RYKEN.It never favored a soul to test a Lycan.It was a foolish endeavor.I remember my father would often say those words to me during my lessons as a young lycan. His eyes sharp as he stared out the window while I sat next to my tutor.It almost always ended with bloodshed.Such unnecessary bloodshed.I would be tested today. Though I did not know it at the time.“And which coat would you prefer today, your majesty?”“I could care less, Walkh.” I brushed past him to the dressing room, shrugging on a midnight blue overcoat. “I just need to wear something.” I sighed as I turned to stare at my Gamma.“How simple.” He gave a half smile, cocking his head to the side, and I clenched my jaw, my gaze darkening. “Or perhaps the word I seek is ‘down to earth.’” He adjusted with a half laugh. “Or even better, perhaps-"“Remind me again why exactly you are here?” I cut him off, narrowing my eyes slightly in irritation. “And not performing your appointed duties as my Gamma?”Walkh only laughed,
SAPPHIRE.The pain I felt when he threw me across the room was sudden. I felt my scalp burn as I landed with a heavy thud on the floor, my sides burning in pain as I hit the edge of the wall.Oh, goddess!I wanted to cry, so terribly much. But I did not want to anger him in any other than I already had.“Stupid thing!” He growled, his breathing heavy from across the room. I did not dare to lift my head, my palms were flat in the marble floor as I forced myself to kneel, my limbs burning with the change in position.“I b-beg your pardon, My lord!” I tried to keep my voice stable, like how Menah had behaved with the royals when we cleaned together, but I shook far too much.How had she managed it?Dealing with all these cruel royals..And for so long?“Like your apology means absolutely anything to me?” Lord Brogan seethed, his voice raised in wild anger. “Do you even realize I have meeting to attend?” He continued darkly, and my brows furrowed in confusion.“ I do not appreciate being
SAPPHIRE.“Be careful.” Bujok stared at me as we walked into the slave quarters, his brows lowered.“I shall.” I smiled at him.He said nothing more after that, only turning to the direction of the cellars.I sighed as I watched him leave, before turning myself to head to the north wing. Every step felt like a great burden, my heart pounded as I reached the north wing, my hands shaky as I tried to steady my building.No mistakes.I watered my lips, wiping my palms on my pants slowly.No mistakes.I walked by the guards stationed, my head hung lowly as I passed by. Most of the servants were yet to resume their duties, but I did not want to be late, or tardy when meeting the lord.I did not know how he reacted when he was displeased. And I did not want to experience it..I sucked in a breath as I reached the grand stairs, my legs shaking as I took my first step up. I gripped the railing as I shook harderOh, goddess!I sucked in a breath, my eyes watering as I climbed slowly. What if I
SAPPHIRE.“Menah..” I did not know what to say. Why was she reacting so strongly?Her sobs ripped out of her as she shook, her arms clenching stiffly to her sides. Quickly I leaned closer to her, holding her down as firmly as I could.“Calm yourself, Menah!” I gasped, my brows drawn in worry. If she continued in this manner, she could risk reopening her partially healed wound, or worsening the tears of her torn muscles.“M-menah, please!” My eyes watered as she shook harder, her eyes red as she shed tears harder.“D-don-"“What is happening?” The door to our room was turned opened suddenly, one of the servants rushing to Menah’s side with drawn brows.“I-I do not know-" I sputtered, turning to her in my panic.“Heavens, I heard her cry all the way down the hall.” She shook her head, taking my place to keep her firm. “Everything is fine, Menah, relax yourself.” She whispered to the weeping maid, Menah only shook harder, her teeth clattering as she cried.“She is for the worse.. “ The
SAPPHIRE.Bujok’s words left a deep mark, and I had nothing to say to him after he had spoken. Perhaps I was a fool, in honesty. For nothing I had seen in my time within the palace walls could properly encourage me to think lord Vargen a heartless monster, or a mindless beast. It simply felt too distant from his persona..I just could not take it.I partly did not understand the level of hatred Bujok had for the royals, we had all been taken from our individual villages around the same time, and for nearly all of us, it was the first time we would be in the presence of the royals.My experiences were just as old as his..Or was it not so..?I glanced at him from the side as we returned to the palace, his eyes were shadowed, his jaw clenched, and I knew he was not in a speaking mood after what we had witnessed.Perhaps he has had an experience with the royals that had made him hate them so fiercely..?I was far too timid to ask him and confirm my thoughts, and partly, I did not wan
SAPPHIRE.Just when I thought I had seen it all.The air was eerily still, like the moment just before dawn, like fog descending, like ashes in the wind, as the hand fell to the ground.The female servant stated at her hand, laying on the ground, and in a flash her open wrist squirted, fresh blood like a shower of rain splashing out of her exposed vessels.That was the wake up call she needed.“Oh, GODDESS!”The woman's scream was sharp, painful to my ears as she fell back, as if to run away from her very own self. Her eyes were wide, hysterical, as she gasped out meaningless words, her face paling by the shades, till she was paper white.“Heavens!” The man knelt next to her was frozen as he stared at the detached hand, the bleeding arm, his hands rose to cover his lips shut tightly. Even from here I could see the palpitations of his hands.I was trembling where I stood. I could feel the hair on my skin as goosebumps formed all over my body with the passing of the wind. My eyes were