Adrian and I navigated the confusing corridor, stairs, and even elevators maze. All to reach a different palace area where I presumed his office is. That had been the original destination before I wandered off. Hopefully, Connor won't punish me for it. The dizzy spells from food deprivation and intensive training were getting to me. If the nurses hadn't given me a glass of water while we waited to be examined, I would be thirsty too.
-"So... What's behind this door that I'm allowed to see?" I question a little sour from have been denied the wounders behind the other door.
-"Normally, you wouldn't, but I can make an exception. Just for you." Adrian's lips curled mischievously while he opened the door we stood by. "Lady's first." He gestures for me to go first.
We walk inside a bedroom. Every inch of it screamed Royal, from the fancy rose gold molded ceiling to crystal chandeliers and massive king-size bed elevated by three steps. To the left, by the large balcony
Amaya had one more task to go through before retiring for the night. I offer my help on the condition she would enlighten my questions about today, starting with what made Jacob turn into a disfigured monster. I might have been quiet about it, but I haven't forgotten.-"Fighting villains during the day, moping floor dooring the night. I got the feeling it should be the other way around, right?" I tried to build a conversation, but Amaya seemed indifferent.We are currently moping the throne room, and other than the mop slashing water from the bucket to the tile floor, we had been in complete silence.-"What made Jacob change into that monster? How does it happen?" I ask, successfully capturing her attention.-"Darkling. The being we fought is called a Darkling." She whispers, stopping for a moment to inspect the surroundings. "We are not allowed to discuss it. No one really knows how you become one, there isn't much correlation bet
***Bea's POV***Last night had been unexpected. After soaking in the bathtub for half an hour, I had a pleasant talk with Maya, a beautiful loose curls blond who resembled the female photo in Adrian's room. Our conversation felt like the sleepovers Caroline, and I had when we were in high school About boys. Connor is the king's eldest son. However, the throne succession falls to Adrian, the second oldest, because Connor isn't legitimately recognized. Maya is the youngest of the three and shared both parents with Adrian, the king being the only parent she still had alive. She didn't go into details about her mother or the cause of her passing. It didn't feel my place to protrude more than I already had. That subject will be for another day. The morning early hours came, and with it, so did Connor. Maya had thrown a pillow in protest for the rude awakening on a Sunday morning, but I couldn't ignore my captain.Borrowing the first sports clothes I c
From a happy memory into complete chaos, Liam's summer kiss had been so real as if had been right there in front of me, but then it became a winter stab, leaving me inert in a deep well of darkness where all the soul scream echoed off the wall to cause yet another wound. I couldn't breathe with the heaviness on my chest or walk with the weakness debilitating my being. All those whispers of insecurity, despair, and scrutiny were caging me in.Around me, village houses burned with purple fire. Women wailed their children's blood as darkling soldiers claimed it with their sharp claws. Their skin-crawling screams made my legs tremble while the rancid smell of burning flesh knotted my insides. Destruction consumed every stepping stone in the path before me. Never have I felt or seen anything like this before, so broken. The desire to make everyone feel the same became a raging flame, fuelled with each dying breath. The suffering, despair, and fear of these unknown people felt repu
***Adrian's POV***Thanks to Connor's ability to influence one will, we managed to control the situation before my father came out of his room, yet again. The Dark cloud is almost gone, which means he will be weak for a while. The earful reprimand he gave me yesterday had been enough for the rest of the month. Having yet another issue come to his attention would be undesirable. If he finds out about this breach, he will undoubtedly de-throne me. I must get it together.-"Alpha Xavier Kohler, I have something you might be looking for." I announce as soon as the person on the other side of the call picks up.This intruder might become a blessing. I don't know how she wandered in without being detected or why she is here seeking Beatrice, but surely, I know she became my ACE card for more information about Naomi Stevens, Bea's mother, the moment she did.-"Prince Adrian Von Wilczek," a growl follows, "if you so lay a fin
*** Bea's POV*** The past few days had probably been the worst in my entire life. I would do anything for something as simple as a toothbrush and toothpaste. Using my fingers to clean my teeth didn't even come close to the freshness you experienced after using a good toothbrush. Hey, I was already invading Adrian's Privacy by showering in his bathroom. Why not use his hygiene products also? However, I couldn't bring myself to search his cabinets after seeing the condoms-filled top drawers of the mirror vanity. Clearly, Adrian hadn't grown up from his hormonal high school popular boy years. He is the type of boy I hate the most. If he thinks I will fall for his charming-swipe-off-your-feet-sloppy-technics, he better have a spare ego because this one will get crushed. "Self-centered narcissist prick." I slur while following him to the VIP's living room. Far from home with no luggage, cellphone, or credit cards, my life went from Daddy's little princess to borrowing clothes and eating
***Bea's POV***A week had gone by so quickly. In that amount of time, I had made more friends and had familiarized myself with each daily task we attended after the morning training. The quarantine had been lifted, and we could now enjoy the chilliness of the white snow. It was cold and dry but somehow felt just right. Each day Connor taught us a different lesson, and in the evening, he and I would train an extra hour, which helped me master my abilities better. Freezing things at will turn out to be quite satisfying.However, today's training isn't something I'm looking forward to. We are currently standing on a platform—God knows how high from the ground—we listen to Connor instructing us first-time shifters. I'm mortified. We are supposed to jump and shift midair. The only problem here is I have never turned before.The new recruiters are to jump from this tower shift midair to patrol the skies while escorting
***Bea's POV*** It didn't take too long for Omar's butler to arrive with the change of clothes. Adrian dispersed everyone reminding us to attend our duties, me included. He didn't even spare me from them after suffering such traumatic experience. Amaya and I were responsible for preparing the guest room. She took the first floor on the west wing, and I took the second, which was Omar's floor. I left Omar's room for last in hopes I would have another chance to chat with him if I hung around long enough. Perhaps even have him be the messenger to deliver my word to my family. Barging with the butler, who oddly enough insisted not being one, I convinced him I would take Omar's luggage to what will be his quarters for the next two nights. I wobbled like a penguin, carrying the bags through the door. All the guest rooms had the same layout. There are king-sized beds across from the entrance, a sitting area to the left with a pair of velvet ro
***Bea's POV***Omar had been asleep for a little over forty minutes. Having him use me as a pillow made me feel like a cat owner. Once a kitten chooses its position to sleep on you, you are legally bound not to move till royal whiskers excellence does. So here am I, bored out of my mind, slowly counting the seconds as I get late for my next duty. We are supposed to meet with Connor and help set out the throne chambers, including setting up tables, guest names, floral arrangements, and other boring esthetic details. Just thinking of it made my eyes droopy.Someone burst the bedroom door open, shouting, "Omar, we got a problem." Slightly flustered at the abrupt intervention, I form a dozen ice daggers encircling the intruder as my head turns around. "Wow, cool!" He touches one of the floating object's sharp tips, "deadly too!" The butler raises his arms in surrender."Don't they teach you in the butler school how to knock before en