Sandy’s POV
I can’t believe what I just did. F***! I kissed a witch. Can you believe that? I kissed her…. My mind drifted to the way her soft lips moved against mine; they were so sweet, so tempting.Ora wasn’t like the other witches. She was probably one of those rare good ones. Still, I shouldn’t have kissed her back. I couldn’t give her any power over me. Resolving to have better control over myself, I returned to the inn with some breakfast.Evaan had already woken up and he was seated next to her, his little hands patting her head gently. Hearing my footsteps, he looked up, “How is Aunt Ora now? Did she wake up in the night?”“She did….” I placed the bag on the table. “I brought some celebratory breakfast.”His eyes lit up. Sliding down, he waddled towards the table. “Let me serve them.” He said as he opened the packaging. Evaan was very responsible for a five-yeOver the next few days; we roamed together, teleporting to different regions of Halterland. Ora had insisted that Evaan stay back on all the trips. Evaan tried to use his impeccable reasoning but Ora was unmoved. She commanded him to stay back and gave him some grimoires to read. That kept his little mind busy while we scoured through markets, valleys and mansions.If I am honest, I was kind of thrilled by the idea of being alone with her. I was tempted to make a move but her business-like demeanor made me hesitate.One evening, we had just explored the ancient ruins of Lorem when she stopped abruptly. She looked at me with a serious expression, “We can’t continue like this, Sandy.”My heart skipped a beat on hearing this. Had she sensed my desire to make a move on her? I gulped and was about to speak up but the words wouldn’t leave my lips, “Ora…I….”“I can feel that Evaan is growing restless. If we don&rsq
Sandy’s POVI kept gaping at the empty space for quite some time; lost in my thoughts. I wondered if we would meet again in this lifetime; after all, she was a witch and I was a werewolf. A sigh of longing inadvertently left my lips, blending into the soft air of the woods.The sun had risen and its rays streamed through the gaps between the foliage bathing everything in its golden glow. I should have asked her to stay for a while. Then, I could have taken to my favourite lake and….The sudden sound of shuffling footsteps broke my train of thought. The bushes swayed at a distance as if they were being parted by someone. My first instinct was to run but I stopped myself. I was near my pack’s territory. What was there to fear?A few moments later, the thick overgrowth parted and two men emerged. They were dressed in battling armor. A deep frown settled on my forehead as I addressed the man standing to my left, “If I am right, you belong to
Sandy’s POV“Things have changed a lot over the last few years, Sandy… Everything we think or do has somehow become about annihilating witches. You know that I don’t think all witches are evil but if the Lycan King orders something I have no power to refuse him,” Kevin explained as we walked inside. That was new. He was explaining without me having to prod and nag.I snorted and shook my head. He was probably feeling guilty for setting me up without giving full details.“I really didn’t expect you to just get up and leave without discussing with me…. Else I would have made appropriate arrangements.” He held my arm, stopping me in my tracks. His words sounded sincere as he continued, “I am sorry that you had to go through this.”Alpha Kevin was apologising to me so easily? That was another first. His eyes seemed to reflect the honesty in his voice. I averted my gaze quickly. I didn’t w
Ora’s POVIt’s just been a couple of days since Sandy and Evaan left. But, it already feels like a part of me is missing.“Ora….Ora, when did start falling for strangers like this? Don’t you know that nothing good can come out of an association between a werewolf and a witch?” I chided myself as I changed and adjusted my hairstyle. Today was the thirteenth day after my sister’s death. Mother must have organised a formal ceremony to consecrate her remains. I knew she wouldn’t want me to attend it but I had to go.I was about to teleport right into my house but the sudden congestion in my heart made me lose focus. Moments later, I found myself in the midst of some ruins. The grass was charred and rubbles and chunks of the wall were littered as far as my eyes could see.What place was this? I sauntered around, trying to figure out the place I had accidentally teleported to. The trees on either side of the path had tur
“Mother,” my voice came out as a trembling whisper. She didn’t even turn to look at me; her gaze fixed on the scene out of the window. My heart pounded against my ribs as I waited patiently for her to turn around and look at me.In the past, if I was patient enough, she would forsake her anger and talk to me again. But, not today. Today, she remained seated like a statue; ignoring my presence. I knew it was my fault but her indifference hurt deeper than her scolding. If she punished me; this intense guilt that was gnawing at my insides would probably fade.Rubbing my clammy palms on my trousers, I tried again, “Mother, are you alright?”Zap! I was hit with a strong surge of energy. I staggered with the impact and a gasp left my lips. Holding the pillar for support, I said in a pleading voice, “You have to give me a chance to explain, mother…. I didn’t do anything deliberately.”With a swoosh of her hand, she
Ora’s POVI paced up and down the grassy meadow with restless anticipation. If Sandy had gotten the message, he should have been here by now. Did he see through my plan? Or did he just decide not to come? Hundreds of questions swirled in my mind as I continued to wear the ground. What would I do if he didn’t turn up? What will I say to Grand Magus?A frustrated grunt escaped my lips and I smacked my palm. Now that he was back with his friends and family, he probably didn’t care about me or my message. It was funny how this thought made my heart twist when all I wanted to do was make him pay for betraying me. I snorted and shook off any sense of attachment I felt for him.“Ora, is everything alright?” The moment I heard his voice, I spun around in delight. My lips lifted in an automatic smile and I took a step towards him. His beard had grown into a soft stubble and his eyes looked weary. But, he was as handsome as ever, and more alluring
