Finding The Cure: An Order Of Love

“Come on, Belladonna. If I have to be awake, so do you.” I shoved gently at the great furry mass hogging my blankets. Bella cracked open one amber eye, huffed a hot breath that smelled faintly of venison scraps, and sprawled wider across the bed. Her thick coat was warm under my hand, her ribs rising and falling in a soft rhythm. “Lazy beast,” I whispered, though affection softened my voice. She was more like a wolf than a hound with her size and colors. Brown and grey like the wolves out in the woods, yet she was larger than any I have ever encountered. Somehow Father had let me keep her. He wanted to toss her out when he found her in my room. I was so lonely and wanted a pet for company. I found her with an injured paw but she protected me from would be kidnappers that night my father discovered her. Or so he thought. I was able to protect myself just fine as I was secretly trained to do. But it worked out I still hadn't gotten rid of h

My parents sat at the head of the hall, commanding every gaze. Father’s broad shoulders filled his high-backed chair, Mother’s poise as sharp as any blade. Both wore deep green trimmed with brown. The colors of House Verden, echoing the forests that bound our lands. Father’s gaze pinned me the moment I entered. He was furious. If I had to guess, it was because I was late—and, judging by the sidelong looks from the courtiers, because I was the only one not in house colors. ‘A disrespectful act’ my father would tell me. Anytime someone important would come I had to be in family colors no matter what. I’d known this dress would get me in trouble, but Hana had insisted. You will be married off to another family soon enough, why not stand out? she had said. I still didn’t understand why, but I trusted her. Hana had cared for me since birth, loved me more than my parents ever had.I dipped into a bow before the assembled court and guests—so many faces today, far more than usual. Whoever had

That was a clear threat. My stomach knotted so tightly I thought I might be sick. The murderous glint in Remier’s eyes almost pinned me in place. Move. I had to move. By the grace of the goddess, my legs obeyed, carrying me down the corridor toward my father’s study.Knock. Knock. Knock“Come in.” My Father’s tone was flat. Not giving me any indication on what he wanted from me, But I had my suspicions. I slipped inside, smoothing my expression into a calm mask as best as I could even though my heart raced. “Hello, Father,” I said, my tone steady though my insides shook. I stood before the chairs, waiting. He had told me to come in to speak, not to sit. I learned that lesson years ago. Even now, with my knees trembling, I stayed rooted upright. Remier’s threat still clung to me like a shadow and it was being working with whatever my fathers punishment from earlier could be.“I am extremely unhappy with you young lady” My father flatly said. His brown hair was styled and not a hair o

The morning dragged, each hour heavy with the weight of last night. My eyes ached with exhaustion, but the memory of Sir Garrett's laughter, his stories woven like old threads of comfort, kept me upright. For a few hours, my world felt safe. For a few hours the dread of my future didn’t consume me. But reality returned swiftly. I was summoned to my father’s study. His gaze cut through me the moment I stepped inside, cold and assessing, as though he could strip truth straight from my skin. “Have you made your choice?” he asked. “Yes, Father. I choose Artair.” “Have you told anyone?” “No, sir. You are the first.” A pause. He tapped his finger against the desk once, sharp against the wood. “Good. I will announce it at lunch. Go inform Hana and have her dress you appropriately.” “Anythi

“Your lord and lady are dead!” Remier’s voice thundered over the gathered servants and mercenaries. “Bring me my bride, and you may live. Refuse, and you will all share their fate!”My breath stuttered. The world tilted. For one impossible moment, I thought if I just stood still, time would stop and undo what I had seen and heard. But Artair’s hand gripped my arm, pulling me back “We have to move. Now! We can’t let him see us.” I swallowed the grief down like poison and ran with Artair to find a close exit. It was too dangerous to go to the secret exit by my room. The kitchen was the closest.We slipped into the kitchens and cut down three mercenaries who barred the way—steel clanged, blood sprayed the walls. My blades found the ribs of one, and he collapsed with a strangled gasp. Artair skewered the other two with clean, practiced strikes.Then someone was grabbing me, I could see Artair. Shit, this wasn't good. I moved to fight but the voice from the unknown person stopped me in my