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Chapter 50: A True Queen
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The Shifter King Chapter 1: Your Mark
The smell of rain fills my lungs as I move quickly through the streets. My boots splash in the puddles and the edges of my favorite cloak turn muddy. I turn the corner and slip through the doorway of the dark bar. Inside, the smell of beer is overwhelming, but I scan the room from beneath my hood and find the man I'm looking for. I slip through the crowd, unnoticed, using the walls and shadows to stay hidden. People are eating, laughing, some dancing to the musicians that play loudly in the corner. It's easy to blend in here and remain unseen. For this meeting, I want to be unseen. I sit down across from the man in the corner. He also wears a dark cloak but his hood sits on his shoulders. His face is dimly lit by the candle on the table revealing a scraggly beard and tired eyes. I notice the dagger at his hip that he is trying to display without being overly obvious. I smile at him. "Hera," he says. "Lucas," I respond. "Lovely spot. A favorite of yours?" He scoffs, his hand
The Shifter King Chapter 2: The Palace
The seamstress shop sits on the corner of a brick building with a dim blue door. I approach, taking my time to reach the entryway. I've never had fancy gowns or attended a ball before. Most of my marks are ones I can reach in alleyways or dark bar corners. All I need for that is my cloak. The king will be more difficult. I will have to blend in, look like a noble who belongs in silk gowns and glittering jewels to even get through the door. I take a breath before turning the handle and stepping inside. The shop is filled with beautiful gowns from reds, blues, and purples to greens, yellows, and bright oranges. The silk is finer than anything I've ever owned. I approach the first dress and lightly run my fingers down the fabric, stunned. Was it cut out for this? "Hello, how can I help you?" I turn to find a woman in a plain dress–at least, plain compared to her merchandise. She looks a little older, her dark hair mixed with strands of white. She smiles kindly but I can tell the
The Shifter King Chapter 3: Shifters
We move away from the ballroom, up a staircase, and down a hall until we reach a door. King Ambrose opens it and I follow him inside. It's a small study, still as lavish as the ballroom, although it has a homey feel. Along the walls are books and journals, and by the tall window sits a desk with scattered papers, a quill, and ink. I glance at the window. We are on the second floor, but it may be my best route of escape. "I can't be gone for long, but you can rest here for a moment," the king says. He sits on a chair beside mine, his gaze glued to me. I lean forward and place my hand on his knee. "I appreciate it, Your Majesty. You are too kind." And a sucker for a good pair of tits. He stands and moves to a cabinet where he pulls out some glasses and a bottle of liquor. Oh, it'd be a little too easy to drink and sleep with him before cutting his throat. He was deliciously stunning and staring at his backside made it tempting. I shake the idea from my head. No. Kill him,
The Shifter King Chapter 4: Proposition
I don't bother hiding the shock or disbelief on my face anymore. This guy is crazy. His golden eyes haven't left mine for a moment, which only solidifies that he really does believe everything he is saying to me. "Aren't you rich enough to afford a head doctor?" I say, the irritation evident in my tone. This was supposed to be an in-and-out job. Easy? No, but I was so close to slitting his throat. And now I'm sitting across from him, a little worried that his insanity might be contagious and contemplating how to talk my way out of this one. King Ambrose laughs deeply, his chest rumbling. He sits back in his seat, relaxing as he drinks the dark liquor in his drink. He's so handsome, it's very distracting. I wait for him to speak, and he seems to consider his next words carefully. "You tried to kill me," he says. It's not a question but I respond anyway. "Sure did," I smirk at him. "Do you know who hired you?" "What makes you so sure I was hired? I could be here because I h
The Shifter King Chapter 5: The Prince
I fall asleep in my dress after struggling to get out of it on my own and giving up. There's no point in undressing just to put it back on in the morning anyways. It's the only dress I have with me right now. I quietly venture down the halls toward the ballroom. I made sure to pay attention to the twists and turns Ambrose took the night before. The dining hall sits close to the ballroom and I happen to pass the open door. I peek inside. King Ambrose sits at a long table, his face in a book as he eats. He doesn't look up as he says, "Good morning, Hera." I step inside the room and walk toward him. I plop down into the seat next to him, and at this, he looks up and smiles. "Sleep well?""It would've been better out of my corset," I respond dryly. "I could've helped with that," he smirks at me and I feel my face heat. "I'm sure you could've," I mutter. And I probably would've let him. "I'll get some fresh clothes and maids sent to you. Tell them whatever you need. Anyth
The Shifter King Chapter 6: Irresistible
As I open the door, a maid stands with her hand prepped to knock. "Sorry, my lady," she says, dropping her fist. "The king has requested your presence tonight for dinner. I'm supposed to help you dress and take you there." "Help me dress?" I say. "I'm already dressed." I gesture to my gown and the maid smiles like she finds me absurd. Right. I needed to blend in. Fit into the box of pretty, bimbo noble girl. I straighten and nod at her, standing to the side so she can come in. The next few hours are spent brushing my hair and pinning it into an updo on my head and tightening me into a corseted gown. When I look at myself in the mirror, I once again don't recognize myself. But I suppose that's the point. The maid leads me through the maze of palace halls until we stop at a door. She bows and leaves me to it. I knock gently on the door. "Enter," the king says inside. The room is a study, similar to the one he first brought me to the night before. This one, however, has
The Shifter King Chapter 7: Into Town
"Good morning, Hera," Ambrose says as I enter the dining room. He's sitting at his usual head table, looking over papers in front of plates of food. I sit beside him and help myself to breakfast. "Morning," I say. "I need to go the town today." He glances up. "Alright." "Alright? That's it?" I didn't expect a fight but am surprised by his trust in me. He shrugs, returning to his reading. "You don't think I'll try to escape? Make a run for it and never return?" I ask. I hadn't been planning on it, but the thought had crossed my mind once or twice. It would be easy to grab Althea and escape to the docks, leave town, and disappear."I think you're intrigued enough to stay," he says nonchalantly. Intrigued? I guess that was a good way to put it. That or I'm truly stupid. I scoff but don't say anything. I finish my breakfast in silence and stand. "I'll be off then," I tell him. "Do you need anything else?" he asks. "I'd like my daggers back, please." I watch him as
The Shifter King Chapter 8: The Hearing
I'd never been to a hearing before, especially not at court. I usually stay away from politics. But I couldn't help the curiosity and excitement of seeing the king work. The great hall is filled with nobles and commoners alike. I know the basics of how this works: people bring their concerns or complaints to the king–he does what he can to help. I find a spot along the wall where I can see the throne but I'm tucked aside from the crowd. The room is packed and I'm content staying out of the way. There's a bang that silences everyone in an instant. "The king!" I hear someone announce. Ambrose strides in, looking regal as ever. He wears a long, red cloak and his crown sits tilted on his head. He has a serious expression on his face, but as he scans the room and catches my eye, he winks at me. I smile to myself. That man knows he's hot, and the confidence was doing something to me. Sebastian follows his brother, wearing similarly royal robes, but nothing as extravagant as
Latest chapter
- The Shifter King Chapter 50: A True Queen
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- The Shifter King Chapter 47: To the Death
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