This veiled dancer, no one where she comes from?" I question, slipping on my sandals: yet another gift father had kept for my return. He had handed it to me like it was no big deal and he probably wanted me to treat it that way but of course I did not. I would get him a new set of clothes before I left for my new duties. I hurry after father as he walks ahead, insisting if we didn't hurry all the good stools would be taken. For an old man he was moving fast, "Nope, not a single person has seen her face so they can't trace her identity or lineage to any of the states"How conspicuous"Hurry up lad. The townspeople have prepared a feast after in your honor so it'll be quite a shame if we arrive late" We get to the small sitting arrangement made in the middle of the town. Little stools sat in a circular manner so no one would obstruct the people behind them. There was a space in front which I could tellw as reserved for the dancers. The scene reminded me of my old life, when we would ha
The five market days moved passed in a flash. I kept to my word and made father a new set of kitchen knives, risking a few of my fingers in the process. Before I could register what was happening, father had begun packing my things in the cloth bag I had come with. He looked worried and concerned but he would never tell me that he did not want me to leave, he believed he would be holding me back. Gently he places my bags in my hand and I could hear the hooves of the horses arriving at the door, Commander Tanner was here. Before father could speak I interrupted, "Wait" I rushed to the work shop and brought out the clothes I had bought from the market place. I had to sneak out at night so he wouldn't see them. I presented them to him. He stood there, silently taking them in "Why did you?"I smile wolfishly, "So you can hold onto them till I get back. I will take the bee gloves you got me and my sandals, they will be better than any I could buy""How did you hide them?""I kept th
AUDREY"Move over broom" I hissed, pushing the long equipment over to the other side of the supply closet. Pulling my legs closer I grumbled when my page flipped close. Fiddlesticks! Nibbling on my lips I hastily flipped through the excess pages, looking for my book mark. "Audrey! Audrey!" Luna's high pitched voice echoed through the hallway bringing me to a halt. I stopped breathing, afraid she'd hear me and find my hiding spot. Sugars"Where is this girl?" Her footsteps neared the closet doors, my breath getting caught in my throat at her close proximity to catching me. I let out a shaky breath when her footsteps fade away, giving me enough time to get out and run to her. Pushing the creaking doors open I stuck my head through, letting my eyes wander all over the hallway. The ghost is clear. Sighing in content I slipped out, closing my book and hiding it under the many napkins that resided in the closet. Promising to come back and find my bookmark I whispered a quiet 'goodbye' an
❋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❋Gripping onto the counter I shut my eyes tight, trying my best to blink away my haziness. My stomach and head ached badly. I was being starved as my punishment, but this time it was the longest I had ever gone without food. 6 days ago I was seated in the cellar, tied down and bound by ropes and chains. I awaited the grim reaper to dish out my punishment. He was exactly like his name, he was huge, always wore a dark veil and had this leather whip in his hand. He was very muscular and in my eleven years of being here I had never seen his face, honestly I consider myself lucky. He came in and removed my chains. "You have been pardoned from the physical torture" his gruff voice informed me as he pulled off the heavy metals. I hissed when I saw the burn marks on my ankles. Wolfsbane. I would be weak for the next 2 weeks because of them. SugarsWolfsbane like any other poison was illegal and banned from the reach of all packs. I was shocked when I found this pack had an end
❅𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❅I was always used to waking up very early to start my chores but this, this was way too early. I didn't get much sleep after Hunter's visit to my room. I woke to the screams of Luna demanding me to be downstairs in my uniform in the next 5 minutes. I didn't have enough time to bathe so I pulled my stringy curls into a quick bun to prevent it getting in the way but it came loose, falling at the nape of my neck. I didn't have much time to focus on it so I hastily changed into my uniformI uncomfortably pulled down at the hems, hating the way it rose and exposed my legs. The first time I got it was 5 years ago and now it was way too short for my liking. I grimaced when I looked at my reflection in the window once again. I didn't need unnecessary attention on me, especially not the one I knew I would get from Hunter. Deciding to just suck it up I wrapped my white hand knitted sweater around my waist, hoping it would do its job and cover the back of my exposed thighs. I pa
𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘✽My eyes fluttered open, darkness was all I saw. I blinked a few times trying to adjust my vision to my surroundings. Flashbacks of those mesmerizing pairs of onyx eyes filled my mind, the scene of so much blood pooling onto the floors from Alpha Nicholas's neck. The king, everyone bowing. Was it all a dream? Was I back in my room? I didn't feel tired after working at the ball for so long, I felt well rested and... comfortable? I ran my hands along where I lay and no doubt it was a bed. I lay under smooth velvet soft covers, the material felt devilishly good against my skin. The softness of the bed was luring me back to my slumber but I knew better. Looking around once again the room was still pitch black. My heart started racing as fear creeped into my spine. What if it was some sick joke? What if I was back in the cellar? All of a sudden everywhere became bright, light from all areas slipped through the room. Burning from the beaming lights I blinked repeatedly befor
𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❁I stared into a pair of dark eyes, pink plum heart shaped lips stewed in an amazed smile. Dark tendrils of hair pulled in an updo bun, two strands curved at the sides of her face. Her skin glowed like never before. "You're so beautiful my lady" Faye gushed, staring at me adoringly through my reflection. For once I stared at myself with a smile on my face. I actually looked like a person, for the first time in years. My big doe eyes were glowing, my pale colour skin gleaming with health and beauty. My once pale lips looked plum and luscious after Ruby had applied some oil on, promise it would make them glow. Sugars I looked pretty, like a princess. The beautiful red floral gown I wore only added to the look. It was like a crossett from the chest down, breast pads elevated my twins making them look round and perky, flairs poored out from the end of it and it looked amazing. Everything was complete, yet something felt amiss. I couldn't help but feel out of place. I wasn'
꙳𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑꙳"Have a sector of the army dispersed to scan the area and report back any activity" I barked out, my eagerness and anger bleeding out of my façade. "Hunter, this is madness!" Vivian exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation. I ignored her ranting, continuing my walk to my office. Pushing the door open I walked up to the leather chair, my heart thumping slowly as time seemed to still around me. Running my hand along the leather I pushed it back, dropping down ceremoniously on the chair I had despised all my life. Swaying around I smiled wickedly, pride washing over me. If only he could see me now. "Hunter!" Vivian's nasal voice broke through my trance. I was forcefully pulled back, coming face to face with her aggravated features. "Don't fucking ignore me!"I smiled, cocking my head to the side, "I'm not. I'm choosing to not listen to you" "You are not thinking straight Hunter!" She screamed agitated. "It will be very unwise to send all our warriors o
The five market days moved passed in a flash. I kept to my word and made father a new set of kitchen knives, risking a few of my fingers in the process. Before I could register what was happening, father had begun packing my things in the cloth bag I had come with. He looked worried and concerned but he would never tell me that he did not want me to leave, he believed he would be holding me back. Gently he places my bags in my hand and I could hear the hooves of the horses arriving at the door, Commander Tanner was here. Before father could speak I interrupted, "Wait" I rushed to the work shop and brought out the clothes I had bought from the market place. I had to sneak out at night so he wouldn't see them. I presented them to him. He stood there, silently taking them in "Why did you?"I smile wolfishly, "So you can hold onto them till I get back. I will take the bee gloves you got me and my sandals, they will be better than any I could buy""How did you hide them?""I kept th
This veiled dancer, no one where she comes from?" I question, slipping on my sandals: yet another gift father had kept for my return. He had handed it to me like it was no big deal and he probably wanted me to treat it that way but of course I did not. I would get him a new set of clothes before I left for my new duties. I hurry after father as he walks ahead, insisting if we didn't hurry all the good stools would be taken. For an old man he was moving fast, "Nope, not a single person has seen her face so they can't trace her identity or lineage to any of the states"How conspicuous"Hurry up lad. The townspeople have prepared a feast after in your honor so it'll be quite a shame if we arrive late" We get to the small sitting arrangement made in the middle of the town. Little stools sat in a circular manner so no one would obstruct the people behind them. There was a space in front which I could tellw as reserved for the dancers. The scene reminded me of my old life, when we would ha
~ Ryker"Er, what is all the noise about? One cannot get a peaceful day in this town anymore" Mr. Rae grumbles, approaching the loud crowd that had gathered in front of the market place. Maybe they had caught a thief? I haven't witnessed any action around here, the quiet was becoming deafening but why this now when I wish to retire? Maybe I should move to a more desolate place. Hm, the young lad would probably refuse, if I move where would he come to when he returns? A sad smile wore his lips at the thought of Ryker. He must be getting such good training and living his life, why tie him down to an old fool like me? Mr. Rae got to the growing crowd and stood, trying to peel at what the fuss was about. Suddenly he heard a voice, one he could identify anywhere, despite his failing ears"Thank you for the very warm welcome townspeople. I missed you all dearly as well but I must be going to see my fa-" just then his voice stopped. Ryker looked into the crowd, the unmistakable smell of
