Despite the vulnerability of their exposed state, there was a resolute determination in Xander's stance, his muscles coiled like a drawn bowstring as he braced himself to confront the divine fury hurtling towards them. With Iris sheltered behind him, he stood as a bastion of strength, ready to bear the full force of the Moon Goddess's wrath. As the tension in the room reached a fever pitch, their hearts pounded in unison, a symphony of fear and defiance echoing in the hushed silence. And yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there was a flicker of hope in their eyes, a silent vow to stand together against whatever trials lay ahead. With each passing moment, the air crackled with the anticipation of impending judgment, the weight of destiny bearing down upon them like a heavy shroud. But in that fleeting moment of solidarity, they found solace in each other's arms, united in their determination to face whatever trials fate had in store. "How dare you two!!!!!". As the Moon Goddess's
"Now you want to rebel?" The Moon Goddess remarked, her voice dripping with scorn as she surveyed the scene before her. Despite the palpable tension that hung in the air, Iris and Xander remained resolute, their resolve unshaken by the Moon Goddess's icy demeanor. Iris's anguished cry pierced the air, her voice laced with despair as she pleaded their innocence to the uncaring heavens. "We did nothing wrong!" she sobbed, her words a desperate plea for mercy in the face of unfathomable cruelty. "We have never harmed a soul. Why do we deserve this?" Her cries echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls and stirring something deep within my own heart. It was a raw, primal pain, a reminder of the fragility of love in the face of adversity. But the Moon Goddess remained unmoved, her expression impassive as she met Iris's tearful gaze with a cold detachment that sent a chill down my spine. With a flick of her wrist, she rendered Xander and Iris powerless, their bodies coll
My heart sank as I realized the cruelty of their confinement. The silver wall acted as an impenetrable barrier, separating the two lovers and rendering them powerless against its formidable presence. I could feel the intensity of the silver's touch, its malevolent energy pulsating through the air like a tangible force of oppression. As I gazed upon Iris and Xander, trapped within their respective cells, a surge of anger and sorrow welled up within me. How could such a vile act be perpetrated against two beings driven by nothing but love? It was a cruel twist of fate, a mockery of the very essence of their existence. With a heavy heart, I approached the silver barrier, reaching out to touch its surface. But as my fingers made contact, a searing pain shot through me, a reminder of the deadly power it possessed. Yet even in the face of such adversity, I refused to back down, my determination fueled by the unwavering belief that love would triumph over all. I looked at Iris and a wave o
I held my breath, willing the moon goddess to heed his cries, to show mercy in the face of such agony. But her response was not what I had hoped for. With a single glance, cold and indifferent, she silenced Xander's pleas, her gaze unwavering as though unaffected by the anguish before her. For a moment, the dungeon seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the sound of Xander's labored breathing as he stared at the goddess in disbelief. But as the reality of her indifference sank in, a sense of resignation washed over me, extinguishing the flicker of hope that had briefly ignited within my chest. In the presence of such divine authority, there was little room for mortal pleas or appeals to mercy. With a heavy heart, I turned away, unable to bear witness to Xander's anguish any longer. In the depths of my soul, I prayed for a miracle, a glimmer of hope to pierce the darkness that surrounded us. But in this cruel and unforgiving world, miracles were few and far between.
"Who in the name of the goddess is this lady!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with a mix of surprise and suspicion. She was draped in a luxurious purple cloak that billowed around her like a royal mantle. Her slender fingers, adorned with intricate jewelry, were entwined around Xander's neck, and her head was nestled against his chest, concealing her face from my view. Xander remained stoic, his expression unreadable as she clung to him. His silence only fueled my curiosity, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger at the intimacy between them. "Who is she?!" I demanded again, my tone edged with urgency and intrigue, but there was no one to answer me, so I had to wait. The atmosphere grew dense with unspoken tension as the lady in purple continued to embrace Xander, her cloak cascading like a waterfall over his shoulders. I watched, unable to move or speak, as the connection between them grew clearer. There was a tenderness in her touch, a longing that hinted at a deeper story, o
