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XENDAYA. The heatwaves are visible around me, rippling tauntingly in the surrounding air… The burning heat is unbearable, almost as if it’s incinerating my organs within my body… My entire body is screaming in agony. It’s too hot, my head feels like it’s going to burst. Night has fallen, yet I still stand. I’m parched, my feet have long since numbed from the intense agony. The throbbing pain from the burns is something I have become accustomed to, but it’s so intense that I can no longer feel where it starts and ends. My head is ringing from the pain, but it’s too overwhelming for me to process. I was moving around before trying to keep the heat off as much as possible, but I’m no longer able to move. But I refuse to show any kind of weakness, refuse to show that I am in agony… I am more wolf than vampire, but from my mother, I did inherit some of her strength, and I know right now it is that which is keeping me conscious. Shayara has disappeared into the far corner of my mind
AGNARR. Night has fallen, and I have just returned. The castle is silent. I heard nothing from my men, no good news nor bad… but the atmosphere when I return is sombre. Does it mean she is not getting better? It’s been a while since something aside from Nefzaan has consumed my mind. I make my way to the infirmary before stopping at the open arch. “Your majesty…” Garza, the head healer, whispers, as the rest of the healers cower in fear. “What are the results?” I ask coldly as I push open the door to the room she is in. “She is not healing, she is far too weak, and her wounds are dire… I’m not sure how she is alive.” Garza bows low, her words irritating me. “Then what are you good for!” I snarl. How was she standing if she was in this state? It can’t be true. As much as I want to decapitate the healer, I need her for the war to come. “Leave.” I snarl. They obey without delay, and I brush the curtain that covers the bed aside and look down at the woman on the bed. My gut tw
XENDAYA. Half an hour later, I do feel better. The bath became easier, even soothing, as the hot weather didn’t help either and after a soak I am washed with a gentle soothing balm before I am patted dry and rebandaged. “Can I get some kind of hair balm or something for my locks? My hair has become brittle. What’s left of it, anyway,” I murmur, touching my strands. “I’m afraid we don’t really have anything much for hair here… but I will ask the herb master,” she replies as she ties my wet hair up off my neck. I sense him before I hear him. His powerful aura is like an enigma of its own and I tense, my heart thundering. ‘Xenie… remember, calm down. We do not want to be hurt again.’ Shayara tries to calm me. I sit there, my breasts heaving with rage that I am simply unable to hide… how dare he… Garza places a thin cotton gown around me, and I slowly clutch it at the front. I’m only wearing bandages underneath. “Excuse me,” she murmurs as if knowing to clear the room. She’s leavi
XENDAYA. The following day, I'm allowed to return to my quarters, a place in which I have only spent my first night. But there have already been considerable changes made here. The bedding is now dark green, and the floor also is covered with a deep green rug. Sheer curtains are hanging from the windows and there are several gold ornaments. Is it his doing? I’m still angry and resentful of him and all I want to do is- ‘Kill him, yes we know,’ Shayara cuts in. ‘I think he’s regretful-’ ‘Are you siding with him now?’ She’s quiet, but I can sense her hesitation. ‘No, I just think he regretted his actions…’ ‘Regret doesn’t bring my hair back, regret doesn’t take away the pain I experienced.’ I say harshly, my eyes flashing, making the slave women accompanying me exchange looks of fear. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d think you are somehow beginning to have a soft spot for him.’ ‘No, I just…’ she sighs, seeming confused and slinks away to a far corner of my mind and I try to calm my
XENDAYA. The sun is shining through the window as, yet another morning dawns. The weather seems to have improved in the last few days, and it doesn’t seem as hot anymore, but it is still very warm. ‘Is that really not a dream?’ Shayara moans as memories of last night swim in my mind. I’m unable to remove the images of last night from my head. She’s jealous, but I don’t understand why she would be. Agnarr can rot in hell. I don’t want him, nor do I want his hands on me. ‘But his hands seem to hold some magic.’ Shayara protests. I wish to stay in bed but I am unable to when my three ladies-in-waiting enter. I know they’re slaves but the more time I spend with them; I am unable to address them or see them as slaves. “Good morning my lady, the King has ordered for you to dine with him today,” Karza says as she opens the sheer curtains that hang around the bed. ‘Not bathe?’ Shayara says almost unhappily. ‘We were burned to the doors of hell the last time we bathed together.’ I remi
AGNARR. She was there last night, and I had seen her watching as I went for a little distraction down in one of the halls of my harem. I had half expected her to turn and storm away but she had not… Yet it intrigued me that she had been turned on by it. I gave her a little show and I’m sure what the boys were doing also caught her attention. I smirk as her eyes widen at my words and she tries to push my hand away, but I’m stronger and her body is reacting very differently than her actions to push me away. Her scent is enticing, the pull that I feel to her is intense. I can hear the pounding of her heart, the way her breasts are rising and falling, the outline of her hardened nipples… Touching her is different… and even though she is wearing what many women here wear, the effect she has on me is extremely different. She is an extremely beautiful woman, one that I want to try and enjoy. I trail my hand up between her thighs and her eyes flash as she grips my wrist, stopping me in
