Time passed excruciatingly slowly in the castle afterwards, each day blending into the next like a never-ending cycle. Silence dominated every part of the castle, life sucked out of the long, winding hallways of the palace. It was as if everyone was mirroring the emotional state of their ruler. It was depressing. As the person tasked with delivering the King's meals, I was the only one allowed to see him, but even my presence seemed to make little difference. The king remained shrouded in darkness, his chambers a constant, oppressive gloom that seemed to suffocate me. He rarely spoke to me, and when he did, his voice was laced with a deep-seated exhaustion that made my heart ache.I couldn't help but wonder if everything was alright with him. The memory of Helen's words about the dormancy that plagued him and its devastating effects haunted me, refusing to be silenced. If everything she said was true, then the king was already feeling the effects. He was slowly losing strength, getti
The king moved ahead, his long strides eating up the distance, and I followed behind him, eventually falling into step with him. The walk should have been comforting, a welcome respite from being cooped up in his chambers for way too long, but instead, my anxiety and worry tripled as I walked next to the king. Though it was hardly visible, he kept stumbling over his own steps, his feet tangling in the weeds as if he'd forgotten how to walk. His breathing had started to become strained, a thin sheet of sweat coating his forehead. My heart went out to him, aching with a mix of compassion and fear. It was at the tip of my tongue to call it quits, to suggest we return to his chambers, but something held me back. Eventually, he came to a stop, his gaze locked forward, barely aware of his surroundings. "Are you alright, your majesty...?" I called out softly, concern filling my voice. When he didn't answer, I started to panic. "Should we go back to the chambers? Is there anything you need?
After that night with the Lycan king, my relationship with the king improved somewhat. Well, if you can call being permanently confined to his chambers an improvement. But that was it – the king never dismissed me anymore, so I spent all my sleeping and waking moments next to him, either lying beside him or simply being near him. His chambers had practically become my bedroom, and I no longer had to bring in food, as he began to summon other workers for that task. My duties were now limited to feeding him and occasionally cleaning his chambers when he allowed it.To fill the idle time, I would talk about everything and nothing, singing or sometimes humming a tune. The king would watch me with that intense, piercing gaze of his, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. I did numerous things to entertain myself and him – I'd pace around the room, run my fingers over the intricate carvings on the furniture, or simply sit and stare at the flickering candles. The darkness and chill of the chamb
The air felt stale, mostly because it had been a long time since the library had been used. But that didn't deter me in the least. If anything, I was surprised at how clean it looked. There was barely a speck of dust anywhere.The king stood behind me, his gaze assessing, piercing, but I paid it no heed. My eyes gravitated towards the brightly colored books on the far left, and I found myself walking towards them, drawn by it. Reaching for one of the books, I flipped open the pages, a smile spreading across my face as I encountered colorful pictures. "This one has pictures!" I exclaimed, twirling on my feet, my eyes sparkling with excitement.The king walked towards me, his long strides devouring the distance. He took the book from my hands, his fingers brushing against mine. "Indeed it does," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "It's a story book.""A story book?" I repeated, my voice filled with longing. "I wish I could read it..." I trailed off, picking up other books as well
I woke up from my slumber, my mind foggy and disoriented, my body feeling like it had been submerged underwater for hours. Taking a deep breath, I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the haze. As I stretched my tense muscles, I became aware of the body next to me.My gaze drifted towards Aira, who was laying on her side, sound asleep. Even in the darkness that cloaked the room, she was still as clear as day in my eyes. My gaze stopped short as I took in her sleeping features: her lips lightly parted, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her hair fanned around her in a soft halo, and her breathing soft and peaceful. She looked so at peace, so trusting, that a pang of guilt and unease struck my chest.Why was I keeping her around me again? At first, it was because she had helped quiet the demons in my head. Being next to her made me feel a sense of peace, if only for a short while, which is why I allowed her to stay. But now, it had gone way beyond that. The thought of her spending
Your majesty!?" She cried out, shocked, as she pulled away from me, realization dawning on her. Her face burned with embarrassment, her skin flushing a deep shade of pink. I watched her, noting as her embarrassment deepened, before she broke eye contact, curling into herself, a pained groan escaping her lips. "Heavens, my body is burning," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the words sent a shiver down my spine."I'm sorry... " She panted out, her body misty with sweat, her skin glistening in the dim light of the chamber. She tried to slip off the bed, but a contraction must have hit her, as she whimpered, crumpling to the edge of the bed and gripping her abdomen tight. Her fingers dug deep into her skin, her knuckles white with tension."It's here again... Oh, why?" She cried in misery, tears leaking from the corner of her eyes, her voice cracking with despair. Her body shuddered, racked with sobs, as she struggled to catch her breath."You... Wake up from your dreams, like
