ALANNA
I take a deep breath, my gaze wandering back and forth; my heart skipping a beat each time I hear small sounds. Walking along the empty streets, late at night isn't exactly my favorite thing. I'm all alone and it scares the shit out of me. I begin to hum slowly, trying to relax as I quicken my pace. I hadn't planned to work late. Robin, my co-worker, had fallen sick and I'd taken his shift. More work, extra pay, I think it's worth it. I live alone. I don't exactly have anyone to care for me apart from my best friend, Samantha and dearest Robin who is such a sweetheart. Now it's close to midnight and I'm walking home. Stupid, right?I clutch my bag tighter, my heart beating faster. The air becomes cooler and I shiver unconsciously. The streetlights begin to flicker and I increase my pace, nearly bumping into a still figure. I yelp in surprise, taking few step backwards when he doesn't move. He's wearing a black cloak that's covering him completely. Fear creeps down my spine as the cloaked figure stares at me intensely. My heart is beating so fast, I think I'm starting to hyperventilate too. Oh stupid, Alanna! Look what you've done! He's probably going to kidnap and kill you! You should've slept at the bar!I notice a pair of eyes from underneath his hood. Violet. Oh my God! His eyes are Violet! I'm hallucinating, right? Wake up, Alanna! He still hasn't moved and I'm panicking big time.
"W-who are y-you?" I stammer, tears filling my eyes. He slowly tilts his head to the side, not taking his eyes off me. Two other cloaked figures appear behind him and I whimper, moving backwards. Run! Run! I scream internally but my legs just won't cooperate with me.
"S-stay away from me" I whimper, shakily moving backwards. Four gloved hands reach out to grab me and I let out a bloodcurdling scream. It's over.My life is over.I am doomed.Through blurry vision, my gaze meets the gaze of the violet eyed man. Gasping, I slowly sink into oblivion.****I groggily open my eyes only to find myself lying on an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. I stumble out of bed immediately. How did I get here? The floor is so shiny and everything in the room looks so perfect. It smells like..... royalty. I try to open the door only to find out that it's actually locked. I let out a frustrated scream, banging my fists hard against the door."Get me out of here! Open the damn door!" I yell."Let me out!" I scream. Exhausted after hitting the door severally, I lean against the door, tears filling my eyes .I'm trapped here. I'm going to die.I quickly stand uprightly as soon as I hear footsteps coming from behind the door. The door opens and standing there, is one of the most beautiful man I've ever seen. His blue eyes glow so bright, his lips are a light shade of pink. His jaw and cheekbones are well defined. His waist-length blonde hair shimmers in the light. His beauty is inhumane."Are you done staring?" He asks with a husky voice. I blush, lowering my gaze. "What's your name, little one?" He asks and I bite my lower lip, frowning a little. Little one?I mean, he looks like he's older than me by two years. "A-Alanna" I mumble.He smirks. "Well Alanna, I'm Valdrin and the king asked me to make you comfortable" he says and I gape at him with disbelief. King? What king? Am I in some sort of castle? What's going on? "Where is this place? What am I doing here?" I ask. He crosses his arms across his chest, an amused look on his face. "You're in the underworld, sweet heart. The winter kingdom to be exact" he says. "W-what? No, you're lying" I breathe, my eyes widening. Winter kingdom?It's just a myth right?There's no such thing as werewolves, vampires and fae!"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Valbin-" "Valdrin" he says, giving me a smug look. "There's no such thing as winter kingdom" I frown. "I'll let the maids get you a dress and maybe, if you're a good girl..... I might give you a view of the fae world from the roof" he says. "Albina! Taera!" He calls out, looking down the hall. A door opens and two beautiful women step out. "This is Alanna. She is very important to the king. Make her comfortable. Get her some dresses and run a bath for her" he says to the women. "Yes, Lord Valdrin" they reply with a bow. "Dinner will be brought to you, soon" he says to me and leaves. ***Right now, I'm both frustrated and pissed off. Valdrin never showed up to take me to the roof. I've been stuck in this room, completely bored. I must admit, they've got really good food here. Even though I still don't want to fully admit the fact that the fae world exists, I'm starting to believe that I was wrong. The door opens and Taera walks in with a tray containing grapes and apples. "Thank you" I say to her, giving her a smile. She's been really nice and I like her. "Can I ask you something?" I say and she smiles. "Okay""What is the king like?" I ask and she stiffens. "The king is not well. He hasn't been well for a long time now" She says with a sad look on her face."What's wrong with him?" I ask. "No one is even allowed to talk about him. If the Lords hear it, they'll punish the offender. Although the king is mostly bedridden, he's dangerous. He's the most dangerous king in the underworld" I stare at her, my curiosity spiking up. "Did he bring me here?" I ask. "Yes"
"Why?""Lord Valdrin asked us not to tell you yet, my lady""How long will I be staying here?""I really don't know but please, don't tell anyone I told you about the king""I won't, I promise"She nods, giving me a small smile before leaving the room. I've made up my mind to see the king. I need answers and I'm not going to get them by staying in this room.Slowly, I twist the door knob, opening the door. Peeking out to see if there's any one in the hallway, I sigh with relief when I'm met with an empty hallway. Quickly, I shut the door behind me and start moving down the huge hallway. There are chandeliers hanging from the ceilings but they are nothing like the ones I've seen before. These are powered by some sort of magic. Swallowing hard, I walk further. There's a huge door at the end of the hallway and it's open. Taking a deep breath, I walk into the other side. I gasp when I take in the place. It's beautiful, so perfect. One thing hits my mind.There's no guard or maid there. Where did everyone go? What's happening?
