-Karen-I picked up the next parcel and opened it even more eagerly. The dark gray robes were just as pretty as the violet robes. There were variations of purple, black and silver in the fabric but there was a touch of lace on the cuffs and the collar. โOh! It has lace like the under dress!! It looks so regal Conor!โ I was thoroughly impressed with the robes. These are so pretty too! Lacey and powerful looking!โI wanted them to be similar but also unique. Letโs take this one off of you for now because I want to see how the black set fit.โ Conor instructed as Joanne came over and carefully folded the gray robes. Conor helped me out of the purple robes and then handed them to her.I picked up the last package while Bart answered the door. Lunch had arrived and I was starving but I wanted to see these robes. I opened the last parcel and the fabric alone was incredible. It looked like the night sky with pops of magenta, purples, blues, silver and white. How breathtaking! Itโs just like t
-Conor-Bart and Joanne had spent the night back in their own apartment. Bart chuckled lightly when he and Joanne arrived back at the apartments the next morning. โTired from last night, Jo?โ She nodded sleepily while Bart carefully woke Conor up without waking up Karen. โMorning Conorโฆโ Conor rubbed his face and nodded. He looked down at Karen and kissed her cheek. โSo, what do we want to do about this situation?โ Bart asked quietly. Conor stretched and went to get some clothes. Joanne gave them both a sleepy look and then crawled into bed next to Karen. After putting some boxers on, Conor walked over to the chaise silently and sat down. Bart sat down next to him quietly. โHave you thought about it at all?โ They looked over at Joanne and Karen who were both fast asleep. Joanne was hugging Karen while Karen mumbled in her sleep. I rubbed off on her! Thatโs hilarious! Conor chuckled quietly under his breath. โI rubbed off on her Bartโฆ Sheโs been mumbling in her sleep since she woke up
-Karen-I felt his lips attack mine and then my neck. Mmโฆ My eyes fluttered open as he kissed me again. Before I could say anything he set a small white box on my chest and then laid his head down on my left shoulder. A ring box? โMorning handsomeโฆ What is it? A present?โ I asked sleepily picking up the box. I felt like I was asleep for a lot longer than a night. I feel kinda groggyโฆ How long was I asleep for? I chalked the thought up to just being exhausted from the sleepless nights I had previously.โClose your eyes, my love.โ He replied with a sweet smile. I closed my eyes and waited. Maybe itโs a new promise ring? I told him he didnโt have to get oneโฆ But weโre both stubborn. I could hear the box open and then it was gently placed back on my chest. โKeep them closed, Kay.โ He instructed as I grinned anxiously. But I want to see what it is! I felt him move next to my left ear and breathlessly whisper, โOpen...โI opened my eyes and saw a gorgeous ring sitting in the middle of the b
-Karen- I opened a quick portal to the Rose Garden. I closed it promptly after Joanne walked through behind me. I looked out over my garden and my jaw dropped. Oh, my goodness! All the beds had been replanted with new rose bushes and smaller ground flowers covered what had originally been dirt. I love this! My garden is alive againโฆ So many purple rosesโฆ Joanne hugged me and whispered. โSurprise Kay. We wanted to make this as special as possible for you both. I hope you are happy with the choices we made.โ I hugged her tightly and nodded. โItโs magnificent! Thank you so much! I absolutely love it!โ I looked over at the now running fountain and saw Bart and Conor standing there with Charles. โAnd the fountain is working again too! Itโs been so long since it was running. I didnโt have the money for the part, so I had to let it goโฆ Itโs so beautiful!โ How sweet! How thoughtful and amazingโฆ Now I just have to take care of it and make sure it doesnโt die again!โTime to face the music, K
