LOGINElsie’s POV I shook my head, staring at her in mild disbelief. "You sisters honestly amaze me. How could you depend so heavily on a man's power just to do well for yourselves?"Luciana looked down at her lap. "Well, not all females can be bothered to fight by themselves to live a fulfilled life. You did it, but that doesn't mean it's easy for others like us."I let out a long sigh, letting the comment slide. "Is Liliana fine? How is the baby?""She is fine," Luciana answered quietly. "She was relieved to hear that I was sort of pardoned and allowed to work with herbs here... although I fear that is all going to change now that you are standing in front of me today. Are you going to order my execution?""Just answer this one question first," I said, my tone darkening. "Did you make the poison Ezra used on the King?"Luciana winced, her skin paling slightly. "Yes."I rubbed my face with both hands, feeling an overwhelming exhaustion wash over me. "Okay. Where is the antidote? Ezra refu
Elsie's POV Tate and I entered the head healer's tent, the thick scent of crushed leaves, pine resin, and dried roots wrapping around us immediately. The head healer was near the rear of the space, performing routine checks on the last of her recovering patients.When the old woman spotted us, she wiped her hands on a damp cloth and approached quickly. "Welcome, Your Majesty. How do you feel today?"I just nodded multiple times, too tired to give any verbal response.The woman turned to a small side table and picked up a cup filled with a warm, steaming liquid. "I have been wanting to bring this to you, but I was held up by a few urgent matters."I collected the cup and downed the warm brew without hesitation. Handing the empty wooden vessel back to her, I offered a faint smile. "I had always known that you were up to something with these strange drinks."The head healer smiled warmly back at me. "I previously wasn't entirely sure of your condition, but I simply wanted to ensure that
Elsie's POV I entered Ezra’s cell, the iron door clanking shut behind us. The moment his eyes landed on my face, he started laughing—a raspy, cruel sound that echoed off the stone walls.I kept my face blank and just stood there, watching him silently."Something has happened to my dear brother, right?" Ezra purred, his eyes dark with satisfaction. "I had hoped he had much longer."Instead of answering, I stretched my hand out toward Commander Jasper, who was standing behind me. "Give me that."He handed over the spear he was carrying. I gripped the smooth shaft, letting the metal tip drag along the rough stone floor as I walked slowly toward Ezra's chained form."I will only ask you this once," I said, my voice eerily calm. "Think very carefully before you answer."Ezra let out a dramatic gasp. "Ohh, I'm shaking in my boots! I like this, Elsie."I ignored his taunt completely, stopping just a few feet in front of him. "Where is the antidote? How do I get it?"Ezra smirked, leaning f
Elsie's POV "Like my insides are corroding," Quinn confessed, a grimace crossing his pale face. "But listen to me, Elsie. Whatever happens, I know that you will be fine. I already wrote an official decree. You will be Queen, and you can take a mate to continue the royal line. There is just me anyway, so no one will compete with you on that."Tears spilled freely down my cheeks. "Stop this, Quinn! Stop talking like that! Just rest and let me think of something!"Quinn shook me feebly, his lips slowly turning a terrifying shade of blue. "If... if I die, the first thing you must do is kill Ezra.""No!" I cried, rubbing my eyes desperately, trying not to flail my arms in sheer hopelessness. "I will make him give up the antidote! Don't worry about that, just focus on staying alive!"Quinn just kept talking as if he hadn't heard a single word I said. "You can travel and go wherever you want, Elsie. Being Queen will not tie you down, so fear not."He began shivering badly, his body tremblin
Elsie’s POV Quinn's voice came back, tight and full of regret. ‘I didn't want you to worry, Elsie. Don't be bothered by his words.’‘Too fucking late!’ I snapped back.I took a step toward Ezra, my hands twitching. "You poisoned Quinn?! Where is the antidote?"Ezra chuckled softly, enjoying every second of my panic. "Why would I so easily tell you that, little warrior? It's my only ticket to staying alive."Quinn stepped forward, his gaze ice-cold. "Dream on, Ezra.""But I think it is the case," Ezra insisted, leaning against his chains to grin at me. "What do you say, Elsie?""How?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts. "How did you poison him?"Ezra's grin widened. "Well, it was an insanely brilliant plan of mine. I noticed that he was always so slippery, getting out of damning situations as if the Goddess herself was only on his side. I needed a backup plan, and I was right!"He burst into a wild, maniacal laugh.I just waited patiently, clenching my fis
Elsie's POV The celebration was in full swing, the open field humming with warmth and loud laughter. I sat in my designated seat right beside Quinn, who was watching the festivities with a calm, pleased expression.The feast was massive. Long wooden tables groaned under the weight of roasted boar, spiced venison, and platters of warm root vegetables. Fires roared in the center of the camp, casting long shadows across the snow. Warriors laughed loudly, clinking mugs together and swapping stories from the front lines.I ate to my heart's satisfaction, filling my plate twice.Near the middle of the meal, Commander Jasper stood up, raising his tankard high into the air. The crowd gradually quieted down to listen. He gave a rousing speech, honoring the fallen and praising our strength, before raising his cup higher. "To the King and the Queen!"I looked at him, pleasantly surprised. I hadn't expected him to address me like that in front of the entire army, but I couldn't help basking in t
Elsie’s POV I froze in my tracks. I had always been daring, stubborn, reckless even—but this? This was beyond rebellion. If I was caught, the shame would destroy my father. But if I stayed, the mating would destroy me. Nearby, an older woman pounded grain into a mortar with exhausted arms. A cry
Elsie's POVTheo nodded, his expression turning grim. "He brought a message for the Alpha and the Gamma. It's about war, Elsie. A real war.""War?" I repeated."Come on," Theo said, already turning back toward the village. "We need to hear exactly what he says."We ran, sprinting through the trees.
Quinn's POVI asked for strong, hardened warriors. So why did I find myself staring down at a runt who looked like he had barely seen eighteen winters?I sat perfectly still on a thick branch of the ancient oak tree, my presence masked by the shadows and the rustle of leaves. Below me, the pup had
Elsie’s POV"She has humongous tits," a hairy, buff man shouted, his voice echoing off the canvas walls of Tent 42. He was leaning back on his bedroll, a crude grin plastered on his face. "As she rode me, they were flapping in my face like great balloons!"He finished his sentence with a roar of la







