RION POV That thing was back. I didn't know what it was, only that I'd had a sickening feeling in my guts last night that told me it was nothing good. My magic hasn't been at ease even after the thing had left. All day I have felt uncomfortable, had felt this pricking feeling like unseen eyes were watching me. It had stopped at some point but now it was back. It seems whatever this thing was, it had followed us. I ran to Aric and took his hands, trying to push him to move but he dug his heels on the ground and wouldn't budge. "Aric, you have to move," I urged, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can't, goddammit!" he shouted, his face pale. Seraphina and Kaelan also tried to move Aric but it seems like he was held down by unseen force: he wouldn't budge, not even a bit. "Help me," the voice came again, closer than it had been the first time. "Fuck," Kaelan cursed, his fist clenched. Seraphina looked at me, and even without her speaking I knew. She wanted me to use my magic.
SERAPHINA POV My breath caught in my throat as I watched Rion. I stopped attacking the creature to watch him, staring open-mouthed as his sword glowed with magic, shining into the night. I didn't know magic could be so beautiful. It was mesmerizing, the way the light danced along the blade, almost as if it were alive. I felt a rush of admiration, my heart pounding as Rion prepared for the decisive strike.The attack was halted, thanks to Kaelen and Aric, and all eyes were fixed on Rion. The creature, immobilized and bleeding heavily, was weakening. With a fierce determination, Rion leapt into the air, his figure silhouetted against the night sky. Time seemed to slow as he ascended, the sword raised high above his head. The monstrous creature towered over us, a terrifying presence that loomed like a shadow. But Rion didn’t hesitate; he was a beacon of courage in this dark moment.As he descended, the magic enveloped him, a bright aura that seemed to push back the encroaching dark
SERAPHINA POV I moaned loudly when Aric pinched my nipple before he took it into his mouth. Rion swallowed the moan as he bent and kissed me, sucking on my tongue. Kaelen was behind me, kneading my ass before his hand went in front and circled my clit. I panted against Rion's mouth, feeling the men everywhere. When Aric bit my nipple gently at the time Kaelen entered a finger into my heat, I pulled away from Rion, panting as I fought to regain my breath. "Gods," I moaned when Kaelan's finger entered deep. The pleasure felt overwhelming and I never wanted it to stop. Kaelen's finger slipped away from me, and I moaned at the emptiness. Kaelen stepped into my line of sight as Rion moved behind me."You look so beautiful like this, Lumièrea," Kaelen whispered, his eyes filled with admiration. He leaned down and trailed kisses on my cheeks, jaw and neck while Rion added two fingers into me and Aric turned my face for a deep kiss filled with tongue. "Face flushed," Kaelen continued. "L
RION POV The steam rose around us in a swirling mist as I sank my teeth gently into the delicate curve of Seraphina's neck, feeling her strong pulse, the heat radiating from her strong. I slowed my thrusts, pounding into her softly. I have wanted this since that night I found out she was my mate. I've wanted to sink my teeth into her and seal our bond right at that moment. But I wanted her to be ready and now she was, and she'll be fully mine. The warmth of the water embraced my lower body, but it was the electric connection between us that truly ignited the air. She shivered, her head turned as she moaned, and I could feel the pulse of her heartbeat beneath my lips. It was intoxicating.The moment was charged with passion—our energies intertwined as if the very essence of our beings was merging. As I tasted her, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us in this intimate bubble.The bond we shared surged, a wave of warmth that coursed through us. It felt like a fire
SERAPHINA POV The pond vanished, taking my men and my headache with it. I found myself kneeling before an altar, a statue of a woman before me. Not just any woman, a goddess. But even her face was obscured, blurry as if someone was deliberately hiding her identity. Sunlight poured down on me from the opening in the ceiling, the heat soaking into my skin but I still didn't move from where I knelt. I knelt and prayed and cried until finally, my goddess answered. "Nymeria, my child," she said, her voice soft and her hands warm on my cheeks. "My queen," I greeted, my voice trembling. I raised my eyes to look at her beautiful face before I lowered them. "I had thought you won't answer my call.""I will always answer, my dear. Always."I inhaled a shakily breath. "Thank you, my queen." "You are distressed. Tell me what bothers you." A tear down my eye and I quickly wrapped it before I said, "I have come to ask for your help, my queen. I have seen my mates’ death. I have watched them
SERAPHINA POV I was crying when I returned to my body, full wrenching body sobs, the sound loud even to my own ears. I curled in on myself and cried. I heard voices and felt hands on me but I couldn't bring myself to pay attention. My soul, my heart, they felt like they were torn to pieces. It felt like I was reliving the pain again, the pain of watching my mates die and following. But my death meant nothing compared to my mates’.It felt like I was being abandoned by my goddess again. The pain was fresh in my mind. I cried until I was too weak to even sniff, and I laid there, curled in on myself with my hand covering my head. And that was the position I fell asleep in. When I woke again I felt like myself, but I still felt the lingering sadness in my soul. But it could be ignored. I sat up gently and looked at my surroundings. I was in a tent, alone. I heard voices outside so I assumed that was where the men were. I stood up but fell back down with a gasp as a wave of dizzines
