LOGINKallias could hear it.The wild thumping of the heart of the mysterious figure in disguise before him. He was glad he was invoking fear, but unsettled by the thought that he had been right this whole time.Eryndra was hiding something, and this figure was helping her."You're scared," Kallias said, pausing before Da'Gaint, who awaited his command. "I will go easy on you if you tear off your mask and tell me why you killed the crow."The figure's fists clenched. Then he heard it. A whisper of a chant under his breath.Kallias immediately ordered."Do it now, Da'Gaint."The male wolf launched immediately. But the air burst with force. Da'Gaint's claws met nothing.He landed onto emptiness.Kallias stared calmly at the spot where the mysterious figure had vanished."A sorcerer," he muttered, approaching unhurriedly to the spot.He crouched and sniffed. Once. Twice. Then caught it. A drop of blood. His finger touched it, and he brought it to his nose."A sorcerer under my territory. Ins
ERYNDRA"I have sinned, oh dear Moon Goddess. I have let my foolishness lead my path. I have betrayed the fate you bestowed upon me, and for that I face your wrath.I did not honor the oath you set before me. I was weak when I should have been steadfast, and selfish when I should have surrendered. Forgive me — not because I deserve it, but because without your mercy I am nothing. Hear my prayers, oh Moon. Seek my soul. Cleanse what I have broken and let me sin no more. I beg of you. Help me."Eryndra's eyes cracked open to the half moon framed in the small window of the royal moon chapel. Warm candlelight lit the space, casting soft shadows across the sacred walls. She shut her eyes again and whispered the last of her prayers.Footsteps echoed."My Lady," Jasmira called softly. "The Grand Marshal's squire is here to see you."Eryndra opened her eyes. She rose to her feet as Zarin stepped in.Jasmira bowed and excused herself."Milady." Zarin lowered his head. "How are your prayers?"E
"Then why the doubt?" The Prince raised a brow. "I witnessed it myself. There were none left. I'm certain the Sovereign is a bluff. The rogues are desperate because they are on the verge of extinction, and this is their last attempt to survive. They attack with everything they have, which gives us the upper hand. We'll prepare and finish them all once and for all."Theron's brow creased. What if the Prince was right? What if he had seen wrong?He had spotted the scene from a distance while trying to defend the North. He couldn't be entirely certain what he witnessed was real.But then... what about Brielle's murderer, who had controlled those Nightlings right before him? He and Kallias had dismissed it as some form of dark magic, but still…It unsettled him.Something about it didn't feel right."Congratulations on your betrothal. Never thought it would take a century to finally see it happen.""Hm. It came at the right time."Kallias sighed like a wounded pup. "Can't believe you'll b
Zarin's expression contorted into shock and disbelief. His heart hammered, eyes wide as Jerik's words repeated in his head."You can't be fucking serious." He pushed him off. "Are you suspecting me of her death right now?""Do not twist my words. I know you know the truth, so spit it out.""I'm sorry you lost your wife and mother-in-law within months of each other, but you can't seriously be cruel enough to think that I would…""I never said you killed Brielle!" Jerik snapped. "I simply want to know where you got the antidote that cured me." His eyes softened barely, but there was still a hint of wildness in them. "It will save lives, Zarin."Zarin's throat bobbed. It was a tricky question. The kind that could lead to a lot of complications. If he told him the truth, Jerik would begin to suspect Eryndra. But if he offered an obvious lie, knowing Jerik, he would dig out the truth himself, one way or another."You won't tell?"Zarin avoided his gaze, settling it somewhere on the floor.
ERYNDRA “She said that?” Zarin asked with a concerned look. His white hair catching the glow of the setting sun.“Yes.”“Are you certain she didn’t know it was you?”“If she does, she would have confronted me already,” she countered.“That is not something a lady like Lady Kayara would do.”“I don’t believe she does,” Eryndra turned fully to him. “She told me she didn’t see her face, and even told me to help her find her—me.”“She could be testing you.”“And why would she do that?” Eryndra raised a brow.Her mind drifted to the way Kayara watched her carefully while sipping tea, but she shook her head in denial.“I want to think positively, Zarin. I would like not to be suspicious of my friend.”“It is not an easy thing, but my lady, you cannot trust anybody in this citadel. This place has many high secrets that mouths cannot speak.”“And yet I trusted you,” she muttered. His lips thinned. “Why have you come, Zarin?”“You have to be careful. Especially around the prince. He is starti
Harlette’s scream tore through the walls of her chambers as the healers stitched her torn opening.“Why must this be done?!” she screamed at the female healer in frustration.“The wound won’t heal properly on its own. We have to stitch it right, or there will be complications, my Lady.”Harlette cried out, veins threatening to break from her skin. The healer had to cut some parts of her opening in order to stitch it well.Blood soaked the sheet.Raith watched from the corner, expression blank.“I cannot do this any longer, uncle,” she said to him. “Let Eryndra have him. I am done fucking that—ahhhh!!!”“Almost done, my lady,” the healer assured in a shaky voice and dug the next stitch into her flesh.“Fuck!!!”Harlette thrashed against the hands that held her down. The wall shook with her screaming and finally, it was done.The healer kept her legs wide open as her wolf began to heal the wound.Her chest heaved, body drenched with sweat.“Tell father…” she whispered. “I want to leave







