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Chapter 41- What Did You Expect?
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2025-03-08 16:54:19
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The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 42 - Keep Your Head Down
LyraAs Lyra followed the guards through the corridors, she reflected on how far she had come. For most of her life, she had been a shadow moving unnoticed, a girl with no voice, no fight. Her stepmother had ordered, her stepsister had mocked, and her father had turned away, leaving her to wilt in the silence. She had dreamed then, clinging to the fragile fantasy of a mother who might have loved her, who might have made her something more than invisible.But fantasies hadnât saved her.Now, she walked forward with her chin lifted, not as a girl resigned to fate but as a woman who had learned to stand. She was still trapped, uncertain of what awaited her, but she was not helpless.She had faced the monster in his own lair and survived. That monster had said he claimed her but then left her fate unsealed. There was still hope, a sliver of room to make a different choiceâwhere Garrick existed.Garrick was safety. He was warmth, a promise of something gentle in a world that had never be
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-09The Princess in the Shadows   chapter 43 Nothingness
VeyronThe Mistress of Shadowâs lips brushed Veyronâs again. In it, he didnât feel the power of his own dominance nor the drive to seek submission. as her lips grew more demanding, she drug him further away from the ghosts clawing at his mind. The maid began to fade beneath the serene shroud of power.Soft, calculated, and undeniably seductive, his Mistress's kiss offered numbness that seeped into him, cooling the fires consuming him. He let the sensation wash over him, following the subtle currents of arousal.She didnât need to fight for control. Didnât need to be the one he pined for. She knew her place, and that was reassuring. The ache of magic-drained exhaustion twisted into primal desire. He grasped her hips, as she pressed into him, fitting against him like she always had. His body responded, his cock hardening. She exhaled a pleased hum, her hands sliding beneath his shirt, spanning the ridges of muscle. Fingers splayed across the hard planes of his stomach, tracing the dee
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-10The Princess in the Shadows   chapter 44 Hers
The Mistress of Shadows The corridors of the den breathed ancient magic, stone pulsing beneath The Mistressâs steps. Shadows curled around her like an obedient hound, masking her from those she passed. Not that they would have dared to meet her gaze. She was a phantom moving through their world, unseen yet ever watching. The power in the air crackled against her skin, alive and eager, whispering to her of control, of fate, of the blood she would soon claim. The scent of Veyron clung to her skin. He had been undone by the girl, but she had soothed him. Reminded him who had always understood him best. She passed warriors in training, honed for battle but nothing compared to Veyron. He was her masterpiece. A creation perfected by her hands, refined by pain and purpose. These others were blunt weapons at best. Replaceable. She frowned as she considered the way Lyraâs rejection had wounded him. The mistressâs prized warhound, thrown into self doubt over some stubborn little wretch.
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-11The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 45 What Makes You Worthy
Lyra A throat cleared, echoing through the still room like thunder. Lyra jumped, the book slipping from her fingers as the mistress stepped inside, smirking as if she had expected this reaction. âMy, my. A little mouse caught snooping,â the mistress purred, her voice rich with amusement. She didnât stop moving, her steps languid, circling Lyra with the ease of a creature that had no need to rush. âCurious thing, arenât you?â Lyra squared her shoulders, lifting her chin despite the way her heart hammered against her ribs. âItâs not a crime to read a book.â The Mistress let out a soft chuckle. âNot at all. But it does make me wonder... why that book?â She tilted her head, eyes flicking toward the fallen tome on healing, then back to Lyra. âYou had your pick of poisons, curses, and delightful little hexesâĶ but you chose healing. Sentimental. Predictable.â She took another slow step, her presence like a tightening noose. âDo you fancy yourself a savior? Do you think you can fix whatâs
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-12The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 46 And Yet... You Do