Ora’s POVI found Valence huffing in anger; pacing up and down like a hungry predator. She was so enraged that I could sense the fury even in her magical aura. Drawing in a deep breath, I stuttered, “Grand Magus, Valence. Are you alright?”My words didn’t bode well with her. She spun and glared at me. The next moment, I was hit by a strong wave of energy. I flew across the room and hit the wall so hard I heard my backbone cracking. After the numbness came the pain, intense, searing. It radiated all over my body causing me to scream. I tried to move but I couldn’t feel anything below my back.“Why can’t he just forget that b***h completely!?” Valence let out a primal grunt; energy radiated from her making the ground shake. Stones and rubbles started raining from the ceiling. At this rate, the entire cave would be destroyed.My eyes darted to the door beyond which Sandy was imprisoned; A wisp of my magic made its way
Sandy’s POVI had never regretted meeting Ora. She was like a beacon of light that kept me from drowning in the darkness. I had faith that she would save me from this hellhole that tortured you on so many levels. God knows what kind of magic this cell possessed. It made me re-live all my nightmares again and again and I had quite a few of them.The nightmares would plague my mind until I couldn’t bear the agony and passed out. The silver chains burned me as I tossed and turned in an attempt to run away. My life had turned into a horror singularity that kept repeating again and again, endlessly. I kept waiting and waiting for how long I don’t know.Ora did come like a beam of light in the cell. I was naïve enough to think that she had come to save me. It was only when she pushed me in front of her Grand Magus that I snapped out of my delusion. She wasn’t here to calm me; was here to scorch me.Even now that she was raining blows on my
Sandy’s POVSeven years of wandering, seven years of hopelessness had taken a toll on me. I never realized how simple and carefree my life had been before I met Ora. Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to regret meeting her. I am sure I wouldn’t regret meeting her even if I had to spend my entire life lying in wait.This pain of separation, this desperation has become a part of my life now. I had learned to embrace it. It was proof of my love, my bond with Ora. I often wondered what would happen when she woke up. Would she still be angry at me for betraying her? Would she refuse to talk to me or say harsh words? Or would she understand that my feelings are genuine and accept me?A guard came running over. Almost bumping into me, he said in a breathless voice, “Ora has woken up.”My ears rang and my body went limp. Did he just say that Ora had woken up? No, I must have heard it wrong. Gulping the lump that had formed in my throat, I croa
Ora’s POVSeven years laterI was drowning in a sea of darkness. There was nothing but a sense of a deep, dense void. Who was I? What was I doing here? Why couldn’t I remember anything?My entire body felt so sore and limp; my bones and muscles seemed like they were made of limestone forbidding any kind of movement. I couldn’t even feel myself breathing.“Good morning, love,” A deep, velvety voice caressed my ears.“I know you were hurt by the words I said to King Augustine. I should have never said that I didn’t love you…..”A flicker of light pierced through the darkness, scattering it. From the deepest recess of my mind, I recalled something. I recognized this voice. But, who was it?“It’s already been seven years, love. Don’t you think you have punished me enough….” I felt something moist on the back of my hand. “It is time to wake up now….”
Sandy’s POVIt’s been a fortnight since Ora performed the ritual and she had yet to wake up. I waited in anticipation for the healer to finish checking her. King Augustine had sent the best Royal healer to check on Ora.“Did you find out what is wrong with her? Did you find anything at all?”“I am sorry, Master Sandy. There is nothing wrong with Ora; her pulse, heart rate, brain impulses; everything seems pretty normal.”“Why in the world isn’t she waking up?”“It is because of the ritual she performed,” King Augustine said as he stepped inside the room. I knew I should have turned around and greeted him but I just wasn’t in my element. He didn’t seem to mind either. He beckoned the healer to leave and sat down on the empty chair.With a defeated sigh, I sat on the edge of the bed facing him, “If you knew that the ritual was so dangerous, why did you lie to me? I…
Ora’s POVKing Augustine had already made all the preparations. A twelve-point star had been laid on the floor using candles. Each of the points boasted a large crystal mounted on small golden pillars. All the other necessary ingredients were arranged with precision, the blood flower, snow crystals, jade flakes, and the blood of seven different mortals.Sensing my gaze on the goblets, King Augustine explained, “Don’t worry, we just raided a blood bank. Nobody was harmed.”I gave him a curt nod and continued to assess all the items. King Augustine seemed to have a deeper understanding of magical objects than most witches; everything was arranged with such precision that there was no chance of error at all.Even so, this ritual was very risky, I had to sit in the center with the blood pearl crystal in my hand. That was the only crystal that couldn’t be kept on a golden pillar. Its power could be channeled only through a human body.
