26 – SHE IS OUR WEAPONPrince Darlon SweeneyWhen she whispered that we were under attack and Meridian stepped in front of me, shielding me, I couldn’t just stand there like I usually do—I acted. I drew my sword and began moving, striking down my enemies until they were eliminated, and the soldiers began clearing away their bodies.After wiping the blood from my sword and sheathing it, I turned to Meridian. She seemed off. Her gaze was fixed on a man whose face was partially masked. When he looked at me, he fled. I couldn’t stop wondering who he was and why Meridian hadn’t attacked him. I kept watching her until she asked if I had seen it—seen him. The man she hadn’t struck, standing frozen instead. I pretended not to understand what she was talking about, and we left it at that.Later, back in our room, as everything settled, she sat on the bed, closed her eyes, and rested
27 – WOLVESMeridian WaterAs the carriage rolled along, my thoughts refused to settle. The recent events replayed over and over in my mind. I was on high alert, and two things were throwing me off balance. We had been under constant attacks lately—why? But that wasn’t the main thing. First, there was the almost-kiss with the prince. Ever since that moment, my thoughts had been consumed by his scent, his hands on my waist, the feeling that danced over me like shadows. Then there was that strange memory of the wolf. What was it trying to tell me? Why did it seem to recognize me? Why didn’t it attack me in the forest? Everything felt tangled.“You know you’re staring at me, right?” the prince said, breaking into my thoughts.“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m miles away from you right now,” I snapped, irritation creeping into my voice as my words came out harsher than intended.“Thinking about the kiss you wish we’d finished, or someplace else?” He raised an eyebrow, his amusement evident in
Meridian WaterI took a deep breath as the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains. Despite the constant heat that lingered in the Kingdom of Umbra, a chill ran down my spine. Scattered thoughts hammered at my mind, but I pushed them aside. This wasn’t the time for distractions.A knock at the door startled me. Still half asleep, I got up and opened it. It was the prince. His presence irritated me even more because it reminded me of what we started but didn’t finish.“You don’t look excited,” he said, his deep, raspy voice filling the silence like a veiled provocation. His black eyes locked onto mine, as if trying to decipher me.“What do you want?” I asked, rolling my eyes.“Don’t ask hard questions—you might not like the answer,” he smirked, the kind of smirk that had me wet within seconds.“Am I being summoned?” I tried to ignore the question—and the heat rising in me.“Yes,” he nodded. “We have a diplomatic event today.”“Now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“No,” he replie
29 - ABYSSPrince Darlon SweeneyThe castle’s war room buzzed with tension. Maps sprawled across the massive obsidian table, and the voices of advisors clashed like blades in the air. As I entered with purposeful strides, every head turned toward me. Meridian followed closely, her presence silent but commanding. An uneasy stillness settled over the room, broken only by the impatient drumming of fingers on the table.I scanned the room, noting each face. Luthor, clad in his armor, exuded impatience, while Vanya sat with a rigid posture, skepticism etched into her expression. The other advisors seemed torn between respect and fear. But I knew—one of them was a traitor.“Let’s begin,” I announced, my voice slicing through the noise like a blade. I moved to the head of the table and took my seat. “Report on the recent developments at the borders.”Luthor was the first to speak, gesturing to the map in front of us. The red and blue markers denoting territories caught my attention as he det
30 - I’m in Love with YouMeridian WaterWhen his gaze met mine, it felt like everything around us was ablaze. But instead of continuing with what I thought he intended to do, his hands left my waist, tracing the scars scattered across my body. There was something in his eyes—admiration, maybe? I couldn’t quite decipher it. For a moment, I felt vulnerable under his touch, and my mind screamed at me to leave.Put your clothes back on and walk away.Don’t let him in.You’ll get hurt.But when his fingers brushed my skin, and I saw the fascination in his eyes, it was as if every scar I bore had been worth it. As if they existed solely for him to touch. I felt revered, as if he were worshiping the darkest, most hidden parts of me with each touch and each kiss on those marks. And suddenly, the fiery lust between us transformed into something entirely different.The prince’s expression softened, his features growing tender—an expression I never thought a dark mage could wear. He rose slowly
31 - The Voice of the VeilMeridian WaterThe shadows stretched across the forest as I walked in silence. We’d been summoned urgently due to an attack dangerously close to the palace.Since our last night together, the prince and I had grown closer, and he seemed so different from the man I first met. Within the castle, he was reserved and serious, every bit the diplomat. In his father’s presence, he became tense, shrouded in darkness. But when we were alone, everything changed—stolen kisses, caresses, intimacy. His face softened, his posture relaxed.But the onslaught of attacks had worsened, forcing us into constant missions, clearing the destruction left behind, and strategizing to anticipate the wolves’ next move.The prince walked beside me, but something about the night felt... off. My senses were picking up a scent that felt strangely familiar, tugging at the edges of my memory. It was earthy, like the forest after rain, mingled with the coolness of the night wind.“Do you smel
