Dragonfly Fortress."Now we will begin" the female sorceress announced to her audience.It was a small congregation of three people.Present was Waylon, a young water nymph clothed in white apparel, gagged and tied with a rope, the third person was Smeden who held the rope, propelling the female by the collar."The price you demand of me is too steep Zipporah, another of my most loved pets. It is such a hard feat replacing them" he grumbled."When you came to me a few years ago, you said you were willing to do anything to become king" her sultry voice chimed."True, I am still of that opinion. But then, finding one I genuinely find pleasure in is increasingly tedious" he told her."You can take her back if your debauchery places higher than your goals" she offered.Waylon gave her a sullen look, then waved her on.Zipporah gave a slight nod and continued her proceedings of pouring different potions into a small enclosed pool of water, built into the ground like a jacuzzi tub. It was o
There were a few seconds of hesitation before he uncovered himself from behind a wall.His clothes were ragged, torn in so many places and he was missing a left ear. Blood had dried around his face, his body spotted cuts and bruises. He looked like he had taken a severe beating. Afraid of coming forward, he lingered at the wall."What is this I see Drac. Why have you returned alone and where is the human girl?" he demanded.He tried to talk but could not, then swallowed thickly before saying "My lord, an unexpected event occurred. The Satyrs I hired to do the job were ambushed by Rojan, he murdered them all and fled with the girl. I was able to track his location with my men, but he is a well-seasoned warrior, he killed the six men with me and only I was able to escape with my life.""So, you mean to say after six of my men died, you still were not able to capture the girl?" Waylon scuffed with disappointment."I was-" Drac tried to say but within a blink of an eye, Waylon was in front
"Urrhhh!"Candice exclaimed as she clasped the book closed.She was sitting outside, on her balcony reading a book. Or so, she thought. Three hours had passed with her still unable to finish up a page. It was not the fault of the book, 'The Porter' was an interesting book, she was not just into reading books. She preferred watching TV, browsing Facebook, watching new dance trends on TikTok, or keeping up with the real estate market. She was a realtor after all, she should be working, looking for new prospects not here sitting on her hands, reading a book with nothing better to do.Two days had gone by when she had last seen Wayne, that morning, in his room after he had returned, he slept holding her for hours. She too had drifted off to sleep once again, his warmth providing a cocoon of solace. Only for him to wake her up after a few hours asking for her bank details and her friend's home address. He was already dressed in fresh clothes and he looked like had just shaved. She had seen
They both left the room and headed out, coming into the grand living area, she watched Everette pull aside one of the sentinels that guarded the house, one of the twins.She couldn't yet tell them apart as they were so identical. After some back-and-forth talk, she came to inform her "Jason will escort us milady."All three of them proceeded out of the house. Everette was walking beside her, while Jason trailed at the back behind them. Close, but not too close, keeping a formal distance.Candice looked around taking in the scenery, had it already been a week and some days ago when she had hurried along these paths trying to run away from Wayne? She had been so fixated on contacting Bernice that she didn't take the time to take in the beautiful landscape.The house stood on a cliff, the road that led to it was interlocked with tall pine trees that swayed in the wind, making a whistling noise.She knew this tree; it was called the Whistling Pines.About eight trees were planted opposite
Candice gazed at the terrified woman.She must be scared out of her mind wondering why she had come.She had no bad intentions, she was just experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Re-living her past experience, which was no fault of hers, in fact, Sally had tried to help her that day."Hi Sally, good to see you again," She parted her lips in a smile and extended her hand for a handshake.The woman just stared at her hand, too mortified to speak."Relax, I haven't come to cause trouble," Candice urged.Feeling somewhat relieved, Sally gave a curt bow and led them to an unoccupied table at the side. She hastened away once they had taken their seat, leaving a copy of the menu on the table for their perusal."Why did she bow to us?" Candice whispered to Everette when they had sat down."She knows you belong to the royal house, that's why she accords you honor," Everette replied.Candice rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath "I belong to no one."Jason was seated oppos
"Can you tell me more about your world?" she asked feeling ashamed, the revelation she had just heard made her feel small.At that moment Sally appeared with a second jug to refill the rum that Everette and Jason were having."Sally can help you, she used to be a sigma (tutor) that teaches young pups growing up about our traditions and history," Everette suggested quickly.Candice looked from Everette to Sally surprised "You know each other?""I met her several years ago, when I was still very young, growing up in her class was educative," Everette said.A warm-hearted smile spread over Sally's lips "I do not remember all my students. But I did love to teach before I became a restaurant owner.""Please tell me about this new world Sally," Candice pleaded."I wish I could but I have to serve the other tables as well," she politely declined."Okay, how about you answer two questions per day? Every day I will come here to buy a meal and you get to answer two questions?" she negotiated.S
