Serana POV.After watching Vilkas storm out of the room, I lean back and take a few deep breaths. How are we going to get through this?“When will it end?” I mumble as I rub my forehead and Valeria takes my hand in hers as she sits on the bed next to me.“Unfortunately, I don’t know. Ruling a kingdom and a realm is hard work, Serana. You both have been through so much, you more so than Vilkas. No-one would blame you if you chose to go home.” Is she serious right now?“I’m not going anywhere. Vilkas is my mate, and this is his realm. Don’t try to push me away because things are getting chaotic again. Even if he decides he doesn’t want me here, it is tough shit. I’m not leaving him or the people of this realm.” I say, looking right at her, and she smiles before looking down.“You are so much like your mother. She was the same. Even when she felt like giving up, she never did. She put everyone before herself. You are the same in that. You still need to rest, Serana. You don’t have long b
Vilkas POV.“No need to bow to me, Vilkas. Please, I thought it was time I came to see you in person, so to speak.” Rhiannon says with a slight chuckle, and I sit back down and wait for her to speak.“As you now know, I was the one who helped rid Xerxes from your mate. She is strong, but she couldn’t face him alone. All her energy was spent protecting your son. That is why I placed her in a coma. Bedelia and I battled him and broke the corruption. Xerxes is now gone and so is his corruption.” I breathe a breath of relief as I smile up at her.“Thank you Goddess. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help with dealing with this. The Dragon Realm will be eternally grateful for all you have done.” She shakes her head at me and sighs as she looks around the tower.“No, that praise should go to Serana and Bedelia. I only helped slightly. But that is not why I am here. You still have a way to go. There are some that don’t wish to see Serana or Cyra on the throne.” I growl at her words
Serana POV.As Lara and I walk through the marketplace, I can see the curious looks of some of the dragons. Some are really friendly and are too happy to help, whereas some look at me with disdain. I just look at them and raise an eyebrow at them.“You would think they would be grateful for what you did for them.” Lara says as she glares at the ones who are showing hostility. I chuckle at her.“Some of them see me as an outsider and a threat to the throne. They are right. I am a threat, and they will learn that soon enough.” I say as I hold my head high and glare at each of them, and I know Bedelia is on the surface as we walk by.“Still, you know why we came here.” I say to her and she smiles at me before she winks at me.“I like this. Besides, can’t you read their minds?” I stop walking and look at her and chuckle at myself. Of course, I can. Damn baby brain.“Hold on to that thought.” I say as I look around and lock eyes with one of the dragons who snarls at me and I look her up an
Serana POV.I have been watching those around me, especially after the confrontation with the constipated bitch. I have noticed the people in the palace are wary of me and those who came with me.Lara has been keeping her eye on Emalia and the elders and has her evidence that they are planning to overthrow the throne and take Vilkas by force using drugs. When she told me this, I told Vilkas, and he is now watching and waiting but is being cautious.“Any word from Joel yet?” Lara says as we take a walk in the palace gardens. Cyra has not left my side and I know she is feeling the changes in the surrounding people.“Not, yet. It has been just over a week. I have a feeling they will put their plan in to action very soon. Have you spoken to Hyperion?” I say to her as we watch our surroundings for any listening ears.“Yes, he is ready, and so is Wesley. Just say the word and they will mobilise.” She says, and I nod my head.“We need to a find a way around the stone guardians that are guard
Serana POV.I walk back into the palace and head towards my room to clean up before I go and see Joel. The guards I pass all look at me in shock. The beautiful white dress is dyed red with blood. Blood drips from my face and hands with each step I take.“Goddess, Serana. What happened, child?” Valeria asks as she rushes closer to me and checks me over for any injury.“I’m ok. This blood isn’t mine.” I say to her, but I look at Apollo and he gulps.“Whose blood is it, child?” I look back at her and smirk at her.“Emalia’s, you know Vilkas’s chosen.” I say to her and her eyes go wide as she takes a step back, shaking her head.“What do you mean his chosen? Vilkas doesn’t have a chosen.” I chuckle at her.“Not anymore, he doesn’t. No, she deserved what she got. After all, no-one threatens what is mine.” I say when she nods her head slowly in shock.“Especially my hatchlings.” I say to her and she growls as she looks at me.“Who has been threatening my babies?” she says and I see her eyes
Serana POV.“They are here.” Lara says to me and I smirk as I stand and walk through the palace towards the front door. Hearing roars and screams as I walk through the door.The pounding of feet on the ground and growls coming from the werewolves, Lycans, and vampires that march forward in formation. I hold my head that little bit higher as I look out over the crowd of dragons as they look on in curiosity and some holding fear and panic.“Some of these dragons only want peace.” Lara says to me from the side as Vilkas and his parents stand on the other side of me.“Majesty, we are here at your command,” Wesley says as he bows to me and the troops all follow his lead. I nod at him. When a commotion is heard coming from the dragons.“Move aside, out of our way.” I look at the elders as they push their way through the crowds to stand at the bottom of the palace steps.“What is the meaning of this? We demand an answer at once.” I smile at him. This old fool will pay for this treachery.“I’
Vilkas POV.The feelings coming from Serana make me choke; she is breaking all over again. I move closer to her as she sobs, clutching her chest.“It’s ok, I’m here.” I try to hold her, but she looks at me with hurt and betrayal in her eyes, even hate burning in her fiery eyes. It stops me dead in my tracks. She struggles to get up and I reach for her, but she moves away from me.“Serana, baby, let me help you.” I try to soothe her, but she flinches away from me. What happened? She was fine. Now she looks broken. Why?“I’m fine. I don’t need you to come closer to me,” she says as she stands as Lara comes closer to her and I see the worry on Lara’s face. Even Serana moves away from her. No, she is not doing this.“She is going to run away.” Jaka says and I move towards her when she backs away from me. The look in her eyes breaks me. She is scared and confused.“Serana, I won’t hurt you.” I say to her when she shudders in fear. Her fear perfumes the air as she looks at me like a wounded
Serana POV.“You Lycan whore.” I’m trapped as I watch everything. I relive everything he did to me. I watch as he takes me roughly on his bed back in the palace. I shake my head as I scream in pain at what I’m watching.I can’t move. I’m rooted to my spot as I watch everything unfold. I sink to the floor and rock back and forth to soothe myself. I can’t even look away or close my eyes. It is like I’m being forced to watch this all over again.I claw at my face as I scream out. When I feel it, pain. Being thrown down the stairs and dragged mercilessly into the kitchen and my head thrown into the sink full of water. My lungs burn as I watch this.“It’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not real.” I clutch my head as I rock. When I scream again. I watch him mark Starci and I choke as I gasp for breath.“Serana, fight it.” A voice sounds so distance. I feel my insides being torn apart. My head feels like it will explode. I pull at my hair.The images change and morph, and I feel sick. I vomit