I woke up from my sleep, my head spinning and my body heavy. Blinking away the fog that had settled in my eyes, I let out a low yawn, stretching my stiff muscles before becoming acutely aware of the tenderness on my breasts and between my legs. Stiffening slightly, I sat up on the bed, pulling away the covers as I rushed through my memories, before tensing as my mind replayed every single stolen moment I had with the king the night before.Was it the night before? I wasn't even sure. Being in this ever-dark chamber had me losing track of time. Unbidden, my mind drifted back to those moments, and a low smile began to form on my lips, my cheeks burning. The pleasure I had felt with the king this time far surpassed the previous one when I had sought out my relief myself.Why had he gone that far? Did he like me now? Now, you're reading far into it, Aira, I cautioned myself, the smile on my face dropping for a bit. It's just wishful thinking. His attitude towards me hadn't changed yet."I
"Who cares, it's juicy," she said, rolling her eyes. "Now come with me. You need all the privacy you can get." I nodded, following her through the winding corridors, until we reached a secluded bathhouse, tucked away from prying eyes. Helen set about preparing the bath, while I undressed, feeling the warm water envelop me like a soothing balm. As I began to wash my body, Helen kept me company, looking around for intruders. It seemed as if we weren't supposed to be here in the first place but I didn't mind. As I poured water on my body, Helen's gaze landed on the reddened parts on my flesh, and she stiffened, her eyes narrowing in concern. "Where did you get those?" she asked, her voice low and gentle.I stiffened, my face burning up as memories flooded me. "Oh... I had those dreams again," I answered, trying to sound nonchalant despite the embarrassment.Helen gasped, alarm crossing her features. "You did?! What did the king do?""Funny, he helped me through it, again," I replied, fe
Holy Hades, he did it again, another assertive lick across my core that had my spine arching and my body hyperventilating, broken moans escaping my lips. "Please... " I rushed out, struggling to get away from his tightened grip. "Please, stop. It doesn't, it doesn't feel right." I added as I felt his warm breath on my sensitive skin, his eyes peeking at me between my spread thighs. He ignored me, diving in again and probing my opening with his warm, sinew tongue. My entire body shuddered, pleasure like no other colliding into me, leaving me breathless. I mewled, sweat pouring out of my skin as his grip on my thighs tightened, his tongue carving a path in my warm, pulsing core. Then, he would pull away, teasing my opening and driving me to the edge of madness. I gripped the sheets on the cot, thrashing my head from side to side, trying to get away from him. "Kael... I don't think this is necessary!" I tried again, pulling away again, my breath coming out in ragged gasps. Kael paused
After what seems like forever, I'm back in this dream space once again. I've never been so happy to be here. Looking around, I find the beast lying on the ground, his body still injured and bleeding, and my heart aches at the sight."Hey..." I call out hesitantly, and it turns to look at me, a low growl escaping its lips. My heart squeezes tightly in my chest, like someone is reaching in and strangling it. I did this to him.When it makes no attempt to move, I inch towards it, lowering myself next to its side, my eyes fixed on the wound."I'm sorry... I'm sorry for hurting you. Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to," I whisper, my voice breaking as tears stream down my cheeks. It lets out a low moan of pain, but a paw reaches out, touching my hands. I stiffen, and it purrs slowly. I sniff, blinking eyes."You forgive me?" Again, another groan. But it doesn't sound angry."Thank you so much," I mutter, squeezing its paw. Its ears flicker, a sparkle of happiness in its eye. I glance at t
I returned to the cave, still reeling from Helen's revelation. My heart was heavy, my mind foggy despite my numerous attempts to clear it. Reaching the edge of the cave, I took a deep breath, shuddering slightly as Helen's words replayed themselves yet again. As much as I wanted Kael to heal, I wasn't sure I was ready to lay down my life for that purpose. Besides, wouldn't that devastate him further? We'd had such little time together, with threats popping up left and right. No wonder he kept refusing every time I brought it up."He most likely doesn't want to lose you that way," Helen had said, picking up a twig on the ground while she played with it. "If you still want to go ahead with it, however, you're going to do more than just convince him. You need to prepare yourself for the pain that would come."Taking a deep breath, I entered the cave, staring at the pathway that led to the corner where Kael stayed most of the time, recovering. I felt tears sting my eyes, and I hastily bli