The sun was setting in the sky when Candice returned to the house with her companions.Today had turned out to be very exciting, she enjoyed every moment she had spent the afternoon at Sally's restaurant. It was a shame they had to leave when the place began teeming with a lot of activities. After her questions and answers, a game of chess had started in the restaurant. Folks had gathered together to play while others watched from the sidelines, betting money on who would win. It was a lot of fun as customers took turns to play, winning or losing. They chattered non-stop, the comments hilarious and funny. She did not know how to play chess, so she just watched and listened to all the gossip. Jason and Everette had participated in a game of cards, spiking her interest.She would definitely be back tomorrow, for a day full of fun. She also would try participating in at least one game. It would be thrilling to hone her skills with indoor games that didn't involve PlayStation, Temple Run,
She saw him sitting at the head of a twenty-four seater rectangular table.The table was packed full with all kinds of food; cooked rice, shrimp sauce, vegetable salad, a baked full chicken, grilled venison, loaves of bread, tomato sauce, fresh watermelon, apples, grapes, olives, wine.She looked up from the food and their eyes met.Irises that were so piercing that it reflected the flames around him, gazed at her unwavering. Slowly like a slithering snake, his gaze traveled down her body, from the top of her head, down to her toes. He noted her unchanged appearance despite his specific request. She suddenly felt naked under his heated gaze, averting her eyes as her toes squirmed in her sandals. Her previous confidence had immediately varnished under the power of his stare; she was again reminded of his aura that was intimidating and commanding of respect.Without uttering a single word, he picked up his cutleries and began to eat. Not bothering to offer her a seat. Shaking off the e
Her heart pumped hard in her chest as she tore through the woods.Mists swirled all around giving her the perfect cover she needed, but the hurried sounds of her feet gave her position away.Yet, she could not dare stop.She could hear their footsteps, hot on her trail. Two pairs of legs ran after her. As a nymph she was fast, but as werewolves, they were faster.The clouds of mist that was a blessing was also a curse, because it obscured her view. It seemed the mists seemed to get denser the more she ran deep into the trees.She had no idea the direction she was taking. Beyond Sabine's house, she was not familiar with the landscape. She barely knew her way around this plane. Whenever they left the house, she was always in Sabine's company.Not that she had gone out much, she spent most of her time crying and sulking the early days of her arrival.If she was thinking properly, she should be heading in the direction of the town. But right now, her head was messed up and she just wanted
Bernice felt her knees grind against the scorching sand.She had been shoved to her knees while the sorceress ordered two of her men to go after Sabine.The place on her neck where the knife had pricked stung, one good thing about her newfound amortality was that the cut would heal without a scar. She hoped with all her heart that Sabine was able to leave.It was sad that she had been caught, but better one of them, than both of them."What is taking you so long? You can't even handle a girl?" Zipporah snapped from her position on the ground, where she stood gazing up at the house.One of the men said from within the house "The halfling is gone.""What?" Zipporah's face creased in a frown."I don't know, one minute she was here and the next she wasn't," the man replied."I think she escaped through a portal that I saw her create, when I was up there with them," the man that was holding her down on her knees, told Zipporah.At his words, Zipporah slapped him hard, across the face."Inc
The third beetle flapped its wings and took flight, it snatched up one of the men and ascended up to the sky."Do something Zipporah, don't just stand there!" The man left on the ground to fight against the two beetles snapped at her."I am the one paying you, why should I do the work for you?" She yawned and put a hand to her mouth, looking bored."If we all get killed, of what good is your gold?" He retorted."Okay, I'll help you," she snorted and formed a large fireball in her hand and sent it to the sky to hit the beetle. The beetle lost its strength and began to fall to the ground.She made two more fireballs and threw one to each of the remaining beetles on the ground. They quivered and became weak.The beetle from the sky crashed to the ground a few meters away from the house clearing. Before it reached the ground, the man it was carrying had jumped to the side, allowing it to crash alone. The body shattered to pieces from the momentum of the crash.The two beetles left became
