Belladonna woke up to the sunlight seeping from the curtain and flashing warmly against her eyelids.Asides from feeling like the world had slipped away too fast and the time had most likely jumped, there was a slight banging in her head that she had to deal with. Her fingers ran through her hair, meeting it tangled though, she had to pull them out and pressed them against her creased forehead instead in a search for relief.Why did it feel like she was forgetting something?Just as that thought had crossed her mind, images folded her mind, she cringed as she remembered how she had acted intoxicated and how shameless every of her move had been.The knock on the door made her jump and with slightly stumbling steps from how weak she felt, she had answered the door. It was the new maid but she didn't really have anything to say it her. It was weird to see someone else attending to her that wasn't Raquel, she would have to check on her later today to see if she was getting better. In se
Honestly, at this point she felt her fear was groundless. If she were to get pregnant, Eli would certainly not turn against his own child but the thought of going against a promise she had made for herself for such a long time didn't go down well with her. It was a sought of control she had that she wasn't ready to lose. Nor take actions that might put her at risk of losing it."I'd rather not. It is too...""Too what?" He asked."Tempting." He chuckled, leaning in for a kiss. Her hand moved up instinctively, the keys jiggling by the sudden movement as she raised it inbetween them to create an obstruction."I also came to return your keys.""Keep it." He pulled her hands down, pulling her closer. "Just in case you need to ambush me again.""I won't."He chuckled. She expected him to pull away, maintain the sought of boundary that he usually would but it seemed something had changed in their relationship and he stayed put, moving her hand up his cheek to caress his cheek. The hard
Belladonna was the most puzzled. This conversation had gone astray."I don't." Why would Lady Kestra even think that?Her features relaxed into relief and a slow smile play at the corners of her lips. Lady Kestra seem to have different kinds of smiles, each fitting for each situation and somehow she seemed to always have the right smile on at every instance.Except that grin. That wide grin that always felt aching to even look at. It must be because of her perfect white set of teeth, maybe that was why she loved showing them off so much, because they were just so beautiful.With her gaze piercing down into hers though, Belladonna felt the need to stand her ground and make things clear. So she rose up to her feet, and took a couple of steps away from the chair. Her eyes skimmed over her sewing machine and she remembered briefly that she hadn't given out supplies for any order today. Ah. That reminded her of Raquel. She missed her so much. Despite her new maid's hardwork, she just
A week had passed by really fast. Belladonna had watched how the hallway were decorated, the golden statues moved, the chandeliers cleaned and fixed back. She had observed how Eli had been busy too and despite her wanting a chance to ask him about Lady Kestra's mission and if it had yielded any success, she had tried to be understanding but he had always found time to come to her, giving her reports of his day and how it had gone. During one of these chances, she had asked him about Lady Kestra's journey and his reply had been, "Not much success but she found more elixir for my random pain." Then he had added jokingly, although she didn't find it funny at all. "Seems I shall last till the Red Moon."It wasn't until that night that she remembered about the random attack Eli once had in the garden some time ago. Even as she was reminded of the memory, it still felt a little blur to her. This was starting to be concerning. The way she seemed to be forgetting things. Although, she was
"How is the dress, my Lady?"Belladonna's smile broadened, remembering the seamstress was still there."It's perfect except but for a few things."The amendment the seamstress had to make was a minor one, but she had still had to take the dress back and bring it later in the evening all fixed and ready to be worn.Once the seamstress left, Lady Kestra spoke up again. "It seems everything is in order." She said, clicking her nails against each other as she looked around. "Good. I shall see you in the evening."Belladonna smiled, too happy to observe if anything was off about Lady Kestra's presence. "Ah, yes." She snapped her fingers, the kind of snap that she always used to dismiss servants anytime she was done with their service, but there was none in the room. "I almost forgot."Almost forgot?Wow!So Lady Kestra was capable of things like that. Forgetting."I would have sworn forgetting wasn't something you were capable of." Belladonna slipped into her gown with ease, but before
Belladonna paced around the room, her gaze darting to the door once again. The semestress was supposed to be back, in fact, she was supposed to be back about thirty minutes ago. Lady Kestra had started styling her hair while they were waiting for her and now she was done and still, the semestress was not yet back."Relax, I am sure everything is fine. Maybe she is just adding some finishing touch to make the dress more glamorous." Lady Kestra offered her a smile as she lead her back to the dressing chair and made her sit, so that she could take a look at the finalized hairstyle.The low bun was beautiful, with a curly braid at either sides of her head, as they rested on her ears.Belladonna smiled in appreciation but her worry didn't allow her fully have time to appreciate the beauty Lady Kestra had made her into. "We should send someone to get her." Belladonna rose up to her feet, pacing once again. "The ceremony has started already.""Good. All eyes will be on you when you arrive."