-Karen-โWhat am I giving you in return, Conor?โ I asked him with a frown. โI donโt have any gifts for youโฆโ Always giving me things and I canโt return the favor. It makes me sad... Husband.โA lifetime of happiness will suffice.โ Conor replied motioning for me to open the box. โYou can give me something tonight.โ I laughed lightly shaking my head. Those arenโt a real present Conor! โI was already going to do that thoughโฆโ I grumbled while he chuckled. I opened the box and saw an odd, shaped disc full of shiny purple, gray, clear and black stones sitting on a velvet pad. What the hell is it? A necklace maybe? Or some type of weird bracelet? Itโs pretty but I havenโt seen something like this beforeโฆ I picked it up and tried to figure it out for a few minutes. Itโs slightly pointed towards the center and the gems are in no particular order that I can tellโฆ โWhat is it? A necklace?โ I asked him slightly confused. I placed it around my neck, and it clattered to the table. โThis necklace
-Karen-Forty minutes later, โI can't take this, Kay!โ He hissed trying to catch his breath. โMercy! Please grant me mercy!โ He shouted as I kept pushing him towards the edge of oblivion. โIโm begging you!โ He cried out as I continued working him down. I squeezed him tightly as he tensed up entirely. He looks like he wants to kill me or marry me all over again. It took him ten full minutes to catch his breath entirely as I watched him in amused silence. โI begged for mercy several timesโฆ And you still threw me over the edgeโฆ You devious vixen!โ He pursed his lips. I enjoyed that. Not even going to lie!โJust returning the favorโฆ Dispel.โ I giggled as he glared. I felt the additional strength vanish immediately โWell? Did I at least do a decent job?โ I asked lying down on top of him, grinning from ear to ear.He laughed after a few more minutes. โThat was thoroughly impressive, Karen. Talk about raising the damn stakesโฆ How the hell do I compete with that?โ He rubbed his face and gave
-Karen-After our secret honeymoon of three days, we started back on the lessons quickly and with gusto. In the first week, I learned a new dance, memorized more Zargan-related town names and what they produced for the Empire, and how to properly address members of the kingโs court including Conor. Each time I addressed him as the โHighest Prince next to the powerful and great King of Zargo and the Empireโ he would roll his eyes at me and scoff. โI hate that damn title.โ Conor grumbled as I would giggle out of amusement. Conor had been required to do a scouting mission a week after we got married. He made sure to take his ring off whenever he left the room as we were trying to keep this a secret as long as possible. He kept the ring in his pocket and then slipped it back on when he came back in the room. The next three weeks slowly ticked by as Joanne helped me learn the most important customs of Zargo. The four of us made sure not to act like anything was out of the ordinary. Just
-Karen-When I woke up, I was in my apartment with Bart and Robert standing over me watching me carefully. I feel horrible. I hurt everywhere. โKay, can you hear me?โ Bart asked as he knelt down next to me. I nodded once and rolled onto my side facing the wall. I want to be in the darknessโฆ Itโs too bright in here even with the curtains closed. โYouโve been asleep for three daysโฆ Weโve been worried since Robert and I havenโt been able to wake youโฆโ Three days? What the hell did he give me? โWhat happened when you were with the King? Do you remember anything?โUghโฆ My head hurts so badlyโฆ I feel sick to my stomach too. โHe asked about my jewel. And then gave me a drink- Two glassesโฆ And then I canโt remember anything.โ I feel terrible. I must have been mumbling because Robert turned me onto my back. โWhat did you say, Karen? We couldnโt hear you.โ He looked just as concerned. I squinted at him while trying to get my thoughts together. โLight sensitivityโฆ?โ I nodded at him. โDid the Ki