Cracks and fissures fanned across the walls of the house.She heard the squeaks of her building and the entire house wobbled.Sabine crawled back from the window.What was that fey doing here?The last time she had seen her was at her castle and she had absconded, leaving everything behind when Wayne had come after her.No one heard from her since then, Wayne had searched for her continuously and then finally gave up when he realized she was hiding in his uncle's fortress. The one place he could not breach because of the spirit of the dragon.So far, she had stayed away from her. Not attempting anything, because she knew that Wayne was her close associate.What had given her the temerity and the boldness to come out of hiding and attack her, on her plane, in broad daylight?Judging from the fireballs she was using instead of explosives; she was still treading with caution.Though her house was tucked away in the woods, just a few hundred meters away from the main town settlement, the
"Do you want to tell me what happened during your journey on planet Uranus?" Sabine probed.Bernice shook her head, no."But you should have known that Rojan is set on his principles. He has been that way for decades now," she said."I know," Bernice said and looked away, averting her eyes."You should have known he is righteously waiting for his fated mate," she added."I know," Bernice replied and wiped away a tear that slipped down her cheeks."Oh dear, why did you do this to yourself?" Sabine dropped her handbag and drew close to hug her."I thought I would be able to win him over, I thought I had a chance," Bernice cried as she hugged her tight "Now I know I will never compare to his mate. More so, now that I am a nymph.""Hey," Sabine drew back and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Don't feel bad for being a nymph. You are beautiful and the right man for you will love you no matter what you are.""I hate him, Sabine. I hate him so much for being so nice to me and making me fall fo
"Don't touch that," Sabine said and collected her bones from Bernice."Okay, I was only looking at it," Bernice said and took a small meteorite rock from the counter."And don't touch that," Sabine said, grabbing the rock from her and returning it to its former position."Okay, okay, I won't touch anything," Bernice raised her palms to the air and retreated to the sitting room.Sabine let out a deep breath, feeling exasperated.Three weeks had passed since Bernice appeared in her house full of tears and looking all different.She had consoled her and agreed to help her. But Bernice was a handful. It was not easy trying to contain her excess energy.Sometimes, she felt like she was raising a toddler who was curious about life and wanted to try everything out.She was funny, outspoken and the life of a party. Her company was enjoyable and she was fun to be around. It would have been less stressful if she could learn her boundaries.Sabine's eyes flipped to her sitting in the living room
Three weeks had passed by with her still locked up in this cell.It had been a hard time for her.After locking her up for seven days, Smeden only returned to bring food and water to her three times a day.On the Seventh day, he told her that his Lord had instructed him to ask if she had reconsidered her decision.She glared at him without answering, so he left.The next day, her food rations reduced significantly and it dropped to twice a day.She ate without complaining and slept most of the day or chatted with the Oomukade, whose name she now knew to be Luke.Once daily, she was let out of her cell and allowed to bathe and use the restroom for her needs. After which she was escorted back to her cell.While her body and hygiene remained clean, the rest of the dungeon stank. Most of the creatures here were not given the privilege of bathing and going to the restroom, so they just did their business in their cells, stinking up the entire place.On the fourteenth day, Smeden returned a
She had just fooled herself once again.The truth of his words hit her like a slap across her face.There was no lie in what he had said, she ran away from something good to end up here, in this terrible situation.Wayne never treated her this way. If anything, he had saved her from being brought here a long time ago, he had saved her friend also.It was now she knew what he had done for her, the important role he played as her protector, her shield, her safe haven.The first contract he made her sign was an act of respect for her free will. Even when he could have easily forced his will on her. Despite deceiving her he had protected her, taken care of her, and tolerated her excesses.Yes, he had hurt her in the end. But he was not perfect, neither was she.She really wished she had confronted him with the second contract, she should have given him the benefit of the doubt and talked things out with him. Maybe he had his reasons for drawing up such a contract.Communication was key in
"What?" He asked.She heard the irritation in his voice."No," she repeated, shaking her head."You will defy me, reject my offer, and deny me my desires?" he thundered as he swatted the nymphs away from him like flies.She bit her lower lip, unable to answer.He began to advance toward her, his face was hard as a rock and he was evidently pissed by her disobedience.She took a step backward and another. For each step he took toward her, she retreated. Fear made her skin crawl."I gave you a choice, to choose between comfort and captivity, out of the liberality of my heart. Yet you prove stubborn," his words dripped with anger.Her heart was in her mouth when she saw that her refusal had triggered him.What would he do to her? Surely, he would not kill her now, right?"Guards!" He yelled.In the blink of an eye, Smeden and another male appeared from around the corners and rushed to him."Take her and lock her up in the dungeons until she reconsiders my offer," he commanded.And just l