Five days later.. •Bludhaven• The palace had been busy, maids swarming the place trying to do their duties and make sure the Royal wedding was not lacking in anyway. High born noble men close to The King began to occupy the guests Wing in the palace, everyone giddy with anticipation and excitement. It was the first Royal wedding ever and it had been be a grand affair, one that would be done a great disservice if squeezed into one day so the event was divided into three occasions taking place on three seperate days. It had been two months since the Royal couple left for Bludhäveb capital, the council of elders immediately taking charge of state affairs along with Ryker. The maids supervised by Ruby and Faye began to prepare the new Express's accommodations, transformi one of the rooms into her personal office on the same floor as the King's, close together. Anaise decided to busy herself as well, taking care of the kitchen duties, making sure all the stocks w
•BRAILER•!WARNING: CHAPTER CONTAINS SCENES OF MURDER, MENTION OF BLOOD AND MATURE CONTENT! Demeter quietly crept down the hallway, goosebumps rising beneath her skin. She felt hot with both excitement and arousal, she couldn't believe Lord Anthony had invited her to his bed chambers. She could already feel herself dripping with want, her husband had been neglecting her for the new nursing maid. He thought she knew not of it but she found out the first night she saw the maid's cheap hair ornaments on his bed. At least he had the decency to be discreet about it. Upon finding out that her husband had left her, as beautiful and as attractive as she was for a lowly maid she knew it best he did not try to come close to her. It was an insult to her standing as a woman of title, but now she was paying the price. Luckily for her he was not her mate and she did not love him otherwise the heartbreak would have been unbearable. As she knocked softly on the door, looking around to see if
The once radiant blue firmaments were dimming into darker skies, the day drifting into the horizon as they began their journey back to the palace. They didn't have to wait long, the crownsmith only needed to polish the crown and they were set. Anaise had only caught a glimpse of the crown but it was more than enough to leave her stunned and speechless. It was beautiful, bedazzled with jewels and diamonds of different sizes, the shimmer of the crown was enough to leave Anaise buzzing with want, wanting to touch it, to feel it. Her hands itchen to gently place the delicate diamond on her head and prance around as a queen. But she quickly came down from that high, it was Astrid's dream not hers. A cheeky smile melted against Anaise's face as she recalled their chess game. She had won him easily, maybe he was taking it easy on her. The sight of his plummeted brows and pursed lips as he stared in hard concentration at the board. Every single time Anaise achieved one of his pawns
•ANAISE•My heart thrashed around in my chest, my lungs rasping and my eyes swollen and red from all the tears spilled. I watched as the knights carried Ryker from the horse into the castle and a maid was sent to call the Physician. I felt my heart being ripped out of my chest as my gaze was fixed on Ryker's pained features, his eyelids screwed shut. I let out another sob, Astrid holding onto me as I cried into her chest. She soothed my hair, whispering sweet word into my ear as I clung to her. I pulled back, sniffling and swiping at my wet cheeks. "Come with me" Astrid led me to the lady's quarters in front of our rooms. She held onto me, checking my hands, face, neck, her eyes roaming my form "Are you hurt anywhere?" I shake my head as she notices the dried blood from when I was pushed down by one of the masked men. "Dried blood?" She asked, her brows squeezed in confusion. "One of the masked men pushed me and I got a few scratches" I pursed my lips, remembering how much p
•BRAILER•AUDREY♡"I advice you let me accompany you My Lady" Elijah rushes after me as I made my way outside to the coach who was readying the carriage. "There is no need Elijah. I will be going with Maximus and Marchioness Cordelia, I will be very safe and there will be nothing to worry about" I tried to reassure Elijah as I made my way outside where Maximus stood beside the carriage. Cordelia was yet to arrive but I was certain she would, I just needed to stall Elijah long enough. If he insisted to come along then he would follow to where I was meeting Nostradamus and report everything back to Darius. I just needed to meet with him and get all my thoughts straight before I went to Darius with any of this. Marchioness Cordelia had no idea I would be meeting with Nostradamus, she assumed we would be going shopping in town and she was very excited when I invited her. She was my cover, in case anything went wrong or Darius was to enquire on my whereabouts I could simply tell him I wa
The day had faded into night, the skies dark, the lit candles wearing thin and along with it Audrey's patience. I pushed myself off the bed, pacing up and down the chamber floors as I fiddled with my fingers, my gaze drifting to the door every now and then as I awaited the king. I had practically run into the castle looking for Darius so I could relay Nostradamus' message but disappointment soaked into my skin when I found he had not returned, even now he was yet to come back from wherever he had gone. I had asked around when the hour turned late but no one would answer, they just shook their head and walked off. I did not bother asking Elder Azalia, she would be of no help anyway. I wrapped my hands around myself, feeling anxiety seep into my skin and my heart weigh with worry. I felt like something was really wrong, my heart began to race with fear and my feet took me in circles. Suddenly the door was pushed open and one of my personal maids walk in, her head bowed "
My chest rose and fell as I tried to catch my breath, "That was not fair" I was spent, my face flushed, my lips parted and swollen. Darius' greedy hands roamed my body, his fingers tracing my naked spine. I shuffled closer, pressing my naked breast to his. His eyes flickered open and he gazed down at me with a wolfish grin, one I knew meant 'I won'.How I wish I could have wiped the grin of his face but I knew I stood no chance the moment his hands touched me, no chance at all. What was I thinking wearing such a tempting night dress, maybe part of me wanted the night to go exactly as it did. Honestly I did not regret a thing. He traced my face with his fingers, light touches caressing my cheeks "I guess now we both need a bath" he chuckles, the rich sound feeling the room and ricocheting off the walls. "You won this time" I admit, narrowing my gaze at his cute, sexy face. "But next time I won't make it so easy, you were lucky I missed you so much"He leans down and nip