32 – The Plan - SweeneyPrince Darlon SweeneyThe silence in the room was oppressive, broken only by the echo of my own footsteps as I approached the throne. My father sat in his usual pose of authority, his black eyes fixed on me, as though trying to read every thought in my mind before I could speak it aloud.“Well, look who finally decided to show up...” he said without breaking eye contact. His voice was deep, laced with the kind of irony I’d come to know all too well. “Feeling better?”“I was summoned. Yes, I’m fine,” I replied curtly, unable to keep the disapproval out of my tone. The Voice of the Veil is a forbidden spell. For the person transported, the side effects include dizziness, weakness, and blindness. For the caster, it can lead to death—or worse, bind their soul to the magic, leaving them consumed by darkness.“Why do I hear reproach in your voice?” he asked, studying my face. “What is it you want to say?”“I wasn’t informed about this part of the plan,” I said, clasp
33 – IdentityMeridian WaterI woke up with a heavy weight on my chest, as if my mind were shrouded in a dense fog. The sunlight filtered through the forest leaves, but its warm glow offered no comfort.I shot up suddenly, throwing off the fur blanket that had been keeping me warm. My breathing was heavy, my heart racing. My body was screaming for something—something that wasn’t there. The palace. The prince. That was where I was supposed to be.“What did you do with my clothes?” I demanded, glancing down at the loose, floral dress I was wearing. My voice cut through the silence, cold and decisive.A young man sitting by the bedside stared at me. He was young, and there was something unfamiliar in his gaze.“These are your clothes, Mel,” he said, his tone carrying something sentimental. I scoffed, irritated. He stepped closer cautiously, concern etched across his face—concern I couldn’t comprehend.“No, these aren’t my clothes, and my name isn’t Mel,” I growled. “You’ve got me confuse
39 - I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANYMORERenan FolderI sat in that clearing, unable to move, stuck replaying every detail of the training session with Meridian in my mind. Tonight was the Full Moon Gathering—a night where we all sat around the fire, listening to the stories of our ancestors. It was supposed to be a beautiful night, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. My mind was too full of intrusive thoughts. The clearing had been decorated, and it looked beautiful. The moon was already creeping into the space, and I used to find comfort in its light, but tonight, it felt more like a spotlight, exposing the parts of me I preferred to keep buried.People were starting to arrive, but I kept my distance, leaning against the same rock where I had once talked to Meridian before she was taken. Lauren appeared beside me, carrying a jar of flowers. She always had this lightness about her, as if nothing could really shake her, but her eyes told a different story.“So…” she started, setting t
38 - I AM NOT ONE OF YOUMeridian WaterThe walk back to my room was long and heavy with silence. That last exchange of glances still hung between us, thickening the air with every step. When we finally arrived, he opened the door and stood at the entrance like a sentinel."Get in," he said, his voice mechanical, devoid of any emotion."Back to the prisoner quarters," I mocked."That’s what you are," he shot back, his eyes sparking with a fury that hadn’t been there before."How cute." I smirked. "Feels good, doesn’t it? I’d love to see all this power when I’m not vulnerable!" I crossed my arms as I stepped inside."If you were as good as you think, you wouldn’t be here," he replied, a cynical smile tugging at his lips. "Honestly, for someone with such a reputation, you were terrible.""Easy to say when I wasn’t in a position to fight. I’d love a match—just you and me," I challenged, masking how much his words stung."I’d love to end this ridiculous charade. But unfortunately, I can’t
37 – THAT SOUNDS... PATHETIC!Meridian WaterThe air around us was charged, electric, as I followed Renan down the narrow path. Every step he took was an annoying reminder that I was in enemy territory, under the escort of a man who seemed eager to put me in my place."Don't try to run," he said, not even bothering to look back at me. His voice was calm, but there was something about his tone that irritated me to my core."Oh, right, because I'd be dumb enough to try to escape unarmed in a forest full of wolves. Have you actually heard of my reputation?" I shot back, laced with sarcasm.He stopped abruptly, forcing me to halt before I could crash into his back. When he turned to face me, his expression was ice-cold."Yeah, I’ve heard plenty about the blood and chaos you’ve left behind. Wow, what a brilliant woman." His words dripped with sarcasm."Thanks," I said with a smirk.The muscle in his jaw twitched, and for a second, I thought he was either going to lunge at me or throw some
