LOGINLeila’s point of viewI didn’t realize how far I had walked until I heard a loud groan and a moan. Skin slapping against skin. I turned into a corner with a wider passage and stopped. Two of the guards had a naked woman against the wall, one of them was pounding into her while the other was feasting on her breast and fondling her.I looked at the ceiling immediately and then at the floor, I was trying not to look at them, my face became warm. I kept walking, this was apparently how things operated here. Kira’s Rumours at Obsidian had not been been exaggerated after all, it was real.I found a quieter path and followed it. I went deeper into the eastern axis and followed a path that led to a different courtyard that seemed like it functioned as a kind of central gathering space for the kingdom’s daily life. I stood at the entrance and looked around. The animals were the first thing I noticed. They were everywhere and they were extraordinary. Massive dogs moved through the yards. There
Leila’s point of viewThis morning felt peaceful and somehow I’ve been sleeping well even though I used to find it difficult to sleep in new places. I woke up before anyone came to get me, that was intentional, I learnt from my father that the most useful time in any unfamiliar place was the hour before the place expected you to be awake.I stepped out only to find out majority had woken up. Servants moved faster and guards stood straight. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that preparations for the betrothal ceremony was going on low key. I have seen the materials being carried across the halls in polished silver trays and the quiet conversations that stopped the moment I walk past.My stomach twisted, a single thought kept pressing against my mind. My parents, would they be here? I pushed the thought away before it could settle too deeply. I needed something else to focus on, something normal.I should go look for Roberto, I approached one of the guards and asked for directions to Zeth
Kardor’s point of viewLeila’s head snapped up, her eyes moved between us. They settled on me, finally she was looking at me. And what I saw was anger.“Excuse me,” she said quietly to Roberto.She stood up and her eyes moved to my father briefly with the composed politeness of a guest managing a situation with dignity.“Thank you for breakfast.” she said. “I am not very hungry this morning.”She walked out, my father looked at me.“She does not look pleased.”“You should go after her,” my father said calmly. I didn’t hesitate, I stood immediately and followed at a distance. I quickened my steps when I realized she was moving faster.I found her just as she reached the door, she moved quickly like she didn’t want to be followed in. But I was faster. The moment she tried to shut the door, my hand caught it. I pushed it open and stepped inside.She turned immediately.“Leila…”Her fist collided with my chest. She hit me.Once. Twice. Again“You lied to me!” she snapped, hitting me again
Kardor’s point of viewEverywhere was quiet at this hour, not silent. The Blood Kingdom was never fully silent, there were always guards moving. I stood in front of the connecting door, staring at the only thing connecting us.I should not go in, that was the first thought, the safe one. My father had eyes everywhere. Servants, guards, and shadows that reported things no one else noticed. If he found out I dared go to her, this soon, he would question it.Attachment. That word again, a problem I could not afford.I have been standing here for approximately four minutes, which was four minutes longer than the time I use to make certain decisions. I turned the key and the door opened without sounds. I stepped through, leaving the door opened behind me.She was asleep.Her room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the bedside lamp.She looked peaceful, as if none of this had touched her. Like the confusion, the anger had all paused for the night. She was curled slightly on her side, the
Leila’s point of view“Bruno De’ Lucas’s daughter.” he said. His voice deep.“Yes.” I replied.He looked at me for a long moment, something moved through his expression but I couldn’t place it.“You look like your father,” he said.“I have been told that.”He looked at Roberto briefly, an assessment of different kind.“You look nothing like your father.” he said to Roberto.“I’m not the biological child of the De’ Luca’s. I was adopted.” Roberto replied.“I meant your real father.” The king said scornfully.He turned back to face me. “Welcome to the Blood Kingdom. You will be treated with the respect owed to Kardor’s betrothed.”“Zeth, you can take the brother to your quarters.”He said some other words to Zeth in their language, then he turned and walked back towards the same direction he came from.We were led further in, but my eyes…… My eyes kept searching for someone.For him.I didn’t realize how much I was looking for Kardor until I couldn’t find him, every hallway, every turn
Leila’s point of view The moment I saw the cars, I just knew. It wasn’t a random guess. It was certainty. Father already said they were going to come for me and I’ve been wondering why they were taking too long, only for them to show up when I least expected. The cars were about five, black and well polished. Men came down from it and they carried the kind of presence that didn’t ask for attention but commanded it anyway. The students around were staring in confusion and of course wondering who these people are.Kardor’s people. The barbarians.Roberto slowed beside me. “Leila…” he whispered. “I see them.” I replied quietly.They didn’t rush towards us, not like they needed to. One of them stepped forward, calm, composed and dressed like every other man that came with him. “Miss Leila,” he said respectfully. “We have been sent for you, we will help you and the young man move all your things, you’ll be brought back here only when you have classes and you will go back with us when
Bruno’s point of viewI don’t get tired easily, not from work and not from shedding blood. It wasn’t dawn yet, it was just close to dawn. We spent most of the night going at it like rabbits on heat. I was still wide awake, still wired and was watching her.She lay sprawled across the bed like she o
Bruno’s point of viewShe goes still beneath me, I felt her body relax, that was how I knew she was gone. Sleep took a total hold of her, it dragged her under and her breathing evens out too fast. Her body slacks with exhaustion. I pull back and moved to the edge of the bed, my elbows braced on my
Isabella’s point of viewIt’s been four days, almost a week since I saw him, my husband. He was avoiding me, he hasn’t showed up in our room since he took my virginity, maybe me being a virgin scared him away. I am not a virgin anymore, but him avoiding me makes me feel I have some sort of disease
DiegoCarlos’s body was found in the garden at the east path, he had been left with a crushed skull and a blood stained note flapping in the air, whoever did this wanted it to be personal and loud.I went there myself to take in every detail, his body laid there cold. I took the sight in, letting m