LyraWhen the mistress announced the testâs start, fine mist curled around Lyraâs ankles, cold as death, thick as fog. She inhaled, and it took her, stealing the strength from her limbs. She tried to step back, but her muscles were no longer her own.The mistress circled her, rustling robes tracking her steps. âDo you feel that, little mouse?â she murmured. âwhat its like to lose control.âLyra tried to claw her way out of the magicâs haze that spread through her like honey through tea. The paralysis forced surrender, weaving around her, brushing against her like a loverâs sigh, teasing, tempting. It stroked along the curve of her spine, danced across her collarbone. Every nerve sang, every touch burning pleasure into her senses. It was too much and yet she didnât want it to stop.âFascinating,â the mistress purred, watching her. âYouâre so receptive.âThe mistressâs fingers trailed Lyra's arm, featherlight and electric. The touch shouldnât have felt good. It shouldnât have made her b
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-13The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 47 - Let This Be Your Release
Mistress Of ShadowsLyraâs conflict was exquisite, purity heightening every reaction. Her resistance summoned a raw, undeniable craving within the Mistress. On impulse, she lunged, pushing the girl to the floor and biting her thigh. The intoxicating taste of bliss and moonlight sent shockwaves through her core. Lyra screamed.The mistress groaned against her skin, the venom spreading through Lyraâs veins in a slow, molten burn. The girl panicked, her breath rapid, uneven gasps as pain flared. Lyraâs body went rigid, pulse hammering against the mistressâs lips. And thenâgods aboveâLyra moaned. The mistress pulled back, violet eyes narrowing in curiosity. Ah. So thatâs how it is.A wicked grin spread across her face as she licked blood from her lips. âYou like it,â she whispered, delighted. Lyra shook her head, denial breaking from her lips in breathless whimpers. But her hips arched in search of something she didnât even understand.âOh, my little mouse,â the mistress purred, tra
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-14The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 48 - Delicious
LyraPain. A bite. Lyraâs eyes flew wide as venom spread through her like lava overflowing a volcano, forcing her senses wide open. Her muscles tightened, her pulse throbbed. Goddess, it hurt!Every excruciating throb evoked another electrifying rush between her legs. Her breath turned ragged, trembling on the precipice of something new and horrifying.She clenched her teeth, trying to force her rejection. But the venom burned deep into her bones, threading fire through her nerves. The torture sang in perfect harmony with elation, and sheâshe couldnât stop it. Didnât want to. She loved it!The mistress found the spot between her legs that she didnât know needed the stimulation. Shame ignited with the intimate touch that lifted her higher and higherâuntil, if the world didnât implode, she surely would. Then the mistress was no longer touching her, whispering that drinking would end the agony. Why would she want to end this unbridled beauty? Yet even as she reveled in it, her body writ
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-15The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 49 - The Moon At It's Heart
LyraDarkness cradled her, weightless and eternal. Thatâs itâĶ Iâm lost in the haze. Pleasure and pain. Iâve drowned in it.Even as the thought crossed her mind, a spark ignited in the void bringing the world alive.Ancient runes shimmered in the air, their glow pulsing like a heartbeat. They floated, drifting before her, shifting and rearranging, whispering a secret only she could understand. She had never seen the symbols before, yet she knew them in the marrow of her bones. They sang a wordless melody to her heart. You are more than this. Meant for more.The runes led her forward. The grass beneath her feet was cool, damp with night, and in the distance, the wind howled low and hungry. Wolves moved within the tall grass on either side of her, wisps of silver and black. They watched her, darting in and out of existence.Nestled in a moonlit field, stood a small cottage carved from ancient, gnarled wood as though it had grown from the earth. The runes pulsated brighter, urging her on
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-17
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The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 72- Territorial Magic
