❉𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❉I watched the little specks of dust float in the air into nothingness. The salty taste that lingered on my lips had not yet faded, the cruel reality that was my life slipping through the cracks. I tightened my hands around my legs, burying my head further into my knees. Another sob wracked through my body, my chest tightening the more as an overwhelming sense of pain overtook me. I knew it wasn't mine, it had to be his, was he as sad as I was? Really? I was miserable, all the hope that once gleamed in my eyes had been dimmed, all the light and joy in them darkened with my soul. I had no idea for how long I stayed here but I hadn't seen another person for as long as I could recall. Faye had tried severally to get me to open up and take the food she unfailingly brought every single day but I refused. She tried time and time again to convince me to get up and at least lay on the bed but I ignored her, turning over to the other side, away from her face. She always let o
𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘✥I didn't have enough time to react before my legs were hauling me to the toilet as I emptied the little contents that resided in my stomach. It felt like I was throwing my entire insides out into the toilet. I couldn't stop my gagging as I felt a thug on my hair, my curls were pulled back and held tightly in a bun. Calloused hand soothingly rubbed circles around my back as I continued to empty my guts out. I continued to hurl till I got so tired I fell back on my butt. I didn't have the luxury of staying for long before I was picked up bridal style from the floor. I felt so drained and tired I couldn't protest or make any move to resist as Darius proceeded to carry me into my room. I watched his face with half lidded eyes, sleep pulling at my consciousness every so often. I hadn't gotten any sleep for days and I was sure at this point I had dark circles under my eyes, but I honestly didn't care. He didn't seem to care that I looked horrible and smelt even worse as he c
KING DARIUS/ᏦᎨᏁ ᎠæᏒᎨ^Ꮥ/"She's here boss" Ryker informs me through the mind link. "We just came into the kitchen, Faye's making dinner"I could hear little footsteps padding down a path and I knew all too well whose it was. I let my mind wander as I focused on her little feet. It was the closest thing to serenity both Phoenix and I had felt in the last couple of weeks. Images of that night flashed through my mind like it was yesterday- her sunken cheeks, the dark circles that rimmed her eyes, her pale skin that had turned an almost dark shade and the red body fluid that dripped from the corner of her lips. The scene still haunted my mind till this day. Immediately I had gotten her to her bed safetly I waisted no time in mind linking the pack senior doctor. He was more experienced than the last one that came here. I didn't need an amateur attending to my mate, the situation was dire and it needed to be treated with such importance. The doctor arrived a few minutes later, heavily equip
AUDREYI watched Faye intently as she chopped the vegetables into little pieces and added them to the pan that sat on fire. I never took an interest in learning how to cook when I was younger, mother always tried to engage me in kitchen chores but I hated them. She would always ask me, "One day when you get married to your mate and he's hungry what would you cook for him if you don't learn how to cook!?" I was too young to read any meaning into it, my response was always "If he's hungry he'll make something for himself. He wouldn't need to, I would be more than enough for him mama". Immediately after I said that mother would get so annoyed she would chase me around the kitchen with the spatula in her hand. Giggles spilled from my lips as I diverted, running straight into my father's outsretched arms. He would pick me up, spin me around and throw me over his shoulder just to hear my giggles once again. He settled me on his hip, flicking my nose making me snort as I pushed his hand awa
Third Person POVShe felt her eyes water, tears prickling her vision as she clutched her stomach tight, laughter falling from her lips at Greer's hilarious childhood memory. "So he ran in before me, his hands behind his back as he looked with the most innocent eyes directed at my mother. He knew very well how to get to her. By the time I'd run in I was too late, her was already telling on me and I just stood there frozen. He pointed his little flour coated finger at me, his accusing gaze directed at my direction. I gave him the worst scowl and looked back at my mom to see she was glaring at me. I tried to deny everything but she already punished me to make our meals for the next two weeks. After her verdict was delivered Nuelle stuck out his tongue at me and showed all the sugar that coated it, leaving my mom to gape wide eyed at him. Realising he had given himself up he shut his mouth close, his hands coming to rest on his sealed lips. Ha! Served him right. Talk about karma" They a
Hand in hand they walked through the twists and turns of the hallway, his eyes never leaving her. She could feel his gaze burning a hole in her head but she didnt dare look up at him, somehow she always managed to get stuck in a mysterious haze anytime she stared into his eyes. It may have been the mate bond trying to strengthen through their eye contact, she wasnt sure but all she knew was if she wanted to leave tonight she had to push back all the contradicting thoughts that had managed to sip through her mind's walls. Having him this close wasnt helping matters. Although pulling away wouldn't be the best option either, she could still hear the heels of the four maidens following fast behind them. For some odd reason she had this urge to want to seem as put together ans as prim and perfect as these girls made her out to be. Non of it would matter anyway, after tonight she wouldn't be seeing them again. Somehow that single truth left a pang in her chest. Her head turned she let her
