Maids rushed to the scene as they whispered amongst each other. What was happening?They all had pitiful looks on their faces as they watched the sight before them. Soli knelt before them, her hands gripping the side of her gown and the Head Maid staring at her with no emotions. She had a whip in her left hand and the maids murmured in the midst, some were wondering what she did and others could only muster rumors out of jealousy that she was serving a Royal closely.The first whip landed on her back and Soli gripped her gown tight. She was not going to fall. She was strong, she chanted in her head as the second came. The other maids grimaced at how the linen she had worn tore apart at the third lash.Instantly, she let out a painful cry and one of her hands grasped for sand. She needed something she could hold unto. More lashes came and beads of sweat formed on her forehead as more bitter sobs erupt from her.When it got to the ninetieth lash, everyone began to murmur that she should
"Any news on the search for the Gemma Wolves yet?" Zenith asked as Zariel stepped in. He shook his head."Not yet, Your Highness. I tried to look into the Black Junction but it seemed like their name was forbidden to be mentioned so, I was unable to find anything but...""But what?" Zenith asked, quirking a brow at him."I think they intentionally kept it that way because it would be dangerous if Lionel found any clue as to where they are and it is really quite suspicious because no one knows how to recognize them apart from Lionel who has been really careful in keeping his search a secret." He said.Zenith thought about it and nodded. He was right. If Lionel finds them faster than he does, he could kill them which will ruin his plan. He nodded, slowly assimilating what he said, and dismissed him. Zariel walked out and bowed as Mathias walked past him inside the study room."Your Highness," He greeted with a slight bow.Zenith let out a deep breath. "Ask Rieta to come." He said. Mathia
She knew what that smell was. She knew what must have happened to have that smell etched on her skin. She knew who that scent had belonged to. She knew who that lady was. She had seen her and heard of her… her escapades. Raw fury burned through her as rage clouded her vision. How dare he do something like that?She barged into his study room and Mathias paused mid air with what he was saying and he turned his head to the see the one who had the guts to barge into Zenith's study room.Her chest heaved with every breath she took, her eyes hardened at Zenith who did not so much move from where he was or even look up at her.Mathias glanced between them and contemplated leaving but both Zenith's and Selda's voice came through."You can continue-""Right Hand, Kindly leave us!"Heavy silence descended into their midst and Mathias chose to obey his King so he continued talking till he was done. Selda stood there and waited till Mathias answered the questions Zenith was unnecessarily throwing
Mathias rushed in, a surprise look etched on his face. Zenith glanced a look up at the way he had rushed in and blinked."What is it?" He asked him.Extending the letter out to him, he urged him to collect it from his hand. "It is a letter."If there was one humane thing Zenith could not do, it was definitely rolling his eyes."Obviously," He pulled out the letter from the envelope and his brows creased together when he saw the seal on it. Lionel... it was from Lionel. A look of shock or rather surprise ran across his face as he dropped the envelope, picking the written sheet.Mathias moved forward, craning his neck forward to look into the paper. The only thing that was moving was Zenith's eyes as he read the letter. He soon dropped the letter and Mathias picked it, his eyes narrowing at the words.What was this that Lionel asked?"People who could heal us?" He asked Zenith who seemed to be in deep thoughts. His brows drew in as several thoughts twirled in his head. What was Lionel p
Two days later and Zenith still has refused to see Selda who had taken it upon herself to stand by the door. On a occasion, he had met her and ignored her. He even went ahead to bark out orders. So today, she decided not to go to his study room. She did not even bother to have a bath as she stood under the morning scorching sun. The maids had pity etched on their faces on her behalf. They silently murmured that the King was being to hard on her but no one, not even Mathias went to speak to Zenith on her behalf, dared go to meet the King.Drips of sweat trickled down her exposed chest and her forehead. She did not even blink for once as she kept her stare on the entrance of Zenith’s office. She was going to do this for Soli, even if it means bringing herself down. She had brought her ego down and this man named Zenith was toying with her. Pure rage glowed through her but she quickly tamped it down. She was not going to let her anger get the best of her and make her lose all these sacrif
The heat in his gaze made her breath catch. This was… his beast. She subconsciously pulled her lower lip in and his gaze dropped to it. She noticed the way his throat had bobbed and he flicked his eyes up back at her. Her heart skipped twice and she gripped the bedsheets to hold herself from grabbing his back– his bare back that glistened with sweat underneath the dim light. A head of sweat raced down his hairline and dropped on her exposed neck. She could hear the cracking of bones above her head where his hands had her caged between them.Was he fighting for control or what?“What are you doing, slave?” His voice was low and thick, hoarse and filled with undefined want. Want for her. Her thighs clenched as the vibration of pleasure, one that was definitely not hers, cascaded down her body. Her toes tightened to still herself. If she was careful she would wrap them around him. She swallowed hard at the intensity in his eyes.“I asked a question,” He reminded her, his eyes staring deep