SERAPHINA POV We traveled for two days without incident, staying on the road longer than the hours we were supposed to. We didn't want to spend more than a month on this journey and we were also running out of food. So we were going faster with little rest.Earlier today we had come across a rabbit, just a single one. We didn't know what to think about that. Were we nearing wild life? Where did the rabbit come from? We had left the mountains yesterday but it was still deadly quiet and still. The rabbit was the only living thing we've come across. "We're close," Rion whispered, his horse riding beside Kaelan and I, eyes fixed on the map. "How close?" Kaelen asked, his deep voice resonating in my back. "A day at most." I focused my eyes ahead of the road, chewing on my bottom lips. I was nervous, excited and scared to finally arrive at Ember Hallow and get my long due answers, all whirlwind of emotions. The prospect of learning the truth is a mixed bag. On one hand, I'm excited
SERAPHINA POV "Malakar said something to me once," I said, my voice low. "He said 'Bleed for me and set me free'. How will my blood free him?""Your blood…" the voices hissed. "Your blood will break his chains, When your true power you have gained…""What true power?" I asked, heart racing. "Upon your rebirth, powers you gained, From him they came, with your goddess' strength sustained…" My goddess. Yes, that should have been the first question. "Who is she?""She is both life and death,Light and darkness, the start and the end.Speak her name, and the world will crumble, only to be reborn.Speak her name, and boundless power will be yours.She is the god of all gods…" She was indeed powerful. The god of all gods… We have never heard of a thing like that, had never known there was a god that powerful. A goddess actually."What is her name?""To speak her name is to utter life and death,To call forth power itself.To speak her name is to welcome her rage, her sorrow, her love.
SELANARA POV It pains me deeply to watch my oracle go on with her life without me, but oh the joy it fills me with. She was happy, dare I say happier, than she had been when she served me. There was no goddess to burden her life with her problems and needs, her sadness and rage, her love and hate. She was free from that burden in this life, and I wanted it to remain that way. Mortals would do well without the gods mingling in their lives. That was a future I hope to bring about. A future where mortals would have no connections to the gods, where there would be no oracle and envoy. That was what I should have done centuries ago but I was selfish. Now, I had seen that it was the right thing to do. Some gods and goddesses would resist, that was expected, but they would be forced to obey. The immortals liked having a link to the mortal world, a tool to carry out their works, some dirty works included. Why have I not done this sooner? The immortals have polluted the mortal realm eno
SERAPHINA POV I was confused when I blinked open my eyes to see familiar walls surrounding me. Was I still dreaming? Had my dreams been diverted from the past and now to the present?The familiar scent of my room wrapped around me, enveloping me in a warm hug as if telling me welcome.I was back in the palace, but how? How long have I been asleep?I searched my mate bonds for my mates and it seems they were nearby because it responded immediately. Not long after there was a knock on my door and my men entered inside."The sleepy beauty finally awakes," Aric said as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. I smiled up at him. "Hi." He smiled back.Kaelan and Rion took their turn kissing me before they sat, waiting. "How am I in the palace?""Well, we carried you on a horse and rode here," Rion said, with a smirk on his face. "Fast, if I may add."I rolled my eyes at him and turned to Kaelen, knowing he'll give me the answers I needed. "You've been asleep for two weeks," Kaelan said, his voi
NYMERIA POV (Two centuries ago)"You look brighter than the sun in that dress, my pretty," Varrik teases, a small smile on his face.I giggled. "Oh stop being silly, you." The dress I was wearing was the exact opposite of bright. I was dressed in a gown as black as the night. It flowed to my feet and pooled at the ground, a long slit that shows my leg when I move at the left side. My black hair was tied up and swept away from my face, showing my neck."Nah. I would say she looks as serene and captivating as the moon," Lysandor added, his arms crossed as he leaned against the pillar. I shot him a look but my smile was wide."It would seem I'm the only one not in a poetic mood today," Myrran said as he stepped into the room and placed a kiss on my forehead."And bless the gods for that small mercy," I said as I turned to face my mates. They were also dressed beautifully, each in their different, unique colors and styles. There wasn't a special occasion today. It was just one of those
RION POV Selanara was strong, stronger than any goddess recorded in history but Malakar seems to be her match. Malakar turned shadows into spears and they went flying towards Selanara.I wasn't going into a panic mood yet because I knew any harm that came to Seraphina's body would be healed when Selanara left her. But still, panic was at the top of my chest as I watched the shadows tore through the air with unholy speed, the jagged tips aimed straight for Selanara’s chest, her heart—her very soul. She couldn’t move fast enough.No! I screamed in my mind.But Selanara’s power surged one last time. With a defiant scream, she thrust her hands forward, and the temple exploded in a torrent of light. The ground shuddered and cracked, sending stone and dust flying into the air as the cosmic force she unleashed sent the shadow spears flying off course.For a moment, I could only watch in awe as Malakar was consumed by the explosion, his figure disappearing into the swirling void of light.