-Conor-โI have a terrible feeling about this Nathan. We need to go to her. As soon as possible.โ Conor said pacing back and forth in front of all the Mages. โAfter she lost consciousness, Eldon came and took her away. All he said was that she was being summoned by a tree. That's when a portal was made for me to come back here.โNathan's eyes got wide and he lost the coloring in his face. โThe Tree summoned her?โ A serious yet terrified look remained on his face. Alexander started screaming making everyone jump. A portal opened and everyone stood up while Joanne worked to calm him down. โKaren?โ Conor asked feeling hopeful. Eldon walked through carrying her, but he was stoic. โSheโs going to be okay, right?โEldon gently placed her into his arms. He didnโt answer right away. โNot exactly.โ The portal shut as all the Mages gathered around. โAs you know, she won the war against your father with your help. However, she lost the fight.โ He said quietly. โSenescence, has deemed that she i
โSoul Release.โ I whispered quietly. I watched as the souls compressed into different color orbs and floated away on the breeze. Bombs started falling around me while breathing became harder. โHealing Serenity.โ Iโve used a flurry of spells and I still have a small chunk of magic left. I can easily get two or three more Master spellsโฆ I think. I decided to change positions so I could get a better aim at the last large ship flying around. I still have those small ships tooโฆ I took a deep breath and sent a Blazing Hypernova up to the middle area of the small ships. They all exploded in a bright flash and the wreckage fell to the destroyed town. I looked around for the large ship, but a bullet ricocheted very close to where I stood. Suddenly, more soldiers appeared charging at me.โFrostfire Surge!โ I shouted angrily. All the soldiers shouted in pain and collapsed dead around us in heaps. I pointed up at the sky as the ship tried to leave again. โBlazing Hypernova!โ Due to the high level
-Karen-A blow to the back of the head put me on the ground faster than I ever thought possible. Blow after blow was delivered as I squirmed to get away, but Zachary pinned me under him and continued to land a barrage of punches. He yelled and screamed about what I had done to his family. I grabbed his ankle and let him have a taste of โLightning Surgeโ. It bought me enough precious time to weakly get to my knees.โRecovery Salvo.โ I shakily got to my feet and leaned against the wall, but he was no where to be seen. I looked around nervously, but nothing moved. I heard the bullets before I felt them. Hot metal burrowed its way into my right thigh followed by my abdomen, left arm and chest. I collapsed in heap trying to fight the massive amounts of pain I felt. โHealing Serenity!โ I whispered under my breath. Damn, another healing spellโฆ I whispered for a portal and fled to the shadows of a building across town. There were still so many ships in the air, and I was starting to feel the
-Karen-โWe donโt have a choice anymore!โ I snapped back frustratedly. โThis is it, Conor- We fight or we die- Iโm not about to let him claim victory. There is going to have to be a risk in order to win this fight. I plan on coming back, you know.โโBut what if you donโt, Kay? What if Eldon doesnโt revive you?โ Conor asked firmly. He cupped my face and stared me in the eyes. โWhat if youโre gone forever?โ What ifโฆ Such a big 'what if' and its running through my mind too.I didnโt answer him right away. โIโm going to die someday. Iโd rather die fighting for my family and the people I care about than to run and live in fear wondering if today will be the day. As long as I donโt exhaust my magic and turn into a demon, I should be fine.โ Iโve used a small bit of my magic, but I still have more than plenty. As long as I can take them out in fifteen to twenty Master level attacks, it should be okay. Permitting this doesnโt drag out for very long.I could see he was very much not accepting o
-Karen-โYour sudden jerking movements re-opened a wound I repaired.โ Bart explained as I lay still looking up at the ceiling of the empty crypt bed. โI stitched it closed but you can't be doing those type of movements yet.โ I sighed feeling useless as another bomb shook the ground.โLet me put some salve on her stitches, doctor.โ Valerie murmured rubbing in a sweet smelling cream. โThis should help numb the stitches so they won't hurt if you do have to move.โโThank you both.โ I replied, slowly sitting up. โThose bombs have been falling for the last three days now. How much more punishment can the main floor of the Crypts take?โ I asked Nathan, feeling uneasy about our situation.I could see that Nathan was very reluctant to answer. โIt probably won't be much longer, honestly. We have to make some hard choices now. The only other place we can go is the Forest and that has its own set of challenges and hazards as you know.โ He heaved a heavy sigh, rubbing his face from the growing pre
