I moved up and down in the darkness, floating in a soft sky. Like a little boat on the ocean, the steady, slow movements made me feel doozy. Like in a lousy movie, a short glimpse broke the darkness. Wooden walls. A tiny lamp and bed sheets. Then, back to the darkness, warm, soft, and safe. Like I was lulled into a thick, fluffy blanket, letting me sigh in contentment and lean into it with a smile. Dreamless, no worries, nothing but the soft night. I had no sense of time or place, but it didn’t worry me. It didn’t bother me; I just existed, and it felt so lovely. One voice was there often, whispering behind the night curtains. On and off, words and a soft murmur accompanied brief images of light and wooden walls. I stretched my arms over my head and squinted toward the light. My body felt heavy, but a smile graced my lips. Like I just woke up from the best sleep I've ever had in my life. But I felt increasingly confused with each breath and every time I blinked. Where am I? How did
Toke´s POV. It didn’t turn out the way I planned it to. Yes, it might have been a bit drastic to drug her and keep her down the days following. But the journey was dangerous, and it was all for her! She knew that. I told her, but she still refused to leave. This is my land, my world, not hers. Not the place she is used to. I did what was best for her, to protect her. I expected her to be mad and confused but not outright furious! These guys are different; I can’t show them I’m soft. There is no place for softness or love in this world. It is survival of the fittest, even among guys like Arcane, Hades, and their crew. I’ve known them for years since we were small, and pack fractions were different, even rogue packs. Times change, and even if I still know these guys and would trust them with my life, I know they live a different life. The rogue pack lives as our accident ancestors lived. Blood rituals and raids. They kept slaves and praised the old gods. They depended on them, fightin
Eir`s POV. I’ve just been stumbling around here on this little island for a while, sulking and hurting. That all changed now; I felt more anger than hurt. I had no idea what was happening with Toke; I refuse to believe Fury accepts this behavior. One thing is that he thinks he can treat me like I'm an object, a thing he owns. Speak to me like I’m a child who doesn't understand what is going on around me or is even able to make my own decisions. He turned to rage and force. Thinking back, I still unconsciously folded my arms around myself, feeling the aching wounds on my upper arms. His claws had cut into me and pierced my skin. I had jelled and cried for him to stop, but it was like he didn't even notice or care. I’m no longer sure which apply anymore. Despite my anger towards Toke, I just wanted him to snap back. Go back in time and be the same as he was, but as the first day passed and the second. I got a feeling that would never happen. Arcane protected me that time, and he made i
Kids! They are like kids. Explosive and selfish. ALL OF THEM! Toke thinks he can decide for me and still expects me to share a room with him as if that were the most natural thing in the world. Arcane is not a second better. He acts as if he cares, protects me, and even keeps an eye on me, trying to help and give me a little pep talk. At least, I think it was that. Then he completely changes again, spinning around, acting precisely like Toke. Why do the men in this world keep acting like females can’t think for themselves? Helpless little creatures that would follow their every move without question. I know I’m unfair right now; I know Arcane only stepped between again. But it still irked me; why didn’t it occur to any of them to freaking ask? Just ask me what the fuck I want? Instead, they are having a pissing contest on the deck, shouting and growling, circling each other like hungry wolves. I didn’t want to be here; I didn’t see a reason to be here. I grabbed my little bag and
Tew´s POV. I had to hand it to the council; they arrived the moment they got the message. However, it didn’t change the outcome. She was gone, and so was that so-called alpha. My men and I had searched each cabin and hut, and she was nowhere to be found. I even went through that old maiden prison, but it was nothing like I had expected it to be. I knew the Vikings had a long tradition of retrieving girls from the other planet; it even went so deep now they had an official agreement with their government. They always left with their carriage filled with precious metals that other worlds valued so highly; in return, they got a stack of papers. The girls they had decided their world would not miss. I went through their storage of files, and in the beginning, it was misfits and girls without families or many friends. Girls and young women, they figured, would not be missed or searched for. Homeless, addicted, or just plain unlucky in life. They were judged without even knowing that they
