LOGINABEL EVERHART'S POVMy hips rock as the last wave of overwhelming pleasure sweeps through my body. My chest is heaving and parts of me feels more sore than before. Rowena's hand leaves my body and she reaches for the crown."You should be able to end the stupid rebellion with just a simple command. They are werewolves. The crown's true heir should be able to command the mind of any beast. Even from thousands of miles away," she says.She allows me time to relax before placing the crown on my head.I close my eyes to fully focus on the powers of the crown. I connect to it like my second heart. Its eye gives me clear sight when I should be seeing darkness. I look anywhere I want, including closed rooms miles away."Focus on the valleys of Shadowmoon pack. That is where the idiots are hiding slaves," Rowena's voice guides.The crown's eyes take me to the valleys as soon as I think of them.It appears that the rebel lords had gathered their witches. A thick, purple mist swirls around the
I look at the five guards trembling on their knees. Their shame is palpable. There is the truth that they were under a spell that they could not control.Rowena’s hand is still on my shoulder, her grip a silent question. She will end them with a single thought if I give the word.I pull myself to my feet. She will be disappointed if I am soft towards them after what they did. I cannot execute them when they did not do anything out of their own will however."Stand," I command in a raspy voice."You laid hands on me. You nearly delivered me to a monster.""We are yours to command, your Highness," one whispers, his voice cracking. "Our lives are forfeit.""Then I will take them," I answer. "Not by axe, but by a debt. From this moment you are mine. You will stand at my door, you will walk in my shadow, and you will protect my mother and sister as if they were your own blood. If a single hair on their heads is harmed, I will not ask the Empress for mercy. Do you understand?""We will
The golden light of the late afternoon spills through the high windows of the palace, casting shadows. I am walking with my sister, listening to her talk about the new silk ribbons the maids gave her.She is dressed in a pink dress abd suddenly looks like one of the flowers of the palace. I think that one day her beauty will cause a war.The air suddenly turns cold despite the sun rays. From the shadows at the far end of the Hallway, the Dark Oracle emerges.She appears to be standing more upright than usual and the anger in her eyes making them glow. Her tattered robes trail behind her like smoke.Behind her, five palace guards—men I recognized from the morning watch—step out. Their eyes are milky white, devoid of any will. She must have bewitched them.I now realize that the fire in the forest was nothing more than a lure. Cara was the bait. She was meant to draw Rowena far from here. They knew that she would not have allowed me to accompany her. Question is, what does her mother wa
The Dark Oracle stands over the monster that is now her daughter, laid in a wet stone deep within a thick forest. With a jagged blade, she slices her own palm, letting her blood drip into the creature’s closed mouth."By the power of my ancient blood, I grant this creature the ability to talk again," the witch chants. "Speak."The monster’s body buckles. Bones crack and reset with sickening pops. The distorted face of the beast shudders until, for a fleeting second, the ruined features of Cara emerges through the nightmare."Abel..." the voice comes out hollow. "He... he watched. Mother, he betrayed my heart.""He is a traitor, yes," the Oracle hisses, her eyes glowing like fire. "But do not weep, my child. I will tear the skin from his ribs. I will send his mother’s head to the Empress in a box.""No!" the creature roars. Cara’s clawed hands grip the dirt. "Death is too kind for him. I loved him. I thought... I thought when he looked at me, he saw a Savior. But he only saw a s
Abel's POVGuards snap to attention as I pass with with my hesitant, wide-eyed family."So every member of our cruel family is dead except us? What happened to your father's werewolf Queens?" my mother whispers the question."His favourite son, Elon, had them executed in a sick game to entertain himself and assert dominance. Even the Empress was disgusted by his cruelty," I tell.She shakes her head, looking astounded. "Power and wealth are the worst tests a family can face. Look what it did to this Kingdom.""It granted the people a wiser leader," I argue.She smiles. "I am glad you're not among the dead ones."I am yet to ask her about their life outside the kingdom. Her Majesty didn't say anything about. But I would like to discuss such privately as I am curious to know who my sister's father is and not in her presence."This place is too big and full of servants," my sister chirps. She isn't walking so much as bouncing. "Do you and the Empress ever get lost?"I smile. "I knows eve
ABEL EVERHART'S POVThere is a bigger crowd today than there was during Elon's ceremony. Many have come to watch his head roll, especially royals he offended who even brought their families. The line of those who are dying with him is long. The former pampered councilmen and Elon's allies.I do not see the creature that Cara turned into and I feel thankful because who knows if it can speak. I was afraid that it would beg me for help, and confirm all the stories going around, that I was a slave whose heart was torn between a servant girl and his Mistress. I didn't want my mother and sister to witness more brutality and punishments on their first day here, so I asked a few entertainers keep them entertained inside the palace until the ceremony is over. I am sure they can ear the screams of those about to face execution though, as none seem to have the courage to quietly take the very thing that they put thousands of humans through.The crowd spit on them as they are dragged towards the
ABEL EVERHART'S POV My mother's eyes widen when she notices me. She gapes for a long moment, looking uncertain who it is. I wouldn't blame her, I was only five when she was banished. How would she recognize me?Still she stares, clearly curious. "Abel . . . your Majesty," she mumbles in low tone.
"He is alive. I just wanted to know for sure that you knew him," her Majesty reveals. I sigh in relief. At least not all of my friends are dead. "You should get to the bathroom and clean up the filth of the dungeons. You're still my consort," she orders. I am back to that too. Uncertain if her s
ABEL EVERHART'S POV The servants and the guards hurry out as soon as her Majesty steps into the room. Her expression is stern, but it shifts to that of concern as soon as she strides closer. I don't even know what to say to her. I no longer know what is true or false anymore. Her fingers touch m
ABEL EVERHART'S POV The servants and the guards hurry out as soon as her Majesty steps into the room. Her expression is stern, but it shifts to that of concern as soon as she strides closer. I don't even know what to say to her. I no longer know what is true or false anymore. Her fingers touch m







