Ava's POV "Welcome, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "I see you're punctual."I nodded, trying to keep my cool. "I try to be," I replied, my voice steady.General Kaelen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I like that about you, Ava. You're a woman of your word."I forced myself to smile lightly, though my heart thumped in my chest like a war drum. Compliments from him always came unexpectedly, and they always left me unsettled."I believe in doing what's expected of me, sir," I said carefully."You believe in duty. That's admirable. Rare, even." He leaned forward slightly. "But tell me… do you always follow orders, or just the ones you agree with?"There was a teasing lilt in his tone, but I knew better than to laugh."Depends on who's giving the order," I replied boldly, then instantly regretted how it sounded.His eyebrows lifted, amused. "Is that so?""I meant… I follow orders when they’re fair," I added quickly. "When they serve a purpose.""And do you think stand
But I suppressed the urge, keeping my eyes locked on his as he stared back at me. The heat between us was becoming intense, beads of sweat trickling down my face and into my eyes. A strand of my hair slipped out of its band, and I felt a flutter in my chest.There wasn't any gap anymore between his chest and mine, his body smothering mine. It felt almost like I was bare-skinned too.He lifted up a finger, gently brushing the stray hair out of my face. Time seemed to stand still as he touched me, his eyes never leaving mine.And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he walked away. I let out a deep sigh of relief, my body feeling like it had been released from a spell.As I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but wonder what had just happened. Had he been testing me? Or was there something more to it?I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I had no idea what General Kaelen's intentions were, but I was determined to stay one step ahead of him.Little did I know, t
Ava's POVI woke up feeling a sense of unease, like something was off. And then I remembered the message that Zylan had delivered from General Kaelen. I wasn't to come in today, or any other day, unless he sent for me. At first, I thought I would be relieved. Finally, I would be free from General Kaelen's intense gaze, from the way he seemed to see right through me. But as I went about my morning routine, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. It wasn't excitement that I felt, or even relief. It was something else, something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I tried to push the feeling aside and focus on my duties. I had been assigned to help with the preparations for the upcoming festival, and I was determined to make sure that everything was perfect. But as I made my way to the festival grounds, I was ambushed by a group of entertainers. They were a group of women who performed for the warriors, singing and dancing for their entertainment. They had never been particu
Ava's POV "You know, I'm getting a little tired of your insults," I said, my voice firm. "Maybe it's time for you to focus on your own jobs, instead of trying to bring me down."The entertainers gasped in shock, and for a moment, they were silent. But then, one of them stepped forward, her eyes narrowing."Oh, we're shaking in our boots," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The little servant girl thinks she's tough."Another chimed in, laughing. "She’s probably hoping Kaelen will notice her if she pretends to grow a backbone.""Maybe she thinks standing up to us will get her a promotion," another one said, flicking her long braid over her shoulder.I clenched my fists. "I'm not trying to impress anyone. I just want to be treated with respect—something you all clearly struggle with."They snickered, leaning into each other as if I'd said something hilarious."You hear that? She wants respect," the first one mocked, mimicking my voice."Should we bow before you, Princess Ava?"
