“Very well then. I think it is important we check on Lady Asher's progress. It is only natural considering the ministers have made mention of her,” Theo said and honestly, it had been on my mind for a while. “And when you say we you mean I.” “Of course, my face might make her relapse,” Theo pointed out and I laughed. I did not understand why Lady Asher had not softened to Theo after all this while. An hour later I was at Lady Asher's bedside. She looked so peaceful sleeping. Seeing her like this it was hard to imagine that she was capable of so much drama. If only the change of heart could actually give her a change of heart I would feel extremely lucky. I wanted her to wake up and live many more years but with Agatha's reincarnation in my life, I did not want to have to deal with her refusal to accept the woman I loved. I saw her eyelids flutter and her mind which I had placed in mine gripped me harder. “Lady Asher?” I quipped. “I had thought you had forgotten me,” her voice wa
Eunice’s POV Nothing had been done about Agnes' kidnap. It made me wonder if the Alpha had done that himself but I knew that if I wanted to keep my head on my neck I had to keep my mouth shut. I cared deeply for Agnes. We had not spent a long time knowing each other but she had become a dependable friend and I felt like I had sent her to an early grave by advising her to become the Alpha's woman. But life had gone on as usual and today was just another day but something was different about today. The other servants had seemed excited earlier about something… I did not really understand what the frenzy was about especially considering the fact that the pack was in mourning. However, what annoyed me was the fact that they had gotten assigned to whatever task that had caused their excitement and they had left me with all the dirty work. “So who's going to clear the dishes, huh?” I muttered, mimicking the head servant. “Eunice, she doesn't care much about these things,” I said in Ca
“I will be honored,” responded Curtis. That done there was someone with whom I had unfinished business. It was Moana. I saw her in the hall where our wedding was to take place. The moment my presence was noticed, the hall became quiet and everyone stopped to look at me. I ignored their stares and made for Moana. “Do you have a moment?” I asked her. A smug smile settled on her lips and I could guess at once that she was contemplating refusing me in front of her friends. “I am very busy but I believe I can spare you a fraction of my time,” from her tone it would be hard for anyone who was not aware that we were to be married and that in a couple of days, we were to be husband and wife. She followed me and when we were out of sight and hearing from everyone she said, “I am very busy planning our wedding.”“I understand that you'd rather do anything else besides talking to me,” I responded. “I need to get back to…” “Is this what you want?” I asked and she furrowed her eyes. “Wha
A tear trickled down my cheek as I admitted it. Never would I have thought that a situation would ever arise that I would have to betray my sister but she had done it first by trying to kill me. “Will you testify at court against her?” asked Cyrus. I mulled this question over for a while. Having mentioned her name to Cyrus already I had little choice on the matter. “I will.” “You have chosen rightly,” said Cyrus and with that he left. Only Theo remained and I wondered if there was anything more that he wanted from me. “What are your plans after here?” he asked me. “I do not know. Without my father's support I find that I can achieve very little,” I returned. Strangely enough, I felt a lot better. I was no longer in as much pain as I had been when they had entered. The question Theo had asked me had crossed my mind while I had lain here but I had no clear answer to it yet. I was not sure what I wanted to do after my stay here. Looking back, I realised that ordinary living was
“And what would that be?” I asked. “Why are you here and not helping Moana plan the wedding? I can sense there is trouble in paradise already seeing as you are trying to get drunk,” her voice had become low and teasing. What she was really trying to tell me was that I could take her to my bed if I wished. I appraised her. There was no doubt she was a beautiful woman. Once upon a time, I had a crush on Ava. It had been when we were much younger. Then I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world but today? I wanted Moana. I tried to drown the thought of Moana by taking another gulp of my beer but I found that I had emptied my pitcher already. “I can make you forget what is on your mind. You can trust my discretion and I assure you my skills are from experience,” she winked at me seductively and I swallowed. It was a tempting offer but I was about to get married and I felt a responsibility towards my bride. “I shall pay for our drinks,” I said to the bartender, dropping
“Thank you very much, Eunice. I shall take it up from here,” I heard Cyrus' voice as clear as day. I had been disappointed when I had woken up to see Eunice but now that he was here I was hoping he was not. I had not figured out what I wanted to do with him yet. I was not certain if in this lifetime I wanted to continue my relationship with him. To be honest there were still so many gaps in my memory about my previous life and in this lifetime, Cyrus had not been too kind to me as at first.Besides, I could not get over the fact that our relationship had started out on uneven terms in this lifetime. Somehow, I felt that things were different now. “Eunice was just telling me the most extraordinary things; I would be sorry to see her go,” I said, hoping to delay the inevitable. “So you now have an ear for gossip? That is new,” he said. Eunice bowed deeply to Cyrus and left at once. “There are so many new things about me. I am not the same woman you knew; Agatha is dead and will re
The wedding rituals were over and I was happy to see the corpse taken out of the ceremony. However, judging from the reaction of the people present I could tell that the wedding will be forever ingrained in their minds. Well, it was time now to dance with my bride. We had gone through the wedding rituals but we had yet to speak since I had missed her. Seeing her today however, reminded me of why she had remained on my mind. She was beautiful, _ethereal_. I had not missed the jealous eyes that had bored holes into me as the priest finalised our union. “You are beautiful,” I whispered into her ear. “I know,” came her conceited response. “It was a compliment, you should have said thank you,” I responded. “You stated a fact, I have been told those words so many times,” I did not doubt her; it was hard to see her and not register that she was a beautiful woman. “I see; what about ethereal?” “I do not need your compliment, you do not love me,” she said. “You refuse me your heart.
