McNeil’s head rolled to the ground before I saw the edge of Cyrus' sword. Everyone gasped in shock and I saw Adrianna running towards the entrance of the garden where the full moon celebrations were ongoing. What was she running from? Had she been the one to instigate rumours about Cyrus' supposed impotence? “Any other person with a reason to think I might be impotent?” Cyrus' voice thundered dangerously. I could see the veins stand out on his neck and knew instantly that he was not only angry but enraged, Adrianna was right to run. Cyrus could not be reasoned with in this state. Nobody answered. Nobody wanted to end up like McNeil who had not had a chance to even defend what he had said. “It seems as though this gossip has been spreading amongst you for a while. Tell me, who started it?” Cyrus' voice was deceptively calm. “The slaves that are passing the…” A woman by the name Philemona stepped out to speak but Cyrus did not let her finish. “The slaves? How easy it is for you t
I skimmed through the rest of the letter with a smile on my face. I could rest easy now, everything was going to be alright. *+*+*+*+Salmon's POV I had been beaten until my vision blurred, then darkened, and then I was dunked into a pool of water and thus forcefully roused, and the whole process repeated. This was the seventh time and I had at this point emptied my guts. I was sick and I wanted to puke but there was nothing left in me. “Why are you doing this?” I was beyond exhausted. “You're a werewolf, we'll stop on the tenth time, this is fun you know, really it is if you're the one watching but you've given up that right or you could be…” “What do you want to know? Please just stop this,” I pleaded. “Oh, this is not because I want something; I'm just having fun,” Larog was grinning as he said this, and up until now I had never known anyone could be so sick. If Larog planned to take over Ghysem not only was Ghysem in trouble but the whole world was. I needed to warn Cyrus
Theo's POV “What I cannot understand is if you are in the know in all this or not,” Cyrus had his head cocked to his side. His face bore a serious expression as he studied Adrianna's face from across him. She had arrived at the palace in the morning like she had promised and I was pleased to see that she was much more composed than last night. Her calmness bothered me a little too. I had thought that given her sister's disappearance, she would show some signs of distress. “I do not believe my sister would do any of the things that you have said she did,” came Adrianna's response. “I did not believe my brothers would plan to kill me either,” replied Cyrus. “My sister… I know her, she's not like that,” said Adrianna. “So who leaked what happened in your bedroom? And why do they have half the story? I can, I just did not want to and we both agreed that for Agatha's sake, we shouldn't. You were her best friend,” this was one reason Cyrus had shown Adrianna this much grace. He believ
Cyrus' POV “Your Majesty, I have confirmed that some of the funds never left Ghysem,” Altid was saying. I was beginning to get tired of the case of the governor. What had started out as a simple embezzlement case was turning into something bigger and more complex. Everything about the case bothered me. Altid was a councilman who worked for the palace. Like Larog he helped gather evidence of crimes and helped influence decisions I made concerning governance. “Why is that?” I questioned. “I have good reason to believe that the funds are in Lord Salmon's home,” he said. “Good reason? A search has been conducted to disprove that already,” nothing had been found in Cyrus' home that pointed to having more money than he should. In fact, I had been surprised to see that his mansion was quite conservative and toned down for a noble lord. I believed that was why I had given the man the benefit of the doubt. Unlike most noble lords, Salmon was not extravagant nor did he care for flamboyant
“Our best course of action for now is not to alert them; they shouldn't know we know what they know,” said Theo. He was right of course, it would be foolish to reveal our hand just yet. “What do you think they're trying to steal from the palace?” I asked. I did not think they were trying to end my life in my sleep. I felt that they wanted something much more than that. “Perhaps it's Agnes; your care for her has become a cause of concern amongst your subjects…” “Theo…” “Let me finish, Cyrus, please. You care for her greatly. If she is kidnapped your reaction might help your enemy usurp the throne quicker as your people will not support you. Already there are talks of dissensions amongst your warriors; they question if it is worth risking their lives for you in a war if you are going to choose a human over them,” what Theo had just said made perfect sense. Whatever strategy I employed to take care of this I had to ensure that I had the trust of my people but I could not afford to lo
I arrived at Belfast with Theo and some councilmen who were responsible for searching the house. After hours of searching and coming up with nothing, Altid stood outside the house, his hands on his hip and a look of genuine confusion on his face. It was hard to tell if he was faking or if indeed he was frustrated with the futile search. “It seems like there is nothing here,” I said, watching him to see his reaction. “My tip mentioned a vault,” he said, he looked to be deep in thought. “Your men have searched six vaults and found nothing. Whatever gold has been found so far does not belong to Ghysem but is the man's personal property,” I said. I had stopped them from taking the gold they had found in the house because when it had been valued it had been the exact amount Salmon had listed it as in his record of wealth. “Your Majesty, I believe the gold here is…” “It is not. These bars belong to a very old time; much older than your parents, Altid. It is gold that has been passed fo
We were thirty minutes into our trip and all was quiet in the carriage. I wondered what Simeon's strategy would be in stealing the plans from me. “Your Majesty, you have had nothing to eat, please let me buy you some food. There is an inn nearby,” Simeon broke the silence in the carriage. I wondered if this was his plan; to drug me and then steal from me. “We should stop at the inn and perhaps spend the night. It has been an exhausting day for all of us,” replied Theo. “But… I don't know Theo. We have… we need to get to the palace tonight,” I expressed dissatisfaction about this plan. “Your Majesty, I will guard it… you all night. You have nothing to worry about,” Theo said. “I can stand guard too… I…” “No one would be guarding anything or anyone. We are not making a stop until we reach the palace. We continued in silence and then a few minutes later, Simeon's stomach let out a loud growl indicating he was hungry. He gave an embarrassed smile and said, “I have had nothing to ea
It was Simeon alright. He was lying there pale on the ground with an open wound on the back of his head. No one needed a crime specialist to know how he had died. A blunt object had been used to knock him out and the bruises on his neck were indicative of being strangled. Someone had murdered him in cold blood and daylight. Who was with the Alpha then? My blood ran cold; I had told the Alpha that it was alright for Simeon to follow him. The man with the Alpha was not Simeon, he was an imposter. I had heard of shapeshifters before and there were rumors in fact of a shapeshifter appearing in the palace but this… this was surreal. “Wrap him up. His family will give him a proper burial,” I said, my voice heavy with sadness as I bent down to shut the man's eyes. “Timothy, I want you to go to the palace and deliver the news to the king. It must be fine with the utmost discretion. You have to ensure the imposter is not aware that his secret has been found out. If you have to bed its li
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