LyraThe ride stretched on for the better part of the day, the steady rhythm of hooves against the earth a distant hum beneath their conversation. The forest behind them thinned into dry scrub, the scent of pine giving way to dust and sunbaked stone. Grass grew sparse. The air thickened with heat. In this desert, the land shed its vibrant green skin, surrendering to shades of ochre and gold.But as they crossed the invisible threshold marking the edge of Veyronâs domain, Lyra feltâĶ lighter. The grip of his territorial magic released her like a breath she didnât know she was holding.Yet Vesperaâs magic still itched beneath her skin like a fever, her body betraying her with a thrum of desire any time her mind strayed too close to him, or she found herself the center of attention. Every bump in the road made her thighs clench tighter, her face hotter, her patience thinner. Yet, she tried to focus on Daphneâs teachings.âThe more influential a werewolf is, the more land they can hold,â
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 71 - Time To Pack Up
LyraWarmth. That was the first thing Lyra noticed as she drifted toward wakefulness, a pleasant heat cocooning her against the chill of the morning air. Then came the slow, steady rise and fall of breathânot hers. The rhythmic motion rocked her slightly, comforting in a way that sent her sinking deeper into the warmth before realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.Her eyes snapped open, and she stiffened.Oh gods.She was curled against Rivenn, his arm draped lazily over her waist, their legs tangled as if theyâd spent the entire night like this. Her cheek on his chest, his steady heartbeat thrummed beneath her skin.What happened last night?Flashes of hazy memories surfacedâthe warmth of the fire, the way the liquor had made her dizzy and giggly, the laughter that had bubbled up so freely. She remembered the taste of Brannâs awful liquor, the way they had cheered her on. But had something happened with Rivenn?Her gaze darted around the campsite, taking in the disarray.Da
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 70 - Like A Damn Pup
VeyronVeyron stalked through the woods, his steps heavy, controlled, yet aimless. He didnât know where he was goingâonly that he needed to move. To breathe. To get away from the sight of Rivennâs hands on her, the sound of her laughter mixing with Brannâs deep, rumbling voice.His jaw ached from clenching it so hard. Sheâs laughing with them. The gate murmured. At us.His fists clenched, nails biting into his palms. A rustle behind him had him slowing, scenting who it was before she spoke.âYou good, Veyron?â Eryssaâs voice was calm, but her eyes took him in with quiet scrutiny.He exhaled through his nose. âJust taking a damn piss.âShe quirked a brow but didnât push. âRight.âAnother set of footsteps approached, and Veyron tensed as Delvin stepped into view.They know why youâre here. Eryx warned, low and wary. They know youâre upset over the girl. Theyâve come to check on youâlike a damn pup.Veyron sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. Delvin slung an arm around his shoulder. âY
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 69 - Poison
LyraLyra turned to Brann, flashing him a playful smile. âSo, Brann, tell meâare all warriors as fearless as you, or are you just special?âBrann, caught mid-drink, nearly choked on his ale. âIâI suppose Iâm just special?âRivenn barked out a laugh. Across the fire, Veyron finally looked up.His eyes flashed feral, his muscles coiling with restraint. She smiled, letting her fingers graze Brannâs arm, a bolt of heat shot through her at the contact. If Veyron wanted distance, she would give it to him. But she wasnât about to disappear into the shadows.Veyron abruptly stood. His shoulders rigid as he stalked away from the fire, disappearing into the darkness beyond its glow. Silence fell over the group.Brann hesitated before speaking, quieter than usual. âIâm worried about him.âDelvin nodded solemnly. âYeah.â Rivenn exhaled, rubbing his jaw. âHeâs much darker than weâre used to. More moody. More volatile.â Genuine concern replaced his teasing lilt.âWe need to keep an eye on him.â E
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 68 - Embellisment
Lyra The fire crackled, sending embers swirling into the night as laughter rolled through the camp. Brann was mid-story, tankard in hand, weaving an exaggerated tale with the kind of energy only he could muster.âAnd thenâĶâ Brannâs voice boomed over the crackling fire, âVeyron, not even flinching, just leaps right at the beast, his cloak billowing behind him like the wings of some dark omen! Heâget thisâgrabs its horns and yanks it to the ground like itâs nothing! He looked like some ancient god of war, practically glowing in the moonlight!âDelvin gave a dry smile, his arms crossed, leaning slightly away from Lyra as she sat dwarfed between him and Rivenn, who casually stroked a lock of Daphneâs hair with one hand and subtly brushed the back of Lyraâs.. âHe looked more like a man trying not to die, if you ask me.âBrann shot Delvin a glance, but didn't let it derail him. âNo, no. His shirt shimmered under the light of the fire. It was magnificent, really.âRivenn leaned in closer t
