I had no time to object or second-guess what he said. I blinked, and when I opened my eyes again, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, “Don’t be sick on the dragon king’s carpet!” Then we were right back into that raging, dark hurricane place again. It only took seconds this time before my feet touched the ground. It was a hard landing, and I fell straight to my knee with a pained grunt. Holding myself up with my palms flat on the stone floors, I just waited. My body swayed this way and that, and my stomach twisted together franticly, but I kept it down. Strong hands lifted me to my feet and held my shoulders to steady me. But he stepped back before I could lift my gaze to see who it was close up. Not just one step, but two and then a third step. “Loki! Where are your manners? “ A deep voice rumbled, and even at this distance, I had to look up to see his face. He wore black pants, a loose white shirt in some thick, stiff fabric without buttons, and a V-shaped neck. A short, st
“What do you think you’re doing? Stop!” Both my feet were already strapped to the chair, and now he reached for my arm. Loki watched the spectacle like it was a new and intriguing show never shown before, but I didn’t care about him or his amused face. He could rot in hell for all I care. No, actually, I hope Thor shoots a massive thunderbolt up his ass! My focus was on that so-called king! I’d long forgotten about his alluring appearance; all I saw now was a wicked man hiding behind a title to do whatever he pleased! A loud screech cut through the room when the chair scraped against the hard floors, and his jaws tightened as my hand slipped out of his grasp. But despite the fighting, despite adrenaline rushing through my body, I knew deep down I had no chance. My feet were stuck, the chair was massive, and I only managed to push it half a centimeter. To top it all off, I’m currently about to be strapped down, by a dragon, in a god damned caste far above the freaking clouds! After a
Maya´s POV. I didn’t know what to think or even what to feel. When I woke up, everyone seemed to have passed out on the grass, and the fire had died long ago. I had to shake them, really hard to get anyone to react. With groans and grunts, they slowly returned to the world of the living, but then everything changed into chaos. Eir was gone. At first, I panicked, thinking this had to mean that whatever they were doing to her last night had gone wrong. But Tew swears she came back, that she was fine, and fell asleep afterward. And now everything was just wrong. Chaos and desperation. Eir was nowhere, and Toke was gone. “He can’t just leave here! Not having to drag her after him!” I couldn't help it, but the anxiety raging inside my body vibrated with each word as I almost shouted in Tew´s face. “Maya, breathe. We will find her, believe me! We will get her back. He can’t just vanish into thin air!” “NO? Then where are they? Don’t you remember what he tried to do to her? What if he
I had a weak moment, and that was all it was. I scowled at Arcane but quickly looked away, freaking out that he would see me and misunderstand it. I mean, who could even blame me? I shouldn’t even be here! To be honest, nobody should be here at all. Werewolves and fey, sometimes I still wonder if I just fell asleep reading again. But no such luck; it was all real. Everything here was so genuine. Once, I dreamed about this, diving into my favorite book and being swooped off my feet by a drop-dead gorgeous vampire or werewolf. Letting out a deep sigh of frustration again, I found myself scowling at Arcane. He had apologized over and over again. I believed him, too, believed that he didn’t mean to make me cry or hurt. So, like a characteristic damsel in distress, I cried in his arms. Found solace and comfort in his massive arms. I didn’t object when he lifted me off my feet and carried me over to a little bench by the railings. I didn’t object when he sat me down and put his arm around
Eir´s Pov. Placing the empty veil on the little countertop by the wall, he walked right out of the room, holding the other one up high. His eyes and mind were lost studying the thick red substance inside it, so he turned and nudged it in front of him, then walked right out. The double doors swung open and shut again behind him, leaving me alone. Right then and there, the room felt so massive. White walls, white ceilings, and even the floors were light grey, almost white-looking surfaces. The only color inside the room was this horrible chair and me. Even the little countertop was made of a solid white piece; it didn't even have legs holding it up. Just one white squared box of some sort nailed on the wall holding it up. Without anything to distract me or even let my eyes rest on, my mind had a life of its own. Pulling up my conversation with Hades and what he told me about the dragons, Tew had later filled in some of what he had heard of them, and then Toke's voice appeared in my me
He said something, but I didn’t hear it, or at least understand it. Baffled, I turned around and studied the room he led me to. My head is spinning out of control, almost to the point that I’m beginning to fear he is playing with my mind. This King is impossible to understand! One minute, he talked about horrible science projects, showing me cells and glass cages and giving me a history lesson he was proud to know. Promise he will take me down to that horrid dungeon, and I swear I thought my freedom would end right then and there. But instead, he keeps talking and continues pulling me down the hall. Now I’m here? It doesn’t make sense at all. The room is enormous! Two widows show off that magical view I saw earlier, a king-size bed filled with pillows of different sizes and colors. A beautiful and thick bedspread was neatly placed beneath all the pillows. The room had its own personal bathroom, and even from here, I could see the bathtub and the luxury details of gold and blue shimmer
I'm not sure how to feel right now. At first, I was mortified because it wasn’t a dream at all. It was not my imagination playing me because my wishes and needs were overwhelming. No, the last person I had expected to help me in any way. The monster of all monsters. The dragon king himself. Still confused by it all, I looked around the room; it was still the same room. But where were the shadows that stretched for me, clawed at my skin? The heavy and cold feeling that pressed around me? Now, it all looked so typical, just a room. Nothing more, nothing less. Dread and embarrassment had washed over me in merciless waves when I realized he carried me over to the bed, which I didn’t even notice. Is it finally happening? Is my sanity slipping, and will I eventually go insane? Like mother, like daughter, right? I’ve heard this my whole life, and I brushed it off as cruelty and people’s ability to see what they wanted to see. Judgmental people didn’t bother me anymore, but now doubt had c
I just had time to feel the edge of the panic that rose before it all vanished in thin air. Compliant and with a smile, I found myself falling back into the warm and welcoming darkness that embraced me. Deep down and tucked away, I knew I should be worried. I knew I did not appreciate this magic chest growling of his. But then again, it felt so lovely and cozy. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a feeling of freedom. Nothing could bother me, hurt me, or even get to me here. It was like I knew it; my body and soul knew it. So I fell deeper into the soft comfort, embraced the darkness back, and leaned in. Something stirred down here with me, another presence awakening and slowly searching for me. My skin still erupted with goosebumps over my arms and down my back, and the continuous rumbling sound that followed me—vibrated through my chest, making my heart flutter with anticipation, waiting for something. Then I heard her soft voice fill my head. She was calling for me, pulling at everyt
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