“ The scent trackers are back. There is no trace of them leaving the area through the woods or over the mountains. They even searched up and down the river, but nothing.” The old man, Cellrik from the council, cleared his throat before he continued. “ I have gotten word back from our truth-teller; she assures me neither The blood claws nor The werebears have seen her. They are not in the Fay territory; in other words, Tew, they are not here.” I scoffed and watched several of them jump in their seats as I got up and slammed my fists on the table. Cellric and Mallakai´s faces stiffened, clearly seeing this as an act of disrespect. I couldn’t care less. They failed their job! “Of course not! They crossed the sea! How hard is that to understand? “ I growled at them. My patience was wearing thin. It’s already been over a week, and I have a bad feeling about all of this, especially since I found these disgusting pack files. Alpha Birger could say whatever he liked, trying to convince
“Get me a rope!”I shouted. People were gathering around, looking. Whispers and mortified gasps. I raised a brow as I heard giggling behind me. Maya shrugged her shoulders at me and half tried to keep her laughter down. Odin, Hel, and sweet Loki, please tell me I’m not about to bring a woman with Hades´ kind of humor back to my pack! The freaking thing was a flying animal skeleton, most likely an old wild dog or maybe even a lion. With him, who knows! Flying around over our heads, coated with Hades´s black dust, and right between the legs of the skeleton, a massive whale cock was flapping back and forth over our heads. My nose wrinkled, and my lip twitched as I watched that meaty thing flap all over up there. How the hell did he even manage to attach that thing? You know what? I don’t even want to know! “Where is that rope?” A couple of the old females jumped back, looking like they would have a heart attack soon. Well, I’m not that amused by his humor all the time, mainly because
Eir´s POV. I’m not sure what happened that day, but Hades stepped away. Quietly, he left my room without saying another word, and in the days that followed, he gave me a strange stare. I could feel his eyes on me every time, and when I looked, he would turn away. He didn’t avoid me, but something was off. But I didn’t want to ask. I had more than enough with Toke. The hurt and sorrow. Toke and his actions, his line of thoughts and beliefs regarding me had vanished, I felt towards these last days. I’m not going to lie; something in my chest still aches from time to time when a poisonous remark leaves his lips, but my instant reaction now is anger: anger and the need to throw him overboard. Everything changed after we started sailing. Toke and Arcane only scowled at each other; Hades stared at me like he was suddenly waiting for me to grow wings. The rest of the crew became more invisible each day. Suddenly having so much work, they had decks to scrub, sails to repair, or imaginary pl
Chapter 2 of book 2. Queen of KingsThe reaction was immediate, and no matter what I told myself, I lost control of it even before it started. My heart dropped; it felt like I was pulled back into an alternate reality where I watched the Fay march through the pack´s village. Sound and shapes faded out around me as I felt an unbearable need to cry. My chest started aching, my heart raging against my rib cage, and a lump threatened to suffocate me as I struggled to swallow. It was a real-time fight-or-fight reaction, but they conflicted with one another, crashing inside me as my body began to run. All I could think of was my kids. I forgot all about Eir; there was no room for anything else as my feet carried me in a rush between small cottages and houses. Are they okay? Still with Arcane? They are fine! Of course, they are! But still, all I saw was their small little faces, crying and calling out for me in desperation. Calling for their mom, and I wasn’t there! Irrational, it is irratio
Chapter 1. of Book 2. Queen of kings.Three years later.Maya´s POV.“Stop that!”“I don’t like it!”“I don’t care! Stop being such a baby, Arcane; stand still and try it on! Dressing you is worse than dressing the kids! And they have the ability to turn into wet noodles whenever I try!”"Is it really necessary? It feels like you’re trying to hang me!""Oh, stop the whining! It’s just a tie!""From what I’ve seen, nobody dresses up with something tied around their neck if they’re not going to hang! This is unnatural! Do you even think she will do it this time?"I paused, let my hands fall, and watched with a plain face as Arcane ripped that poor tie off him like a burning curse etching on his skin. I wanted to yell at him, and I wanted to hit him, but I knew it wasn’t fair. He was right, after all. It had been over two years already, and three times, Eir and the Dragon had prepared for the Royal mateing ritual and every time, she had found a reason to back out of it.There was no longe
Amon/ Dragon King´s POV.The deep-rooted frustration and disrespect faded the second he laid eyes on her. Dragon vision zoomed in, and his wings had stretched as he lowered his head and aimed. Everything was different now, and everything had changed. Why? I’m not sure, but I will figure it out. Her sob-filled laughter danced over the dark field yet again, and I wanted nothing more than to relish in this feeling. A quest for later, I thought to myself, right now, all I need is here. All I need is her.For once, I understood her. I hated to see her cry, and my heart felt pain with each heartbeat. But she cried while smiling, cried while laughing. I’ve never seen such love between two creatures, the way they fight joy, pain, heartbreak, and love. Because Maya, the lost Valkyrie, acted just the same as she did. Despite all the darkness that tightened around both girls’ hearts, love and happiness shone through just by seeing one another, and I think that is the only thing that kept me sane.