As I move on, heart pounding in my chest, I slowly come to a stop in front of a golden double door that is wide open with glowing curtains covering the entrance. This must be it, I think. The king's chamber. Taking a deep breath, I move the curtains aside a little and peek in. I cover my mouth to stifle the loud gasp that escapes my lips when I finally set my eyes on the king. He's lying on the bed, his head on a woman's lap. There are several guards as well as maids standing by the corners of the room. They don't notice me because they are all staring at their king. He's shirtless, that's the first thing I notice. His abs are well defined, pale skin glistening with sweat. My eyes trail upwards. His red lips are stained with what seems to be blood and his eyes are closed, long dark lashes framing his eyelids beautifully. His long, midnight black hair is sprawled all over the place. He's undeniably the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. How can he be so beautiful? The woman sitting on his bed with his head on her laps, has tears in her eyes. Tears that roll down her cheeks and turn to little ice crystals. I'm amazed.
Who is she to him? She looks so young. Perhaps, she's the queen. Or his sister? I stifle another gasp when he suddenly vomits blood on the floor of the room. He's shaking so much, pained groans leaving his lips. "Get the healers!" The woman orders one of the maid. A maid then runs off without noticing me."He's in so much pain. It kills me to see my son like this" she sobs. I let out a low gasp.
No way. That woman is his mother? How?She looks too young.The king looks like he's in so much pain and he's practically wheezing.My blood runs cold when Lord Valdrin's gaze meets mine. He smirks, his gaze intense. Oh God, I'm doomed. He doesn't say anything. He looks away, pretending as if he didn't see me. I avert my gaze back to the king. He's shivering at this point. His mother strokes his long hair, telling him to be strong. Three men rushes in with the maid who'd been sent to get the healers. I watch them place their hands on the king's weakened form. One of them shakes his head sadly. "Queen mother, the king is dying. He has a few months left. He has been holding up for centuries but he is rapidly fading away. He has to find the cure"
Centuries?How old is he, then?And how old is his mother? He looks no older than 20.The queen mother bursts into fresh tears. Valdrin's gaze softens as he grips the king's right hand. He whispers something in his ear and his eyes slowly flutters open to reveal violet pupils. Oh my God, it's him. His gaze falls on me and my knees buckles. He's seen me. The king has seen me, but to my surprise, he doesn't say anything. Just like Valdrin, he looks away. Okay, I have to leave before anyone else sees me. "What are you doing here, human?!" A guard demands and in a split second, all eyes are on me. Alright, it's official. I'm dead meat.
