"The gate to magic lies near the heart", Katherine mumbled and pressed her hands against her chest. "This is where magic originates from and mixes with the physical world."Under her hands, a light pulsed to life. She held it in place, not letting it wander from the middle of her chest as she waited for the pain and nausea to hit. Even with closed eyes, she felt Nathaniel's intense gaze on her and giggled nervously. "I... I think it's okay. I'm alright. I'll let it spread a little... only upwards."The glow turned brighter as it reached the neckline of her blouse, stretching over a greater expanse of skin. "It's... difficult. I'm not used to controlling its flow so much. But I think I can manage - ah."The small sound was caused by one of Nathaniel's hands that found her butt, gently caressing it. Her eyes sprang open. Her husband still leaned back on one arm, his gaze fixated on her with the intense patience of a predator waiting for the bird to land close by. A shiv

Nathaniel awoke early the next morning, as was his routine. Careful not to wake his wife, he only gently brushed some tousled black hairs from her cheeks, before dressing, and leaving the tent. He assumed that pregnant women had every right to start the day late.Outside, the sun already warmed the moist morning air, and birds chirped in the crowns of towering beech, oak, and maple trees. When he strained his ears, Nathaniel could also make out the cackle of the campfire that was held alive by the Nightwatch, accompanied by some quiet conversations.Just when his long legs started moving in that direction, he heard something else. Steps, coming from the woods. Warily, he peeked along the row of tents to the patrol team and saw one man raising his arm as a signal. Though it was not yet a sign of distress, Nathaniel's legs brought him in the direction of the newcomers, one hand wandering to the hilt of his sword.Reaching the patrol man's side, he could make out three f

The situation outside was unchanged unless one counted the scratches and spit stains on the captured Duke. He didn't look up or react to the shaming in any way until the crowd had somewhat calmed down. Then he raised his head just enough to stare at the tent. An unholy glitter entered his muddy brown eyes when it remained unmoved for too long. The hands behind his back clenched."Where are you looking?" Frey's slap turned his face sideways and a red patch formed on his cheek.Instead of retaliating, the Duke licked his cracked lips and used the new head position to stare around his temporary holder, again at the tent."Hey!" Agitated, Frey reached out, about to grab the hair of the kneeling man and make him notice him. He deserved a response for all the years of torture and forced service. Yet, something made him hesitate, and he only huffed. "Why do I feel like the bad guy now? No fun. It should be different."Frey could see the exact moment when the tent opened

Thinking that he had the higher hand in the deal again, Ethan came to his feet and brushed off his clothes. They remained dirty nonetheless, earthen and ashen stains painting the beige shirt and brown overcoat down to the ornamented shoes. His face said that he was disappointed in the distrust that was shown him, but everyone in attendance knew that it was well-deserved. Well, maybe everyone but him. "What proof do you think I can get my hands on here? I can tell you that the leader calls himself Ve, but how will you confirm it? If you want to know where he is, you just need to trust me." Katherine exchanged a gaze with Nathaniel. Then, for the first time, it was the man who spoke. "No, thanks." And that was the only thing he uttered before he pushed the boat off the shore again, this time stronger and fast enough that the stunned Ethan couldn't react in time. Left behind on the island, Ethan was flabbergasted. Then he called after them: "Hey, what's with the deal? I

When the trumpets sounded from the high balconies, Emilian entered the hall of the goddess clad in the blue and silver of his family name. His coat of snow wolf's fur brushed the floor as he walked, the ceremonial sword sheathed by his side and a smile on his bloodless lips. The nobles who had secured the places on both sides of the aisle lowered their heads. Finally, the Crown Prince stood in front of the altar of the goddess. Sitting on one of the balconies, Helmina looked at her brother with a fixated stare and tried to ignore the muffled sounds to her left. There, on a higher chair much like a throne, sat the Queen. The older woman wore a green veil below her widely-opened eyes. If she was not so far away, the people might have seen wet streaks on the veil as well as strange, jerky movements of her muscles beneath her long dress while she outwardly didn't move. Since she sat on the balcony, however, the people below never noticed, and the guards and maids by her side a