She dragged herself to her usual spots. It's been a week. A week of coming here, to beg him. To plead with him. She had even refused to see Soli because she knew if she saw her, she could do what would make all of her effort be in vain. She took her place again, her chest heaved heavily. Her pulse were unsteady as it began to drizzle. One of the guards rushed forward to cover her with his shield but with a harsh glare at him, he cowered and retreated, keeping his shield to himself. She remained there, stiff and stoic.Why was he so hard to break? She had wondered throughout the night and yet she could not make out an answer for it. Why was she doing this for a maid? She needed someone and if this was way to gain the girl’s trust, she would gladly do it. She needed someone there to bring her what she wanted and she would do this just to get it.For the past few days, he had not even bothered to address her. She had watched him walk out of his study room everyday and yet he did not spea
“Is there any other news as concerning what Lionel has suddenly suggested?” Zenith asked Mathias as he settled into his chair under the shade. He was there to rest and enjoy the afternoon’s weather.“Not yet, Your Highness. He just dropped it and disappeared. Our sources are even yet to see or even send anything.” He informed him and Zenith slowly nodded his head as the maids placed the fruits before him. If there was something Zenith loved, it would be fruits.The maids walked away, leaving Cassandra to stand behind him. She watched him closely as he picked the sliced fruits into his mouth. The way he chewed was really regal so she took the bold step, one she has been thinking of executuing. She stopped behind him and hesitated.“What is with the reluctance?” Zenith’s voice came, startling and catching her by surprise. Her hands hang mid air and she blinked before steadying herself again behind him. Of course, he had noticed the way she was staring at him creepily. She gently placed
Finish what she started. Did she hear wrong or did she need to get her ears checked by the royal doctor?“If you make me repeat myself, you will have yourself to blame, Slave.” He bit out, his gaze clouded with rage and lust as he peered down at her.Nyx did not know what to do as she stared at the bulge between his legs. Thankfully, Cassandra had been unable to pull off his clothes. Just that band around his waist.“Slave, if—”She didn't let him complete his words as she fell to her knees and slid her hands up to his bulge, holding it between her tiny hands. It felt huge and her tongue swiped over her lower lip in savory. He let out a groan at that gesture of hers and he jerked into her touch.She flinched a bit before she recovered and began to work his bulge through the soft material. He pushed into her with even more force and when she noticed he was becoming restless, she quickly loosened the string around his waist and pulled his thick, long bulge out.Precum covered the pink
Zenith watched the Healer walk into his study room with keen eyes. What he was doing here? Mathias went to stand beside him, also staring at the Healer like his coming was ominous, which it was.“Your Highness,” The Healer greeted with a slight bow, his eyes glinted with the familiar purple color from behind cloak he used to cover his face. Zenith had always been weary of the man since he saved him from the fire years ago and he knew he had to meet him to take care of Divine also.“You coming here must definitely not to greet me if I was right?” Zenith asked, picking up the scrolls before him and putting them into the rack.The healer smirked. “Definitely not, Your Highness. I came here, bearing great news but before I proceed. Where is that Nephew of yours? It has been so long since I saw the creature that I mended myself.” Zenith’s eyes flickered at the term he used to describe Divine but he said nothing. “He is not allowed in the throne room unless he is being summoned. Please g
Zenith sat in his study room, going through the scrolls. He has been receiving news from the other part of the Lycan lands that the blight was starting to grow even wilder. He had sent Mathias to check it and the report he came back with was devastating so he sent a few of the royal doctors to the place to control it even if they could not heal them. He had been so burdened and yet he did not have anyone to talk to about his burden. He just had to keep it in by himself and tried hard to work it out, not like there were any differences. Nyx pushed open the door and stepped in, the simmering tea in her hands oozed with heat as she walked closer to him. The cold season was creeping in on them and they were slowly preparing for it. The furry coats were going to be brought soon to the palace. Her stiff hands gently dropped the cup before him and his steely eyes darted toward her, watching her bow then take a step back. He waited for a while before he carried the cup and in the blink of
