EVANGELINE. Kash tenses by my side as Godric watches Zerachiel with keen interest. ‘Remember, no one attacks unless I say so.’ I warn through the link. “We do not need to do this, Zerachiel. Let’s take it aside and talk.” I say clearly, my eyes simmering blue as Luna surfaces, her voice lacing with mine. “We are mates. Let’s do this together.” “The only thing you want to do is kill me.” He scoffs. He knows. “You’re doubting me?” I ask, raising a brow. “Do your people know that they are not following their true King, but his Lycan who has imprisoned him within his own mind?” I make sure my voice rings powerfully through the forest. A few vampires exchange looks, their eyes simmering dangerously. I see their hesitation, but none stop. They are under his command… and they will obey his every order. He’s compelling them to obey. I glance around, trying to find Ziahra… but she isn’t in the front line… Kash had managed to contact her, and she said she’ll be prepared. He was on edge,

EVANGELINE. It’s peaceful… There’s no pain… Is this it? A soft breeze blows gently past me, like a soothing caress of a mother’s touch. I could stay here forever… My mind feels empty, but I feel as if there’s something I should be remembering… something that is important… What is it? The heat of the sun is warming my skin, the soft rustle of the grass beneath me is ever so soothing and I simply want to sleep, but alas, that is not meant to be. “Wake up, child… wake up…” The caress of a hand on my head makes me whimper, unhappy to be disturbed. A musical chuckle makes me crack my eyelids open, peering at my surroundings through my thick lashes, everything is bathed in the golden glow of the warm sun. So peaceful… “Evangeline.” Selene? I turn, before sitting up slowly. I’m wearing the same gown I was before we had returned to Earth and I realise we are somewhere in the other realm. But what happened? Zed! I turn sharply, my heart thundering as everything returns to me in

ZEDKIEL. Her crying terrifies me. I don’t know why she’s crying, but something isn’t right. I feel different too… but I’m not complaining… Without the constant rage that I was battling with, I feel content, just how I did when we had gone to the other realm. I know I’ve lost a part of me, but it is not a part I will mourn over. She did the right thing; she did what was needed and I am beyond proud of her, but her gut-wrenching cries are breaking me. The bond between us sizzles powerfully, but the pain is all I can sense. Why is she so devastated? Her aura isn’t as strong as it was after her powers manifested and even with all the intense emotions it’s obvious, she’s somehow lost some of her powers. Everything is pushed aside as she screams out in anguish, breaking down into wracking sobs. “Our baby Zed… Our baby is gone. I gave our baby away without even realising what I was doing.” She sobs. My heart skips a beat as her words take a moment to register. Our baby? She was pr

EVANGELINE. Zedkiel is at the king’s grave, and I have decided to go visit Lucia who is still in hospital. Although she is much better, due to how badly she had been injured, the doctors want to keep an extra eye on the baby’s health and with it being common knowledge that it’s Chasyn’s the risk to her health is greater. I was paid respect by everyone I pass; I have easily become recognised as the Queen, but rumour has also travelled that I am a goddess. I do not feel like one when I can’t even save my own child. Every night, I pray and plead for our child to be returned to us, but there is never an answer and I know I will not get one either. I slow down as I reach Lucia’s room. She’s been moved into a private room by herself, and I now knock on the door and enter after she gives me permission. “Hey…” I say softly as I enter, slowly closing the door behind myself and walk over to the bed. “Hello, Evangeline.” She says smiling, she looks better today. Her bruises are all healed,

CHASYN. Night has fallen and I’m sitting on the balcony in one of the guest rooms. I have been residing here ever since everything that happened recently, unable to go to the quarters where I had spent time with Maryka. When I found her and realised she was my mate, I had been tempted to reject her, because of her link to the Night Shade pack as well, although I had no qualm with it, after all, mother was from there, but in truth, I did not want to give up on another… someone I had fallen deeply in love with. But it was never an option I was allowed to even consider. Fated mates were rare and to find mine and consider rejecting them would have been frowned upon and so I had taken her as my own, made her my Luna, marked her, and married her. But I know she didn’t like my Omegas, and I couldn’t blame her. Any man or woman would feel jealousy if their mates were with other people. Although by then, there had only been one I was addicted to but I had stopped being intimate with her to