-Karen-At the snap of my fingers, my brotherโs arms were torn from his body. Screams of agony echoed around me while the soldiers took aim at me. A soldier was yelling, but I paid him no mind. I heard the same soldier call my brotherโs name, Marcus, telling him to hold on. I giggled softly enjoying this scary side of myself and met Marcusโs now terrified yet agonized gaze. โMarcusโฆ Iโm going to annihilate you and as I do, I will make sure that your soul quivers in unimaginable terror.โ He some how lost more coloring in is face at my calm wordsโGround Spears!โ I shouted angrily punching up into the air. The soldiers that surrounded us were now high up on the points of the spears with blood gushing and dripping down the jagged rocks, more groans and moans of pain filling the air which was tainted with the scent of blood. โSoul Snatch!โ I ripped the wispy soul out of the body, and he looked terrified. โSoulโs Doom!โ Just like before, a white demon charged right at him and shredded his
-Karen-I woke up enveloped in warmth, but I was extremely sore. I really felt like I hit every tree branch coming down from that fall. So sweet- He changed my dress. The orchid under dress. I looked over to my right and saw Conor and Alexander cuddled up next to me both sleeping with their mouths open. Ha- My loves. โConor!โ I whispered softly. I tried to roll over and found out that was a mistake. Ah! Iโm still busted up pretty badlyโฆ I grabbed his hand that was cupping my left cheek and gently squeezed it. Wake up!Without opening his eyes, โYouโre the most recklessly insane person I know, Karen Anne Elizabeth. That was awe-inspiring, terrifying and thrilling all at once, but I donโt want to repeat that any time soon.โ Conor said rubbing my cheek with his index finger. Mm. So warmโฆ โWeโve only lost two ships in two separate incidents before but that was insane!โ He opened an eye and leaned into me. โYou have a lot of injuries still. You broke lots of bones. Bet youโre sore?โโVery!
-Karen-Conor groaned while rubbing his face and then looked up at me. He rubbed his eyes again. โIs that really you, Kay? Youโre not an illusion, right?โ He whispered sitting up quickly and grabbing my left hand pressing my palm to his lips. โYou know Iโm not upset with you- Donโt you?โ I dropped my gaze feeling so much shame as I stood before him. โI-โโYou may not be upset but I am.โ I interrupted quietly. โI just see myself punching you and then charging at Joanne and then the nightmares I had. I may not be cursed anymore but the weight of my guilt is so heavy. I feel like I should just die and end everything once and for all. But that wouldnโt be fair to you or to Alex.โ I closed the gap between us and hugged him tightly. โI love you Conor. I love you and I hate that I only hurt youโฆ I feel like I do nothing but that.โHe was silent but he held me tightly to him after he pulled me onto his lap. โI wasnโt sure if I was going to get this again.โ Conor kissed my cheek and nuzzled my
-Karen-Sweet kisses on my lips woke me up though it took me several minutes to realize I was in bed next to Conor. As soon as I did, I tried to move away from him. โAh ah ah!โ He captured me quickly and pulled me back to him. No. Please donโt!I completely avoided his gazes and wouldnโt let him kiss me at all. โKaren- You wonโt even look at me.โ I could hear the disappointment in his voice. โAlexander cried all night after you left. Will you at least hug him?โ I shook my head. โHe says Mama now.โ I donโt care. I canโt be here anymore! I only hurt you. I canโt continue to be a danger to you and everyone else here.I took advantage of the situation and pulled away from him. โKaren! Wait!โ I left the tent as quickly as I could hearing him following me. โPlease just listen to me!โAll eyes were on me and it shot me right back to the memory of charging at Joanne. I dashed to the clearing and left the camp as fast as I could. I raced back to the Royal Crypt, crying the whole way. The guilt