Alora POVWarm water splashes me in the face as Leonidas joins me in the bathtub. At first, I am too stunned to speak. He is sitting fully clothed in the water with me and doesn’t seem phased at all. “Your Highness,” I whisper in shock. “Don’t call me that,” he growls playfully. “King Leonidas,” I correct myself. He inches closer to me. “Don’t call me that either.” “Leonidas,” I chance calling him by his name. He cups my face with his hand and stares into my eyes. The electricity between us is almost unbearable as it lights up my skin. My body is urging me to push him away but pull him close to me at the same time. As the war within me rages, Leonidas continues to get closer. “Sire,” I whisper. “You have on your clothes.” His lips are so close his breath fans my face. “Would you prefer I was naked?” “Yes,” My words betray me. “Wait…” But the damage has been done. He stands in the water and begins stripping off his clothes. He peels each item from his body an
Leonidas POVAlora is everything I love and hate. She is fierce and beautiful, but she is so stubborn. She would rather stand in her own way than let me show her happiness. If she would only let me, I would shower her with affection. Instead, she would rather let her smart mouth stir up my anger. One day I will show her what that pretty little mouth is made for, but for now, I need to find a way to get that fucking stone from the Fae Realm. I round the corner of my hallway, and Alfred is waiting for me. “Why is Anila dead on your bedroom floor?” “Have someone clean that up,” I respond, stepping around him. “You didn’t answer me,” he growls.“Why do you care about what I do with my witches?” I muse. “Because your decisions will doom us all,” he hisses in a low voice. “Why were you in my bedroom?” I snap back. He visibly bristles. “I was looking for the Princess.” A snarl rips from my lips. “I thought I told you to stay away from her.”Alfred has the audacity to laugh.
Alora POVI grumble under my breath while I get dressed. He may have commanded I come down for dinner, but he didn’t say I had to wear a fancy gown. I stand in front of the array of dresses and look for the perfect one to piss him off. My eyes keep flickering toward a blue beaded gown. It is beautiful, but not what I am looking for. After mulling it over for too long, I decide I should be dressing for myself, not for Leonidas, and it would be a shame to let something so beautiful go to waste.I pull it out of the closet and strip down to my undergarments. An uneasy feeling washes over me, and I feel as if I am being watched. Wrapping my arms around myself, I spin around, but there is no one there. Dragging in an uneasy breath, I try to push my nerves aside. I step into the dress quickly, pulling it up over my shoulders to cover myself. It takes longer than it should for me to tighten the corset myself, but once I am finished, I am pleased. The blue is the exact shade of
Alora POVThrough an unspoken command, the guards grab Alfred by his arms and drag him out the front door of the castle. The one who stepped up to help me glances over his shoulder. His eyebrows are furrowed together with concern, but he doesn’t stay to make sure Leonidas’s lycn doesn’t hurt me. Alfred is thrashing and screaming, but his threats fall on deaf ears. I can’t take my eyes off Leonidas’s lycan. The beast steps in my direction, but I don’t feel afraid. His massive arms wrap around me, and he carries me upstairs.The beast pushes the door open to the king’s rooms and sets me on the ground. He disappears into the adjoining bathroom, leaving me in the middle of the floor. There is a loud crack that sounds like bones breaking. Finally, the fear I have been pushing away crashes down on me. I fall to my knees and hide my head in my hands. My tears coat my cheeks and drip onto my gown. I have a fleeting thought that I am ruining the beautiful dress, but I can’t seem to
Leonidas POVOne hundred years agoThe ball my father threatened to hold is tonight. When I told him I had no plans to attend, he threatened to kill Anila. With Evanora at his disposal, he doesn't need Anila. Her sole purpose is to be used as a bargaining tool. Father knows I will not risk her life.There is a weak knock on my door. Her cinnamon scent wafts through the door, and I race to answer it. Swinging the door open, I can't wipe the look of concern off my face."Mother," I sigh. "You should be in bed."She is pale and unsteady on her feet. The years she has spent enduring my father's abuse have taken their toll. She is dying. The constant betrayal of the mate bond is more than her body can take.Even in her weakened state, she saves a smile for me. "I was hoping to walk with you before the ball.""Do you have the strength?" I ask, not bothering to hide my worry."For this, I do," she replies cryptically.She reaches for my hand, and I hold hers gently. We walk hand in hand thro
Leonidas POVI have not held a woman’s hand since the day my mother died. I had avoided the action because it reminded me of what I lost. Holding hands with Alora brought back a part of me I didn’t know was missing. I could not protect my mother, but I will protect Alora until my dying breath. Her hand feels so delicate in mine, and a possessiveness washes over me. As we wind through the castle halls, I know I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her again. I open the door to the dining room and Evanora is sitting in her usual seat. The table has been cleared, but she is waiting for me. “You will need a new Beta.” “Not now,” I snap at her. “Fine,” she hisses as she gets to her feet. “Don’t forget the stone.” As she walks past Alora, Evanora flips her hair off her shoulder to get a better view of the mark on Alora’s neck. She looks pleased with herself, but she doesn’t comment on it. Leading Alora through the dining room, I take her straight to the kitchens. The Ome
