EMMA'S POVThis must be a bad dream, the worst I have ever had. Did he really say I would get executed? For killing who exactly? I am wolfless and weak compared to them, where would I get the strength to hurt anyone?"This is . . . absurd! Who . . who do you think I killed?" I stutter, my heart beating hard enough for someone close to hear.My mate leans back on his seat, his features darkening with uncontrollable anger. "I told you not to waste my time!" His eyes glow with rage just like they did before he burned those three soldiers alive. "You poisoned three of your friends before escaping into my kingdom. Did you really think you could just stay comfortably in my palace and I would never know the evils you have done?" He snarls and my mouth falls open with shock."That's insane! I have never had friends and I have . . . never harmed anyone! " I shriek and hear him and a few councilmen snort."I was running from Silver moon pack because my family hated me, not because I hurt anyone
ETHAN'S POVIf what I did was right, why do I feel like my world crashed on a rock and shattered into pieces? Something good on the inside feels like it's fading away and when it's done I will be left cold and broken.As far as I am concerned my mate deserved the sentence I gave her. Is there another fitting punishment for someone that has taken three lives other than execution? I killed three innocent men to protect her just because she was acting like an innocent victim that needed help. I don't see a reason to regret sending her to prison or declaring that she should have her life taken. I will not change a thing no matter how enormous this undeserved pain gets."Mate bonds are crazy things. Your mate can be a witch and your heart will still desire to love her." Mother says in snotty voice. "It's unfair that you're hurting because of that wretched thing. But that could be because she is alive and extremely scared. Once she dies your heart will be freed to love someone else." She ad
EMMA'S POVTwo men in guard's uniform walk into the room and halt a step away from me. They too glare down at me just like everyone I have met in this Kingdom has done so far."She looks cold and sick. How could King Ethan's mate be so weak?" One asks with pursed lips."Because she was meant to die. She is awful in every way." The other answers, equally displeased. "Take her to the cafeteria and get her little food to keep her alive. She will spend the rest of the day working." The taller guard orders his partner in an authoritative tone and immediately turns to leave."Yes, sir." The other man replies, leans down and grabs me by the collar of my big dress. I shriek in pain as he pulls me up to my feet with just a quick jerk of his hand. I stumble all around while he tries to make me stand steady."You're so damn useless!" He curses after running out of patience. "He angrily marches towards the door while pulling me like a sack behind him. Once again, I am forced to ignore the pain an
EMMA'S POV"You'll need the energy to make it through the work they will give you." She insists. "I heard the head of the guards say that you'll be overworked because you disrespected King Ethan's girlfriend."I shrug my shoulders. "Yeah . . . but yI will still be fine." I reply, knowing that I don't really care what happens to my life anymore. I will be a corpse after fourteen days, there is no use to be afraid of being overworked, after all the worse they can do is kill me."I . . . am sorry that they are going to take your life." She stutters uncomfortably. "I know they said that you're a murderer, but you look like a kind person to me. I mean . . . you don't have a villainous face. My assumption is that you killed to protect yourself and no one understands." She adds, giving me a sympathetic look.I want to tell her that I didn't kill anyone, but I realize that it won't change a thing. So I just nod my head."I know it won't make you feel better, but you won't die for nothing. You
ETHAN'S POVJason sets down the bags of clothes on the table beside the bed and makes his way out of the room. He has never taken interest in welcoming any other person into this palace before. But I guess Tracy is always an exception regardless of who is involved. "Your personal servants will take care of arranging the clothes. There is no need for you to tire yourself." Jason halts to say with a gentle smile. "Thanks so much. I am already feeling like I am home, your Highness." She humbly bows her head which makes Jason chuckle. "You're part of our family now, there is no need for you to show this respects. You can address me as Jason from now on." He says and shakes her hand. She smile back and he turns to leave. I take Tracy's hand and lead her into her room. She smiles seductively as she takes a seat on the bed and her short dress rides up higher. She doesn't seem fazed by the amount of provocative skin left uncovered by the thin fabric as she carries on to lay down on her b
EMMA'S POVI have never worked in a farm before, it's more strenuous and punishing than cleaning floors or washing bundles of dirty clothes. I am already regretting having not taken the piece of bread my my only friend here offered in the morning. If I had eaten it I would probably have the energy to keep pullingthe ten foot long sack that is now almost full of cotton balls.The sun is about to set and we have barely harvested half of the massive farm. I imagine none of us is an expert in cotton picking. My hands are already bloody from being scratched by the sharp spikes of cotton plants.We haven't been allowed a minute to rest since we entered the field with the long sacks tied to our waists with long ropes. I have been tagging it along throughout the day and it gets more and more heavier as I toss more Cotton inside. At least they gave me a pair of old boots to wear otherwise my feet would be bleeding as well.Not everyone is as tired as me however, except those that are sick. Th