Theophilus' POVSomething was wrong here. Something had been wrong all this while and I berated myself for not having noticed all this while. Lord Marshall did not care about his daughter. It all started to make sense now. That was why he had not cared if she had a corpse at her wedding or if she had to marry someone she cared nothing for. But why had he done so? My mind went back to the shapeshifters. Was someone impersonating Lord Marshall? And if so why? And more importantly, why was Moana hiding it? All I knew was that I was not allowing Moana to return to such a place. “Lord Marshall, as the Alpha I will have to intervene. Lady Moana is to leave your home and move into her husband's house,” Cyrus said. I could tell Lord Marshall was not pleased with this development but I could not care less. Audrey's POV “What was that about?” I asked in fury as I confronted King Ares. I had been shocked to find out that the wedding hall had been attacked. It had not been part of the
It had been two years since Cyrus and Agnes got married in the enchanted garden. Their love had only grown stronger with each day. The palace was always filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to them. This morning, the sun shone softly, making everything look golden and magical.Agnes, with her big pregnant belly, was relaxing in their bedroom on a comfy chaise lounge. She was gently rubbing her belly, feeling the little kicks and movements from inside. They were both so excited to meet their twins soon.Cyrus walked in and immediately noticed Agnes. Despite her being tired from the pregnancy, she still looked beautiful. He went over to her, knelt down, and kissed her belly tenderly."Good morning, my love," he said softly. "And good morning to our little ones."Agnes smiled, her eyes sparkling with love. "Good morning, Cyrus. They've been really active this morning."Cyrus laughed quietly and put his hand on her belly. "Seems like they're eager to meet us."He gave her belly one la
The day of the wedding dawned with a golden glow, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, ethereal light over the palace grounds. The garden, which had been the site of Cyrus’s heartfelt proposal, had been transformed into an even more magical place. An archway covered in climbing roses marked the entrance, their petals a delicate blend of white and blush pink.Rows of chairs draped in ivory fabric lined the pathway leading to the grand gazebo, which was adorned with cascading flowers and soft, billowing curtains. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine and lavender, mingling with the sweet fragrance of roses. Lanterns hung from the trees, their light flickering gently in the morning breeze, adding a touch of enchantment to the setting.Inside the palace, Agnes stood before a full-length mirror, her heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. The seamstress had outdone herself with the gown, creating a masterpiece that made Agnes fe
Cyrus has decided he was going to propose to Agnes and this time not as Agatha, but for who she really was; Agnes. Every detail had been meticulously planned. The garden, a secluded and serene spot within the palace grounds, had been transformed into a romantic haven. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a soft, golden glow, and a pathway of rose petals led to a small gazebo draped in sheer, white curtains. The sound of a gentle stream nearby added to the enchanting atmosphere.Cyrus made his way to the garden, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Theo, walked beside him, offering silent support. They exchanged a brief nod before Theo slipped away, leaving Cyrus to await Agnes's arrival.Cyrus had informed Eunice, Adrianna, and a few other ladies of his decision. So the ladies had deceived Agnes there was going to be a tea in one of the palace gardens. Only for those with high class. Eunice had told Agnes that she was only heading the other slaves in prepari
Theophilus stood at the edge of the clearing, observing the scene before him. The war had left this part of the kingdom in shambles, but now, with peace restored, the arduous process of rebuilding had begun. The air was thick with the scent of earth and freshly turned soil as workers unearthed the entrances to the underground shelters where the people had sought refuge during the conflict.He walked through the village, greeting the townsfolk who were emerging from their subterranean hideouts. The once desolate and war-torn area was now a hive of activity. Men and women toiled side by side, lifting beams, hammering nails, and repairing the damage. Children, their faces smeared with dirt, played amidst the construction, their laughter a hopeful sign of better days to come.Theophilus paused at the entrance of one of the larger shelters, admiring the ingenuity and resilience of his people. The structure, hidden beneath a thick layer of earth and foliage, had provided safety and refuge d