Alora POVI don't remember if I have ever seen spring, but here I am in the middle of a flowering field. The sun on my skin is a strange warmth. I have gotten so used to the bitter cold of winter."Hello," a soft voice calls to me.I spin quickly, casting my gaze on a beautiful woman. I do not know her, but she seems familiar. The way her eyes wrinkle when she smiles reminds me of someone."I have been watching you," she says.I glance around myself." I don't know where I am.”"I brought you here," she tells me. "I thought it would be better than the bitter cold of the Lycan Realm."The kindness of her voice draws me in, and I move closer to her. "Do I know you?""You do not," she smiles. "I am Morgan."I look at her with great curiosity. Her fingertips are free of magic remnants. I cannot be sure, but I don't think she is a witch. Chocolate brown hair hangs loosely down her back. She tucks a strand behind her ear, and I see its pointed tip. She looks Fae, but there is something diff
Alora POVLeonidas flips me onto my back and hovers over me. He pressed firmly against me. I can feel the steady beat of his heart and a strange feeling swarms in my stomach.I am frightened but also excited. My tongue swipes across my lips and his eyes flicker to my mouth."What do you want?" He asks."I don't know," I whisper in honesty.A frown pulls at his lips, and he tries to roll over, but I wrap my arms around his shoulders. Letting my fingers dig into his muscular back, I hold him in place. He raises an eyebrow and shifts himself on top of me. My legs part shamelessly, and he settles between them like it is the most natural thing.My heart is thundering in my chest. It is so loud. I know he can hear it. My face flushes at our proximity. "Does all of your skin blush as brightly as your cheeks?" He smirks."I didn't know my cheeks blushed," I respond. The heat between us only intensifies, and I worry I will explode if he doesn't kiss me soon.His nose brushes against mine. "Y
Alora POVThe snow is melting on the field in front of the cabin. Blades of grass are starting to sprout from the ground, and the trees are budding. Spring has finally come to the Lycan Realm, but I find joy in it like everyone else. Nightmares plague my nights, and I think they are premonitions.I step on the porch, and it creaks under my weight. I should send someone out here to help Kaia and Elaine fix the place up, but then that would be admitting that I know they are here. I have spent the last six months dodging that question from Leonidas.He barely lets me out of his sight. We haven’t found Alfred or Sabrina. I can only assume they have made their way through the Lycan Realm and are now in Morvathuun. However, I haven’t spoken that thought to Leonidas. To even speak the name of the eternally dark realm is forbidden. It is said that even Hecate refuses to set foot in Morvathuun. I try to push the door open, but it doesn’t budge. Elaine must have warded it again. So
Alora POVI am lounging on a couch in one of the many Fae Castle drawing rooms, and Leonidas is rubbing my feet. It has been hours since we have heard from Ivy or Elric. The lower levels of the castle aren’t flooded, so I don’t think she has killed him, but I can’t be so sure. I have only known her for a short time, but she seems terrifying. “What is there to do around here?” Leonidas growls. “I’ve got something you can do,” I snort and wiggle my eyebrows at him. “What has happened to you?” He smiles. “You used to be different.” “Did I?” I smirk.He drops my foot off his lap and puts my other foot behind him. With skill, he spreads my legs and crawls up my body. “I am not complaining. I like horny Alora,” he says, running his hand up my leg. “I think we should move this party upstairs.” I throw my arms behind me dramatically. “But I am too tired to move.” He pins my hips to the couch and bunches my skirt around my knees. “My Queen,” he whispers against my ear. “If I
Kaia POVI rush back to our room with Anila in my arms. “Elaine,” I shout. “We have to go.” Setting Anila in her cot, I begin to toss my clothes into the nearest bag I can find. Anila is watching me intently. Sometimes the way her milky eyes follow me is unnerving. Her eyes are the only thing that alludes to her real age. I forget that despite her human age, she is older than Elaine and I combined. I turn my back on her and focus on the rest of the room. “Elaine,” I shout. “Where are you?” Still, she doesn’t reply. It isn’t like her to roam about the castle. She doesn’t like to mingle. I peek my head into the adjoining bathroom and she isn’t there either. I am beginning to feel a pit in the bottom of my stomach. Someone knocks on the door, and a Fae woman stands just outside. There is a letter in her hands, and my heart drops. I already know it is from Elaine. “You can come in,” I whisper.She steps inside, but she doesn’t look at me. Her eyes are focused on Ani
