"You-- how---"There were too many questions she had to ask and they were crashing against one another."Listen to me," he turned away from the window, looking at her once again. "...a person planned a fire to kill the whole family, one survives. Definitely the fact that one still lived would, in some way, affect the plan of the one who wanted every one of them dead," then his voice dropped and became even darker for emphasis. "What do you think would happen if this killer finds out about this one that survived?""Come for him," she answered immediately."Exactly! That is how I know who the Bride Thief is. His reason, everything! I finally know it," then his voice became lower as he got lost in his thoughts. "That is why he wouldn't leave. He is torturing me."Belladonna staggered back, the more she knew about the Bride Thief in her dreams, the most she hated the times that she had allowed him to be so close to her and how her body had reacted to his touch, how her body had wanted eve
Two weeks had passed and Lady Kestra was still not back. During this time though, a lot of things had changed in the Castle... for Belladonna and the King.Ever since the night in his room, that he had told her about his certain death intent for the Bride Thief and what had happened to him and his family in the past, they had grown closer and closer by the day.Now, they were even more closer than they had been after he had gifted her books for apology and taken her to see his Dragon.Talking of seeing his dragon, she had asked him sometimes if she could see Pamela again but the King had refused, saying that she was being very violent these days and it would forever haunt him if any harm were to come upon her by the claws or flames of the beast. Also he had backed up his reply with the words that Belladonna was starting to believe was his best way of expressing his affection and care for her, while tucking a strand of her curls behind her ear, an act she believed meant the same thing
Belladonna eyes widened, her face focused on the mask that was being pulled off. What she saw was nothing that she could have ever imagined, something more and beyond.She had been right, he did cover it for a reason, but it wasn't the reason that she had thought.His face wasn't scared but it was different, different from any face she had ever seen.The King's skin was dark, not as dark as hers though, his eyes were the same as she had always seen it through his golden mask, seductive brown, his nose was straight, pointed and firm. Now, here comes the difference. On both sides of his upper cheekbones, were scales, they looked like they were a part of that part of his skin. Also, something about his skin seemed to be glowing lightly."You are not---""Human?"She gulped, nodding. There had been many speculations about it, even to the point that sometimes she had convinced herself that he wasn't human, but actually finding out that it was true, put her in a different headspace."I am
It was his hand. She could have never imagined it to be something like this within the gloves. From the tip of his fingers down to his wrist, underneath his skin were black zigzag lines like ink, spilling everywhere, tiny and connected like cobwebs. On a closer look, it seem like as if the ink was slowly spreading."Don't touch!" His voice startled her and that was when she realized that she had been reaching her hand foolishly to his, in order to take his hand in hers and access it. "I'm so s-sorry, your M-majesty. I didn't mean to--" the words tumbled right out of her mouth as she quickly folded her hands behind her immediately. "It is alright. It has the ability to lure.""Like magic?" She looked up quickly at him, her eyes begging for answers, explanatory answers but he only nodded."Precisely," he paused, before he added, looking back at his hand, "just like magic. Although, I am not sure what type of magic it is.""How-- what is this?""There are many things, my Bride," he s
She was on the verge of asking Raquel that question when a knock had disturbed them.Raquel stepped away from her immediately, her face blank, a quick switch. "Come in," Belladonna said as she stepped away from Raquel, walking towards the door to attend to whosever it was, only taking her eyes off her when she was close enough to the door already."Good evening, my Lady," Colin's ever calm and collected face greeted her. "His Majesty, the King, says I should inform you that it is time for the dinner." Then he looked up just in that time to catch a glance of Raquel standing in the room."There you are," he called out in relief, over Belladonna. His face fell immediately he remembered himself and he quickly apologized. "I'm really sorry, my Lady, but it is time for Raquel to take her medication once again. The Physician is ready for her."Belladonna turned back just in time to see Raquel go stiff, her shoulders tensed before she relaxed just as quickly, and started walking towards th
She swallowed.Despite the rain pouring outside, it suddenly felt hot.Really hot.When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper and although he didn't move an inch closer, she could still hear him."Be at ease. This is the wrong room." He smiled lightly then he straightened up, walking away from the bed to sleep on the sofa even though as Belladonna had said, the bed was large enough for both of them to share without colliding. That was as long as either of them stayed at their respective sides.It took a while before Belladonna's heart slowed down it's wild racing, so that she could finally be able to sleep. It was almost like as if it would never stop, but it eventually did and her eyelids slid closed effortlessly.Once again tonight, she was sleeping.Only that this time, she felt safe. ***Belladonna could have never suspected that her going up to the King's room would eventually turn into an habit, but it did turn into that.After that night, it had rained the foll
"Please come I--"The door flung open and Raquel rushed in, her voice almost inaudible with heavy breathing."My Lady, I brought you this really--," Belladonna turned to her at that time and Raquel stopped abruptly, " you are dressed." She stated flatly.Belladonna nodded with a smile, twirling around, giving her a full view of her long sleeves, V-neck and flare ankle-lenght gown.She didn't even know why she had done that but she was feeling a little giddy tonight. What was wrong with her?"A blue gown?" She asked, her face scrunched up, her voice flat, absolutely questioning and low with confusion. That was when Belladonna observed the gown she had in her hand that was still hanging in the air. She flinched internally seeing that, despite how beautiful the gown was, it was the usual color Raquel always suggested once again.Red.By Ignas, no! Not again."Yes, it matches with my eyes.""Oh, my Lady."Raquel smiled nervously, pushing the red gown she had in her hand forward, while t
"With your condition, everytime I'm with you, I'm putting my life at stake. If you really want me to help, you mustn't put me in the dark."Raquel's gaze fell to her hands that she had placed on her kneels, her tears streaming down her face, dropping to her uniform, and dissolving right into it, leaving wet patches behind."Ahhh, alright then." Belladonna sighed, holding down the doorknob.Raquel said something at that moment but her voice was too inaudible for Belladonna to hear and understand what her jumbled words meant. She dropped the doorknob and took a step towards her. "What did you say?""They have her," she repeated herself, a little audible this time, her voice a bare whisper. "They have our daughter and till my husband and I pays, they won't let her go."Belladonna's eyebrow arched up, questioning.Raquel had a daughter? That was an interesting thing to do out. Never had the thought of Raquel having a family crossed her mind. Belladonna had been too occupied with the th
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