Semua Bab Kindle: Bab 11 - Bab 20

SaraWhen I first saw the witch, I was ignorant to what she was. Ignorant to how deadly she was. But after hearing the witch’s name, something inside me changed. All the threats and warnings I had prepared for Baila had been forgotten the moment Baila first let me into her roomAnd as we spoke and spent more time together, I forgot all the reasons why I should have stayed away from her in the first place. All I could think about was that I had a friend. One that wasn’t a mate who had rejected me to serve the lycan king and one who was not the lycan king in question. This new friend of mine was different and I was thankful for that.A few hours ago, I had dismissed every guard on my floor so Baila could gain easy access and now, I was at the deadliest lake in Northwood. Swimming. Sneaking out of the castle had never been part of my plan for the day. I had promised myself to stay away from Baila so Aaron and Nolan would have one less thing to worry about. I had failed miserably.And no

BailaI waitedNot because I had to but because I wanted to.The castle bell had rung for midnight and Sara had not come to see me yet. I wondered if it was because Sara was angry with me or because she was not yet back from the tavern..I should not have gone to the lake. I should have offered to stay in the apothecary with Sara and watch her grind her herbs but instead, we had gone swimming.Naked.I told herself that I only wanted to give Sara the due respect by bidding her farewell before I made my escape. Yes. That was simply it. It was not because I wanted to see the red haired woman again or embrace her and tell how much I would miss her.No.I was simply being respectful by waiting.A few minutes past minute, I decided to damn my respect and leave. My chances of escaping were growing slimer by the minute and as much as I wanted to, I could not afford to wait anymore. I walked towards my bedroom window, the one that faced the very tree Samani had told me about.Even as I climbed

Nolan13years agoIt was going to be a great day. A grand affair filled with joy and all the food I could eat. My mother, Queen Ariadne, had promised me that for my eleventh birthday, the entire kingdom would be in attendance. People would travel from far and wide, bringing gifts. And honestly, it was the gifts that excited me the most. I couldn’t wait to unwrap them all. The thought alone made me giddy.I sprinted down the hallways, greeting everyone I passed—maids, guards, and anyone else who crossed my path. They’d all be there to celebrate with me. Their smiles and laughter echoed behind me as I rushed toward my parents’ quarters. The room was empty, just as I’d guessed it would be.Earlier, Aaron, my best friend and the son of Beta Carmine, the captain of the guards, told me there was a meeting happening between my parents and his father. I decided it was the perfect time to pull a little surprise. They’d never see it coming. Grinning to myself, I crawled under their bed, making

Baila"You know Nolan?" Salem asked, his voice low as he walked me back to the castle. "How do you know him?"I froze, my muscles tightening as I fought to keep my expression neutral. I couldn’t let anything slip. I didn’t know Salem well enough to trust him with the truth about who I really was or how I knew Nolan. Still, he had saved my life, and I knew I owed him something. But not this."Sara, the royal physician, is my friend," I lied, my voice steady though my cheeks warmed against the cold air. "I’m a dancer from a nearby village. I ran out of money, and Sara offered to help."Salem hummed softly, eyes flickering with suspicion. "Sara? I’ve met many of her dancer friends over the years, but never you." His red eyes had darkened to black now, leaving behind an unsettling emptiness."You know Sara?" I tried to sound casual, but inside, my heart pounded. I silently begged him to accept the story and drop the questions. I was already in deep trouble with Nolan; I didn’t need more c

BailaSara escorted me back to my room after we watched the disqualified women leave the castle. I spent my time replaying my mother’s words in my head over and over again. The high king had yet to send out a bounty for my head and I did not know why.Maybe, he had executed Simone and Ashley in my stead and decided that they were enough retribution. If so, then their blood was on my hands. Still, even if he was not searching for me, news of the high prince’s dead should have reached Northwood by now unless the king had not announced it to his own people.But why wouldn’t he? Had the prince survived?He couldn’t have. I could see his dead eyes staring back at me that day. I had snapped his neck clean.A soft rapt came at my door, pulling me from the grim spiral of my thoughts. I startled, instinctively glancing at the window where the faint glow of twilight had long faded. The darkness outside was thick, heavy, and it dawned on me how much time had slipped away.I rushed to the door, m