Ava's POV As I arrived at the festival grounds, I saw Zylan standing near the entrance. He caught my eye and nodded, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe he could provide some answers, I thought. I made my way over to him, trying to act casual despite the turmoil of emotions inside me. "Master," I said, trying to sound calm. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" He nodded and followed me to a quiet corner of the grounds. "What's going on?" he asked, his eyes scanning my face. "Please sir, do you know what the General's reason is for not needing me anymore?" I asked, uncertain whether or not Zylan was going to give me a response. And like I suspected, Zylan didn't respond to me, but rather kept me quiet. After waiting for what seemed to be like hours to me, I decided to return back to my tent and continue with my reading. "Why do you bother to know his reasons for not needing you anymore? Isn't that what you have always wished for?" Zylan suddenly questioned. His voice
Ava's POV That evening, I sat under the big fruit tree, the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves above me. I was lost in the pages of my little book, the words transporting me to a different world. It was my own little way of escaping from the drama that seemed to follow me everywhere.As I read, I felt a sense of connection to the lead character. She was a young, innocent girl who had been taken away as a slave to a strange land. She had no one, knew nothing about the people or their ways, and had to learn everything the hard way. She had to figure out how to survive in a world that seemed determined to crush her.I felt a pang of recognition as I read about her struggles. It was as if I was reading about myself. I had never thought about it before, but now it seemed so obvious. That's why I was fascinated by the book. I saw myself in her.I pondered on the connection I had with the character, my mind lost in thought. The world around me melted away, and all that was left was
Ava's POV Mistress Elara’s quarters were as grand and imposing as ever. I could hear the rustling of fabric as I stepped inside, the scent of incense heavy in the air. Mistress Elara was seated at her desk, her sharp eyes scanning a scroll. The tension in the room was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel small under her gaze."Ava, the festival is approaching," she said, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "I have instructed the other servants on their duties, and now it is time for me to inform you of your responsibilities."I stood a little straighter, trying to steady the fluttering in my chest. I nodded, keeping my gaze steady but respectful. "Yes, Mistress Elara."Her sharp gaze locked onto mine. "I trust you know the significance of this festival.""Of course, Mistress," I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced. "It’s the grand celebration of the warriors. I’ve heard much about it."She waved a hand dismissively. "Then you should know how important th
Ava's POV As I worked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I was a part of something big, something important. And I was determined to make it a success.The next two days passed in a blur of activity. I worked tirelessly, ensuring that the general's quarters were spotless and his ceremonial attire was perfect. I helped the cooks in the kitchen, preparing delicious dishes for the feast. The air was thick with the scent of roasting meats, spices, and freshly baked bread. There were so many people bustling around, moving from one task to the next, each with a specific role to play. It was almost like a well-oiled machine, each part working together to create something grand.As I folded the fine linen that would be part of the general’s ceremonial attire, I overheard one of the other servants, Mila, talking excitedly about the festival."I hear the warriors will be performing the ancient dances again," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "It’s always such a sight to see.
As they spoke, the darkness seemed to close in around them, the shadows deepening into menacing silhouettes, the tension between them was palpable. Mistress Elara's eyes never left Rylan's face, her expression a mixture of fascination and fear. Mistress Elara knew that Rylan was a man on the edge, driven by his anger and his desire for power. And yet, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him, to the sense of danger and excitement that seemed to surround him like an aura."What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice barely audible.Rylan's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity. "I'll take him down," he said. "I'll strip him of the power he thinks he has, and I'll make sure he regrets ever crossing me."Mistress Elara's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She knew that Rylan was a force to be reckoned with, but she had never seen him like this before. His anger and determination were palpable, and she couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at
Rylan and Mistress Elara huddled together in the darkness, their voices barely above a whisper. The night air was heavy with tension, and Rylan's anger seemed to simmer just below the surface. It had been a few days since Mistress Elara had been visited by General Kaelen, and she was still reeling from the encounter."I really don't know exactly what's going on with the general and Ava," she said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, while scanning the shadows nervously. "But I'm pretty sure there's something they're hiding."Rylan's expression darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I've been trying to figure it out," he growled. "But every time I think I've got a handle on it, something new comes up."Mistress Elara's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. "Tell me more," she said, her voice low and urgent. "What do you know?"Rylan's face twisted with anger, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I know exactly what's going on," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "The
