When I awoke, the warmth of Valen's presence was gone. I rolled to the other side of the bed, my eyes glaring out the window at the dark sky dotted with twinkling stars. A small smile curved my lips. I stretched, raising my hands above my head, and then froze as I realized I was naked under the covers.I gasped, my fingers curling around the top of the blanket. Pulling it up to my chest, I sat up abruptly. What had happened? Why was I naked? Had Valen and I been intimate?The door creaked open, and Valen entered the room, a sweet smile playing on his lips. "I knew I heard your raging thoughts," he said, his smile deepening. "You're awake. Again. You feel okay?"He sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze unwavering.My hands tightened on the sheets as I nodded slowly. "Good.""Valen...""Yes, Maerwynn?""Did—did we...?""No, darling. If I ever got around to pleasuring you, I would make sure you remembered every little bit of it for a very, very long time."His impulsive words sent a ru
Your my mate? I questioned in my head, feeling a mix of confusion and fear. His eyes softened as he began taking steps towards me, but my feet instinctively retreated, carrying me back down the hallway from which I came.It's ironic how I had always craved answers, sought the truth, and now, confronted with it, I was running away as if it meant nothing. How was I supposed to process this revelation?"Your destiny is with the High Lord," the Wraith had said. My destiny is with the High Lord. Valen. My destiny is with Valen because he’s my mate, and there’s no escaping that fate, at least not in the faerie world."Maerwynn!" I heard him call, and I wanted to scream at him to stop, to leave me alone. He had been lying to me all this time.I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, the hallway stretching endlessly before me. My legs ached from the effort, but I didn't stop until I reached his bedroom. I slammed the door shut behind me, knowing full well it was a futile gesture. He could fly
“There’s never been a day I didn’t long for you,” Valen muttered against my lips after we had been kissing for what felt like an eternity. “I have craved you.”“Me too,” I whispered back, my voice trembling against his lips.He pulled away for a moment, his hands clasping my face, and stared deeply into my eyes. I thought I saw tears glistening. Was I dreaming? Maybe I was, because Valen, the High Lord of the Twilight Court, had tears brimming in his eyes. I cupped his face, mirroring his gaze.“It was so hard. So hard staying away from you. I’m sorry I pushed you away so many times. It was killing me inside more than it may have hurt you,” he sighed deeply. “I had my mate, and I couldn’t…” His voice broke. “And I couldn’t show it.”Tears welled up in my own eyes, spilling down my cheeks. Today had turned out to be something I never could have anticipated. Valen, my mate? How could I have known that riding away from Ferngrove would lead to this revelation? Or perhaps it was the bond p
As I delved deeper into the dense woods, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures surrounded me. The cool autumn breeze filled my lungs as I moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter. Hunger gnawed at my belly, and my arms ached from carrying my bow in search of sustenance, akin to a famished predator. The truth is, hunger grips not just me but all of us in Ferngrove.Until two years ago, Ferngrove thrived. Its lands were abundant, and fishermen returned daily with tales of plentiful catches. However, the past two years have been marked by hardship. Famine has become our unwanted companion. The once plentiful fish have vanished from our waters, and the wildlife seems to be in constant flux. Some whisper of a curse upon Ferngrove, but my father, the village chief, insists it's merely a phase. But how long must we endure?I press forward, my bow at the ready, its wood worn smooth by countless hunts. Each step reinforces my duty to provide for my family in
We waited in tense silence for Father to continue."The villagers are right. Ferngrove is cursed," Father's words echoed in the small room, sending a chill down our spines.Edina's reaction was palpable; her face drained of color, lips pale, and even her usual rosy cheeks devoid of their warmth. She withdrew her hand from Father's grasp, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding his gaze.I was puzzled. What did they know that I didn't? I tried to read Edina's expression, usually an open book to me, but now it was inscrutable.Summoning my courage, I managed to ask, "What's happening?""Do you remember the stories from your childhood?" Father turned to me, while Edina nodded in recognition. Memories of Mother's frightening tales and Father's warnings of a Fae lord with horns and fiery blazing eyes flooded my mind."He cursed the land, bringing famine for two long years before claiming his tribute," I whispered, my voice strained. "But... I thought those were just bedtime stories. Fat
As consciousness slowly seeped back into my senses, I was met with the biting sting of pain radiating from the cut at the base of my neck. Groaning, I struggled to open my eyes, the dim light of the dungeon flickering before me like distant memories. Sweat ran down every corner of my face sticking my long ruby hair to my neck in an uncomfortable manner.Blinking away the haze, I surveyed my surroundings. The dungeon was devoid of windows, enveloped in darkness save for the flickering torch mounted on the stone wall. The air was thick with the musty scent of damp earth and decay, sending a shiver down my spine.With each labored breath, I felt the weight of my predicament press down upon me like a suffocating blanket. Alone in this desolate chamber, I couldn't help but wonder about Edina, Father, and home. Were they safe? Did they mourn my absence, or had they already moved on, resigned to the fate I had chosen?Thoughts of Edina's tear-streaked face and Father's solemn gaze tugged at
As I stepped into the mansion, its exterior charm melted seamlessly into a captivating interior. Beyond the sun-kissed facade lay a mysterious labyrinth of stony corridors and cavernous chambers adorned with glistening chandeliers.My eyes trailed Calia's graceful figure as she navigated the grand halls with effortless poise, blending seamlessly into the grandeur. Yet, despite the lavish surroundings, an eerie emptiness pervaded the air, accentuated by the absence of any attending staff. Our footfalls reverberated through the silence, amplifying the sense of solitude.According to Calia, he's in his study, I reminded myself, my mind grappling with the surreal reality of sharing space with the Dark Lord—the very figure of dread from my childhood nightmares. Curiosity gnawed at me, wondering about the face behind the legend. Would he resemble the monstrous tales, or would he defy expectation, appearing as deceptively human as Rhaenan was?Breaking the silence like a shard of light throu
The mansion remained as tranquil as the day before, yet now, sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting enchanting shadows upon the plush velvet carpet adorned with intricate golden patterns. This place exuded opulence and grandeur.Asterin and Astrea strode ahead, their murmurs barely audible, tempting me to strain my ears in hopes of catching a snippet of their conversation. At last, we halted before a colossal golden door, its brilliance nearly blinding. It could only be genuine gold, a testament to the extravagance of this estate.With a firm knock from Astrea and synchronized movements, Asterin and Astrea swung open the door, revealing a breathtaking sight: the dining room. Its ceiling soared to dizzying heights, reminiscent of a royal castle. Rich hues of gold and crimson enveloped the space, evoking a sense of regality. Golden raven statues perched at each corner, adding an air of mystique to the already majestic ambiance.One of the pixies cleared their throat, th