172CeleneChaos.Everything was in shambles, the palace half destroyed, Valerie, dead and Christoff holding the staff of power–Valerie's weapon of destruction, like it was some trophy. The tendrils of leftover magic trailed out of it.My heart pounded as I pushed against the wall of mercenaries that formed a barrier between us. They refused to budged, still like statues, except for their eyes, which flashed with excitement.“What is the meaning of this?” I shouted, the horror of what I'd just witnessed, cracked my voice, I struggled against Christoff's men, my fingers clawed, trying to break through, “Get out of my way!”All around me, the people cowered in fear, as Christoff, made his move. Their faces were streaked with tears, ashened from a dust mix of dust and smoke. They were frightened, scared for their lives.But a few remained clear eyes, the hidden warriors, those who had tasted death, either in battle or long before they held their front protecting the people, yet a trac
171 Celene A wave of silence swept through the crowd, like a tidal wave in the middle of summer, deafening and destructive. Christoff stood back, dressed in black slacks and a top, his armor nowhere to be seen, without them he looked different, safe. Coupled with his ever-charming smile he stood tall and harmless, except for the dark wooden staff emitting dark light, and his hands were currently placed on, that once belonged to Valerie. My eyes raked over the body of the said woman, her body battered and broken, thrown farther into the room like a rag doll and her dark purple eyes forever widened in surprise as though the thought of anyone—Christoff using her own staff against her never occurred to her. The thought of it replayed before my eyes. I could still see her shock, the flash of annoyance the moment Cristoff had stepped forward revealing the staff. Valerie sneered, her eyes viciously slanted as she pointed, “What are you doing with that? Give it back?” Christoff tilte
170CeleneValerie was enjoying herself, her eyes shone with happiness as I struggled to calm down.Believing she had won, she continued her words bolder and unrestrained, “You don't deserve that throne—”“Do you! You murderer!”She scoffed, “Better a murderer than a fool. You are but a child you've never tasted loyalty nor have you done anything to earn it.” Her words struck a nerve, who was she to tell me about loyalty when all she'd earned from her time in power was death and fear?I scoffed, “And you have? What do you know about loyalty? All you've done is force people to do your bidding with your magic that doesn't fully belong to you. Without your staff, you are nothing, just an old woman with a foot at the grave.”Valerie screeched, her eyes cold “I should have killed you when I had the chance.” “Like you haven't tried.” I deadpanned, “How many times have you tried, and you've failed? I am not the only pathetic one here, you are. All you can do is take and take, look around y
169CeleneI thought I could control myself, that I would be happy once Valerie had been caught and brought to justice.I believed I would be happy with her being put in jail and paying for her sins that all I needed for everything to be put back in their rightful place was to patiently wait for Mondrian to save my father.I had been wrong. In all of my beliefs, Valerie’s words had changed all of that.“Your father's life is in my hands. Kill me and you kill him, Celene.”I had been foolish, foolish enough to believe I could make a change, although she had been caught, Valerie still had a stronghold of this kingdom, for years she had planned for this moment, scheming and changing until everything had fallen in place for her, and I had been nothing but a setback, yet I couldn't believe it, I couldn't let it go.“After everything I had done. Everything I knew. How could it turn out this way.” I groaned, rubbing my face into the palm of my hands.I felt the burning gaze of the people, th
168CeleneValerie’s lips curled with rage at my transformation, her arms tightened around her staff, ready to attack.A young man called out in alarm urging me to be careful, I dodged her skillful strike, swiping at her side with my claws.My attack was imbued with magic connected with her flesh, which sent her tumbling down the cracked floor.The crowd moved forward as if to help, but I waved them aside. A few don't listen, stepping even closer, using my magic I drew a line. “Step back, this is my battle,” I ordered, turning to face Valerie once again.Valerie pushed herself out of the rubble, her once pristine face, stained black with soothe, her image of regal beauty tarnished with her tousled hair and grazed cheek.Still, she swaggered towards me, a cruel smile on her lips, “You think because you've merged with your wolf you can win this fight?”I growled, and she scoffed, ripping the hem of her gown into shreds, “Think again, child. I will destroy you until you beg for death, a
167CeleneValerie's staff vibrated, and the air thickened until it was hard to breathe, christoff whizzed in pain, and his finger struggled around his neck, “let Christoff go.” I ordered, clenching my fist, despite my hate for him I didn't want him to die. Valerie three men a knowing look, her eyes curved into crescents, “Even in the middle of this, you still show him mercy, pathetic.” “I didn't have to explain myself to you. This fight is between us, I will not allow anyone to get hurt because of me.” Valerie rolled her eyes, annoyance flashing within her now purple irises, “yet how many times has he put you in danger? You are just like your mother, always thinking about people who will never choose you.”Don't mention my mother. You have no right.” I snapped through gritted teeth. Valerie doesn't flinch at my outburst, her lips curved into a sinister smile, filled with threats “ Or else?”I stood my ground, the scent of dust and fear thick in the air around me as I stared bac