Alora POVThe only sound in the dining room is the clinking of silverware against the plates. Leonidas is tearing apart his meat with his hands, glaring at Naridah from across the table. Ivy is refusing to sit beside Elric, and he is mumbling curse words under his breath. Vesper is blissfully unaware of what is happening around him. He is just happy to have his mate by his side. Naridah begins humming a song as she chews. Leonidas tenses beside me. I could sift through her memories for hours, but there will never be enough evidence for him to trust her. “Naridah,” I gain her attention. She looks up from her plate and smiles. “Please call me Nari.” “Nari,” I continue. “I think your humming makes my mate uncomfortable.” She cuts her eyes at Leonidas and presses her lips together in a hard line. “Fine.” The room is silent once again. This is possibly the most awkward family dinner since the creation of the Two Realms. Ivy is desperate to fill the silence. “Are mates com
Alora POV“It has never been done before,” Ivy snaps at me. “Your place is here among the Fae.” I shake my head. “My place is with all the creatures. I think that is why Morgan chose me. So I would unite the Two Realms.” Ivy turns to Elric. “Will you talk some sense into them?” Elric flushes bright red and looks down at the massive table between us. I can tell he has never told Ivy “no” a day in her life, and I don’t think he is about to start now. But he doesn’t say anything. All of the lycans have gone back to the Lycan Realm, and we are waiting for Vesper to return. It feels like it is Leonidas and I against the world. Ivy and a few Fae council members are being so stubborn. They won’t listen to reason. When Elric doesn’t speak up, water begins to drip from Ivy’s fingertips. She is about two minutes from losing her temper and drowning us all. “You can’t take up residence in the Lycan Realm. We need a Queen.” “I know you do,” I say gently. “I am planning on stayi
Alora POVLeonidas pauses, looking down on me. There is an eagerness in his gaze, but also concern. My magic reaches for his feelings without my permission. It latches onto his emotions, and it is suffocating. They are intense, and tears sting my eyes. I force my magic away and reach for him. “I am not made of glass,” I assure him. “You won’t break me.” He joins me on the bed, carefully positioning himself between my legs. His fingers swipe my hair out of my eyes, and he sighs. “You look so fragile.”“I am not,” I say. Wrapping my leg around him, I force him to roll onto his back. His hands rest lightly on my hips as I straddle him. Moving my body slowly, I run my core over the length of his harden cock, and he tightens his grip. I moan in satisfaction and continue to tease us both. A growl rumbles in his chest, and he flexes his fingers on my hips. I chuckle, and he glares at me. “What is so funny?”“Do you want to be inside me?” I smile. He nods with a silly grin
Leonidas POVMy warriors scatter, and several Fae do the same. I refuse to leave Alfred alive, but I can't bring myself to leave Alora's side. I didn't realize being away from her would be so painful. I don't understand how my father could betray the mate bond. Alora is all I will ever want.Her shoulders slump over, and a stray tear leaves a track through the blood on her face. In one night, she has lost and gained so much."Let's find a place to get you cleaned up," I whisper."Aren't you going to look for Alfred?" She asks."There is no need." I pull her close. "My men have it covered.""I just want to go home," she cries as she collapses into my chest."This is your home," the Fae woman that killed Estes interrupts us.Alora straightens her shoulders and sucks in a sharp breath. "This realm has never been my home.""You are our Queen," the woman pleads. "You can't leave us without a ruler.""Ivy," Alora groans. "I don't know anything about this realm. Just let me leave.""This is
Alora POVEstes puts up a fight even though his powers are no match for mine. It is wind against wind. Gusts of powerful air move across the room, whipping angrily against my skin. I do my best to retaliate, but these powers are new to me.I am desperate to keep the rest of the party safe from our battle. My concentration is split. One hand controls the vortex surrounding Estes and me, and the other is blasting air at him.My arms are growing tired, and Estes's attacks are cutting into my flesh. I can only hope that mine are doing the same to him. Sweat is beginning to form on his brow, and he looks tired. This might be my chance to end this. But I am not paying attention, and I don't see the silver glint of the knife in his latest attack until it is too late.The blade sticks in my arm, and I scream in frustration. I can't risk pulling it at and losing the vortex. My arm hangs limply at my side, and I fear he has won.He lifts his hand to deal the final blow, but only whisps come fro
Leonidas POVThis is possibly the biggest mistake I have ever made as king. The Fae Queen is dead in my castle, the future Fae King is hiding in one of my guest rooms, the full moon has disappeared from the Fae Realm, and it is likely we won’t be able to shift. Still, I am marching into the Fae castle with my army.Lobo is at my side. There is a feral look in his eyes. It seems as if he has been waiting for this fight."What's the game plan?" He asks."Honestly," I laugh." Find Alora.""No diplomacy?" He cracks his knuckles."Not this time," I snarl. "Not after what I learned from Queen Fauna, but let’s not kill everyone in our path."A smile spreads across his lips. "But those who resist?” “Fair game,” I reply. Somehow, we have managed to make it into the forest surrounding the Fae Castle. Either they are so confident in their abilities that they do not feel the need to protect themselves, or this is a trap. I am leaning toward the latter.I peer through the trees, looking for a