"Your majesty, I think we should go back to the palace, you look really tired" Valdrin, an ice witcher who was the winter king's best friend, said to the king."No, Valdrin. I can't. Not yet. I feel like she's so close. I can feel it. I just need to find her" King Zeron replied, pushing his weak body forward. Zylon, his other right hand man, heaved a sigh."You're pushing yourself too hard, my king" he said. Zeron knew deep within him that they were right but he couldn't resist the urge to seek his cure. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and doubled over, coughing up blood.
"Sire, you should rest. The queen mother will be upset if she found out that you pushed yourself too hard" Valdrin said, helping the king to sit on a bench in an empty park. Zeron's eyes and ears were alert. They were in the mortal world but they were invincible to humans. It was late at night, very close to midnight. Zeron didn't want today to be another disappointment especially since he wouldn't be able to stay in the mortal world when it clocks midnight. He closed his eyes, wrapping his black cloak around his shivering form. He could feel the stares of his subjects without looking at them. Pitiful stares. He was so tired of being pitied. He was so tired of being such a helpless king. His people deserved a better king but here he was, he couldn't even walk a little distance without feeling a deep exhaustion. Suddenly, the air around him thickened. She was there. He could feel it. His cure....The woman he's been searching for, for five centuries. He stumbled to his feet, ignoring the protests coming from Valdrin and Zylon. The king walked out of the park, towards a desserted street. He could feel it in his bones. He was close. Very close.Gritting his teeth, he moved further until he saw her. Dressed in a brown leather jacket and a flowery dress with her wavy brown hair swaying in the breeze, she looked so beautiful. Her green eyes were breathtaking. She was perfect.She took a step backwards, fear paralysing her as she stared at the cloaked figure standing few metres away from her. She couldn't see him clearly because it was really dark and his black cloak was hiding every inch of him but she could tell that he was tall. Really tall and muscular. The girl gasped, her eyes widening as she gazed at his strange colored eyes.
Violet.His eyes were Violet. Were her eyes playing tricks on her?"W-who are y-you?" She asked, her body shaking with fear. He tilted his head, his eyes growing dim. All of a sudden, two other cloaked figures appeared behind him. "S-stay away from me" she stuttered, moving backwards as they stepped closer to her.They both grabbed her hands and she let out a scream. The last thing she saw was the haunting pair of violet eyes.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 asweetheart. 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
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