ANAISEI made my way onto the open field, my gaze registering the arrows and the bullseye. True to his words Ryker was going to teach me how to use a bow and an arrow. He was doing a lot better thankfully. I was a bit skeptical at first but the elixir Astrid gave me proved to be really effective. After a few days his wound and system had been drained of all the poison, he had gotten stitches to cover up his cuts. I was concerned if he flexed too hard his stitches would break but he insisted he would be careful. The past few days had been absolute bliss. I spend majority of my day with Ryker, be it accompanying him on his walks or chatting while he ate or reading to him before he slept. It all felt so surreal and sweet. I loved our time together and it only strengthened our bond, or at least the bond I presumed we had. We had become inseparable and it was as if the tension had only gotten worse between us. Most times I found myself at the verge of kissing him and I had to pull
What was that? Did I imagine all of it? "Please come my lady. It will displease the Grand Duke if you go home so early, it is only my duty to be a good host"Elara eyed Sawyer's outstretched hand, an internal battle ravaging her mind. She looks up at me, seeing my confused and disturbed expression she could read the questions all over my face. After weighing her options she decides leaving with Sawyer was better than staying to speak to me about what just happened. So Elara places her hand in Sawyer's and he leads her away to the boats. I let my eyes linger, knowing very well how stiff and uncomfortable Elara was. She did not wish to go but she still followed the Marquese. I followed behind, settling near the shores of the pond. The Marquese aids Elara in getting into the barge with him, they sit face to face, their close distance unsettling me. The boat begins to row away from the shore giving the two some good distance away from Ryker. Sawyer watched Ryker's eyes trail on
Tents littered the grounds, nobles of different calibers crowded together, talking, socialising with drinks in hand and lips full with chatter. The gossip mongers and mamas had their own designated spot watching the young courting couples walk about, some boarding barges on the pond. Meanwhile the daughter of the Grand Duke stood far from the crowd, conversing with her cousin while Ryker was on his way with their glasses of sherbet. As he approached the two finely dresses ladies he could not help but watch in admiration as Elara laughed, her smile blocked by her fan in hand. Bad etiquette it was, to laugh so loudly with open teeth but laugh she did and the worry free, joyful chime of her laughter brought warmth to Ryker's heart. He hands the two ladies their cups, standing beside them while they gossip he took in the view. All these high class, wealthy people attending these parties under the pretense of socialising instead they only attend these to discuss each other's
As I watch him wield his sword, his muscles ripple beneath his skin like waves on a turbulent sea. Every swing, every parry, every thrust reveals a symphony of strength and agility. His torso twists, his arms flex, and his legs coil with power. His chest heaves with each labored breath, drawing my gaze to the sculpted contours of his torso, his body, accentuating the broad shoulders, the chiseled abs, and the sharp lines of his adonis belt. Sweat glistens on his skin, like dew on a summer morning, inviting me to trace the paths it takes as it trickles down his face, neck, and chest. His eyes burn with focus, his jaw clenched in determination. Each movement unleashes a fresh wave of desire within me. I crave to feel his warmth, to taste the sweat on his skin, to be enveloped by his strength.His sword slices through the air, a blur of steel and deadly precision. Yet, all I see is him – the warrior, the protector, the beautiful, battling form that stirs my soul.My heart pounds in
She stuffs her duffle bag, making sure not to forget any of her anklets or jewelry. The veiled dancer always came prepared for days like these, to sneak out of the manor under one excuse or the other but this time would be different. Ryker would be part of her and Augustine's plans to get her to the party undetected and slip her out the same way. It was risky, very risky but the veiled dancer had personally been invited to this party. Ryker stood there, watching her pack her costume while Augustine made sure she did not forget anything behind, "Your back up dancers will be waiting for you at the party, they are dressed the same way as usual. The moment you get there do not forget to stay out of sight till it's time for your performance, immediately after you need to leave""Yes Augustine, I know all this" Elara reassures her, making sure she was ready to leave as soon as possible. Fowler was occupied, out of the manor thankfully so she was free to leave without much suspicion. The Gr
𝐑𝐘𝐊𝐄𝐑 I make my way through the residential quarters of the manor, feeling the curious, scrutinizing gazes pricking at my skin from every corner. The guards spared me more than second looks as I came up to the door one of the giggling maids was kind enough to point me to as Elara's door. Immediately I took notice of the scarce amount of guards in this area, normally along the stretch of the quarters more than 10 guards graced the halls, but here there were about 3 guards that switched posts, neither of them nearing the princess's chambers. Probably something they were forbidden from doing, that may have been what warranted the judgemental glares I got on my way here. I cleared out the lump in my throat, inhaling a deep breath as I brought my knuckles to the door, ready to do the gentleman thing and knock at the lady's door. 3 times would be fine right? Not to eager, not to rude. Just knock, do it! I mentally scolded myself but for some reason my body wasn't aligning wit
I could feel there was something wrong going on here. Did the Duke know that his daughter was the infamous veiled dancer? The way her metallic blue eyes dimmed, her gaze casted low with timidity while she seemed to shrink beside her father. She looked like such a different person than she was when she was so elegantly dancing, she was beautiful, breathtaking, fiery, her passion for the art seeping through every pore and enchanting every person. Her presence cast a spell, leaving everybody gaping. But just now she was quiet, smaller, the burning inferno that seemed to be part of her eyes had vanished. I kept my lips closed, watching as an older noble man walks in, his attire strikingly similar to the Duke's but significantly less adorned to show his lower rank. His eyes met mine, his cold stare laced with malice. I was taken aback, wondering what it was about me he already didn't like. He walks to the Duke's side, "My Lord Duke" he greets, standing right next to him. Then
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