Belladonna curled and uncurled on the floor, scratching her nails against the red rug.Nothing felt comfortable enough to give her even a little ease, despite the fact that she was already naked, the heat didn't leave.The next thing she felt was cold water dripping down her skin as someone dumped a bucket of it on her body.Water should kill fire but it had only worsened the situation. It felt more like fuel instead and her cry of agony was lung wreaking. The scream tore through her body, her face wet with unending tears as she danced around the floor like a salted worm. Wishing with all her heart that the pain would just go away. Kestra was fast to lay her hand on her, chanting a spell as fast as she could, her incomprehensible words stumbling over another till the Bride stayed still and her breathing was once again even. Together, the three ladies lifted her up to the bed.Belladonna sight was blurry and her head felt foggy with dizziness. Her lungs felt so dry that she had an u
"Arriving, Belladonna Drayzika, Bride of the Dragon King." Lady Kestra announced and the murmurs of the ballroom went into an immediate silence, the people shocked at their wrong assumption.Impossible. Maybe she wasn't real? Maybe this was all an illusion? Magic? Black magic? That was if it existed although so far, it seemed it did because there was no way the Bride actually survived and the King hadn't plan this as a trap but a real ceremony.Their King was evil, right?Eli sighed in relief. What was that about? Why had she taken so long to speak?He continued walking to the door but stopped immediately, when he caught sight of his Donna step in. His breath gone for as long as he could go without it, while he savour the sight of her stunning mirror, sleeveless, long red dress coupled with equally long, red arm gloves. Her black curly hair was in a high pony tail and that brought his attention to her neck. She had on no fancy necklace, as the one made for her to keep away the Bride
Her stomach rumbled, but it was quiet, and for the sake of her dignity, she hoped that he hadn't heard it. “You don't need the sun, you need food; I know a place.”“Get out of my sun.”“I’ll take you there.” Quickly she was on her feet, his arm along her waist to keep her stable. “Are you even listening or are you just deliberately ignoring me?”“Deliberately ignoring you.” “What? I expect the elderly to behave with more sense,” she jabbed, annoyed with his interference. “There are no elderly here.”In a flash, he is with Arlo. Then before she could tell, they were before a table that must have been prepared for them only moments ago. She was dizzy from the speed but the lovely aroma in the air could not be mistaken; there was food here. She felt Ikrus push her into a chair and she took her seat, blinking to regain her stability and clear vision. When she finally did, she looked around. They were in a kind of glass room with flowers on the ceiling. The table before her was smal
She cleared her throat, changing the topic. “Is my age a problem for you, Ikrus?”He sucked in a deep breath, looking away, still thinking about why he had brought her and Arlo here - still trying to figure out his thoughts. “No. I was merely surprised, that is all.” “I’m not bothered either.” She leaned closer to him, a hair’s breadth between them, catching him off guard with her action. “Don’t worry,” she skimmed her fingers over his hair and he stilled, forcing himself not to move as more of her fragrance consumed his air. “I have always fancied old men.”What?!Old men?!Old men where?!“I’m not old,” he said, clearly offended. “You are thirty-two,” she said as she lay down and closed her eyes. “Exactly. I am not old.”She felt his shadow over her and she sighed, wanting the warmth of the sun on her skin once again. “You are thirty-two… and blocking the sun.”“That is not old at all.” He sounded like he was losing his mind, but his voice was leveled. She shrugged nonchalantly
She turned to him sharply, wheels turning dangerously in her head already to come up with a lie, her lungs clogging with fear, only for her to discover that he wasn't looking at her but at someone else. “Look! Arlo is walking!” He declared in hushed excitement. Aniya rolled her eyes, taking a deep breath of relief, tucking away the poison bottle. He didn't catch her, she could still kill him. “Arlo can walk.”“For long distances like that?” He turned to her, surprised. “Yes.”“Oh.”“In fact, we must redesign the room to accommodate him. He keeps on trying to pull things down.”Ikrus frowned. In a flash, he was holding Arlo who was strongly protesting against being held. He certainly wanted to play on the ground. “How old is the little one?”“Arlo,” she said, emphasizing his name, subtly ensuring that he wouldn't call him “little one” again, “will be two soon.”Ikrus nodded, taking the information in as he easily moved Arlo from one hand to another in his struggle to get down. “H
Aniya told her about the strange lily she found in her coin bag while telling her how she had come by it, although leaving out part of the poison, while watching to see if the witch had told Oana about what she was searching for. It didn't seem like the witch told her anything. “I have seen something like that in my room before,” Aniya said. “I’m scared of what it means and I am afraid—” she looked over to Arlo for the umpteenth time, “of harm coming to Arlo or me.” Oana was very concerned and she said she would tell the Alpha and Luna about it so that they could give orders for the Pack House to be thoroughly searched. Then Aniya asked, “What about last night? Why did the sun suddenly come up and merge with the moon?” She rushed to the window. “Everything seems normal now.”“Elder Superior said it was a result of something that happened in another realm. It is none of our concern; our Realm stays unaffected, and all the portals remain sealed.” Aniya panicked.Another realm? Wha