"Is your beast truly dormant?" I asked Kael after a while, my voice soft and almost inaudible. We were alone in the cot, lying next to each other at his request, our bodies barely touching. He glanced at me, his expression turning blank, and I felt my heart pound with concern. The old lady's words had been echoing in my mind relentlessly since she left, weighing heavily on my chest."I haven't felt its presence since I woke up, so it must be," Kael groaned out after a while. "Even if it was active, my body feels too weak to contain its presence. The most it can do right now is force an aggressive shift that might kill us both."I felt my heart drop, a rush of hopelessness filling me. Taking a deep breath, I balled my hands into fists, trying to maintain a neutral expression as I sought out my next words."I'm not trying to place pressure on you or anything, because you more than anyone know what's happening right now and the gravity of the situation we're in. I just wanted to know if
"Are you really the witch that cursed Kael?" I asked, turning to the old lady once we were alone in the cave the next day, far away from earshot. She turned slightly to look at me, her brow furrowed in confusion, no words spilling from her mouth. The revelation had been messing with me all night, making it impossible to sleep. Did she really do that? And if she did, what for?"Why would you do that? Do you know how much trouble you've caused for us now!?" I rushed out, barely giving her a chance to answer as my chest heaved with anger."I didn't curse him," she said after a while, looking away from me. "What happened to him was the result of the spell I did for him. That he requested.""He requested it?" I asked, folding my arms. "You expect me to believe that?"She finished arranging the herbs she was keeping away and turned to me, her steely gaze fixed on me."This isn't the first time Kael has been betrayed by those he trusted and should have protected him. He's suffered that fate
"Weak, but fine." He answered truthfully, dropping the topic as well."You need to take your medicines, have something to eat, and have your wounds redressed. Then, I shall leave you alone to recover." She informed him, walking to his side.He nodded, and I stood to my feet, assisting her as she worked. I administered the potions, and when a meal had been prepared, fed it to the king until he could eat more on his own.Finally, after all had been said and done, one by one, they all left until it was just me and the king.He was lying back on the cot, but his gaze was fixed on me as I fretted around, unsure of what to do now."Come here..." He uttered in a low growl, beckoning me with his hand as he patted the tiny space next to him.I immediately obliged, joining him in the tiny bed. Turning to face him, I blushed as his gaze raked over me, his warm breath tickling my cheeks."How have you been?" He growled, his face barely inches away from mine.I swallowed, doing my best to be hones
"Kael... Is that really you? Are you truly awake?" I asked, unable to believe the words spilling out of my lips, desperately hoping this wasn't a hallucination my mind conjured to appease me.The figure before me let out a smile, a faint crinkle appearing around his eyes. "It's me, Aira," he muttered lowly, his voice sending shivers down my spine.I took a step closer, feeling my heart pound, threatening to burst out of its ribcage. "You're really awake!" I cried out, rushing towards him to grab his face, my hands trembling and tears filling my eyes. "Oh, you're truly awake! You're here!""Yes, I am," he growled, a serene expression on his face. Oh, that voice. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until I had stopped hearing it.I threw my hands around his neck, pulling him into a hug as tears spilled out of my eyes, sobs of relief and happiness racking my body. My heart wouldn't stop racing, my palms sweating, my ears ringing. This is what I'd prayed for, cried for, begged for, an
It's been weeks since we've been hiding in this cave of a home, cut off from the rest of the world. During that period, Helen and I had grown undeniably closer, getting to know more about each other and having a budding friendship develop between us. Along with the lone soldier who had followed us while we were escaping, constantly guarding and gathering information on what's going on in the kingdom. Their presence helped to distract and reassure me as I cared for the king."Lord Mortis has assumed leadership of the kingdom," the soldier, whose name I had come to learn was Eiran, informed us after days of scouting the area. I turned to look at him, my heart skipping a beat."He has also gone to wage war on the humans for being the species that took the life of their king. Most of them have been captured and taken back as slaves." He informed us, and my heart dropped to my stomach, a tense atmosphere settling in the area."That means he's already announced that the king is dead," Helen
"How did you know about her?" I found myself asking, genuinely surprised. My mother let out a warm smile, the sunset reflecting in her eyes as she gazed at me. "Just because we're not there with you physically, that doesn't mean we're not watching you, love. We know who Aira is – your mate," she said, and I looked away, clenching my jaw."Don't you have at least some regret about leaving her behind like this?" she prodded again, her voice soft. A mix of emotions swarmed me and I had trouble pinpointing them. "To be honest..." I began quietly after a while of staring into the distance, gathering my thoughts. "I'm not quite sure. A part of me feels sad about it, but yet again, another part of me feels relieved."Taking a deep breath, I continued. "She won't have to worry about me anymore; she's free to live her life as she pleases. Besides, mate or not, things have already been ruined from the start." I confessed, clenching my jaw. "Why would you say that?" Arzhael asked, staring at