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.
The crowd gasped in shock, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Rylan couldn't be serious, could he?I looked around frantically, searching for someone, anyone, to help me. But Mistress Elara's face was stern and unyielding, and Zylan's eyes were wide with shock. Even Elsie looked like she'd been turned to stone.I was on my own.General Kaelen's face was a picture of shock and anger, but he seemed rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak. I knew that he couldn't object to Rylan's choice, not without going against the traditions of the Panja.Rylan's grin grew wider as he approached me, his eyes gleaming with triumph. I felt a wave of fear wash over me, but I knew I couldn't give in. I had to find a way to escape, to get out of this nightmare.As Rylan reached out to take my hand, I summoned up every last ounce of courage I possessed. I stood tall, my eyes locked on Rylan's, and I spoke the words that would change everything. "I refuse
"Ava, Come out now. I need to speak with you," she said, her voice loud and angry.I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. I knew was in for it. What did Mistress Elara want to talk to me about?I followed her out of my tent, my heart pounding in my chest. We walked in silence, the only sound being the soft rustling of our clothes.As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Something was brewing, and I wasn't sure what it was.We eventually arrived at Mistress Elara's quarters, and she ushered me inside. The room was dimly lit, with only a few candles flickering to light the space.Mistress Elara closed the door behind us, and then turned to face me. Her expression was serious, and I could sense a sense of gravity emanating from her."Ava, what exactly do you think you're doing?" she asked, her voice at a very high pitch. "You had better answer me now, before I let hell on you." She screamed at the top of her voice."Nothing ma." I said "Nothing? What was the meaning
General Kaelen's POV I sat in my tent, lost in thought, replaying the events that had transpired earlier in the day. The memory of Ava's bold refusal of Rylan's claim still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that things had turned out the way they had.Why had she refused Rylan's claim, though? It was a question that had been plaguing me since the incident. Initially, I had thought that maybe I wasn't her type, but seeing her stand up to Rylan in front of everyone had made me doubt that theory.The words she had uttered still rang in my ears: "I will not be claimed by anyone. I am not a prize to be won." There was something about her defiance that had caught my attention, something that made me want to know more about her."Why would she say that?" I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples. "No fear, no hesitation… just fire."The flap of my tent rustled slightly as the breeze whispered through, but I barely noticed. Her voice—calm, sharp, unwavering—e
General Kaelen's POV I nodded, my interest piqued. "What is it, Zylan?" I asked, my eyes locked on his.Zylan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "General, I think you should know that Mistress Elara has taken a particular interest in Ava. She's been making demands, and Ava has been refusing to comply."My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with possibilities. What was Mistress Elara's game? And why was Ava refusing to comply?"Tell me more," I said, my voice firm.Zylan nodded, launching into a detailed account of the events that had transpired between Mistress Elara and Ava. As he spoke, my anger grew, and I knew that I had to take action.Ava was a unique individual, one who didn't seem to be intimidated by the rules and expectations of our society. And I found myself drawn to her because of it.As I listened to Zylan's report, I couldn't help but think about the way Ava had refused Rylan's claim. It was a bold move, one that showed she was not afraid to stand up for herself.And t
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