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THE ROYALTY OF WOLFES 09
KIM - YEARS LATERI hear thunder as soon as I step out the tall wooden door that leads into the garden, taking the stone steps two at a time until I step onto the fresh grass.I raise my chin to the sky, but there aren't even any clouds there to justify the noise that announces a storm. In fact, there is barely any sun as it is so early.I adjust the quiver on my shoulder and go along the pebble path, being careful not to hurt my feet on the rougher ones, sure that Mother Heste will be very upset if she finds out that I'm out here barefoot. But I need to take a look at the traps I left before the other Sisters wake up and I have to join them for dawn prayers.I go faster and faster until I reach the cold sand, leaving the Tower of the Goddess behind with each step. I feel the sticky sea wind making my tunic stick to my body. The thick braids of my unruly hair lashing down my back. I press the leather strap of the quiver between my breasts, which sway with my running motion.This is my
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Leaders of clans and tribes stood on the beach, day after day, begging for mercy with their ships packed with gold.When they wanted to take us by force, the Goddess caused a thirteen-day storm to fall on them, which sank their boats and their gold, so they left and never returned.There are no other books about men. There is no information about the continent and what happened there in these hundred years. But I know what Mr. Tastaren tells me.I know of these strange people he calls 'wolves' and who easily conquered all the clans and tribes because of a devastating winter that swept all the cities.Here on the island there is no snow and ice or scorching heat.The Goddess protects us.The weather is always pleasant. The fruits sprout all year round on trees and bushes. We have small vegetable gardens. We eat flowers and seeds. And I hunt small animals that add a stronger flavor to broths, stews and soups.I like it here. I like the Sisters and the Mothers. But I can't silence the cu
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The other Sisters are tense around us, silently undoing their braids. Their naked bodies glowing in the candlelight scattered throughout the carved stone room. On the walls there is a huge statue of our Mother Goddess — with open arms to welcome us — and statues of the most important Mothers and Sisters. Those who were exceptionally gifted. Until the first, Sonna, there at the altar. She is mentioned in almost all ancient books as “she who was carved by the Goddess”. The first to possess magic in her blood, the gift, the power. It looks scary to me from where I'm sitting, holding a huge bouquet of flowers in one arm and a dagger in the other. The books say that she fought alongside men. They say she saw the future in the blood of her enemies, in the fire that burned their bodies. She helped the northern clans retake Pontis Maari when it was invaded by the island people. And she was my age when she did it.None of us were raised to be a warrior like Sonna.I know how to use a knife and
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I walk along the beach at night with my candle protected in its glass and wood holder and an urgency burning in my chest. I try to calm myself by humming a song that Mother Darba sang to us when we were little. Something about passing storms and bright mornings. I don't remember the lyrics very well, but the melody is enough to calm me down a little.The water is not far away.I just have to get there and throw the things inside the bundle.The strong wind practically pushes me forward forcing me to hold the candle holder tightly in my hand, even though its dim lighting doesn't make any difference here.“The Goddess cannot be among us if there is no light.” I take a deep breath of the salty, humid air.In ten minutes I'll be back in my bed. I will be with my Sisters and all this will be left behind.It was very easy to get here. I suppose the Goddess is in agreement with my plan. For a moment I wonder why she allowed me to meet Mr. Tastaren. Because she allowed me to see all these thi
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The Goddess teaches us that we, her Daughters, are sacred.But what about this man? And the other men?Shouldn't I try to save him like I would anyone who needed my help? His cuts are deep, but even before I think about it consciously, my mind knows what steps I should take to tend to his wounds.I go to the entrance of the hideout and sit looking out as the angry waves come in and wash my legs.The storm is devouring the world.The Goddess brought the stranger to me, so that I could see him.Is it a test?I heard the thunder all day. None of my Sisters heard it, not even Arina, who sees everything. Not even Irvina, who knows all the secrets of time. None of them saw it. Just me.I look over my shoulder at the unconscious foreigner.Your life is in my hands.If I were with my Sisters, sleeping, he would die on the beach. When he went hunting I would find his body. Some of the Mothers would see his body when they went out on their walks before sunrise. Or else he would be swallowed by
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He should be dead...Why didn't the Goddess let him die?I kneel down next to him and watch him.His wounds still bleed, but much less than when I brought him here. The blood has dried on his face and makes him look even scarier.— Mom, why did you spare him? — I murmur. — He is a man and he is a foreigner. Why did you spare him? Why did you bring him to us?I realize that maybe this is the answer to the prayers I've been praying all day.The alien survived.The Goddess protects him.I need to save it. I need to take care of his wounds. I feel like I should. I feel like I need it. If he wants to harm me or harm my Sisters or my Mothers, the Goddess will protect us. We are your Chosen. She always protected us. He's just a man. She drove out many others to protect us.I get up, determined, and light the fire again, this time with more wood so that it burns for a long time and keeps it warm. Then I come out of hiding. I cross the beach. I go to the quarzenis bushes that are not far away.
