Chapter 44 - DirtyPenelope I was on cloud nine after my night with Garren. My skin still felt like it was buzzing, and the weight on my shoulders felt lighter despite. I had a pep to my step that I hadn't had in months; I felt like I was untouchable like nothing could throw me off my game, not even the unknown outcome of what today would bring me.Instead, it made today feel a whole hell of a lot easier, especially now that Kyra had a chance to run out all of her pent-up energy last night in preparation for today. My stomach was filled with butterflies, both a mix of excitement and anxiety, but I was prepared for this. Ready to get this training started, so I could be prepared to take on whatever surprises Delmira was going to be throwing my way. "So, who am I going against first?" I whispered to Mildred as I stared at the small group of warriors before me. The five warriors had all been chatting away before we arrived, but with one look from Mildred, they quickly formed a line, t
Chapter 45 - MarkedMildred "Not so close, Rio," I warned after she spit fire toward Kyra. Rio prepared to shoot more flames at Penelope but held back, heeding my warning. We had been preparing for this day from the first moment I met the little pup. Rio was always present, watching, calculating, and sharing her opinions of others with me; it was how we remained at the top of our game. The only time she ever left my side was when I needed an escape only another person could help create, or when I was asleep. We were an unbreakable pair, only having each other when the rest of my family turned their backs on me for my choices. They were dead to me in all senses of the word, even if they still walked the same castle halls as I did. My father was part of the council until my uncle took over his position two centuries ago. My parents were too ashamed to show their faces around the kingdom all because their daughter chose a life of service to the crown instead of remaining a lady in wai
Chapter 46 - ObstaclesPenelope After yesterday I was nervous about today. I apologized to Mildred profusely, only for her to tell me she was honoured to finally meet her match on the battlefield, even if I had gotten her by surprise. Kyra was an anxious mess too, but I couldn't be mad at her for freaking out. Rio was gigantic and had nearly set us on fire twice. With something as vast and deadly as a dragon coming toward you, all common sense flees your body, leaving you with nothing but your will to survive. It would have happened to anybody in our position.But I was sure today would be better now that we knew what to expect. Garren trusted these people, and I knew them well, with the exception of Odessa and Opal; I knew Garren would never put us in harm's way."I promise to do better," Kyra vowed as we stepped into the training ground building. Mildred was given the day off since Garren informed me he would be with me while training today. The thought of him watching me gave me
Chapter 47 - NeverGarren I had thought this over a hundred times, and then I had Gregory review the details a hundred times more to ensure everything was perfect. Penelope deserved perfect, she deserved so much more than that, and after all of her training and watching her grow more and more confident with herself, I wanted to give her a night to relax to, forget everything and enjoy the things she loved. But mate or not, I couldn't stop my hands from clamming up or my throat from tightening. My nerves were getting the best of me; the thought of disappointing Penelope rattled me more than any war or council member ever had. Penelope seemed to pick up on my tension despite us not being fully bonded. We always seemed to know when the other needed us. Her small hand slipped into mine, her fingers lacing themselves with mine as she gave my hand a tight squeeze, flashing a smile that made my heartbeat quicken. I smiled back at her, kissing her temple, as we rounded the corridor befor
Chapter 48 - LovePenelopeI had never experienced love before, yes, I loved my parents and my brothers, and I loved Hilary like a sister. But that was a different kind of love entirely. I had never experienced the heart-stop-beating type of love. The set the world on fire and watch it burn for you, love, the kind of love that was so pure it felt like a dream until now.I had never imagined I would feel love like this, had never imagined that I could feel this full of life in such a short amount of time. Not when the beginning of my and Garren's love story was so broken and hopeless. But here I was, experiencing it, living in all of its glory. I loved Garren Ryuu with all my heart, even if I wasn't brave enough to tell him, not yet. And maybe fate would give me a chance to say it one day, but one could never be certain of her plans. Fate worked in mysterious ways. She gave you curve balls when you least expected them, humbled you when you needed it, and lifted you up when all hope w
Chapter 49 - Distractions PenelopeIt was strange walking into a room full of humans, all of them none the wiser to the shifters that lived amongst them. I had no idea what this event was for, but I assumed it was for another one of Balor's clients. He was always selling himself, constantly marketing, working an angle to gain new clients and make more deals. Going all out to impress the richest of the rich, and tonight was no exception. An orchestra played on the stage; people danced on the dance floor. Tables littered the rest of the room, While people filled the seats, eating the tiny expensive hors d'oeuvres while discussing their next business ventures and big vacation. Staff walked around with trays of champagne and food. The three giant chandeliers above us twinkled against the crystal jewels as they hung effortlessly from the vaulted ceilings. Ribbon also hung from the ceiling; performers twirled and fell from the long silken ribbon as they entertained everyone who watched.
Chapter 50 - Sacrifice Garren One week, somehow, time seemed to slip by faster than I had ever experienced before. It got lost in the stolen moments with Penelope and in the long and strenuous days of dealing with the council when I wasn't watching her train. The snow had started to melt, the air becoming warmer as it delivered the promise of spring. And with it, a reminder of the battle that we had been training her for was fast approaching.Penelope didn't sleep in her room anymore; somewhere in the last few months, she had made my room her own. I couldn't say I didn't enjoy it; I honestly couldn't remember what it was like before she filled it with her scent and warming presence, and I didn't ever want to. I never realized how much I would love this, love her until I had her, and now I knew that I had to do everything within my power to ensure I got to keep her. It was why I was here now, the last place I wanted to be ever after five hundred years; I hadn't been able to look at
Chapter 51 - RisksPenelopeI stared at Opal, my eyes narrowing as I focused on her movement, from how her chest rose and fell to how her fingers twitched, looking for any tell that would give me a hint of her next attack. Except with the twins, it was never that easy; it was like staring at a wall and waiting for it to speak. Their years of training made it almost nearly impossible to predict or detect anything the sisters were going to do.Opal and Odessa were as trained as one could be, putting even the most trained warriors within the capital to shame. Opal's copper hair dancing in the wind was the only thing that moved as she stared us down. The constant state of unease when fighting her made Kyra anxious. "Steady," I warned Kyra, her presence just beneath my skin. "I know, they're just so-" unpredictable was what Kyra was just about to say when Opal struck. I twisted away from her sword just as Odessa attacked from behind. Two people at once. That was how far I had progressed