~COMMANDER TANNER "So, what will it be lad?"I close my open mouth, only now realising I had been gaping. I nod excitedly, "Yes sir. I will learn" I speak with determination, joy radiating off meThe knight nods, "Very well. As my armies commander, I will indeed take him under my wing and teach him the art. I will return in three work days so het your affairs in order and bid your master goodbye"He bows before turning and striding out of the tavern in long powerful steps. I release the breath I was holding, unsure if this was really happening. I turn to see Mr. Rae smiling down at me. The sight was uncanny, he never smiled, only when he roared in mocked laughter, but this was different. This was a genuine, affectionate smile. "Sir""Foolish boy, did you think I did not know you trained with that tool every night? I might be olding but my ears do still work as well as they did in my prime" he walks out to the shack and I follow behind. "But sir" he takes a seat on his work bench
~MR. RAE The distant singing of the birds above the thick trees, the rustling of the leaves from the afternoon wind. The sound of twigs breaking as the animal approached a strange lump of flesh cuddled up close to the stream. Cautiously the deer inches closer, leaning down to drink some water, keeping an eye on the creature. The deer stands there, tilting it's head to the side, trying to identify this creature that seemed so still. Inching forward the deer takes calculated, careful steps towards the boy, watching to see if he would react or move. Assuming it was safe, the deer walks forward, taking a sniff of Teigen's hair. It rubs its wet nose against his cheek, licking across the skin, following upwards to his eye. Teigen begins to twitch from the moist intrusion, swatting away at the deer but it continues to lick his cheek. Teigen tries to adjust, turning on his side only to grunt at the discomfort of the trees roots. His eyes lazily open before widening in shock and he je
~TEIGEN I could hear the voices of the men murmuring behind me, their harsh words causing my ears to hurt. I am not a demon, I am Teigen. I wanted to cry, my eyes hurt from how tight the blindfold was over my eyes, darkness was all I was left with. I had heard the town head telling the two men to lead me further into the forest and leave me here. I did not want to be left alone. It was scary here, wild animals were everywhere, looking for little preys like me to eat. I shivered, the cold night breeze whisking past me. I wanted mother, her sweet pies, muffins and all her baked goodies. I missed how she would kiss my cheeks before bed, how she would sneak me an extra cup of milk from the farmer's cow on her way back from the pub when I was extra good. My stomach growled, reminding me I had yet to eat anything. By now mother would be setting the table with bread made from whole grain flour and cheese and curd. Mother knew I disliked cheese, so when father wasn't looking she would sli
~TEIGEN"Come along Teigen" His mother motions him forward, smiling reassuringly to her shy little boy as he inches closer to the open door. Teigen was unlike other boys his age. At 11, his mates in the town had begun hunting bugs, critters like rats and squirrels. But Teigen was different. He was quiet, reserved and timid. He hated socialising with the other town kids, mostly because they looked at him with beady eyes of curiosity and intrigue. His peculiar violet orbs stared at his age mates, fear and anxiety tightening his irises. He was the only one in the whole town that had such color of eyes, none of his parents possessed such unique eyes. He inhaled a shaky breath, watching his mother drop him off at the children's playground while she went to work at the town pub. The pub was always very busy, patrons swarming in and out like bees. Everywhere was hot, noisy and crowded all the time. Teigen's mother: Geneva worked as the baker, she made all types of pasteries: from bre
AUDREY"I WILL HAVE NONE OF THIS. YOU ARE NEVER TO SEE NOSTRADAMUS AGAIN AND THAT IS THE END OF THIS DISCUSSION AUDREY, I FORBID YOU! " His harsh words resonate in the walls of my mind, like shoes stepping on broken shards, the fragments of hurt that had pierced my heart continued to mercilessly torment me. The words were constantly on repeat, the look of fury and anger in his dark eyes, an underlining fear tightened his irises. I couldn't understand anything, I couldn't see past the angry words he hauled at me. "My lady!" Marchioness Cordelia's voice reaches my ear before she does, her hand resting sympathetically on my shoulder, snapping me out of my reverie. I blink out of my mind, fresh drops of tears falling down my cheeks. I rush to wipe them away, not wanting her to know the reason behind my tears. I turn to face her, smiling wryly at her. Her beautiful features contorted into a worrisome look, her eyes searching my face before she pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms aro
"Audrey, dear?" Darius called out, walking into their chambers in search of Audrey. The talk with Ryker had gone on longer than expected and he began to feel bad and miss his little bride. As he walks in, the bed is messy, the black comforters wrinkled from their past activities. The pale skin that was meant to inhabit the sheets nowhere to be seen. Puzzled he walked back out, asking the guards where his bride had wandered off to. "The princess went to your study, my Lord. I believe she went there in search of you"One of the guards stationed at their quarters door informed Darius. Confused as to why Audrey would go to his study, knowing full well she heard the guard inform them that he and Ryker's meeting was happening in the garden. Wordlessly he walked over to his study, perplexed but majorly already missing his little mate. Who knew what his little kitten had gotten herself into? He walks in, immediately spotting her little form, cuddled up in a white loose dress that did absol