EMMA'S POVI was expecting to wake up in a quiet, dark world of the dead. But angry voices of guards welcome me back to the mean world of the living."We saved her! There is no need to bother King Ethan." A female voice announces and a series of deep sighs follow."If she had died he would have thought that we killed her intentionally. It's safer to let him know that she attempted suicide so that we don't carry the blame if it happens again." A man's voice replies. Guess I didn't succeed in killing myself, and King Ethan is going to know. How could they have possibly saved me? I thought I was dead the moment my body hit the floor. Now all the injured parts ache. I didn't escape from pain or distress, I found more of them both by failing the simple task of taking my own life. I blink my eyes open and meet the stern face of the woman bandaging my wounds. Two guards and their bossy superior stand a step away watching."The vixen is awake. You can take her back to her cell." The woman s
EMMA'S POVLilian catches me before I hit the ground. "Thanks." I mutter to my friend trying to find my balance and stand on my own."You should take a seat." She urges, motioning me to sit on the edge of the small bed where her sick little brother is laying, unmoving. He looks like a cute boy despite his skinny form. He huffs and puffs heavily like he is having difficulties breathing. "I know you tried to kill yourself to save him." Lilian says in a worried tone. "I knew you have a kind heart the moment I saw your face. But I didn't think you would be so selfless as to take your own life for a stranger you hadn't met yet."I don't respond, feeling too tired and in pain to engage in a conversation. She sighs and shakes her head before helping me get to the bed and sit down on the edge. After taking a few deep breaths reach out a hand and touch the sick boy's thin neck to feel his pulse. It's not far from fading away completely. My eyes sting with fresh tears as I realize that I fai
EMMA'S POVI move my thick hair sideways as Ethan places the most stunning of necklaces around my neck and clasps it at the back. The mirror in front of us reflects my adorned neck and the shimmering necklace makes me look like a refined, noble woman.I have never worn jewelry before. I don't plan on adding more as that would make me look overly spangled like many royal women. The necklace has a unique design, three diamonds shaped like three stars and a crescent moon hang at the front while the rest of the beads are made of silver and are quite tinny. I think I can always wear it, with any dress. "You look stunning." My mate compliments as I turn around to face him. I believe his words, but guess who always looks more breathtaking . . . him. He never needs to wear anything or style his hair in a certain way to look like beauty personified. "Thank you for this. I am not a fan of jewelry, but I like this one." I say with a genuine smile. He has given me more gifts since I arrived h
ETHAN'S POV I feel strangely more refreshed than usual after spending the night sleeping beside my mate. Her heavenly scent was so lulling that I couldn't resist the urge to pull her closer and bury my nose into her neck. She was fretful at first, but she slowly relaxed and slipped back to sleep. She seemed grateful that I was there despite our infelicitous past. I imagine the nightmare had left her shaken, her body was quivering as I settled in the bed beside her. I was relieved when she managed to fall back asleep on her own. I watched her beautiful face for half an hour after waking up earlier than usual to make sure she has a personal servant that we can trust to prepare her breakfast. We will soon be parting ways because I need her to be somewhere safe before the day of atonement. And I want her to have someone truly loyal and caring by her side. The woman I chose used to be my nanny when I was a child, I felt closer to her than to my parents. I am sure she will care for Emma
EMMA'S POVI wake up huffing and puffing, my body sweating from the terror of the appalling nightmare. Turns out laying on a King size bed and being surrounded by gold isn't a guarantee to peaceful sleep. I have had terrifying nightmares before, but none was as chilling as the scene that jolted me awake from my sleep. My heart is still pounding hard from the frightening dream. It felt so real. I can't help worrying that it may be a warning of what I will happen to me in future. I know it was just a dream, but I saw my life being taken to lift the curse. My arms and legs were bound to the wooden table I was laying on so that I wouldn't escape. Ethan's parents and my sister stood aside watching. They all grinned deviously as a soldier with a ruthless look stepped forward, a sharp, shimmering blade in his muscular hands. I let out a scream as he raised it high up in the air then brought it down on my chest. I am quite relieved to see that it was a dream, but I may have actually scream