Sandy’s POVWhen I went to look for Ora, the guard told me that she was summoned by The Lycan King. A sense of panic developed in the pit of my stomach and I rushed to the Lycan Palace as soon as possible. Driving at a speed of over 120 kmph, I covered the distance of about an hour in under thirty minutes.“I am here to pick, Miss Ora,” I said in a confident voice hoping that they would let me through. The guard seemed unrelenting but another guard walked up to him and whispered something in his ears. Moments later, I was allowed to enter but they wouldn’t let me go any further than the main hall.“Our King is busy discussing something very important with Miss Ora. He has instructed us that he is not to be disturbed. Once the meeting is over, we will let you in,” the guard snapped in a slightly annoyed voice as I prodded him for the umpteenth time.This was when I caught a glimpse of Ora walking through the corridor. With a swi
Ora’s POVFeeling a bit stuffy and suffocated, I sauntered outside to get some air. The moon wasI had just taken a stroll around the garden when one of the guards came trotting up to me. He gave me a curt bow and stated, “The Lycan king has summoned you.”My gaze drifted to the moon that was high in the sky, “It is already so late. I will swing by early in the morning.”The guard shifted slightly, “I am afraid that is not an option, Miss Ora.” He waved towards the vintage car parked on the road, “The King has even sent a car to pick you up.”I glanced at the car condescendingly. It was too troublesome to spend hours driving to just reach somewhere. “I think I will just teleport there, Thank the king for his thoughtfulness though.” I teleported before the guard could respond. The Lycan king was seated on the couch with a glass of drink in his hand; his eyes were glazed over and he
Sandy’s POVA deep growl rumbled off my chest as I upturned the table in my bedroom. The articles on the table scattered on the floor and the vase crashed against the wall.My knees buckled and I dropped to the ground. The congestion in my chest escaped in the form of a bone-chilling scream as I tore my hair, “Why? Why did I say those words to Kevin?”I had promised Ayana that I would never tell Kevin that mom died due to depression. I had been putting up with his pretense for so long that the restraint I had over myself broke.I wasn’t really bothered by the fact that Kevin knew the truth now. He deserved to suffer for what he had done. I was more upset that I had broken my promise to Ayana.“Sandy? Are you alright?” Ora’s voice drifted into the room. Her pained expression flashed before my eyes adding another layer of anguish to my heart.With a wave of her hand, she fixed the mess I had created. Kneeling besi
Ora’s POVI was about to step inside when Sandy grabbed my arm. His eyes flitted with conflicting emotions as he spoke up, “Did you umm… hear everything that I told the Lycan King?”I raised my eyebrows, “What exactly are you referring to, Sandy?”“I…umm… I was just wondering if you heard everything right from the start about…ummm….” He paused for a moment, “Nevermind…. It is nothing important.” He paused for a moment, “Let us go inside.”A long, suffering sigh escaped my lips, “I heard everything, Sandy. I heard you beg the Lycan King to grant me sanctuary. I also heard that….” My voice trembled as I continued, “I also heard the part where you told him about faking everything…. How you would let me fall deeply for you and when I am completely trapped….”He covered my mouth before I could finish speaking, &l
ORA’SI stepped forward and laced my arm through his Sandy’s before looking straight at the Lycan King, “I am here to help with the negotiation.”He snorted and burst into a bout of loud guffaws, “What makes you think YOU are in a position to negotiate? I could kill you with the snap of my finger.”“Technically you would need more than a snap of your fingers but let us not dwell on that.”“Ora, what are you doing? You are going to get yourself killed. Please let me do the talking,” Sandy urged. For a moment, I thought I saw fear in his eyes but I shrugged it off. I wasn’t going to let my wishful thinking blind me this time. Ignoring his words, I continued to talk to the Lycan King.“I had gone for a walk in the mystical forest and I overheard some witches. They are planning something huge, very huge. If you kill me you will never find out what their plan is. Even if you manage to f