Astrid paced back and forth in her room restlessly as she watched the door, expecting the maid to come in at any time. She bit her nails nervously as she shifted her weight from foot to foot in anticipation. Immediately the door was pushed open she was quick to lunge towards the poor maid snatching the sheets from her hands. She wasted no time in spreading it open across the floor, her eyes searching for something but when she didn't find it she let out a breath of relief. "Pick it up" she instructed the maid who had been watching the scene confused and a little disturbed but she did as told. "Are you sure you didn't see any blood stains anywhere else in the room" Astrid asked eagerly but the maid shook her head in the negative. Satisfied with her answer Astrid pulled out fuce gold coins from her purse and pressed it into the maids hands, sending her off with one command "Don't tell anyone about this" with that she shut the door, not giving room for enquiry. A triumphant smile stret
AUDREY⚘♡I walked around hastily, watching with distaste as Vandal's men were littered around the halls, drinking and cackling to themselves. They celebrated over their victory now but I was certain that they would soon meet their demise. Vandal had taken control of the castle a few hours ago, he was still negotiating in the throne room with the elders. I checked for my ladies everywhere but I couldn't find any of them. The servants and maids had been forced to serve Vandal and his men or loose their lives. I approached the steps to the West Wing when I heard Anaise's voice from somewhere close by. I followed her hissing and protests to the space behind one of the hallway pillars where the scene was unfolding. Vandal's second in command stood towering over her, trapping her between himself and the pillar not giving her a way out. He had a glass of wine in one of his hand, his other resting above Anaise's head as he looked over her form with lustful eyes. "Why don't you come keep me
AUDREYAs we walked closer and closer to the dining hall grand doors I felt sick to my stomach. I had found out Maximus had been thrown into the cells along with our guards, we all fell for their peaceful facade and now as I slowly approached these doors I had this feeling like I was walking into the lion's den and I was a pour defenseless deer. The doors were pushed open by two of Vandal's gairds as they stared down at us with more than eager eyes. There were going to be a problem for my plans. Watching then with cautious eyes we walked into the room to be welcomed by all Vandal's men sitted around the table already eating. Despite the clear discomfort on the three elders faces they were seated right at their seats with a tight smile fixated on all their faces. We made our way around to our seats. Before I could pull out the chair between Orchid and Greer I watched from the corner of my eye as Vandal stood and took slowly steps in my direction. I waited and watched him till he wa
𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐔𝐒 ♚♧(Caution: Vague description of blood and violence) I tried to sit as still as I possibly could. I hated being here without Audrey. It had been hours and still Vandal had not shown up. Ryker and I had been told to wait in the meeting room and we have been here ever since. We arrived earlier than expected and they seemed a bit startled to see us but non the less welcomed us. Vandal was not a man that stayed away so when I hadn't seen him in the welcome crowd I had gotten the feeling that there was something off. His cup bearer Isaiah had said he was with his men and would be with us shortly but till now we still had not seen him. Against my better judgement I had listened to Ryker when he said we should wait. I held onto the white glove Audrey had given me tightly, inhaling her intoxicating scent from time to time to calm me down. I had been away from her for long enough, I couldn't stay any second longer.I pushed myself off where I sat, walking over to the door I fe
DARIUS🜲{!!This chapter will include violence}! I watched her chest rise and fall, small snores erupting from her throat. She had finally fallen asleep in my arms. She was so distorted and all she did was cry, it made my heart clench to see his hand prints on her skin. Even worse to see what that bastard had caused the love of my life. I was so stupid. I should have known it was a trap to lure me out of the castle. I should have been smarter, Vandal had always been vengeful but this- this was too far. He had hurt the one I loved, the only one who was not meant to get caught up in all this vengeance and power struggle. His fight was with me but now he had declared his graveyard by coming for her and I will make sure he got what he deserved. Pushing myself to my feet I learned down and placed a lingering kiss to her forehead before turning away and strolling out of the room. Quietly I shut the door behind me careful not to wake her. "Tell me" I spoke immediately I spotted Ryker. We
AUDREYQuietly I approached the piece of fabric that lay discarded on the ground. The sight of a red liquid tainting the material made my eyes widen. The closer I got the more I realised it was Darius's shirt and it was stained with.. blood!? I padded faster, pulling the fabric off the ground and into my arms. Looking it over and sure enough, it was blood. Panick pinched at my chest, sinking into my lungs and holding them captive. I turned around slowly. Carefully my gaze flickered between Darius and the shirt I held tightly fisted in my arms as fear clutched at my nerves. Taking slow steps towards him by eyes immediately began darting all over him for any sings of injuries, maybe something he wasn't telling me. "This is-" I cut myself up, bringing the cloth to his line of sight. I watched his eyes burn as he gazed away quickly, refusing to meet my eye. "A-are you hurt? Where? " I stepped forward, discarding the shirt to the side and slipping my hands into his. His fingers immedia
Writer's POVDarius marched down the hallway, his arms folded behind his back. His annoyance radiated off him, letting every guard in the hallway know to stand straight and give a curt bow as he passed for they knew how angry Darius could get and it would be especially worse as Audrey was nowhere beside him. It would be a catastrophe. Darius's thick brows were pulled down and an angry frown marred his features adding to his deadly glare that seemed to be directed towards one direction, the meeting hall. He didn't need to reach the double doors before the guards that were stationed at the aforementioned pulled them open with haste. They could already tell from his countenance that he was not to be pissed off anymore than he already was. Darius was pissed off with the council of elders, he had a feeling they were going to do what they always did- tell him how to run his kingdom. Irrespective of the fact that he had been ruling for centuries and he didn't need them. He hated being pull
AUDREY💕Birds sang in the distance, their audible chirps subtle but present. Cool sweep of the wind gliding gently across my cheeks and pushing against my hair. The leaves of the trees rattled in the wind, the air whistling through the skies and marking the atmosphere as a pleasant one. I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes as I let the calmness envelope all my senses. I deflated into my seat, letting a small smile creep onto my lips. My fingers traced the thick pages of the book I held in hand, summarizing every bend and curve of my current favourite that sat in my hands. I made a mental note to revisit the page where I had last left my bookmarks. Spending some time alone in Darius and my private garden had become a constant therapeutic experience for me. It was like taking a break from the hectic nature that I had gotten so used to- spending hours in the village, donating to the public and making an appearance in all the villages, the many the better, according to Elder Irene. I had
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