"Oh shut up, Hades, you know you love me."Nida winked at him before shifting her focus back to me, and to my surprise, the beautiful snake-like woman smiled at me with a beaming smile. Her white teeth looked unnaturally white, and her sharp canines glinted in the light. Deadly, stunning, and mythical. Nida was not someone I had expected to meet ever again and to be frank, I had no idea how to react. I should hate her, and she worked with Loki. But then again, she never did me anything wrong. Not really. To my surprise, Hades mumbled and looked down to the side, giving Nida all the space she needed without hesitation. I heard him beside me, still mumbling uncoherent words like a scorn teen.A cold but delicate little hand with long nails gently lifted my chin."Don’t let him sour your mood, little human. He is an expert at sulking. I mean, he beat the most skilled, spoiled, and stubborn toddler I’ve ever met anytime."I couldn’t help it; her voice was so cheerful, and I felt drawn towa
Eir´s Pov.She had long and thick brown hair in soft curls over her shoulders. Sparkling blue eyes, her skin was pale, but she had miniature roses on her cheeks. With a beaming smile, she looked nothing like I remember her. Blinking slowly, once, twice, and then three times. But she was still there, so healthy and... normal? Yes, normal. This couldn’t be real, but I couldn’t help myself; I had to talk to her!“Mom?”“My little Elly girl! Look at you!”Her hands reached out for me while she walked up. I couldn’t stop looking at her, and she was so different. But I still could not accept it, even when all of me knew and wanted to take it. Accept her, smiling at me! Wanting to hug me! So, of course, I just stood there, gaping, unable to move a muscle.“You grew up, baby girl, I’m glad. ““ I… Who are you?”“You know who I am, Elly! This is like I always told you: In the next life, Elly! In the next life. Well, technically, we are between, but who cares for the details!”Her smile faltered
Maya´s Pov.“WHAT DID YOU DO!?”The beast split into two men, both running straight for me, screaming. I could see the hatred, the evil, and their accusation pierced my skin. But I couldn’t react to them, could acknowledge their presence. All I saw was her, her white wolf, lying lifeless on the cold and dirty ground. Fur drenched in blood burned patches from my sword up her front leg where it had hit the bracelet.Shouting and cussing, words meant to hurt, bounced off the walls all around me. Tew and Arcane stopped them, curling them to the ground with no mercy or gentle touch. But I could feel even their eyes on me. The doubt, the shock, and the accusation they so desperately tried to hide. My sword fell to the ground, and the clang of metal against stones echoed down the darkness, over and over until the sound died out.“I didn’t kill her, I didn’t kill her…. I DIDN’T KILL HER!”A whisper I had no control over, a chant meant to convince myself. It didn’t work, and I didn’t hear mysel
Oh, goddess, was I wrong! I wanted to run and leave this incredible, horrifying darkness so many times, but Hades held me back. Took my hand and led me forward or held me back; eventually, we slowly walked down the narrow, black stone tunnel, filling my head with whispers. Stories about how they died, their last memories, their lust for revenge and despair. All through the hall, desperate cries of a baby echoed all around us. It was horrible, full of pain and fear, and despite not being used to babies, all I wanted was to pick up this poor soul and comfort them. But just walking there, not doing anything, made my heart shatter, my chest ached, and tears streamed down my face while walking silently.I clinging to Hades’ hand like it was the only lifeline I had, and I am not sure I will ever be able to forget this. I don’t know if I will ever stop hearing the poor baby crying in utter desperation. I can’t explain this feeling, cannot explain how this sound haunted me, pained me, and tore
“Anja? How the hell can you call that thing something so casual?!”“Because that is, or it was her name at the beginning.”We had finally stopped, sitting down in the pitch-black depths of the cave. The cold stones bit my back as I leaned against the cave's walls, pressing my knees up against my chest.“All lost souls, detached or roaming spirits, end up here. When she did, she was a woman like you. I am not sure what she was, but the legend says she was a shifter, but there are many stories about what kind. However, they said she was a greedy woman, sly and conning, and that she would use any means necessary to get what she wanted or felt she deserved. Nobody knows how she obtained the fallen dragon, but somehow, she did, but she did not anticipate the cost of her greed. There is nobody she can complain to, nobody that can change her faith, so as the years passed, her spirit became part of the skeleton. Together, they are now one; together, they collect all lost or wandering spirits a
*Mumbling* Goddess me, what an annoying sound! *Louder mumbling* A voice, a familiar voice at that. Do I really know people with such an annoying voice? “WAKE UP!” The shouting cut straight through the fog and mumbled and yanked me out, leaving me confused and annoyed at the same time. My eyes were soar and dry, making me blink several times before managing to make sense of the scenery around me. Still, it was so dark, and it all felt so strange. Surreal. The air was neither cold nor warm; it just kind of was there—no wind, but no wind still. No fresh air, no dense old air, heck, I'm not even sure there is air here. However, I am still breathing, not struggling. I feel no pain, no relief, just an immense void inside of me. “You took your time! Hello? Do you hear me? “ His voice was too loud, too close, and sounded so irritated and impatient that it rubbed off on me. Blinking desperately now, I tried to see him, remember him, but my head worked so slowly. Damned, did I drink last