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Who threatened his life? I wonder. Why would anyone try to kill him? Did he do something to deserve it? Did he do something forbidden to his own people? Something unforgivable? I know that the people of the continent have laws that, if broken, can be punished by death, Mr. Tastaren told me. We also have that here, but I don't think they were ever put into practice. In ancient books there is no record that any Servant of the Goddess was punished by death.I look at the stranger and a stone slides down my throat with difficulty.If the Mothers find out that I'm taking care of him, will I be the first Servant to be punished by death? Foreigners are prohibited here. They can't see us or touch us. I saw and touched the stranger. Is this prohibited too? I'm afraid to find out. For almost a year I allowed Mr. Tastaren to see me and talk to me. I think this deserves punishment too...The foreigners were near the Goddess's island earlier, and I am now convinced that they were looking for the i
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Now I see that you are actually smiling.She looks between the Sisters until she finds me and offers me her hand, which I hold tightly.Arina will not fail.The Goddess will be fair to her.All the Sisters join in a chorus of happiness and gratitude. We laughed and sang and hugged and kissed Arina many times.I notice that the Mothers remain far from us, in silence. I hadn't noticed this before, but I remember now that during Irvina and Sue's rituals they also stayed away, in silence. At that moment I know why. There have been no Daughters for a long time…**Arina will not return for the next few days.She will be guarded by the Mothers and will perform daily rituals with herbs for fertility so that the seed germinates in her womb. My Sister will only sit, sleep and eat with us again if she fails.I'm torn between how I miss her gentle company and my desire for her to reach the Goddess's grace and fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.That night, after the ritual and celebrations,
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My chest hurts.My entire body hurts.I cannot conceive the idea that Miguel will, of his own free will, die for his people, instead of staying with me.He prefers death. The honor. The duty.I prefer love, and that's why a part of me will die when it's gone.— We have gold — Arina says suddenly with her lips pressed to my forehead. — Let's help them. Let's help the Wolf King and Prince Azerai take back the throne.— Arina, don’t talk nonsense…—Their army is within the walls of Tarus'dei, is it not? — she continues, inflamed by a determination I don't know. — Let's help them get there. There must be a chance. At least a chance to win. It is not?— Arina, all the wolves are against them...— And the people of the continent?We stared at each other in silence for a long moment, mentally debating the possibilities.Is it possible that there is any hope?— This is insane! — Azerai doesn't even bother to hide his offensive tone of voice, and is looking at me. — The people of Agreis would
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— Is there a need for a reason to cause harm to another, Kim?I bite my lips.Miguel looks away. To the sea.His expression is a mystery to me, but I imagine how he must be feeling; betrayed, furious, unhappy. He barely had time to be king to his people before they unfairly took that away from him.I would like to hug him, but I just stand there next to him, my hands nervous, not knowing what to do.— The Great Houses consider the people of the continent inferior. The causes of our exile. I heard that a million times growing up — Miguel says. — Many wolves think they must die to pay for the sins of their ancestors. It was a grudge nurtured by our kings over the centuries.— Did your father believe that too?There is a long hesitation before responding.- He believed. For a long time. But he got here and didn't find the monsters he imagined. They were just… people. Like us. He wrote this in letters to me over the years. He wanted me to forget my grudge and be a king different from the
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An hour passes and nothing happens.Then two and three.Arina looks out the window of our cabin all the time, trying to see something, anything, but there is nothing, just the angry sea, full of threatening ice shards the size of ships.Is our idea really good?Dock, go down to the mainland and from there try to reach Pontis Maari?The wolves would be idiots if they didn't have soldiers on land too, waiting for us. Arina and I are small women. Of course, we have white hair and that attracts attention, but a good thick fabric cap would solve the problem. But Miguel and Azerai? They are big wolves. Much larger than common iberiis. This is not easy to disguise. A wolf with one red eye and one with gold eyes? Yes, they would go unnoticed very easily…I know that the Great Houses were trying to reach the throne of the Tarus before. I know it. But I can't help but suffer knowing that I was the trigger. Without me they would have nothing against Mig.Oh, Mother. Protect us.I don't know if p
