***Bea's POV***
Omar had been asleep for a little over forty minutes. Having him use me as a pillow made me feel like a cat owner. Once a kitten chooses its position to sleep on you, you are legally bound not to move till royal whiskers excellence does. So here am I, bored out of my mind, slowly counting the seconds as I get late for my next duty. We are supposed to meet with Connor and help set out the throne chambers, including setting up tables, guest names, floral arrangements, and other boring esthetic details. Just thinking of it made my eyes droopy.
Someone burst the bedroom door open, shouting, "Omar, we got a problem." Slightly flustered at the abrupt intervention, I form a dozen ice daggers encircling the intruder as my head turns around. "Wow, cool!" He touches one of the floating object's sharp tips, "deadly too!" The butler raises his arms in surrender.
"Don't they teach you in the butler school how to knock before en
Talk about excitement, my life lately is full of it. Not only have I to worry about my flaws and conflicts, now I must keep an eye on the king and his oldest child. Yes, child because he can't be the better man and find a drop of compassion in his empty sexy body to be present when his father needs him. Thankfully, Maya and Connor cared for the sick soul enough to see him treated. This morning, Maya confirmed the King was feeling much better, but her heart is heavy about his counted days. The royal bloodline can resist consumption longer than anyone else, but eventually, everyone ends up the same way—disfigured birdlike creatures with a unique power related to the host’s abilities. Someone is behind this suffering, but who and why? How hurt must this person be that they find comfort in someone else's pain? Despite the king's relapse yesterday, the winter solstice gathering is still on. The palace is full of guests, the majority I don't recognize. Amaya an
By the time all the guests retrieved to their quarters, I was ready to drop dead in my bunker bed, but Amaya had other plans. As tradition demands after the royal ball, people attend a less formal evening celebration, meaning they hit the club and party all night long. Anyone is welcome to participate. “Amaya, I am too tired to go dancing. Go without me.” I sink my face on my pillow. “I don’t even have a dress.” In truthfulness, I did not want to bump into Omar or his girlfriend. My heart seems a bit confused lately. I felt being available meant solitude in a pack where everyone knows they are destined to find their other half. Here, however, people here are not meant for someone else. You can explore, date, and build relationships, not only to settle down but to satisfy carnal cravings, where it’s okay to experiment if you are safe. Everyone is a potential candidate. It’s overwhelming. “Unbelievable. This is the opportunity to build a relationship, and you w
***Bea's POV*** One moment I'm in Omar's car, battling the persistent nausea, the next under the warm water pouring from the showerhead, pinned between the glass panel and his scolding body, lost in the erotic rush of the hard kiss. I watch myself in his perspective as I push him away mischievously. My hands rub his member while I kneel. There are no words, just flowing lustful emotions. My mouth cups the top of his member while my eyes are set above. His sex hardens further with my hands’ twist motion and mouth pumps. Omar’s fingers comb my long black hair into a ponytail, gently preventing it from falling forwards as my thrust fastens. After a few deeper motions, his hips beg for something more. Assisting me up, I see myself turn around, arching my back, so my butt cheeks were pronounced towards him. From behind, Omar leans over, kissing my neck to shoulder line while caressing my breasts before standing up and positioning himself within me. Overw
***Adrian's POV***I drove us to town. Last night had been an eye-opener for both Bea and me. As she walked into Omar's empty bedroom, her disheartened face this morning revealed upsetting feelings within me I wasn't ready to admit. The possibility she was crushing on my lifelong rival triggered a sense of urgency. My prince charming status did not phase Bea like other girls. She doesn't care for status or money, she praises knowledge and honorable deeds, and honestly, I hadn't provided any. When she approached me in the cafeteria with a fresh start, I was over the moon. It was as if she could read my thoughts. However, I couldn't bring myself to be just friends when I wanted to make her be so much more.The town is all decked out for the human’s seasonal festivities. Stores put up their vitrine displays in red and green, while others opt for a more winter wonderland tone of whites and blues. Maya and I drive through town every year just to conte
Snow up to my calves, strong winds, distant screams, and growls led me to a burning village within the mountains. The retching smell of burning flesh made anyone's stomach twist. The further I stepped into the village, the more I noticed that it wasn't a regular settlement but a werewolf community, being slaughtered by darklings with no hope and quickly outnumbered as their kin turned into darklings—the werewolves fighting to exhaustion. A soft voice screaming for help comes from the town square but is silenced before I get there. I witness a male figure enclosing two smaller in its arms, burning in purple flames. The darklings circle me, bow, and extend their wings forwards, shaking their feathers. Then they all come to collide with my body, disappearing into me one by one, each carrying a different emotion—sadness, emptiness, loss, depression, despair, shame, and fear. Death will follow you wherever you go, but you mustn't give up. When the flame of life shines no more
