Lena's POVI was lounging in the parlor idly leafing through a book when Sara, one of the housemaids, came rushing in looking flustered. "Pardon the intrusion Ms Lena, but we've caught an intruder lurking about the grounds. With Sir Frost away, we thought it best to bring the matter to you." I sat up, instantly intrigued. It wasn't often we had trespassers here. Frost kept the manor grounds well secured. Setting my book aside, I rose swiftly. "Take me to see this intruder at once."Sara inclined her head. "Right away, Ms. We've detained them down in the holding cells beneath the barracks." As we made our way briskly across the manor lawns, I pondered who could have slipped past Frost's meticulous security. A spy perhaps, or a thief hoping to steal from the absent lord's home. Either way, dealing with this distraction beat lounging about bored. I had been going stir-crazy confined to the manor while Frost was away.The dank stone holding cells beneath the barracks were rarely used
Lena's POV I woke up feeling excited for the day ahead. Frost had finally agreed to let me get a checkup at the doctor's office. Being cooped up at home was driving me bonkers, and even though pregnancy isn't an illness, he insisted on treating me like delicate glass. But today I was determined to enjoy my taste of freedom! After shoveling down the healthy breakfast Frost's chef had prepared, I headed out arm-in-arm with my new companion Mei. She seemed stoked about the trip too. Probably because it meant a temporary escape from Frost's grumpy suspicious glares. The Uber driver dropped us off at the sleek downtown medical complex. Mei gawked at the gleaming steel and glass high-rises as we crossed the bustling plaza to the clinic entrance. Guess they didn't have too many ultramodern skyscrapers where she came from.Check-in was quick, and soon we were settled into the cozy waiting area. Mei jiggled her leg restlessly next to me. Girl seemed real anxious for some reason. I wondered i
Hunter's POVAnother long day in the lab was finally winding down. I stretched, wincing as my spine crackled in protest. Hunching over bubbling vials and jars of viscous solutions does hell on your back. But creating the alchemical formulas and weaponry that kept Fort Aldo defended required sacrifices. No rest for the weary rebel leader. My new assistant, a gangly youth named Wren, scurried over to collect the day's finished projects with reverent care. The boy was all knees and elbows, but he followed instructions to the letter and never complained about the tireless hours. I supposed I couldn't ask for much more in an apprentice."Excellent work today, Wren," I said, clapping him on the bony shoulder. "Get these stored in the vault and then you're dismissed."He nodded eagerly, balancing the volatile mixtures. I watched critically to ensure nothing sloshed over the rim as he shuffled toward the heavily fortified storage room. Small careless mistakes with my creations could have c
May's POVI yawned widely as I chopped vegetables in the manor kitchen, trying to focus on the task at hand and not daydream about my next covert mission. Who'd have thought a rebel girl like me would end up playing maid to some hoity-toity noble lady? But orders were orders, and I had to stay undercover to get close to the possible dragonkeeper. Even if that meant endless days of scrubbing floors and peeling potatoes. Bor-ing! At least I had some freedom to poke around Valor thanks to Lena's "long lost cousin" act. She didn't even grill me too hard about my background! Just smiled and said any family of hers was welcome. If all empire ladies were so trusting, this infiltration gig would be a breeze. Still, I had kinda hoped for more action by now. But after a week playing servant, I was no closer to confirming whether Lena really was the rumored keeper Hunter needed me to smuggle out. I hadn't even spotted her leaving the manor grounds once! Looked like I'd have to get creative if
MayThe attack sirens were blaring so loud all I could hear was ringing in my ears. I peered around the corner of the alleyway, squinting through the haze and chaos filling the streets. Aldorian warriors were swarming everywhere, armed to the teeth. This was no ordinary raid. The Commander had gone and kicked the hornet's nest but good this time. I spotted Lena crouched behind a dumpster nearby, eyes darting around wildly. She was wheezing hard, no doubt still dizzy and disoriented from the knock-out gas. I waved to grab her attention without alerting any hostiles. She stumbled over to me, questions tumbling out rapid-fire."Mei, what the hell is happening? Why are Frost's soldiers attacking? Where is everyone?" Her voice trembled with panic bordering on hysteria. Couldn't really blame her for freaking out though. I gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet my eyes."Look, I dunno why they're here, but we gotta book it fast. Whole place'll be crawling with goons soon." Lena just sho
MayThis rescue mission was turning into a first class catastrophe. Getting chewed out by the Commander was nothing compared to seeing the hurt and anger in Lena's eyes once she came out of her drug-induced fog. I had really made a mess of everything.Jack clamped a meaty hand on my shoulder as we marched back toward the transport trucks, his version of reassurance I guessed. Probably the closest I would get to comfort after single-handedly botching this extraction. Freya and Lena were already loaded into the back of one armored vehicle, hands zip-tied. A whole squadron of rebel troops surrounded the transports, heavily armed and stone-faced. Looked like the Commander was taking zero chances with his high-profile new "guests."I lingered by the truck, peering in worriedly at where Lena and Freya sat pressed together on the bare bench, refusing to even glance my way. "Hey, I know you're mad, but it'll be okay," I offered lamely, trying to catch their eyes. "Hunter's not as scary as he
HunterI dismissed May with a punishment to attend to Lena and her friend. Truthfully, it was just an excuse to postpone meeting with Lena face to face. I had no idea how to break the news to her that she was betrothed to me without earning her hatred. The whole situation was a mess. I was still pissed about everything, so I took my frustrations out on the remaining Valor soldiers we had captured during the raid. After a week of interrogations and negotiations, we successfully sent them all back with a warning, but it did little to improve my black mood. I couldn't avoid meeting Lena forever. But I was still seething over the fact that Lord Frost had gotten to her first and even gotten her pregnant. I was a jealous man by nature when it came to what I considered rightfully mine. So that night I consulted my second-in-command, Jack, over drinks in the officer's lounge."She's carrying that bastard's child, can you believe it?" I growled, slamming my glass down. Jack just shook his s
FrostI was in my office going over troop rotation schedules when the first distant rumbles reached my ears. At first I thought it merely thunder and paid it no mind. But soon the rumbling took on a more rhythmic, mechanical cadence. I set down my paperwork and strode to the window, peering out cautiously. What I saw made my blood run cold. A massive battalion of armored vehicles flying crimson Aldo banners were barreling down the valley pass straight for Valor Keep. "Impossible!" Our border scouts would have warned us...unless they had already been overtaken. "Dragon's breath!" Cursing under my breath, I sprinted from my office bellowing for all available guards to assemble in the courtyard at once. We were under attack.My captains reacted swiftly, barking orders to get every last soldier armed and into position. I spotted my lieutenant, Theron, and pulled him aside tersely. "Where the hell is Freya? She should be helping coordinate defenses!" Theron shook his head in confusion