"Wassa," Saffron said and took a small step back, surprised to see her guardian here. Wassa rarely stepped into the apothecary. "How did you know…" Wassa waved her hand, cutting off Saffron's question. "I was alerted by a guard that someone was breaking into my property," she replied with a sneer. Her face would be pretty if it didn't have a perpetual scowl, Saffron thought as she stared at her. "So, I came to see. I figured it would have to be you. Who else would break in here?" she glared around the small room. "I just came for a few supplies and now I will be on my way," Saffron replied and tried to walk past Wassa, who gripped her elbow as she passed. "Tread carefully. The Baron is none too pleased that you ran away from your marriage. It would be a pity if someone told him that you were back." Wassa hissed. Saffron's stomach filled with ice. "You wouldn't." "Oh, I would. You made me look like a fool! I had arranged that marriage to improve both of our stations and yet y

The doors slid open and a shaft of moonlight illuminated the tacky floor. He saw her golden hair spilled out around her, her hand outstretched towards it. He collapsed near her and stroked her swollen face, being careful to not hurt her. Her breathing was shallow. His fingers trailed down her arms and ribs. Nothing felt out of place. She stirred and groaned. "It's okay. I'm here. You are safe now," he whispered. He slipped his arm under her head to lift her so he could carry her back to their home, but her body wrenched away, and she lay on her side whimpering. The moon cast a bright white light that shone onto the carnage that was her back. Tears sprang to his eyes as he saw the damage that had been done to her. If he could kill the Baron again, he would. A hundred times over. Mindful of her back, he gently lifted her and carried her into the forest. He had tied Huxley there after he followed her from the apothecary earlier. They left the town of Gilramore, Saffron cuddled close t

Dread filled Saffron's stomach as they climbed the marble steps to the cold palace. "Something feels off," she murmured to Elric. He looked at her. "What do you mean?" he questioned and stopped. She shrugged. "It is hard to put into words. There is just a…feeling I have," she replied, her brows furrowed. "I'm sure it is just from the last time that we were here," he said consolingly. "I'm sure you're right," she said, sounding unconvinced. "Come now! We will get through a few days here, be married, and leave. We will forge a new life at Avolire and leave this mess to the vipers known as my sisters-in-law," he said and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, towing her forward. The instant the door swung open, Saffron knew that there was something wrong. There was an emptiness to the castle that hadn't been there before. She could tell that Elric sensed it too; his primal instincts had kicked in. She saw him sniff the air slightly. "Strange," he murmured. "Let's see if we ca

Ishild watched the life leave her husband's eyes before turning to look at the others in the room. They all stared at her, eyes wide. The princes had stopped struggling against their bonds, instead, staring at the lifeless body of their father. Two of their wives had fainted, sagging against the black magic that held them upright. Gwendolyn glared at Kingsley who looked blankly at her, his own eyes swirling with blackness. "Now," Ishild said quietly, commanding their attention. "Let us get back to the matter at hand." She swept her arm out dramatically, her long sleeves brushing the ground. She settled into her seat next to the dead king. His lifeless arm leaned on her chair. She pushed it away with a snort of disgust. "Now that the king is dead, the throne will go to the next in line. Unfortunately, I want my own son there. Sorry boys, no hard feelings of course, but you are just in the way. Kingsley, will you do the honor?" her voice was soft as she commanded the death of the pri

Saffron sat slumped in her cell, her feet tucked underneath her. Kingsley had brought her blankets as well as a pillow. She was aware that he was doing things that would not be approved of by his mother. She wondered at how a person could seemingly possess two separate souls in one body. She hoped Elric was still alive. Kingsley would not answer her questions, instead just placing her tray of food down and leaving. He hadn't tried kissing her again and she hated the heat that flooded her body when she thought of his lips pressed against hers. She knew she loved Elric, but there was something dangerous and wild about Kingsley that had awoken something in her. She did not like the sensation. She was not sure how much time had passed. It felt like days where it really could have only been a few hours. She had tried keeping track, but without being able to see the sky she could only guess. She heard the grating of the door being opened and she looked up, confused. Her tray of food was