"Iris, are you okay?" Xander asked, his voice gentler than a whisper. The warmth in his tone was a stark contrast to the coldness he displayed when speaking with Yennefer. Iris struggled to open her eyes, her lids heavy as if weighed down by an invisible force. She took a shallow breath, then spoke with a fragile edge, "I'm okay... You should have left with her. At least I'd be at ease knowing you were safe." Xander moved closer to the bars, his knuckles turning white as he gripped them. "I could never leave you, Iris. Not for anything," he replied, his words filled with unwavering conviction. Iris's weak smile faded as she forced herself to sit up. "You should have," she muttered, her voice frail but tinged with concern. "I don't want you to suffer because of me." I turned to Xander, waiting for his response. He chuckled loudly, a sound that echoed through the dungeon with a hint of mischief and warmth. "Stupid girl," he said, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "Ever since that da
And to my greatest shock, the Moon Goddess replied, "My apologies for the harsh treatment." "What in the world is happening?!" I shouted, unable to contain my disbelief. Did I stumble into the wrong memory, or was this truly happening? "This is not the first time, Mother," Iris retorted, her voice laced with anger. "I'm starting to get used to it." Her eyes narrowed with resentment as she continued, "Why must we be treated like this, Mother? Why must I be treated like this? It hurts, you know! Every single time, knowing I have no power over my fate! And this is all your fault!" Her voice rose with each word, her emotions bubbling over. "Don't you dare blame me for your mistakes!" the Moon Goddess shot back, her tone colder than ever. "You know very well that loving a vampire with the blood of a werewolf running through his veins brings nothing but disaster! But you ignored it and went ahead with it! How foolish could you be? Do you realize you're not only putting yourself in danger
They were crossing a threshold, stepping into a new world with no idea what awaited them, but they knew they had each other. Just as they reached the gate, Iris paused, turning back to face the Moon Goddess. She took a deep breath, her voice soft yet clear. "Thank you, Mother," she said sincerely, her tone carrying genuine gratitude despite everything that had happened. The Moon Goddess's expression didn't change. Her eyes were as cold as the stone beneath their feet, her lips a thin, tight line. She didn't acknowledge Iris's words; instead, her voice cut through the air like a knife. "Don't thank me," she said, her tone as sharp as ice. "This choice you've made comes with a price, and you have no idea what's waiting for you out there. It's not a fairytale, Iris. The dangers are real, and you will face them without the protection I offered you." Iris's shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of her mother's words sinking in. She knew this path wouldn't be easy, but hearing it from th
The thick, metallic liquid flooded my mouth, and I drank greedily, the fire in my veins momentarily quenched with each gulp.Maxwell continued pulling blood bags from the bag, lining them up beside me. I drained one after another, each one barely dulling the inferno inside me. The room spun, my vision fading in and out as the primal need began to fade, replaced by heavy, oppressive exhaustion.“More…” I rasped, reaching weakly for another bag. Maxwell handed it to me without question, his face set in a mask of grim understanding.I drained the last one, the empty bag slipping from my fingers as my body finally began to succumb to the overwhelming strain. My breaths slowed, ragged and uneven, as my head lolled back against the wall.The hunger was gone, but so was everything else. A heavy darkness pulled at me, dragging me down into its depths. My limbs felt like lead, my mind clouded and sluggish. The last thing I saw before the blackness claimed me was Maxwell’s face, his expression
Veins bulged along my arms and neck, their pulse erratic, as if liquid fire coursed through them. My breaths were shallow and ragged, each one a struggle against the growing weight pressing down on my chest. The transformation clawed at me, demanding control, but I refused to yield. My trembling hands gripped the desk like a lifeline, but even that began to splinter beneath my strength.“Not now,” I hissed, my voice low and desperate as I clenched my teeth against the pain. My vision blurred, the room warping as the migraine clawed deeper into my skull. It felt as though my head would split apart, the pressure building to unbearable levels.“Not now!” I growled again, more forcefully, my fangs fully extending, and my voice echoing with a monstrous undertone that wasn’t entirely my own. My fingers dug into the desk, carving grooves into the wood as I clung to the only anchor I had left: Selene.Her image burned in my mind, her smile, her voice, her scent—a fleeting reminder of sanity.