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I tilt my face and kiss her wrist reverently.My Wolf King...— No — he pulls my face back, realizing what I'm doing. - No…We kiss as Miguel possesses my body for the last time.Our lips tremble.I can not stop crying.He cums in silence. Without blinking. His blood red eye stuck in mine. His hips push me against the wooden floor and I feel him filling me inside. The hot, thick jets, the smell of spices and the sea, running down my legs, wetting the tunic beneath me.I'm the first to look away, push away the hand that holds my face.Miguel walks away.I sit down and try to tidy up the destroyed clothes.He stays behind me.I see the movements in my peripheral vision and I guess that he is fastening his pants, his belt.He finished.His seed covers my legs. My body shudders with pleasure as I see the remains of what we did still on me. My pussy pulses like it wants some more. As if I want him back, even though I'm sore from the ferocity with which he took me.— This will be the last t
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When we board the ship it is almost lunch time. I don't know exactly how many boxes were shipped with books, but seventeen of them are full of gold that was taken from our Mothers' secret room. Everything that wasn't secured in some way was boxed up. The rest will be picked up later.We were lucky that the ship was returning empty to Agreis after its business trip to the Salt Walls. Now its holds are cluttered with books and gold. Arina and I remain silent.I don't know what she thinks, but I believe there shouldn't be silence and reflection between us. We have gold to be free. We don't even need to go back to Tarus'dei. No one can force us to go. We can ask the ship to dock anywhere on the coast and go live our lives. People on the mainland don't know us. We can use the gold to hire a guard, buy a house. Never see wolves again in my life.But I don't say anything. Neither does she.We eat meals together, then I go down to the ship's hold and read as many books as I can.Sailors don't
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We dressed in silence. Each with their own thoughts. And by looking at Miguel's distraught face I can get the idea that his thoughts are even more chaotic than mine.Was your mother a Servant of the Goddess?How is this possible?That's not possible.It is not.He is mistaken...You have to be mistaken.We returned together to the tower through the front door. We go side by side, but still in silence.I need to talk to Arina.Sleep plans were cancelled. There is no possibility of sleeping a wink with this new information before us.Azerai is near the kitchen door, talking to the Iberii. He looks at us and his gold eyes narrow in irritation, but he doesn't say anything. Miguel makes a gesture with his face and he moves away from the guards.I don't look back.I push open the kitchen door and call for Arina.She's at the sink, washing the pots and dishes from dinner, and when she looks up and sees me, her relaxed expression cools.- And now? — he asks softly.Before I can speak the door
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There is a silent climb to the upper floors. Each one entangled in their own thoughts. I don't know what's going on in each of their heads, but in mine there is absolute disbelief.Am I the reincarnation of our Mother Goddess? Mirsai?If that were true, I'm supposed to be special in some way, right? I don't feel special. I don't feel any different knowing these things. I'm just myself still. Same Kim as always. Maybe a little more tired and beaten down by the events of the last few days, but definitely myself.I still don't know exactly what my place is in this world. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. Or today.Arina and I go to the kitchen and get busy preparing the last meal of the day. Miguel and Azerai leave together, talking quietly to each other. The Iberiis are nowhere to be seen, and I try, if only for the last minute, not to think about anything we've just discovered.**We ate bread, fried vegetables, and meat from the deer that Miguel hunted and Azerai cooked over a fire
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— Are you saying that our Mother Goddess is… somehow… a goddess of your culture? — my Sister frowns at the Prince, almost offended.I understand your irritation. We had very strict discipline over our Mother Goddess and what this wolf says actually seems like a type of blasphemy, but I place a hand on my Sister's arm and ask her for patience with a look.Let's let these wolves talk.— I think it's worth going deeper into this — Azerai continues. — Maybe it will enlighten us about the prophecy and everything else.I nod.Arina maintains her irritated expression.— Do you have any paintings or drawings of your Goddess? — Miguel asks more politely. — If she looks like any of our cannis goddesses, I'll recognize her.Lightning passes through me.A hundred memories hitting me hard.Oh no…— You said I look like your goddess of lust — I murmur hoarsely, unaware of my next voice.Miguel looks at me for the first time in the last few hours, and his red eye opens wider with surprise, understan
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— This one — I show Arina the forecast as soon as we sit together on the floor.Miguel and Azerai approach, but only the Wolf King seems interested in what we say. The Prince stands closer to the door, like a guard.My Sister tilts her delicate face to read, but it doesn't take long.- What does that mean? "Party power"?I shrug.— And this "wolf in the sky" thing?I shake my face.- I don't know-...- What did you say? — Miguel extends his hand so I can pass him the tome with the prediction.I casually look for his gaze, but he denies it. He's focused on the book, his brow furrowed in question.— I think it's related to the other prophecy — I say to Arina. — Our Sisters predicted the arrival of wolves on our beaches long before it happened. Ceisa wasn't the only one to see them coming.A brief expression of disgust crosses Arina's face, but she shakes it off with a deep breath. She opens her mouth, but Miguel talks over her.— This is a prediction from my people.We all looked at him