Lady Asher's screams echoed through the dimly lit chambers of the southern palace, the sound waves reverberating off the stone walls. Sweat drenched her body, soaking through the linen sheets as she clung to the bedposts, her strength waning with each contraction. The midwives hovered around her, whispering words of encouragement, their hands steady and practiced as they guided her through the agony.The air was thick with the scent of herbs—rosemary and lavender—mingling with the coppery tang of blood, a primal smell that signaled new life. King Ares paced outside the room, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. His footsteps echoed down the corridor as he awaited the arrival of his heir. The southern palace was bathed in moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the proceedings.The night air vibrated with tension as the kingdom held its breath, awaiting the cry of the newborn prince. And then it came—the final cry, piercing the night. King Ares rushed inside, hi
The days passed in a haze of stolen moments and whispered promises, each encounter between Ashlynn and Ares leaving her breathless and yearning for more. Her heart ached with the weight of her secret, the burden of hiding her true feelings from the world.But on a day before she was to return to Ghysem, she realized something was amiss. Her monthly blood flow had not come, and a subtle queasiness had taken up residence in her stomach. Her heart pounded as she sought out Ares, her feet carrying her to his chambers with a sense of urgency.She found him poring over maps and documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, transporting her to a world of ancient tales and forgotten lore. He looked up as she entered, a smile lighting up his face, illuminating the room."Ashlynn," he said, standing and crossing the room to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her, warm and reassuring, holding her close as if he'd never let her go."What brings yo
Lad—Ashlynn,” she said in a shaky voice, her words little more than a breath. She originally had meant to say her title, Lady Asher, but there was something about the warmth Ares was giving her that made her change her mind.Ares' eyes were shown in delight. "A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady!" he exclaimed, awed by her queenly form. Her midnight locks flowed down her back like liquid ebony, highlights of chestnut shimmering in the light. Her emerald eyes were so deep, it felt as though they could look into his very spirit.Their talk had flowed along easily, as water flows along a gently inclined plain. They had said nothing for hours.Not only did Ashlynn possess ravishing beauty, but her intellect, her passion for art, and the gentle strength she exuded intrigued Ares. Her laughter was music to his ears.Ashlynn was intrigued by the layers of Ares’ personality- his intelligence, his underlying kindness beneath his mantel of dominance, and the faint glimmer of vulnerabilit
A sad smile graced Lady Asher's face. She took in a deep breath and then wiped a nonexistent tear as her mind floated back to her younger days.The tension of the war that had separated the North from the South had eased up a bit. It was not forbidden for citizens of Ghysem to venture into the South or vice versa. It was during the winter, and Lady Asher Ashlynn's husband had been sent on an errand by the king.Life was beginning to bore her, and she did not want to feel like a burden to her friend, who was queen. Usually, she would spend her whole day with her best friend, but her friend had duties to attend to, and she often felt like she was in the way.Ashlynn had seen the whole of the North, and her curiosity often made her wonder about the depths of the South. When she was a teenager and the war had happened, she had lived in the North all her life, and her dreams of visiting the South were crushed.She did not have any children, so there was nothing to stop her. It was the perf
Soldiers had been dispersed all over Ghysem and the south which has now become a part of Ghysem. They had sent word to other neighboring packs in the West and East so there was no place for Lady Asher to hide. Each day was spent in anguish and constant nightmares for Cyrus. He kept seeing himself hanging from the ceiling with a black veil on his wrist. Other times, he would see Agnes; her face contorted in pain as she swung from the ceiling, a black veil tied around her wrist and anytime he cut the rope, trying to save her it would be too late.He would end up bringing down a lifeless body.Then he would wake up, covered in sweat and panting heavily like he was fighting a physical war. Tonight was one of those nights Cyrus was drenched in his sweat. His breathing was ragged and then his hands shaky with fear. He felt around the bedside table for a lantern and a match, then struck it to flame the lantern. He sat up properly this time and looked towards where Agnes lay, to be sure she