"What a lovely way to start my day," I muttered with a rare smile, carefully holding Selene's letter. Her familiar scent of grapes and lavender still lingered on the paper, driving me crazy.Just as I began to read it again, a knock at the door disrupted the peace of the moment. My smile faltered slightly, but I immediately recognized the faint scent of metals; it could only be her."Come in, Natalie," I said without looking up, my voice calm but firm.The door creaked open, and Natalie stepped inside, her graceful movements and steady demeanour as composed as ever. She was one of the few in the empire who dared approach me unannounced. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me, and a faint smile tugged at her lips."Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted, her tone polite but laced with curiosity. "I see you've received something… interesting."I folded Selene's letter, "What is it, Natalie?" I asked, keeping my expression neutral. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, n
ETHAN'S POVThe clash of swords rang in my ears, but my mind wasn’t in the fight. Every movement, every swing, every parry felt hollow, mechanical. I could tell Valdemar, my sparring partner, was growing frustrated. His strikes became sharper, more precise as if he was daring me to retaliate with the ferocity I was known for.But I didn’t. My thoughts were elsewhere—on her.Selene.She hadn’t replied to any of my letters. I’d sent so many, each carefully crafted yet desperate, hoping for some sign that she was okay. The silence gnawed at me like a huge rock was placed on my chest.“Crown Prince Ethan!” Valdemar’s sharp voice cut through the haze in my mind. His blade hovered a hair’s breadth from my chest. I hadn’t even registered his approach.My eyes narrowed, meeting his steely gaze. “What?” I snapped, my voice cold as ice.“You’re distracted,” he said bluntly, lowering his sword. “If this were a real fight, you’d be dead.”I sheathed my blade with a deliberate motion, the scrape o
"Sel," Claudio began, his voice steady but heavy with concern. "The celestial power sealed within you is breaking down. Your body can withstand it, but it will take time—and a lot of meditation—to adjust. As a result, you may experience temporary blindness whenever you tap into the celestial power."His words struck me like a thunderclap, silencing the thoughts racing through my mind. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I asked, "You’re saying every time I use the celestial power, there’s a risk of losing my sight?"Claudio nodded solemnly, his eyes meeting mine. "Yes. Today, I was able to cast a rejuvenating spell to help you find balance. Without it, you would have been without your sight for at least twenty-four hours.""A whole day…" I repeated, the weight of his words settling over me. I forced a sad smile, trying to mask the growing unease in my chest. "Well, that’s not as bad as I thought." I hesitated, glancing down at my hands before whispering, "For a moment, though, I t
My heart dropped again at my own words, the weight of them crashing down on me like a tidal wave.The darkness pressed in, thick and suffocating, wrapping around me like an old, cruel companion I had hoped to never meet again. It was the same as before—the endless void, the familiar feeling of weakness and helplessness. My body froze, unresponsive, while my mind spiralled into a panic."My lady!" Ruby's voice broke through the oppressive silence, sharp and filled with worry. I could hear her footsteps rushing toward me, the faint sound of paper rustling as the writing materials were pushed aside.My trembling hands rose to my face, my fingers brushing over my eyes. I blinked—once, twice—but the darkness remained. My chest tightened painfully as dread clawed its way up my throat."I… I don’t understand," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. My words trembled as much as my hands.Ruby knelt beside me, her hands gently cupping my shoulders as she shook me lightly, trying to draw me bac
I didn’t want to make them worry again, so it seemed best to head back to my quarters. And yet, my heart ached with anticipation to read my Mate's letter. Just the thought of it warmed me in ways I hadn’t realized I needed. "I’ll send word to them," Ruby said, her voice steady, and I nodded in agreement. Hand in hand, we made our way back to my quarters. As we arrived, I noticed the six wolves guarding the gate. I recognized them instantly. They sensed my presence before I could even speak, their deep, resonant howls filling the air in unison. The sound was a song of reverence, a celebration of my return. Their fur shimmered under the moonlight, their eyes glowing with recognition as they stood in their full, imposing forms. The moment I approached, they howled again, softer this time, as if acknowledging my return. Their joy was palpable, and it lifted my spirits more than I could have imagined. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, warmth flooding my chest at the sight of th
"Oh, what would I do without you?" I asked, shaking my head, the faintest trace of amusement in my voice.Claudio grinned, his confidence shining through as he replied without missing a beat, "Nothing."I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking through the lingering tension like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. He joined in, his deep chuckle blending with mine, and for a moment, the heaviness of everything we faced felt a little more bearable."You’re insufferable," I said, still smiling."And yet, you’d be lost without me," he teased, his tone light but his gaze warm and steady.I rolled my eyes, but my smile didn’t falter. "I hate that you’re right.""Get used to it," he said with a wink, leaning back against the nearby tree.As the moon continued to cast its soft glow over us, I realized that no matter how hard the road ahead would be, I would always have Claudio by my side. I silently thanked the Moon Goddess for our friendship.But then, a prickle of unease crawled up
Mother taught me sword dance because I had no other hobbies except fighting, she didn't want me to grow with only fighting in my head so she taught me sword dance, a unique way of combining violence and peace, the best way to relieve and express myself, it's a pity I have been too busy with the Hybrid attack I forgot about it.Claudio waved his hand, and a drum appeared in his hands; he sat down calmly, ready to beat it. I smiled happily; it has always been like this: he drums, and I dance.Excitement surged through my body the minute his hands started to beat the drum majestically. Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum.With my twin swords in hand, I let the rhythm guide me, each beat coursing through my veins like a long-lost melody. I moved gracefully, my feet gliding across the earth as if I were dancing on air. The blades became an extension of myself, slicing through the wind with precision and elegance, their sharp edges catching the light of the moon.I twirled, leapt, and spun, the sound of C