*** Bea's POV*** Adrian gave me five minutes to get dressed. It would be reckless to face the unknown circumstances just the two of us, but we couldn't all leave either. Someone had to stay behind to defend the castle. While Adrian woke up Connor, I dashed through the corridors down to the staff quarters with a pair of snickers and a dark blue hoodie in hand. Clothes were the least of my worries. I rather take Amaya, one of the best warriors around here, than find another t-shirt to wear. The current grey sweatpants and white tank top will have to do. My gut feeling tells me we would need all the help we could get with the less disruption possible and taking her would be like taking ten warriors. I climb her bunk bed to get slapped in the face. Shaking the pain off while trying not to fall, I notice she is having a nightmare. Her loose brown hair sticks to her sweaty face while she tosses and turns breathlessly. "Amaya." I shake her,
***Bea's POV*** The plan is to fight enough darklings to create an opening for us to retrieve. The four Werewolves fighting along me are exceptional. Their display of strength and stamina have killed five darklings each, but the enemy kept on coming. "Listen up, boys." I block the sharp claws of my enemy with my sword's blade. Digging my feet in the snow, I push the attacker away, followed by a sword slash. It dodges my attack, compelling me to follow it deeper into their side of the battlefield, which I don't. "We can't fight forever." I throw an ice dagger stopping a darkling's attack before harming one of the wolves. "If they fall back, don't follow." I block a series of strikes by swapping my sword into a shield. "Instead, get ready to retrieve." Shapeshifting my weapon into a lance, I jab the darkling assailing me, which is then finished off by the werewolf with a golden hoop ear cuff. "Now is our queue!" The golden hoop werewolf
The rented SUV tires dug through the gravel road leading out of the aerodrome. Three days had passed since we experienced the chaos of darkness. On a brief call with Caroline, we realized Alpha Xavier's condition did not permit him to travel, but we couldn't just get up and leave the castle either. Caution is the word of the day, not to say of the century. There were no guarantees the darklings weren't going to attack us next. Adrian had to strategize a defense plan before leaving Connor in charge while he was gone. Evelina remained unconscious, and Jonas feared they would lose her if they didn't reunite with their Alpha soon. I clutch my hand to my chest, feeling the anxiety building up as my gaze recognizes the blue pine plateau from behind the front passenger's window. I'm happy to be back, but at the same time, it's clear why I wanted to leave in the first place. Calling it home feels incongruous. Yes, I was born and raised here, but I never belonged. Carl's men emerge from th
Snowflakes gently land on my hand. Hell was experiencing its first snow, and I was behind it. As long as I live, Hades will remain in its sleeping beauty state unless someone decides to turn up the heat here. That is very unlikely to happen. Still, I left the AC on by turning the sky above into a gloomy snowstorm cloud pool. Even if Hades' servants freed him, he still had to gather new corrupted souls before walking the surface.Omar compliments, "Nicely done." He is battered with lacerations, puncture wounds, and burns but still stands. As he sits on the ground, elbows resting on semi-bent knees, head slanted forward, I kneel beside him. I place my left hand on his shoulder and my right hand above his chest, effortlessly healing him. In the past, minimal tasks such as healing, conjuring weapons, or purifying required concentration, but not anymore. Having re-established my training memory allows me to reach my full potential. I was grateful that Queen Ming, Blizzard's wife, taught me
***Beatrice's POV***The sound of seagulls and the gentle breeze stirred me awake. I push myself off the cold, hard surface. As I rubbed my eyes, I couldn't believe what I saw. A beautiful Greek oasis lay before me, complete with a circle of white columns ornamented with sheer fabric dancing in the soft, salty breeze. The worked stone floors created trim levels, descending onto a square pond in the center where water sparkles like crystals under the warm sunlight. The cool water beckoned me to touch it, and as I leaned over the edge, I saw my reflection. The scenery wasn’t the only thing that had changed. My ragged and volcanic ash-dusted clothes were now pristine white, with no tears. I wore a golden olive tree leaf crown with my hair down. But Something was off, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was supposed to be somewhere else. My fingers tickle the surface, and water ripples transform my Greek Goddess reflection into a motioned image. Uncle Leo grips my mother by her neck, h
***Beatrice POV***As I observed Omar in the cave, I noticed that his skin tone was returning to its healthy state, which relieved me. Despite being healed, he was struggling with the heat from the volcano. He rested his head against the rocky wall and displayed signs of distress, including labored breathing and sweat on his face. I wished I knew how to help him regain his Drakon essence, but we had not spoken since I healed his injury. However, it was clear that he was not the only one affected by the heat. Naomi and Blizzard were also struggling, fanning themselves to cool off, while I didn't seem bothered by it.Suddenly, the ground shook violently, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling. The anomaly was so strong that I had to grip the wall with both hands to steady myself. Naomi rushed towards us with the urgent news that Hades was riding Cerberus in our direction. The situation worsened once Omar pointed out that the volcano was also about to erupt, adding to our already dire si
Beatrice POV "Blizzard, we have to land," my