XENDAYA. A few hours have passed, and I have been locked in my room all this time. I’m frustrated and agitated and I hate feeling so helpless! ‘Calm down, he is only taking care of us,’ Shayara murmurs. She’s bored too. We were never the type to just stay home and be locked inside. That is something Morwenna would be ok with as long as she had a good book. ‘I don’t know about that. I’m not a useless treasure that needs protecting! Goddess, this man!’ ‘He fixed our hair,’ Shayara reminds me. ‘Why do I feel you are on his side and not mine?’ I ask as I look down at my hair. ‘Of course not!’ she protests. ‘I am you, so I am on your side.’ ‘Mhmm.’ I shake my head, examining my hair. It’s beautiful, I can’t deny that, but it doesn’t mean I hate him any less. And the cheek to ask me if I wanted to hump after! What the fuck does he take me for? Hump! He can go hump a cushion like the dog he is! ‘We are closer to dogs than dragons.’ Shayara inputs extremely unhelpfully. ‘Did you ju
XENDAYA. He’s observing me intently, but I truly want to know more. “Whether either of us like it or not, I am one of your Queens. Don’t I have the right to know exactly who our enemy is, and what exactly he wants?” I ask. “Our? You are waiting for a chance to slip away, a chance to be free of me and my people, are you not?” He smirks and I frown. “I am. But I also am a part of this kingdom right now. I should know what it is that we are facing and why. You can’t deny that.” “If I tell you… it means that you can never leave me… oh, I almost forgot.” He smirks and I frown. “Forgot what?” “That you already cannot leave.” He mocks, making irritation flash through me. Oh, I’ll be leaving. The glint in his eyes is cunning, almost challenging, and I don’t like it. I force my gaze away and my attention falls on the blood that is trickling out of his cut, the smell enticing me. Blood might be something I desire… but it is not a necessity. And right now, I want a taste… I avert my gaz
Four years later… “What are you thinking of?” Agnarr asks as he climbs into the lake beside me, his eyes on our children. “I was wondering what the gender of this one might be,” I remark, patting my flat stomach, our fourth child is on the way, although there is still a lot of time yet. Agnarr cocks a brow as he settles against the rocks and moves me in front of him. “A son.” Another son?” I say, looking at our three sons. Each one has dark hair with different shades of green eyes. I see Agnarr in them all. Arkyn is nearly four years old, Fenrir is three and Roald is one and a half. They play in the water, splashing around, and even little Roald splashes powerfully. He is a water dragon and likes to drown his brothers in waves of water. “Yes, I told you, we will have many sons.” I smile, not arguing because so far he has been correct. Plus, a seer we saw said he will indeed have many sons and I am happy to give them to him. Pregnancy got easier each time and with the short spa
XENDAYA. A few weeks have passed, and we are in the new castle that now has been built to the extent that it is liveable, although there is plenty of construction left with help from experts in plumbing and electric work from Clair De Lune. However, enough quarters have been made for some of us and the staff to move in and tonight we are celebrating our victory. Our dead have been buried, our friends have left us to return to their lands, with new oaths of allegiances being forged and life has been good. Dad and Mom returned home too, hoping I’d visit them soon, and Mom promised they would come visit when the little one arrives. Niko was challenging several Alphas who were to try for the title of Alpha of Alphas in a few weeks, but we all know Niko will win. He is powerful. Lycus who had watched the kingdom in their stead also wrote to me. Although he mainly spoke of Niko’s training, I hoped despite our damaged relationship one day we can rebuild it. Callista is enjoying life as
XENDAYA. I awake to the sound of the magical song of an Elven King falling in battle and I do not need to be told in words that Orrian Keyxina, King of Elandorr, has fallen in battle, for this song says it all. Silent tears trickle down my cheeks as I sit up and the two women there instantly bow their heads. I touch my stomach, but I don’t need them to confirm. My baby is perfectly fine, his strong heartbeat thudding powerfully. ‘Our pup is perfectly fine.’ Shayara says softly. ‘We did it Xenie…’ ‘We did’ “Your baby is healthy, My Queen.” The healer says, bowing her head. “And the King?” “Outside with the armies.” She bows her head, and it feels as if a burden has been lifted, but the fear I still possess as I wonder who we have lost makes me worried. I slowly get out of the blanket, and the other healer helps me into a cotton gown. I feel weak, but I am fine. I step out of the tent, slowly making my way towards the large army that has gathered, sprawling out for miles. Tents