KAELAN POV I stared, stupefied, as Seraphina, no, Selanara, floated off her feet, so she was staring eye to eye with Malakar.My Seraphina was still in there but the goddess was in full control. I knew this wasn't hurting Seraphina in any way—her goddess loved her the way we did, so she wouldn't bring any harm to her.Malakar tried to keep his expression blank but a flicker of something flashed in the god's face, there and gone the next."And how do you intend to end me, my love," Malakar said, his tone flat. "We've had this dance before. It resulted in you losing your name, your legacy, and me being imprisoned. And you losing your name meant no one has been praying to you. You're weak, my sweet."A god grows weak when no one prays to them or offers offerings to them. Selanara being forgotten for centuries meant no one has been praying to her. How she was even standing here was a wonder. It has been recorded in history that three gods have vanished to the void after being forgotten
SERAPHINA POV A ball of darkness formed on Malakar's palm, moving like snakes, darker than the night. He was in front of me before I could blink, slamming his palm onto my chest with so much force, I went flying back.The crash of my fall wasn't what made me scream, nor the crack of my bones that made my eyes water. It was the agonizing pain that ate at me from the insides. The pain was beyond anything I’d ever known—like something was eating me alive from the inside, consuming my flesh and bone. My organs twisted, each breath a fire of searing agony, as though my very soul was being ripped apart. I fell to my knees, gasping, screaming, my body shaking uncontrollably. The darkness burrowed deeper, turning everything inside me to dust. I screamed—raw, desperate—and tears streamed down my face as the torment tore through me with brutal force.Joining this brutal pain, I felt the mate bonds in my chest, their own agony adding to my pain. My mates… My mates…I couldn't bring my head
SERAPHINA POV "Eryndor," Malakar called, his voice booming. Eryndor was immediately at his side, his head bowed."Yes, Dark One," he answered.Malakar's eyes were still fixed on me when he said, "Restrain her.""Yes, Dark One." Before I could speak, shadows had already coiled around me, restraining me so tightly that I couldn't even move a finger. It felt as though the wall had returned, and once again, my powers were sealed away."You will understand that this is for your own good, Nymeria," Malakar said, his eyes darker than the night. "Your mates are distractions, liabilities. You'll survive without them. Losing your mate's bond would not kill you."I would survive without my mates but it'll leave me empty, hollow, just a shell. Panic squeezed me. I tried to fight against the shadows, but it was useless. The more I fought, the more they tightened, but I still didn't give up. I kept fighting. Death would be better than to live without my mates.Malakar turned away from me and faced
SERAPHINA POV "Oracle," Malakar said, his voice soft and smooth, "This day has been far too long in coming. I've waited an eternity for your wolf to awaken, for your true power to be unleashed." His finger gently pressed against my chin, a subtle reminder of his presence. "My impatience got the better of me at one point. I sent others to test you, thinking a little danger might be the catalyst. Alas, my hopes were dashed when it failed to ignite your transformation." I gasped at him. "Y-you sent people after me?" That wolf that had attacked me in the woods that day I went training with Kaelan in the woods. That soldier that had taunted me and then touched me. My first months in the barracks when those bandits had attacked the barracks. Those were all Malakar. "I did indeed.""But...you were imprisoned," I breathed, my head pounding. "I was," was his short reply. I stared back at Malakar's eyes, feeling a storm of emotions—fear, anger, hate, panic. But underneath all that there wa
SERAPHINA POV When it comes down to letting the greatest evil be released, letting the world be ruined, letting darkness reign, and my mates, I was choosing my mates. There was no need to think about it. I looked at each of their perfect faces, their eyes telling me what their mouths couldn't and I knew I was making the right choice. I would burn the world to ashes myself if it meant saving them. I looked back at Eryndor standing in front of me, his eyes still pitch black. "Give me your word that you'll release them," I demanded, my voice cold and detached. "Including Miranda."Eryndor nodded. "You have my word."I stared at him, letting him know how painful his death would be if harm were to come to my mates and friend and nodded. He gestured towards the diagram and I stepped into the center wordlessly. Eryndor picked up the bowl he had dropped earlier and walked to me, a dagger in hand. I offered him my palm and winced when he cut me, blood flowing out. My mates fought agains