Sephora couldn't help grinning as she walked down the steps to the throne room. She was wearing her gift from Ambrose, the shimmering burgundy satin, flowed like liquid as she moved. The thousands of tiny crystals sparked and glittered under the candle light, like droplets of blood trickling down the front of the dress. The off-the-shoulder design of the straps showed off Sephora's long elegant neck and smooth collar bones. She'd opted to hold her fiery auburn hair in a loose bun, with tiny ringlets of red curls escaping to brush her neck. She wore ruby earrings that were shaped in a tear-drop, catching the light and accentuating the red of the dress and her hair. She looked like a living flame, a survivor of pain and bloodshed, the face of a conqueror. And Sephora admitted she'd never looked more intimidating in her entire life. Perhaps that was Ambrose's intention, he said he was going to declare her as his Lady, Joe had told her that Ambrose didn't think she was weak.

[Ambrose]There was nothing but silence in the darkness. He was paralyzed, his limbs didn't want to move. It was cold and hard where he lay, why was he on the floor? A crack of light appeared as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking in pain at the sunlight that was pouring in through the window above him. Sounds and smells became apparent as he came to his senses, birds were singing outside and his breath smelt like something had died and he'd decided to cram it down his throat. Ambrose groaned as he sat himself up, his head pounding like it had been smashed repeatedly against an anvil. He lifted a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes with a wince, what on earth happened? He glanced around at his surroundings, to find himself in his study - no, not his study, his father's study. A red woolen blanket had been carefully pulled over him, that now fell off his shoulders, to reveal that he was still in his beige suit from the Assembly.Ambrose groaned again and lifted himself off the col

The Seer's words hung in the air.The floor felt like it was about to open up and swallow Sephora whole. Her mind was completely blank with shock, she couldn't feel anything - that familiar numbness overtook her senses, and it almost reminded her of when her name had been called out as The Chosen, that same dread.How could it be possible she was an Ardanam? Humans couldn't have a Soulborn power, unless... Sephora felt dizzy - was her soul really that strong? It explained why she was Ambrose's mate, but - how could this be possible?As if The Seer had read her thoughts, she shifted those glowing eyes onto Sephora. Those lips peeling back to reveal those hideous teeth as she gave Sephora a smile. Sephora's stomach dropped to the floor, out of terror and shock. She was about to turn to Ambrose beside her, to see his reaction, as he had gone as silent as her - when he snapped,"Bullshit!" His face was pale. Sephora immediately tensed, as Ambrose clearly forgot his own cautioning about b

Sephora's blood went colder than the obsidian stone she sat upon. As the weight of Ambrose's words sank through into her very bones.War, was that really what the Lord wanted? Even after everything, after all the bloodshed from 500 years ago, how could Vince possibly want to go back to war. What was his reason, what did he want? What was possibly worth so much sacrifice and waste of lives?Sephora looked to her mate, "Why, why would he go to war - what for?" Her hazel eyes were pleading, and she was sure what felt like pain rippled down their bond, as Ambrose watched her.He shook his head in decline, "I don't know - I was hoping Ravyn would have been able to find out." He lifted his brows up expectantly at the Shadow, who only shook her own dark head in return, her thick dark waves swishing gently with the movement."I'm sorry my Lord, but I couldn't get anything of Vince's motives for amassing this sudden army. Even Lord Daemon was keeping quiet about it, I have no idea what they're

"This is pathetic, Ravyn - tell me where he is. I have something important to ask him." Sephora cut her off, getting impatient with her excuses.The Shadows eyes went wide, "No!" She protested, and immediately quieted her alarmed tone, "He can't be allowed to see you tonight, he'll never forgive himself if anything happened to you."Ravyn even looked fearful. But Sephora didn't care, she'd had enough. She had no idea what the Shadow was going on about - it was just celebration, why would anything 'happen' to her. The Shadow was being unreasonable, and refusing to tell her where her mate was. The fact that she even had the nerve to be making these excuses, made Sephora's anger flare, it seemed the Shadow had forgotten that Sephora was Lady - and she wanted to know where her mate was. Mustering her strength and anger, Sephora brought down her mask of steel and menace."Where. Is. Ambrose." Sephora demanded. Ravyn's blue eyes were still wide, and she even looked slightly paler, as she ga