36 – NOTHING TO SAVEMeridian WaterThe air around me felt heavy, as if shadows weighed on my shoulders. Everything seemed too loud, too stifling. I felt trapped inside that room, with only the window offering a sliver of freedom.The crunching sound of dry leaves under boots echoed in my ears. Creatures wandered through the forest, their presence unsettling. Nothing about this place made me feel comfortable. I felt like an intruder—the damp earth’s scent, the distant murmurs of streams, and the occasional howls stirred a deep unease within me.The sound of the door opening pulled my attention, and there he was. I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he doing here?“Hey…” His voice was low, tinged with a kind of wistfulness, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to glow.I didn’t respond. He stopped a few steps away, his jaw clenched, hands shoved deep in his pockets—probably fists, I imagined. He looked as though he were trying to contain something boiling just beneath the surface. His pres
35 – Threat: FolderRenan FolderI knew what was coming, but at that moment, I couldn’t help but question my sanity. When Mr. Walter announced that I’d be responsible for escorting her, my first reaction was to refuse outright. I didn’t care who was in the room—my body instinctively tensed. I was being tasked with protecting the girl I had always loved, who was now our enemy.But she wasn’t her anymore. She wasn’t there. Meridian was gone, replaced by a traitor—by a mortal threat.The first time I saw her, I swore I could save her.The second time, when I saw her hurt one of our own, I understood her perspective—she didn’t know who she was and only knew what she had been told about us.The third time, when she looked at me and seemed to recognize me, my heart filled with hope. Maybe we could bring her back...But when I saw her casting, everything I felt shattered. She was willing to sacrifice her life for the prince. It wasn’t just a sense of duty; when her eyes met mine one last tim
34 – LaurenMeridian WaterThe darkness felt like a cloak wrapped around my thoughts. The spell casting had drained me, not just physically but emotionally too. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands resting on my knees, as I stared at the faint moonlight seeping through the window. Dark magic left marks on me—not visible to others but etched deep into my soul. A part of me resisted the shadows that lived within me. I felt like an intruder in my own body. Even as a renegade from the Kingdom of Umbra, I wasn’t a creature of darkness, and now my mind was at war with itself.The door creaked open, and I turned. A girl stood there, her eyes—like everyone else’s—carrying a mix of concern that I found puzzling. She held a cup of something warm, its herbal aroma wafting through the air.“I brought you something. Thought it might help you relax,” she said, setting the cup on the table beside the bed before sitting next to me, keeping a respectful distance.“I don’t want it,” I muttered, not l
33 – IdentityMeridian WaterI woke up with a heavy weight on my chest, as if my mind were shrouded in a dense fog. The sunlight filtered through the forest leaves, but its warm glow offered no comfort.I shot up suddenly, throwing off the fur blanket that had been keeping me warm. My breathing was heavy, my heart racing. My body was screaming for something—something that wasn’t there. The palace. The prince. That was where I was supposed to be.“What did you do with my clothes?” I demanded, glancing down at the loose, floral dress I was wearing. My voice cut through the silence, cold and decisive.A young man sitting by the bedside stared at me. He was young, and there was something unfamiliar in his gaze.“These are your clothes, Mel,” he said, his tone carrying something sentimental. I scoffed, irritated. He stepped closer cautiously, concern etched across his face—concern I couldn’t comprehend.“No, these aren’t my clothes, and my name isn’t Mel,” I growled. “You’ve got me confuse
32 – The Plan - SweeneyPrince Darlon SweeneyThe silence in the room was oppressive, broken only by the echo of my own footsteps as I approached the throne. My father sat in his usual pose of authority, his black eyes fixed on me, as though trying to read every thought in my mind before I could speak it aloud.“Well, look who finally decided to show up...” he said without breaking eye contact. His voice was deep, laced with the kind of irony I’d come to know all too well. “Feeling better?”“I was summoned. Yes, I’m fine,” I replied curtly, unable to keep the disapproval out of my tone. The Voice of the Veil is a forbidden spell. For the person transported, the side effects include dizziness, weakness, and blindness. For the caster, it can lead to death—or worse, bind their soul to the magic, leaving them consumed by darkness.“Why do I hear reproach in your voice?” he asked, studying my face. “What is it you want to say?”“I wasn’t informed about this part of the plan,” I said, clasp
31 - The Voice of the VeilMeridian WaterThe shadows stretched across the forest as I walked in silence. We’d been summoned urgently due to an attack dangerously close to the palace.Since our last night together, the prince and I had grown closer, and he seemed so different from the man I first met. Within the castle, he was reserved and serious, every bit the diplomat. In his father’s presence, he became tense, shrouded in darkness. But when we were alone, everything changed—stolen kisses, caresses, intimacy. His face softened, his posture relaxed.But the onslaught of attacks had worsened, forcing us into constant missions, clearing the destruction left behind, and strategizing to anticipate the wolves’ next move.The prince walked beside me, but something about the night felt... off. My senses were picking up a scent that felt strangely familiar, tugging at the edges of my memory. It was earthy, like the forest after rain, mingled with the coolness of the night wind.“Do you smel