EMMA'S POVI may still have little love for my family, but I never wanted to see any of them again. Joanne looked like a shadow of the lady she once was. It took me several seconds to recognise her face without makeup. Unlike me she was loved by our parents and her mate, why would she run from all the sweet attention and show up here looking like the old me? I had enough troubles to deal with before, but she had to show up here pretending she is sorry. I know better than to believe her pretences, because Joanne can never regret anything she did to benefit herself. Did she find out that I am here and thought that she can come live in a bigger palace? King Ethan didn't look like he wanted her and neither do I. I wonder if she saw the sick people on her way here and still thought that this is the kind of heaven she seeks to live in. Has she also heard that I am likely to die to lift the curse? She should take her greed back to Silver moon, because she won't find the extravagant life s
ETHAN'S POV"You got banished by your husband?" I question and the Luna shakes her head. If she wasn't banished then she run away. "Did he harm you?" I ask even though I don't feel that concerned."Not physically. But he broke my heart in the worst way possible. I can never go back to him." She answers, her eyes filling up with tears. "Does this have anything to do with finding your sister?" I ask and she shakes her head once more."No. I stopped searching for my sister because he was extremely angry after that time I spoke about her in presence of our wedding guests." She responds and I feel disgusted by her selfish thinking. How could she stop searching for her sister simply because her stupid husband doesn't like it? "So what went wrong then?" "I found out that he has been having fun with other women. He didn't deny it when I confronted him. Instead he brought one of his mistresses home and introduced her like it was the most normal thing to do. When I complained he got furious
EMMA'S POVThis ornate royal structure was definitely built to convey wealth and grandeur. I imagine there is no other palace of any pack that has pieces of precious stones hammered into the wall surrounding it's massive guest hall. I am awed by the plush decor, but it's still hard to happily smile like I am home.It's true that no one seems thrilled to see me. The groups of servants we have bypassed stared and whispered amongst themselves, but their faces bore no sign of friendliness. They in fact look displeased to see me.I don't mind as long as no one is yelling out insults at me like the time I was getting dragged to the courthouse and everyone was confidently calling me names. "Don't mind their stares, they are just astounded to see you survived all the anguish and still look healthy." Lilian comforts. I nod even though I know they are staring for a different reason. They are wondering why my mate has chosen not to sacrifice me instead of his own life. He is obviously the most
EMMA'S POVI hate being in this room even when he isn't here. The shimmering gold doesn't take away the hate I have for the person that slept here before. I wonder how she feels being in a cell now after sleeping in an incredible little heaven like this. She must be devastated, because if she succeeded no woman would have been greater than her. She would be the beloved wife of the powerful King Ethan. But somehow things fell apart when she least expected. I really wonder how Ethan found out she was fooling him since she seemed quite in control of the situation. I thought since he adored her so much he would not punish her for anything, turns out he is truly unforgiving.I hear the door click open and turn my nervous gaze in that direction. Before Ethan left he said that he would send someone here to keep me company and show me around the palace if I wish to take a break from staying in here. I was however not expecting that person to be an excited, smiling Lilian.She looks pretty in
ETHAN'S POVI knew from the start that she would not agree to return here with me. But I could not leave her out there, not when she was already left locked up in an empty room to starve to death. I imagine no man of this Kingdom has ever endured the amount of physical and emotional pain that she has been through. I turned on her when she needed me most, now there is very little time left for me to mend everything and leave her with a good memory of the person I am.I used my blood to heal her wounds. But that's something too small to repay all the suffering she has endured because of my mistakes. I want to make things right, if only there is enough time. The curse can't wait another year to be lifted, not when over a hundred sick people have already gathered outside the gates of my palace, hoping that I can do something to save them from their pain.I wonder if my mate will ever think of me after I am gone. I would feel honoured to be remembered by her. She would definitely be happ
ETHAN'S POV "I understand why you don't want to be here. I am sorry I said so many awful things to you and I failed to protect you because I trusted the wrong person. You however won't safe outside the walls of this palace." I say in the most gentle voice I have ever used. But I can see that she is too scared of me that she wouldn't believe a word I say. I don't blame her. I have put her through hell so nothing I can say will convince her that I am not a monster."I would rather be out there than in here." She responds in a shaky voice. "This is your room, right?" She questions, once more gazing at the gilded furniture and the eye-catching drawings on the walls. "No. This one is yours. I thought you would like it." I say, trying to get a positive reaction from her, but she scoffs. I feel worried because she still seems weak. She yawns and I instantly remember what her talkative friend had said. She has not eaten for days! She must be starving."I will go get you something to eat."