Selda sat down, staring into the empty dark space. Her eyes held void as her body remained limp at the spot. She had been there for days now and was already used to the deep darkness. There was nothing but hatred and revenge twirling within her orbs. There were no thoughts apart from the ones of deep retribution toward the Zenith’s Land. She was going to ruin in ways no one had ever thought of. She would break down the empire he had so much built with all his efforts. She will make sure he regrets the decision to marry her. She would show why Lionel had chosen her. That reminded her. Was her brother aware that Zenith had her locked in there and he pretended not to know? She knew her brother’s spies were in the palace and she had been trying to figure them out but they had been doing a good job of hiding themselves. It was good for them but worse for her because she needed to meet them for a little chat. Her fist clenched tight as she heard the squeaking of tiny rats. She wanted to cry
"If you are any second late, you will be the one doing what she is supposed to do." He threatened her, making her heart skip. She could only obey him so she rose to her feet and hurried out of the place, fear ripping through her yet she was tempted to disobey him so he could punish her.Was she being delusional right now?She shook her head as she hurried toward the concubine's chamber. She stopped when she noticed the maid standing outside. "Is the King's concubine inside?" She asked slowly, dread filling her stomach at the thought of another woman satisfying her mate. Another session of pain pricking her to go through.She could only secretly feel like this. She should not. He had rejected her secretly and want nothing to do with her. There was absolutely no one she could talk to about it, not the head maid, not even Divine. She was here, all alone and with the Head Maid's warning still ringing in her ears."Yes, you may go in." The maid informed and she walked in, surprised at the b
Weeks have passed and Nyx could not bring herself to come face to face with Divine. She had been avoiding his chambers like it carried some sort of plague. Even to see Zenith, she made sure she did not have a reason to walk by his chambers and study room. The way he had threaten her kept replaying in her mind and his thick, dangerous voice resounded in her ears. Would he have killed her if it was true that Divine was bedding her? Or would he have killed his nephew? She saw the feral look in his eyes, the one he had tried so hard to hide, and she would not lie, something flickering had spread across her chest. She did not know what it was yet but with time, she would. She bit her buttom lip as she ambled way through the maids’s quarter and crossed into the kitchen. The noises of utensils being used echoed in the entire place and dropped the tray in the place where they would be washed. She let out a deep breath and looked around. She caught sight of the tray that belonged the Royal
"I'll be bringing Rieta into the palace," Zenith informed Mathias whose eyes widened in shock at the sudden information."How?" He asked.He did not get why Zenith made so random decision. Sometimes, he wondered what went on in the head of the man. "By the palace gates and into the concubine chambers," Zenith replied in a bored tone."Why do you want to do that? Selda is still in the reconciliation room and the Seven Elders have been submitting petitions that you should free her. And besides, the people will think that the only thing you can do is keep females." He said.Zenith said nothing as he dropped the scroll he was working on. "What the Seven Elders want is different from what I want. She accepted her punishment. I refuse to stand for violence within my Palace." He directed a look at him and Mathias nodded.That was the discussion that led to Rieta being carried all the way from where she lived into the palace. Everyone in the palace was shocked to the core. Some even wondered
He must have heard wrong. There was no way... He shook his head, he definitely cannot allow himself like that but he could not help himself. Why would his nephew do something like that? He knew they were mated. He was the first to know even before he knew. He clenched his fist, his gaze on her hardening. She... her scent wafted into his nostrils and blocking his senses was all he could do to think straight. Why would she do that to him? So many thoughts twirled around his head and he realized he has never thought so much the way he was doing. The only time he has ever thought so hard like this is when the blight first broke out. He tried to steady his breath as she stopped before him, curtsying to the rest of the people.Nyx noticed the look of pity etched on Divine's face and swallowed hard as she wondered what was taking Zenith so much time to speak. She blinked, still waiting. Everyone had their attention on Zenith whose gaze was indecipherable."I heard," He paused and Nyx let out
Rumors was quick to spread in the palace. It's been three days since the she was confronted by Cassandra. There was no place Nyx walked into that they won't stare her down or even speak in hushed voices. This was rumor of scandal. An affair with a royal? That was the height of it. She wondered what would be going on in Zenith’s head or maybe he was yet to hear of it. What would he think of that night? Or maybe he does not remember her. Which one would hurt more?She shook her head as she dropped the tray and headed back for the maids quarter. At this kind of time, she was supposed to head for Divine’s chambers but here she was, avoiding the place. She settled into her space. It had become larger now. All thanks to Soli’s things being taken out and no one wanted to stay there so she filled it up with her things. She sat there for the entire evening, staring into nothingness and listening to the hushed voices of other maids.Her mind went to the night she had spent with Zenith and she ha