“Your Majesty,” Altid entered and bowed to me. I was a little surprised to see him here especially as the council was busy with so many cases at once. “Lady Asher,” he greeted her and I saw her face pale at the sound of his voice. “I was told I would find you here,” said Altid. “Why are you looking for me?” she asked as though nonchalant. “I need you at the council to answer a few questions,” Altid ignored the unpleasant tone of Lady Asher. “A few questions, you say? If that is the case you can as well question me here,” Lady Asher said. “I am afraid I shall have to question you at the council,” Altid's tone remained pleasant but firm. “At the council? Why? Is this an arrest?” “Not at all; just a few questions.” “If it is…” “I shall accompany you to the council,” I had been quiet all this while. “Then permit me to run a personal errand before…” “You will be back in no time,” Altid said. She looked as though she wanted to protest but she stopped herself. Ältid’s POV“My m
I had other errands to run here as well. The kings had burdened me with the task of putting things in place for choosing a representative amongst the people in the town that would be chosen by the town. It was not my job exactly; it was Curtis' but I was to supervise the process. I could not do so directly because I did not want my identity to be revealed so I remained behind the scenes on this one. But that was what had informed my disguise as an innkeeper. In all fairness to Moana, it was just another way of saying that I served men their drinks. On this particular evening as I was serving drinks I was glad when the conversation spun around to choosing a representative from among the common people. I had tried unsuccessfully once to broach the subject but the men had told me such conversation was for _men_ and I should not bother myself with such things. I had been furious and wanted to demand what that was meant to mean but my goal here was to remain as unnoticed as possible so
Alpha Ares' POV “We propose war, an all-out war. This is the greatest insult we have ever received as a pack,” one of the noble ministers said. He was a short sticky man who was quick to anger.I was furious but not at what Cyrus did to my pack but rather at what the pair of riffraffs I had allowed into my pack must have done to warrant Cyrus to be provoked to the extent of doing what he had. Cyrus was not one to just act without any justifiable reason; I had to give him credit for that part of his behavior. I did not know yet what they had done but whatever it was, it had not been a part of the plan. My suspicions were about Audrey due to the last conversations that we had. Now I was on the spot. If I did not declare war against Ghysem, my ministers would revolt and their combined effort would see me get thrown out of my throne but if I did act and brought war to the doorstep of Ghysem, how was I supposed to win such a war? One thing I knew I needed however was time. I needed tim
Cyrus's POV As I walked into the throne room, I could feel almost all pairs of eyes giving me a judgemental look. I could tell from their look of disdain that this was going to have something to do with my actions towards the South and I smiled in satisfaction. Sometimes, I enjoyed when the lord's and ministers were angry at me so I could shut them up with my words."What is with the gloomy atmosphere?" I asked, ascending my throne. Theo shot me a questioning glance, I knew he was wondering what had lifted my spirits when we were going to have a war coming soon. "We think that your actions were rather rash your Majesty," Lord Marshall said. "You should have consulted with us.""Pray tell me, what actions do you speak of?" I asked him. "Your actions to rob the South. You have just called a war upon us.""You think I should have consulted with you all?" I asked, not wiping the smile off my face. "Even if I did, we both know it is whatever I have in my mind I shall still do.""Your ma
Two Weeks LaterKing Ares POV"We have concluded our investigations, Your Majesty," Lord Matthews said, walking into the throne room with a few other noble lords. "And we have determined that the attack was from Ghysem.""I don't believe I assigned you to investigate the matter.""If we did not take action, would you have? How do you want to investigate without sending your subjects?" Lord Farkun questioned. "We have already arranged men on your orders to attack Ghysem. They are headed to the borders already. We are getting ready for war!""You dare make such a decision without my permission?" I asked. My fears were beginning to become my reality. I could tell these people no longer respected my decisions as a king. It was only a matter of time before we had a civil war. Perhaps, after we have defeated Ghysem these ministers would find a way to oust me out of power. "Lord Xeik? Did you know about this?" He was the minister of war."I was not aware you did not give the command. Seeing
I led the men I had chosen, our footsteps cautious as we moved toward the village. Two of them veered left, their eyes scanning the horizon, while I made my way to the bridge. The houses stood like guardians, a little way off from the bridge, their windows like empty eyes staring back. The quietness was overpowering, punctuated only by the gentle lapping of the stream against the shore. The sun beat down upon us, its reflection dancing in the water like a thousand tiny diamonds as I walked on the bridge. I didn't know anything about the common people of enemies and it was frustrating. Were they the type to wake up late and then come to the stream to bathe? Or would they have done that early in the morning and gone about their daily business which was away from their look quarters? The uncertainty frustrated me. Looking down, I smiled wistfully at the beauty of the rural landscape. Ghysem was indeed blessed, Cyrus, their ruler seemingly caring about the living conditions of its peopl
The sudden, terrified neighs from our horses broke the silence, making Jonas and I to turn our heads around in unison. More than a hundred men appeared out of nowhere. They were fully armed and advancing toward us with cocky and victorious smiles. They targeted our horses ruthlessly, firing arrows into their eyes and slashing at their bellies, sending the animals crashing to the ground. Our men's anguished cries and screams filled the air as they scrambled to flee, but chaos reigned, making coordination impossible.Panic set in, and I found myself frozen in horror alongside Jonas, watching in disbelief as our men fell around us, their heads severed and bodies mutilated.The massacre was severe, with Ghysem's men seeming to toy with their victims, strolling into houses to finish off those cowering within. I dragged Jonas to the ground, seeking cover beside two lifeless bodies, their chests pierced by arrows. My heart raced wildly, threatening to burst from my chest, as I struggled to r
"What do you find so interesting?" Clinton implored in a tense voice. "We could get killed this way! Let’s get moving. We cannot remain at this distance from the border."I nodded and stepped behind him, looking around the vicinity we had only just left. That nagging feeling that something was off would not leave me. As we continued forward, the bloody tracks we had seen earlier got more pronounced, indicating that some of our people were able to go back to the pack. But we were never able to find them.For the next two hours, we fought our way through the unyielding green cover as well as the unforgiving land with increasing vocal struggles on both sides. Every movement made the growing commotion worse than its metallic drone, and the muted cries. Clinton and I exchanged glances of understanding, for ditching the southern pack and making the trip back including Clinton was risky.“Let’s go by the woods,” I said, attempting to steer clear of the heated confrontation.“That’ll take ano
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