voice is nothing but a mouse squeak, easily covered by the flapping of Blizzard's wings yet anguished enough to be noticed. "Please!" I thump Blizzard's claw, alerting him to my desperate request. Omar's condition is critical. Slanted like a ragged doll over Blizzard's right claw, I witness hopelessly as his eyes become droopier and his sun-warming Olive skin turns a pale candle wax tone, almost like vampire blood-drained victims. Not an overall flattering look. We dip through the dusky pink clouds below, bringing a striking landmark into view. An active volcano stands amidst the desolated charcoal land before us, the active bubbling crater emitted a thick grey smoke cloud up in the air, creating the fog blanket we dove through. As Blizzard glides closer to the ground, the air becomes cooler and easier to breathe. He hovers by a cave entrance at the bottom of the volcano gently dropping us before he lands. My Mother, Naomi, slides down his
***Beatrice's POV*** It's incredible how the soft whisper of someone's name can transform a light-hearted playful moment into a wild passionate desire. Our giggles quieted into breathing puffs. Confined under his sculptured masculine body, I had zero intentions of breaking free of his grip keeping my hands pinned to the ground above my head. A pleasant sting followed the path he traced with his thumb across my lower lip under the close watch of his lustful gaze. It traveled the entire length of my nervous system and set me ablaze with a carnal necessity like no other. The soul-eaters filled skies above us plunged out of sight, and the rumble of the volcano was replaced with a quickened thumping heartbeat. Another attempt of my heart to reach his, I had thought, till I realized it was his who was beating beyond normal parameters. His Adam's Apple bobbing had me silently wishing to become his, regardless of our current circumstances or location. "Omar—" I moan. His hand gently clutche
***Omar’s POV***~in the Underworld~“Let’s be the change, together.”Ms. Beatrice's words make me question my beliefs in so many ways. In a kingdom ruled with an Iron fist since the beginning of time, I’m known for my unapproachable, ruthless conduct. I even dare to compare myself to Hades in the matter of punishments. Such traits were instigated by my father, relinquishing any lingering soft, caring mannerisms from my mother’s love. Allies and enemies fear my family name. At what purpose? What had centuries of rivalry and innocent bloodshed achieved for us? Revenge didn’t soothe the pain living in my heart since Mother’s assassination. Nothing did, except her. I watch Beatrice sleep in my arms as we lay on the floor after battling our bubbling emotions. It fascinated me how she could be the trigger to my end and, simultaneously, the only one capable of saving me from it. An Ice Phoenix, at that; our family's number one nemesis. Any other cerulean feather shifter would be a trophy in
***Bea's POV***My mythical entity had stirred the interactions between Omar, Persephone, and me, leaving a sense of unreadiness. Sure, I'm happy my power was back, but I'm not prepared for Omar's cold shoulder. Just like cats and dogs, Drakons and Ice Phoenixes have a predator and prey instinct that influences their decision-making regarding their beliefs of one another. Omar had been explicit about his hatred towards my kind, but part of me hoped he would see through that judgmental fog and become the kind, caring Omar I met."Beatrice, more ice." Persephone extended her ruby-engraved chalice, waving in a gentle upward motion. I clench my jaw at my new Ice machine status. She used me as her cooling device, forcing me to use my power at every frivolous opportunity."Yes, your majesty." I pause my palm-leaf fanning momentarily to wave a hand over her glass, forming little clumps of ice.Performing as a maid is a version of me I can't
*** Bea's POV***I sit up abruptly, gasping as if I had swum from the ocean's depth on an exceedingly long last breath. The place stinks of sulfur, the rock walls have a charcoal black tone, and the cot I currently sit on is made of straws. My mind feels blank, frozen in time. One minute I'm being pushed through the white door by the Moon Goddess, then waking up here. I swing my legs over the edge, noticing the heaviness and the clink of chains around my left ankle, hidden under a gentleman's Victorian black coat over my legs. Where was I? How did I get here?"H-ello?" The effort of a single word breaks me into a coughing fit, grey particles splattering all over my palm. "A-ny-one here? Cough. Cough." Nothing but the constant distant crowd babble is heard. I stand up. How long had I been out, so my right arm no longer hurt? I drag my bare feet to the metal bars."Can anyone hear me?" I couldn't be in the castle's dungeon. The conditions there were more modern and cleaner than in this
*** Omar's POV***Two hundred years before meeting Beatrice in the present time "Find them at once!" Hades' thunderous deep voice shook the earth, each step erupting the volcanos and overflowing the five rivers across the land. Daunting to understand how, or who, botched the soul count. It would have been almost impossible to identify the missing souls if it weren't for that low-life werewolf excrement. I despise people like him, constantly leeching the highest hierarchy and eating any attention crumbs they muster. Under my kingdom, a character like him would have his heart torn and fed to the vultures. Then again, I'm not the ruler of this timeless bubble where someone's present might be someone else's past or future. "Omar!" Hades calling activates the collar around my neck. It sizzles against my skin, forcing me into my beast. Fighting the necklace will cause it to heat up to combustion, and having a burnt matchstick head doesn't seem very pleasing. I would rather keep my charmin