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 67 - Back To The Fire
VeyronThe warmth of the fire heated Veyronâs back, the crackling flames filling the tense silence. âWhat did you say to her?â Delvin asked. âTo make her run off like that?âVeyron clenched his jaw. âI said nothing, Delvin,â he snapped. He didnât want to discuss it.Delvin hesitated, studying him. âShe really needs to be careful in these woods,â he said quietly. âThere are wild creatures out here. Itâs the border of your territory, not sure what might wander over. JustâĶ stay alert. Weâll find her.âIf he came looking for her, she would run. A vision of Lyra fleeing from him flashed before his eyes. Her face full of fear as she ran, with the wolf in him chasing, taking over. The excitement that tore through him at the thought twisted in his stomach, nauseating him.âDo you need me to help?â he asked, the words heavy.Delvin shook his head, gaze softening. âNah, weâve got it. You just stay here. Weâll bring her back.âWith that, Delvin turned and joined the others in the search for the
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 66 - I Found You
LyraLyra stumbled through the woods, her chest constricting. Her breath came in shaky gasps, and she barely noticed the way the brambles tugged at her cloak until her foot caught on an unseen root. With a startled gasp, she tumbled forward, hitting the damp earth hard.For a moment, she stayed there, pressing her palms against the cool ground. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and she let out a quiet, bitter laugh. Pathetic.A rustling sound drew her attention. Lifting her head, she blinked through the dark.A deer stood just beyond the trees, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the canopy. Its coat was white as freshly fallen snow, and its antlers stretched high and twisting, larger than any deer she had ever seen. A shiver ran down her spine.Lyra swallowed, wiping at her eyes as she sat back on her heels. âWhy is Veyron like this?â she asked the deer. âWhy push me away like Iâm nothing, when I know he feels it too?âThe deer watched her with unsettling still
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 66 - What You Are
Veyron Veyron slid the daggerâs edge methodically against the whetstone with a slow, deliberate scrape. The sound sliced through the quiet night. His mind had no business straying. But still, it did.The motion of the blade against stone felt too familiarâlike the feel of her body beneath him, his senses surging from their closeness. He tried to focus, but his thoughts kept circling back to the way she trembled under his touch. Everything about her made it impossible to hold back.Her approach tugged at his awareness before her scent even reached him. Eryxâs growl vibrated beneath his ribs, impatient with his hiding.She is coming to you. Let her finish the bond. She is ours.The ancient voice twisted through his mind, cold and insistent, filling the deepest corners of his thoughts. No. Let her ache. Let her yearn. She is already bound to you, whether she admits it or not. Veyron knew who spoke to him. He had used the crescent gate just before this journey. Though it had never comm
The Princess in the Shadows   Chapter 65 - Good Coin
LyraThe night air carried the scent of burning wood and crisp earth as the group settled around the campfire. Shadows danced through trees, stretching toward the sky. Lyra sat near the flames, absently poking at the embers with a stick, her thoughts a tangled mess.Her skin prickled, flushed from more than just the fireâs heat. Magnetic fluid cloyed the airâor perhaps it was just her. Every shift of her cloak across her shoulders made her wince inwardly, growing more sensitive to even the smallest sensations the longer she went without satisfying Vesperaâs magic, which smoldered under her skin.Veyron had been avoiding her all day, stealing glances at her as if ashamed to even look at her. He had dragged her into this journey, forced her along. The heat of last night replayed in her mindâthe touch of his hands, the weight of his body, the bite that had sent something deep and ancient crackling through her. Her thighs still remembered the press of his hips. Her neck still tingled whe
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