ELORAIt was a relief that apart from their homesickness and worry, my siblings were safe. Olivia was her bubbly self and the twins enjoyed their time spent with Kano. I didn't know how long the situation would be peaceful so I was determined to let them enjoy the moment. The royal infirmary was a short walk from my room. It was a large, imposing stonewalled building with pretty flowers around it. I heard it was the very place many of the Bale antidotes originated from. There was a buzz of royal staff wearing the usual grey uniform but now a silver ribbon indicating they were the infirmary staff.As I approached them, they bowed."Your Highness." They greeted."Good day to you." I smiled waving.The lobby area of the infirmary was a large space with cushioned seats and a small furnace that wasn’t in use. A large mahogany table sat to one side and a petite lady was sat behind it."Your Highness." She stood up, bowing when she saw me."Good day, I have a meeting with the royal physicia

"Who were you selling the girl to?" Skye asked continuing the interrogation."To... To a Lycan noble man. Big customer he is.” He answered squirming.“And where were you supposed to sell them?” Skye asked shooting a warning at him to stay calm.“At the auction house on the outskirt of Hanaerum. At–at the boundary between Hanaerum and Alkarod." He answered wringing his hands, “That’s where I work majorly but…”Rome leaned forward in his seat as the beast in him raged.“You deal in slavery after I abolished it." He stated, a growl slipping into his words. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Have mercy on me," The wolf cried, "That was all I knew. I was a slave too. I...I worked hard to get to this point. There was nothing else I could do to survive and feed my family. It is hell on earth in Alkarod, Your Majesty! There was nothing I could do. Please spare me!""Enough!" Skye fired."That's not an excuse!" Rome yelled, "I abolished slavery two years ago. You could have reported to the pro

ELORAI tried hard not to squirm under the king's gaze as his cold blue eyes bored as if he could see into the depths of my soul. His gaze was unwavering from where he sat opposite me, fingers locked in front of him as he studied me. Even seated, he posed an imposing figure.I shifted in my seat, wrapping my arms tighter around me as if that would protect me from his gaze.I tried not to notice how his royal blue robe complimented his eyes or how the tight fit of his leather jacket on his arms accentuated his muscles. I tried to forget I had seen the treasure his leather jacket hid. I had had a taste of those wonders. My mind drifted to the previous night I had spent laying on his warm bed, my back against his torso. I hadn't felt as safe as that in a while with his strong arms around me. There was no way I was going to get hurt in his arms.Deep down, I wished I could spend more nights in his arms. My face burned at the inappropriate thoughts. I shouldn’t be thinking about him that

ELORA"You will be disguised as the king's sex slave. Your job is the simple one of acting convincingly." Skye eyed me. "Do you understand, Elora?"I realized that I had been staring at her so I jumped. "Yes, Your Highness.""The beauticians will come up here in the wee hours of tomorrow. They will dress you up in your costume. You should expect to be dressed shabbily." She explained placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.This action promoted me to ask the question that had been burning in me.Was it appropriate to ask Skye questions?She did seem approachable and relaxed now with her loose breeches and leather jacket. There wasn't any belt tying anything together or boots on her feet. "Do you have something to say, Elora?" She asked, jolting me.I guessed I was that transparent or Skye just had the knack for reading people."Well, yes. I was thinking that wouldn’t we be recognized? Most especially the king. He’s not the least bit…you know." I rubbed my palms together anxiously wa

ROMEThe carriage slowed and came to a halt before a wide clearing that appeared just a little past the boundary between Alkarod and Hanaerum. Their guards dismounted their horses and took watchful positions. The guards were all dressed in black disguises in a material of far less quality than their official Royal uniforms. Not a trace of the Royal insignia was in sight and all distinctly Lycan army weapons were changed to more common weapons. For this night, Rome was a merchant at a slave auction party, and it had to remain that way until the raid.Rome alighted from the carriage and was about to give Elora a hand to get off the step when he remembered he was to be her slave master, not King or gentlemen. And she wasn't his mistress, but a slave to be used and disposed of if she displeased him.He stepped away from the carriage not bothering to look behind him and started off to the opening of the Grove where the cave descended to the underground auction house. He sensed her walking