excuse, but I have to put my family first. I do hope you will stick around for the end of this story. Solange Daye
Alora POVI am back in the flowery field where I met Morgan, only this time I am alone. The grass is taller than it was, and the trees have changed shape. It is like many years have passed since the last time I was here. Wading through the tall grass, I let my fingers graze over the tips of the blades. It is a strange feeling. I know it is one I haven’t felt before, but it doesn’t feel foreign. There is a small river just ahead of me. I sit down, dip my feet into the water, and am surprised at how warm it is. Little minnows come nibble at my toes, and I giggle out loud. I know this is a dream, but it all feels so real. “This is the life I wanted for you,” a soft voice makes me jump. Spinning around, I see myself. No. That can’t be right. “Are you my mother?” It is the same question I asked Ivy. Only this time, I am more sure of the answer. She smiles sadly and sits beside me. “I wish I had been a better mother to you.” “What happened?” I blurt out. “Because
Leonidas POVEverything is ready. The castle is buzzing with excitement. I didn’t think Alora touched the hearts of many people in her short time here, but even the Omegas have stepped up to fight. The consensus is clear. Alora belongs in the Lycan Realm, even if she is a Fae. The moon is full tonight in both realms. I was eager to leave last night, but Lobo talked some sense into me. We will be stronger if the moon is on our side. Hopefully, the Moon Goddess will look down on our plight and take mercy on us. Traveling into the Fae Realm without permission is dangerous. Sending Elric ahead to find Alora and get her to safety was the most important part of the plan. I do not think I could live with myself if she ended up in harm's way. She may have magic, but I don’t believe she knows how to use it yet. It was foolish of me to keep her away from Elric. He could have taught her things that I could not. It was selfish. I was too afraid of losing her to one of her kind, bu
Anila POVTwenty-one years agoI keep my eyes focused on the ceiling as King Estes thrusts in and out of me. I have been fucked thousands of times over the centuries, but none of my lovers have been this boring. His methodical movements are enough to put me to sleep. I stifle a yawn and recite spells to keep myself from drifting off. Finally, he grunts loudly and stills within me. I put a fake smile on my face when he looks down at me."You are one of my more enjoyable lovers," he smiles."The feeling is mutual," I lie through my teeth.Clumsily, he climbs off me, and I groan uncomfortably. I thought Fae Creatures were supposed to be graceful. King Estes is anything but. I am confused about how he managed to convince this entire realm to follow him blindly. He is not fit to rule this realm, much less both, but that is his goal."Have you decided on a disguise?" He asks.I snort with laughter. "This is my disguise."He scowls at me but continues, "I will take the child from Fauna toni