"Audrey" she turned around sharply, hearing her name from the distant. Greer rushed over to Audrey, Ryker and two armed guards falling few steps back. "Are you okay?" Greer asked, holding Audrey's arms and looking her over for any injuries."Im fine. Why, what's wrong? " she asked, looking over to Ryker who had caught up tp them. Her eyes landed on his sword in hand and the gaurds who stood stoicly at the entrance. "There was a rogue attack near the castle. The guards spotted them and have been dispersed to their locations but its too risky to go on with the party. We have been ordered to make sure you reach your chambers safely. When we are certain there has been no briefing of the castle walls then everyone can be allowed to walk around but for now everyone is under lockdown. Please princess follow me" he gave way, waiting for Audrey to walk foward but she hadnt moved yet. She seemed to be thinking. After properly registering the situation in her mind and realising how dangerous i
"What exactly do you have planned if i accept your proposal?" Audrey asked, watching Lord Odin carefully. It was a cold night, Audrey had her red velvet sholl draped around her shoulders and her hair tumbled down her back carelessly. Lord Odin admired the sight, she looked alot more beautiful than her mother, he thought shamelessly. Her pink plush lips were stewed in a slight pout as she thought over his deal. He had to admit they looked rather tempting against her skin, as pale as the moon light. His admiring eyes washing over her, drinking her in went unnoticed ny Audrey as she waited for his response. He clears his throat, looking away from her figure to stare into her eyes, "That won't work your Highness" he shook his head in disapproval, earning a confused look from Audrey. "I won't say unless you have agreed fully and you accept whatever I tell you. You will have to do as I say"Now this was a real situation. She nervously played with her fingers, staring into the distance and
Everyone else around us had recovered quickly, ready to change their steps while we stood there, staring at each other. I inhaled a deep breath and closed the space between us. Ryker understood and placed his hands on my waist, mine winding up his shoulder, our forms pressed. I gulped, my eyes meeting his. The last time we were this close, it did not end innocently. The way I so boldly kissed him, and for a second he kissed me back. His lips melted against mine, claimed my first kiss, his hands tainted my skin, branding me. As I stared into his eyes, the flash backs came flooding my mind. Briefly his eyes dropped down to my lips bit he quickly looked away, not quick enough for me not to notice. ♡ Song: Ma Meilleure Ennemie (from the series Arcane League of Legends) ♡She stood close to him, her body almost touching his. The music was slow and sensual, with a strong beat that seemed to pulse through thei
Azure blue eyes stared back at me, their depths unreadable, black and full of mist, but it was a pair of amethyst violet orbs that flashed behind my eyes. Plum lips painted in red tint tingles in remembrance. Warm lips pressed against mine in fevor, thirst, desire, at least that's how it felt. His hands all over me, holding me tight, claiming me, sending pleasures shivers down my whole form. And then just like that my fantasy is ruined, reality shattering all my hopes. "You look so beautiful my lady!" Philippa exclaims, watching my reflection in adoration. I smiled halfheartedly, "Thank you, Philippa" She winks at me, "I'm certain the Lord will not be able to take his eyes off you"Seriously? Was I call dolled up for someone I did not even desire, meanwhile the one I truly wished to be with could not be any further away from me, despite being within my reach. The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest they say. What was my life? I deflate into my seat, glaring at my ref
"If it was a piece of paper, I would tear it. If it was a bottle, I would break it, if it was a wall, I would tear it down - But it's my heart" ~Mahmoud DarwishThe words sunk so deeply, creating a large gap in my soul. There was just something so devastatingly beautiful about romantic poetry, I loved it to no end. The idea of loving someone to the point that you yearn for them, their very person, every inch of their skin, every habit of theirs, every peculiar trait is picked, loved and immortalized. I wished someone could love me like these poets loved their muse. I wish I could be someone's muse, but between Ryker rejecting me and father so adamant about me forming a relationship with Sir Blackwood I was very much far from that dream. Reading about such soul crushing love made me want to experience it even more, to love someone with every bone in your body. To learn a person so deeply they echoed in your subconscious, what sweet torture. Was this what the love of a mate wa
"Staying trapped in my room all day will not make me recover faster, Augustine" "But my lady, the doctor said you should rest your body. You exerted yourself too much, you even passed out" Augustine reminded me as if I wasn't there myself. I giggled, "yes, I know. I don't know if I remember correctly but I was there"Augustine scowled, "This is not the time to jest my lady. Please I would suggest-""Augustine! It has been four days already" I wave her off, turning towards the opposite direction and laying back on the dress. I watch the clouds shift, floating lazily amongst the blue firmaments. The birds sing above head, the leaves rustle with the wind, the buzz of the bees as they dance from flower to flower, the feeling of the cool midday breeze against my cheek, pollen particles drifting into my nostrils as I inhale a deep breath. "You should have at least waited a week before you were out and about again my lady. This is simply not right, why insist on laying on the dirt this w
"The lady Elara!"Panick surged through Ryker the moment Elara's form fell through the surface of the water. Fear, desperation and instinct kicked in all at once and immediately he sprung into action, tugging away his blazer and dropping it to the grass, his shoes coming off just as fast. His bewildered gaze flickered to Sir Sawyer who stared at the water, his expression unreadable. "Elara! Somebody help her, she is sinking!" Sir Sawyer stumbled back, still unmoving. Ryker ran passed him and jumped into the water, the cold water completely swallowing him whole. The initial shock from how cold the water was faded quickly as Ryker began searching for Elara. He spotted her in the depths, struggling to pull down her dress. He swam over to her just in time for her body to go limp, the strength in her muscles slacking as he fought against the flow while helping Elara pull down her farthingale. Once it was off Ryker wrapped his arms around Elara's form, pulling her to his side. At that
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