That night, after they had both eaten, Alaris took Belladonna to a nearby river, where a burning incense was placed on a leaf pad to float away. “It is to let go of the past and begin anew,” he has explained. It was something that helped Belladonna even though she hadn't known she needed it. Her heart felt lighter and with a more positive perspective, she left the river bank.The Belarion Rebellion and the rest of the Cave had fully returned now. Shortly after, Belladonna and Alaris started trying to create the army. They were once again under an open sky. Nyka watched from a distance, just like every one of the dragon people had been advised to do. Her father was right next to her, he wasn't supposed to be here. He was still injured from the torture he had received from the White King’s warriors that had captured him but he was terrified that if he as much took a step from her, the Heir would seize her and kill her. “What do I do?” Belladonna asked, trying to shake off the press
[LYCANS’ REALM]The coins vibrated on the floor, clanking as they added to the slight trembling she could feel around her. Aniya’s heart jumped. Quickly, she dashed to her bed and grabbed Arlo, taking him swiftly into her arms. She could hear a bell ringing from a distance. Voices of terrified people seeping into the air, even with her ordinary human hearing, the building chaos felt loud to her.What was going on? Before she could make it out of the room, though, she felt someone sweep her away, and in a flash, she was in an enclosed space, an arm around her, so that she held Arlo between them. She knew it was Ikrus; with such speed and the feeling of momentarily ease that went through her, it could be no one else. She hated the Matebond for many things but for this little ease that she could feel right now, she appreciated it a little. Even if this relief was a lie that everything was alright, it was better than the sheer terror she had been experiencing.The rumbling continued,
Finally, they were under an open sky.The Moon was full in its glory above them. “It is a perfect night,” Ny'ka said before intertwining her with Belladonna's.“Close your eyes.”She obeyed. “Think of the Bearer, of her grave, of her presence, and connect with her.”The Bearer. Belladonna allowed her mind to roam, remembering the silver-haired woman she would always dream about. She had never seen her face so there was no way she could see that. The image was blurry and soon it was nothing but darkness. “Open the windows, open the door,” she could hear Alaris' voice. Then she remembered her way of sealing the windows and the doors of her mind. So many things were happening in her mind. She could see the path to the castle, down to that room, to that sarcophagus, Then she was back in that room again - with the windows sealed and the doors locked.There was a white beam outside the window and a woman with long silver hair that shadowed her face.“Open the doors and the windows!”
“Don't kill me please, I believe now. You are the Heir, you are the savior. I see it.” Ny'ka begged. They were in one of the underground rooms, away from the people of the Belarion Rebellion and those of the Cave. This was something Alaris didn't want many to know about.“Please, take my life instead and spare my daughter,” Leader Tyrek begged. He knew what crimes Nyka had committed, the Priest told him everything.“You tried to kill me,” Alaris said to Ny'ka who was still on her knees, begging, tears running down her cheeks.“It was a mistake. It won't happen again.”Alaris smiled. “It won't.”He held her wrist and pulled her up, but while he did that, he crushed her bones, and pressing his flames into her skin, he healed her, just like he had seen it happen with Nightshade and that stranger in the Castle during their escape.It was an excruciating moment for Ny'ka and it didn't help that he did it again and again and again…By the time he was done, she was back on her knees, breat
The moment the ambush came upon them, some guards had taken Ny'ka and discreetly escaped from the scene. They were headed to the White King’s Castle to be highly rewarded for bringing to him the daughter of the leader of the revolution against him. They were supposed to take Leader Tyrek along too, but it seemed the guards who had him in captivity had been attacked. There would be much to tell the King upon getting to the castle. While they silently snuck away, Ny'ka found a way to free herself from the bondage and attacked them. She would rather die than have them take her alive; it was looking like that was the only option for her until she felt she had until Alaris' showed up. He descended from the sky with his massive leathery wings and he saved her; he killed the guards and swept her up into the air in his arms. In that moment, she saw what the others saw in him. A saviour.In that moment, something changed. “You saved me,” she said, the wind almost stealing her words away