Ava's POV As I sat under the shade of a tree, lost in the world of words, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. But suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Rylan standing over me, a sinister grin spreading across his face."Well, well, well," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. All alone and vulnerable."My heart sank as I realized I was trapped. I haven't set my eyes on Rylan since the incident at the festival. This was the first, and I am all alone. I could tell from the expression on his face, he wasn't going to go easy on me. I felt trapped. I tried to stand up, but Rylan was too quick. He pinned me down, his hands rough and unforgiving."You're going to pay for what you did to me," he growled, his breath hot against my skin.I struggled to resist, but Rylan was too strong. Just as I thought all was lost, I heard a loud crash, followed by the sound of Rylan's pained grunt.I looked up to see General Kaelen standing over me, his eye
As he entered the general's tent, Zylan was struck by the sight of the general sitting on his couch, staring intently at Ava as she hummed a melancholy tune with her lips while going about her duty. The general's eyes were lost in thought, and for a moment, Zylan wondered if he had ever seen him look so...vulnerable. But as the general caught sight of him, his expression snapped back into focus, and he rose from the couch to greet Zylan."Ah, Zylan," he said, his voice warm and friendly. "What brings you here today?"Zylan hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. But his concern for the general's well-being won out, and he plunged ahead."General, I wanted to speak with you about something," he said, his voice low and serious.Ava quickly stopped what she was doing and excused herself back to her tent till she was sent for again."I've noticed that you've been spending a lot of time with Ava lately, and I was wondering if everything is all right."The general's ex
Zylan had been watching Ava for what felt like an eternity, his eyes tracking her every move as she navigated the complex web of intrigue within the castle. He had been tasked by the general to keep an eye on her, to gauge her loyalty and determine whether she was a potential threat or an asset to be exploited.But as the days turned into weeks, Zylan began to notice something strange. The general, who had always been a man of singular focus and purpose, seemed to be spending an inordinate amount of time with Ava. He would seek her out, lavishing attention on her and ignoring the other entertainers who had previously been his favorites.As a Panja warrior, Zylan knew that intimacy was a crucial component of their battle abilities. The presence of a woman in their bed was said to fuel their strength, to heighten their senses and sharpen their reflexes. But it had been almost two months since the general had last been with a woman, and Zylan couldn't help but wonder what was behind this
Ava’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out at first. She hesitated, her eyes flicking away for just a second before settling back on mine. "You ask too many questions," she murmured, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You act as though you’re entitled to answers.""Maybe I am," I replied, my voice quiet but firm. "Or maybe I just want to understand the woman who haunts my thoughts even in the quietest hours."She raised an eyebrow. "You don’t even know me.""Not yet," I said, taking another step closer. "But I want to."Her expression shifted ever so slightly, as if warring with something deep inside her. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, then relaxed again. Her breath hitched—but only briefly—as if catching herself from slipping."You speak like a man who's used to getting his way," she said coolly, folding her arms. "And yet here you are, still asking, still unsure.""That's because you're not like anyone I’ve met before," I admitted. "You're not impress
Kaelen's POV For a moment, we just stared at each other, the only sound the soft rustling of the fabric in the breeze. I felt like I was frozen in time, unable to move or speak. It was Ava who broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here, General?" she asked, dropping a small book that she was reading before I interrupted.I took a step forward, my eyes never leaving hers. "I wanted to see you," I replied, my voice low and husky.Ava's expression didn't change, but I could sense a flicker of emotion behind her eyes. "May I ask why, General?" she asked, her voice still barely above a whisper.I took another step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. "Because I'm intrigued by you, Ava," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "You're different from the others, and I want to know more about you."Ava's gaze never wavered, but I could sense a hint of curiosity behind her eyes. "What do you want to know?" she asked, her voice still soft, but with
General Kaelen’s POVI stepped out of my tent, the warm sun beating down on my skin as I made my way through the camp. The air was filled with the sounds of warriors and servants going about their daily business, but my focus was solely on finding Ava's hiding place. I had been thinking about her nonstop since our encounter earlier, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.As I walked, I noticed that many eyes were on me, some showing their respect with a nod or a bow, while others tried to hide their gazes behind masks of indifference. I was used to being the center of attention, but today it felt different. Today, I felt like I was being watched for reasons beyond my position as General.I navigated through the camp, asking discreet questions and gathering information about Ava's whereabouts. Some of the servants and warriors seemed hesitant to talk, while others provided me with cryptic clues that only led to more questions.After what felt like
General Kaelen's POV As Zylan left the tent, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility towards Ava. She was different from the others, and I wanted to know more about her.“What is it about her?” I muttered under my breath, staring at the fabric of the tent that still fluttered from his exit.She wasn’t just another face among the servants. She carried herself differently—like she didn’t belong in a place like this. There was something in her eyes. Fire. Stubbornness. Pride.“What kind of woman dares to look Rylan in the eye and say no?” I chuckled softly to myself, shaking my head in disbelief.I leaned back, resting my arms behind me as my mind wandered deeper into the memory of earlier today.“She didn’t even flinch,” I whispered, the corners of my lips twitching upward. “No fear. No hesitation. Just that sharp tongue and fierce gaze.”“She sure has some guts,” I said louder this time, as if speaking it out would help me make sense of the whirlwind inside me.Any other en