ALANNA My heart starts to beat faster, my stomach churning uneasily. The king sits up, his burning gaze intense. I swallow hard, my gaze rooted to the floor. I have just committed a crime. What's my punishment? What if they decide to whip me a hundred times? What if I'm going to be thrown into a furnace? "I'm s-so s-s sorry, I shouldn't have c-come h-here. P-please don't be mad at me. I'll be g-good from now on" I stutter, tears blurring my vision. I'm panicking too much to even notice that the king has gotten out of bed and is now standing right in front of me with his robe untied. I don't notice his presence until I perceive the sweet smell of roses and lavenders. Oh my God. What smells so good? Someone touches my chin, caressing it a little.Slowly, my head is tipped back and my gaze locks with the king's heated gaze. I shiver, biting my lower lip."Curious, are we?" He smirks. His voice is like vel
Centuries ago, "Gael! I'm definitely with child and you're the father of my child!" "No, I am not. Do you think I'm stupid? Rohanne, you've always been power- hungry. I know you would do anything to get power! I never touched you. You're not carrying my child!""How dare you accuse me of lying about something like this? Do you not trust me anymore?""Rohanne, what we had is over. I'm married now and I'm happy with her-" "Father?" a raven haired six years old boy said as he cautiously opened the door and stepped into his father's chamber. "Zeron, you shouldn't be here. Go back to your mum!" King Gael ordered. A look of jealousy appeared on Rohanne's face and just as the little boy tried to open the door, she used her magic to lock the door. A blast of purple fog appeared around her outstretched arms and she channeled it towards the king. It hit him right on the chest
ZERON Fiery red eyes gaze back at me from the full length mirror in my room as I stand in front of it, shirtless. Dark red liquid dribbles down the length of my arms and splats on the shiny floor, leaving behind vivid stains of blood. I tilt my head, staring at the self inflicted wounds and lacerations on my chest and arms with lifeless eyes. I can barely feel the pain despite how much I'm bleeding. This is because I've become severely attached to this disgusting act. I lost the ability to control myself centuries ago and I'd just been holding up a good image for the petty little human. I almost feel sorry for her. She doesn't know what she's gotten into. She doesn't know that it might be too late. She doesn't know that I have become quite the monster. I close my eyes, feeling the shadows of the darkness calling out to me. I exhale slowly, humming low in my throat. My mother had once said that my voi
ALANNA "What is he, then?" I ask but just before she can give me an answer, the door to my room swings open and Valdrin walks in, his facial expression unreadable. Taera bows politely and he nods curtly. "You can go, Taera" he says and she scurries out of his sight instantly. "Why are you here?" I ask and he stares at me for a moment, his face blank. "Get up. Today, you will be meeting with the queen mother and you're also going to be preparing for a wedding"I blanch instantly, my head spinning as a result of the new information I've just received. I'm supposed to meet the queen mother?! What if she doesn't like me? What if she tries to kill me because I'm human? "The queen mother? Wait, what wedding am I supposed to prepare for?" I ask and he sighs. I gaze at him, anxiously waiting for his reply. I can't possibly be getting married so soon, right? "Your wedding with the winter king"**
ALAANA Do I run away with Lochan or do I stay and get married to a total stranger? Come to think of it, they're both strangers and I can't trust anyone of them. I'd promised that I would try to help Zeron and I have to fulfill that promise. I'm not a coward and I won't run away because I'm afraid of him. I don't really have much to loose. Besides, Lochan might actually be the real enemy here.With every second that bounds by, my resolve is thickening. I have made up my mind to stay and get married to the king. I know it's risky business but I have to try to help him. Besides, I can't really tell what the red haired stranger wants from me. Why would he want to save me? Maybe he knows that I have a chance at saving Zeron from himself and probably doesn't want me to do just that."What's it going to be? Are you coming with me or not?" the stranger asks and I rise to my feet, slowly. "Wh
ALANNA No one seems to be bothered about the fact that Zeron has just stormed out of the throne room. Obviously, to them it is normal. If I was having second thoughts about my marriage with Zeron, my mind has been fully made up at the moment and I'm not going to give up on him. He must be suffering and hurting so badly. How does he even cope with all the internal struggle? "Go to him" the queen mother says from beside me and I flinch because I'd not noticed when she'd moved to my side. Her cold gaze meets mine and it is almost as if she expects me to be terrified enough to refuse. So I bow slightly before her and make my way towards the direction my husband had taken. Just as I make it past the first hallway, I notice the dark blood stains on the floor. When I look up, I realize that it forms a trail that leads towards Zeron's chamber. A gasp leaves my lips and I instantly hike up my dress and begin
ALANNA Pain shoots through my skull when I gain consciousness. I slowly sit up with my hand pressed to my temple. Blinking away the dark spots that dance across my vision, I quietly take in the sight of the bedroom I'm now lying in. The ceilings are bright red and white. The room is very spacious and most of the things in it are colored red and white, including the bed clothes. Panic washes over me as soon as I recall how the red head had taken me away against my will. I have to get out of here; he's clearly a psychopath. As soon as I slip out of the bed, the door jerks open and the redhead walks in with a smile on his face. I scowl at him and shuffle away from him. I can't trust him; not after the stunt he'd pulled back in my room. "Awake, I see" he rasps and I look away. He sighs and moves closer to me. "Leave me alone" I spit and he frowns."Look, I know that I took you away without your consent, but I need you to know
ZERON The coppery smell of blood clings to me as I saunter down the palace halls with my silver sword dripping red. The maids and the guards all avoid my gaze as I walk by and I don't really care. All I want is Lochan's head on a platter. But so far, he's done a good job at masking his location. I've been interrogating fire witches about their kingdom but it seems to me that they are all ready to die for their king because they won't tell me anything. That's okay, I'll keep killing them until I find Lochan and get rid of him for good. Alanna on the other hand, is going to regret deceiving me. I walk into my chamber and take off my cloak, letting it fall to the ground. My bloodied shirt goes off next and so does my pants. I walk into my wash room still wearing my undergarment. Soon, I'm relaxing in the water filled bathtub that smells a lot like roses and cinnamon. I close my eyes, ignoring the fact that the