Chapter 25. A Shifter's Mark
The Raven Kingdom was not one that was known for its warmth, or its sun for that matter. Situated in a more northern part of the continent the blistering winds of the three mountains had a bite to it. The sky while lit with clouds earlier, was now beginning to dull – more than its usual level of dullness anyway.
This was how, most, of the Royal guest from the other Clan’s perceived it anyway. They all felt it was still quite early. Too early for the light to already be fading from the sky, and fading so fast too.While the various guests had left the late lunches by now: Some now asleep, passed out or garnering beauty sleep. Others exploring the castle or, such as Lord Easton – drafting letters to his mate. The Eurasian Queen.
Sephora remained, still, in the Noble District.
Having now, s
Chapter 55: Personal Space The castle's secret passageways were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. Black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits - they probably were. The air was thick with anticipation, the heavy scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood only serving to heighten the intensity of the moment. Sephora led Orion through the twisting passageways, her heels clicking against the cold stone floor, her breaths coming in shallow gasps that echoed off the walls like whispered
Chapter 54: Set Up, Part 3Sephora's lips curled into a wicked smile, her eyes gleaming with a dark, tantalizing light. She leaned in closer, her voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Orion's spine. "I want you to do something for me, Orion. Something... intimate." Orion's eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. He took a step back, his hands raising in a feeble attempt to ward her off. "Sephora, I don't... I don't understand. What are you asking me to do?" Sephora's smile never faded, her eyes never leaving his. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out to tuck a stray feather behind her ear. "You see, Orion, there was this young noble, a little while ago who had recently been promoted to work in the castle. He was charming, handsome, brilliant black hair and wings and he had the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. Try as I might have, he rejected me." He knew the rejections that were spoken of, because it was the rejections of all of her advances on him be
Chapter 53: Set Up, Part 2Sephora had never been one to heed warnings, especially not from her goody-two-shoes, perfect sister. She pushed the thought away, her smile returning as she approached the cell. "Orion," she cooed, her voice a low sultry rumble that echoed through the dank cell, stopping at the door. "I must say, I'm quite disappointed. I expected more of a fight from you, earlier today at court." Orion lifted his head, his face pale and gaunt in the dim light. His eyes were filled with a mix of fear and anger, his lips pressed into a thin line. "What do you want, Sephora?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet resonating with a raw intensity of hatred in his eyes lingered while he lookedcat yer. That sent a shiver down her spine. She leaned against the cold iron bars, her feathers rustling softly as she did so, her eyes never leaving his. "Oh, Orion," she said, her voice that low toxic purr that seemed to wrap around him like a silken rope. "Always the
Chapter 52: Set up, Part 1 The castle's new dungeons in the south wing were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. The black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits. Sephora's icy blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, her feathers ruffling slightly in the chill breeze that wafted up from the dungeon's depths. She followed the twisting corridors, her heels clicking against the damp stone floor, her breaths misting in the frigid air. The dungeons were a maze of darkness and despair, a labyrinth of whispers and,
Chapter 51: Set upThe castle's new dungeons in the south wing were a labyrinth of shadows and whispers, a stark contrast to the resplendent throne room above. Sephora walked with a confident, measured stride, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. Each step sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and the faint, lingering trace of blood, a visceral reminder of the depths of the Raven Kingdom's darkness. The black flames of the torches cast grotesque shadows on the walls, as if the very stones were alive with malevolent spirits.Sephora's icy blue eyes gleamed in the dim light, her feathers ruffling slightly in the chill breeze that wafted up from the dungeon's depths. She followed the twisting corridors, her heels clicking against the damp stone floor, her breaths misting in the frigid air. The dungeons were a maze of darkness and despair, a labyrinth of whispers and, not as many
Chapter 50: Sephora's Era of Lies The throne room was a symphony of black, echoing the Raven Kingdom's signature color palette. Towering walls, draped in lush, velvety fabric, bled into the high ceiling where massive crystal chandeliers cast prismatic shadows, dancing with the breeze from the open windows. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of night flowers and distant rain filling the vast chamber. Sephora Nox, the youngest of the Raven Harpy Princesses, strode into the throne room with all the grace of a tornado. Towering walls, draped in lush, velvety fabric, bled into the high ceiling where massive crystal chandeliers cast prismatic shadows, dancing with the breeze from the open windows. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of night flowers and distant rain filling the vast chamber. Her black feathers, white icy blue eyes, and nails seemed to glow against the murky atmosphere, drawing every eye like a moth to a flame. She wore her usual smirk, like a