AGNARR. The battle cost us, even if victory was ours… Xendaya is in a makeshift tent and a healer has taken a look at her. She and my son are both fine, but she is very weak. She suffered blunt force trauma to her back, which impacted her womb, but she is well - they both are. She was given blood and we now wait until she wakes up. Although I don’t want to leave her, I need to meet the rest of the armies who have gathered. To learn how many we have lost and to thank our allies. Nefzaan’s men who did not surrender were killed, and those who did surrender are being held prisoner until justice is served. ‘Agnarr… where are you?’ Kaizoran’s voice comes. He sounds exhausted. The heavy footfalls from outside prove that a considerable sized army has returned. ‘I am coming.’ I respond, stepping around the corner of the tents. I stop in my tracks, looking at Hazran and Dagnoth’s lifeless bodies that Kaizoran carries. I frown slightly but simply shake my head. Niko is beside him and alth
XENDAYA. ‘Xendaya!’ I hear Agnarr’s shout as my mind spins, before he dives towards me, shifting back to his human form with his wings spread behind him, catching me as he shields me from the assault of boulders and debris that rains down upon us. “Are you alright?” he asks, his hand going to my stomach as he holds me to his chest. “I am. He’s powerful.” I say, coughing and tasting the blood in my mouth. I don’t think I’m alright… I can feel a sharp pain spasming through my lower back and up my spine. ‘He always was. Stay here.’ He commands, his voice shaking with a rage that makes my own heart skip a beat. He puts me down just as Nefzaan attacks. This time Agnarr doesn’t hold back, not restraining how far his flames carry, filling the sky with an orange hue. The ground that is covered in a thick layer of ice now starts to morph into large spikes, “That bastard!” Agnarr snarls, lifting me off the floor as he flies me to safer ground. ‘Let’s end this now…’ I say, ‘Shay… what we
XENDAYA. A smile crosses his handsome face before his aura explodes, and I watch as he transforms into his true and most powerful form. A magnificent black dragon that shines with an emerald hue. The most beautiful and incredible dragon I have ever seen. His magnificent wings beat powerfully, and I grab onto his back and jump on. I was wrong. Agnarr’s dragon is larger than his grandfather's, albeit only by a little. The fading pain in my back is like a memory almost forgotten. We rise above the castle, and I’m focusing on the battle before me. Nothing else is important. Agnarr sends a ball of fire at them, and they counter it swiftly. With every attack Agnarr sends, I am using my abilities to reinforce the fires, pushing them against theirs. The brutal winds are only making the flames spread and with my power combined, they can only duck or try to avoid the deadly flames, yet the way they move, despite their size, is swift, agile and calculated. The Ancient Dragon Flames destroy
ORRIAN. We have succeeded in securing the front, breaking through the castle walls and watching the walls come down. The roar of victory fills the air, and I raise my hand. “Wait! We will not enter until we have the signal.” I say loud and clear, watching the dragons in the air. There’s something strange around the two of them… a dark energy that makes me hesitate. “In that time, take care of the injured.” Someone passes me water and I gulp it down as I search the darkening skies before observing those dragons. There’s some kind of barrier swirling around the area. I watch as several dragons try to hammer against it, but it’s as if there’s an invisible wall… “King Orrian! King Remiel is injured! We are the closest to them. Our soldier has begged for assistance!” I turn sharply, gazing at the wolf who had spoken. Remiel has not signalled… but I can see the truth in the eyes of the man before me. “Hold your position. I want fifty of the strongest with me!” I say, “Khalen, I want
MORGANA. Dragons. They are something different. Fighting against them is not something I have ever experienced, and it is new for me and for our people. They work together with resilience and determination, yet at the same time, if you isolate one, it will still hold against its opponent, with the force of a dozen wolves combined. Their scales and their bodies can take more than other species… The older the dragon… the more powerful it is… and although Agnarr is older than me, he is a baby in comparison to many of his enemies’ men. That is something I noticed. Agnarr leads the younger generation, and although his numbers have grown larger than Nefzaan’s, he does not have age on his side. For those that Nefzaan has recruited under his command are ancient. Xenie… My child, be safe… I pray that Agnarr reaches her. I saw him light the skies on fire earlier, heard his thunderous roar and I can only hope that he has gotten to my daughter. That she is safe. I would question the gods
XENDAYA. I watch as Agnarr’s wings spread behind him, his eyes blazing, those sharp slits fixed on Nefzaan whose rage clashes against Agnarr’s. But power reigns supreme. ‘You should never underestimate the Kingslayer!’ Nefzaan snarls as he spreads his wings, his voice reverberating around us. I can see smoke in the distance, see the battle commencing, and Shayara snarls, her anger and power radiating through me. ‘We must be ready to rejoin the battle,’ she growls. I nod. Even if Agnarr expects me to stay out of the way, it will not happen. He has fought alone before and even now when it feels he will succeed, Nefzaan is too calm and that is why we are partners… This is our battle to be fought as one. Together. I just need energy… and a little time to heal. I look down at Liya, who is alive but unconscious, much to my relief. Taking a deep breath, I stretch my leg which is healing, feeling the throbbing pain slowly ease up. Just a little while longer… Nefzaan is not a reckless