Naomi chose not to answer the obvious taunt and glanced down at Nezetta’s outfit—a gown, tight at the bust and waist but with a flowing skirt made with the richest material in the darkest shade of black.“You look different,” she commented.“What can I say? Black is my color.” Nezetta raised her eyebrows and smiled teasingly.The music reached a crescendo so Nezetta spun Naomi and then dipped her. Upon being upright again, Naomi said, “Doom’s mistress? Really?”“Ah.” Nezetta chuckled. “You have heard of my sterling reputation. Wonderful.”Naomi sighed and interlaced the fingers they had held out. “Look, There’s something you have to know. I wasn’t myself… I haven’t been myself for a while. Daegal told me that you left after you supposedly had a conversation with me but it wasn’t me, Nezetta. It was Nerina.”Nezetta at least had the decency to look shocked. “Wh-what?” she sputtered.“Yes. I was under…” Naomi trailed off when she met Daegal’s eyes while he danced with one of the female
Ten days had passed since the New Year’s celebration which was not without drama. Though expected, the extent to which it occurred wasn’t properly thought out by either Daegal or Naomi.Yes, Nezetta was volatile and had deep-seated issues yet neither her former lover nor her brother foresaw the bitterness that radiated from her that day.Naomi and Daegal knew she would make an entrance but never anticipated that she would try to kill someone she claimed to love all because of jealousy and resentment.Ever since then, the days have been quiet, or at least as quiet as the castle could be. There was no news or more sightings of Nezetta as far as Naomi knew. Lately, though, she didn’t know so much.For some weird reason, Naomi was never aware of the proceedings during the war council and even normal council meetings that Daegal usually told her about.However, she chose not to think too much of it these past days and instead went for regulated flights around the castle on Aelyna, further
A heartbeat later, Naomi raised her eyebrows. “I do know some things about the impending war but my husband has been on the matter for a long time now.”Divya let out a whoosh of air and picked an invisible speck of dust off her skirt. “We appreciate the efforts of the emperor but the issues we came here for are more within your duties, Empress.”‘Why does everyone keep mentioning duty to me?’ Naomi groaned internally.“I am afraid that I do not understand,” Naomi said. Her words caused the women to exchange incredulous looks that made her feel incredibly stupid.Meriana sat forward. “Empress, everyone in the five kingdoms is your subject and you must make them feel at ease, especially in these troubled times. We are here on behalf of the women of our respective kingdoms to seek your guidance.”“My guidance?” Naomi repeated.“Yes, Empress,” Sera picked up. “The men are preparing for war so it is up to us women to provide some comfort to our citizens. There is only so much we can do in
The annoyance in Naomi’s heart dissipated the moment Daegal’s arms wound around her waist. He pulled her close till his face was nestled in the crook of her neck.Slowly, she snaked her arms around his neck and let herself fall into his orbit. Daegal’s familiar scent—luxurious jasmine, aromatic sandalwood, and the sweetness of the moments after a heavy downpour—filled her nostrils, making her sigh and hold on to him tighter.He smelled like home.A short while later, they both disentangled from the hug and Daegal’s lips brushed against Naomi’s forehead.“I just want you to be safe.” His voice was low but screamed the need to protect, protect, protect.“Daegal…” Naomi trailed off, her eyes pleading, beseeching for him to let her assist… To allow her to do something meaningful for him and the continent at large.His shoulders dropped as he released a heavy breath. How could he refuse when Naomi looked at him in such a manner that made his heart ache?“Fine. If it means so much to you th
Despite the agony she was in, Naomi managed to crack a smile. “Emperor, I never knew you were this wild. Where do you get your ideas from?”Daegal rolled his eyes but didn’t stop the smile from forming on his face. “Take off your clothes, Empress Naomi or do I have to do it for you?”Naomi shrugged. “I prefer your touch to mine.”“Very well.” With a snap of his fingers, Naomi’s clothes were off and she was naked before him, thighs tightly clenched together to avoid much blood staining the carpet.She frowned. “You know, when I meant your touch—ow!” A stab at her lower belly cut her off.“Shall I carry you now or do you want to keep talking? I am fine with either,” he teased.“Prick,” she mumbled in response, still bent over.“My apologies but I did not quite hear you love.”Naomi managed to send him a glare that could have melted him where he stood. “Please. Help me.”“Of course, my queen.”He swept her off her feet and to her greatest relief, she was lowered into the steaming bathtub
The official proclamation of war threw the city of Asghavia into a frenzy. Day by day, male and female citizens poured into the castle barracks to volunteer for the army.With each person recruited, the number of able-bodied soldiers increased exponentially but with the reports Emperor Daegal received from Aesos and Alsayf, their numbers were not enough.Sejukgheim and Nebulos swore to provide their large armies but with the men Babatunde Alen previously amassed and certain Chiefs in Alsayf bending the knee to him as well as the entirety of Aesos declaring their open rebellion against the crown just the day before, the situation was not looking encouraging.Aesos' betrayal came as a shock to Naomi but Daegal received the news with minimal surprise. Magic was rarely practiced there—almost forbidden— and only a few people like Indah, the old priestess who came close to killing Naomi, and some diviners were able to wield magic though not as powerfully as the mages and witches of Nebulos
Chief Azriel might have been the epitome of courtly graces; pleasant smiles, compliments, and all but in the sparring ring in the training yard of the Unity Rock that afternoon, he was a grim-faced killer. And when he turned those deadly instincts on Naomi... She had to throw up a shield as fast as possible the second she stepped into the ring because Azriel seemingly decided it would be a perfect time to put her magical reflexes to the test and throw a ball of fire at her. An hour later, under her training leathers, Naomi's body was slick with sweat. Her breathing came out in ragged gasps as she barely managed to dodge Azriel's fist which came flying at her face. However, she used the opportunity to slam her right fist into his jaw before he could send another punch at her. Her vicious attempt stunned Azriel for a moment and also made her knuckles sing from the impact. Naomi took a step back and then focused her attention on flexing and relaxing her fingers to ease a bit of th
"Pathetic." He removed the sword from where it kissed her flesh and pointed it down. "For Creator's sake, Naomi, use her body to your advantage. It is yours now. Yours to control!" Naomi bit her lips to fight off the tears that burned in her eyes. There was nothing she hated more than being embarrassed or scolded. "I... I...""How weak," Azriel spat. That singular sentence caused Naomi's eyes to darken with fury. "I am anything but weak." Immediately, she stretched her arm out to where her sword lay on the ground, and in a flash, it flew into her waiting hand. Suddenly, the weight became inconsequential as Naomi's eyes glowed an astonishing shade of violet. Azriel grinned at her transformation and bent his index finger twice, beckoning her to attack him. So she did. Her body spun and moved with a beauty that Azriel had only seen when watching Nerina herself but somehow, Naomi looked even better. Naomi snarled as she pressed attack after attack on Azriel who expertly evaded ever