All Chapters of Cursed Bloodline: Book One, Bloodline Series: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

“It is with great honor that I stand before you my fellow Dragonbloods!” King Kaelric stood on the foyer’s terrace, with Advisor Maevin by his side as he addressed his people. The townspeople assembled in the courtyard, gazing heavenward to Kaelric as the afternoon’s rays shone on their expectant faces. “There have been rumors spreading across the kingdom in regards to Arkenholt’s miracles and it’s my duty as king to clarify the truth!” He began, partly convinced their minds were poisoned with disgust like his councilmen. “I have an heir in the womb of a woman I possess.” He said and Advisor Maevin nodded at his simple confession. “There’s no curse and Arkenholt will never die!” The crowd rejoiced at Kaelric’s proclamation, jubilating at Arkenholt’s prosperity while a few others were stuck wavering on the ill thought of an heir being born from a slave. “To commemorate our kingdom’s good fortune, I will be hosting a banquet for the entire kingdom!” Kaelric announced against Ad

In the history of the five kingdoms, hundreds of thousands of years ago, the great kings came together for a singular cause—to purge the earth of the existence of sorcerers. Arkenholt, amongst other empires, had oracles and chief priestesses who possessed talismans and divine relics as mediums to magic, unable to conjure spells from their souls. However, these sorcerers yielded abilities like Elira's, where power emanated deep within. "Saving the best for last." King Kaelric recalled the globin's words during the magical auction as he hauled Elira to the stage. Granted, she had stopped an arrow mid-air with the control of her mind but in seconds she passed out, cold and unconscious after the bout. Kaelric refused to believe Elira could be more powerful, she was a mere girl and barely a cause for panic. "My king." Advisor Maevin called his derailed attention to the meeting at hand and Kaelric straightened his back on the high chair, fingers tapping on the armrest. "The

King Kaelric travelled for eleven sunrises and sunsets on his horse, accompanied by the captain of his guard, in search of the goblin.He had left without a word of his expedition to Advisor Maevin as he sought proof to justify Elira, to believe she truly belonged to him, and only answered his call.Back at the castle, Elira remained in her room, watching her body mould into a vessel for the child growing in her womb.The protrusion of her belly had a faint dark line stretching in between and the tender pains in her sore nipples hurt to wear a brassiere.Nireya who had birthed four children in her time, assured Elira the changes were normal but the young mother spent hours staring at her naked reflection in the mirror.A knock called her attention to the door and Elira wrapped a woolen blanket over her bare body. Nireya walked in with a smile, a cold whistling wind following behind as the door shut. "Elira, dear." The old woman sat beside her on the queen-sized bed, gently rubbed her

At sundown King Kaelric rode his horse into the courtyard and climbed down his steed, handing the reins to the stable boy who always waited for the king's return. "Change the staple on the saddle." He said to the young lad and briskly went into the castle, his boots marching into the dim and quiet foyer, a few candles blown out by the frigid wind.Kaelric had spent the entire day supervising Arkenholt's defenses across its borders, as well as the constructions to support the expanding farm produce.From attending to his townspeople's demands to enforcing the tactical propositions made by his army concerning their warfare strategies.Kaelric was debilitated and canceled supper, needing nothing more than to take off his armor and recline in his chambers. Heading to the staircase, he sighted Elira seated on a step, her head lowered between her knees. "Elira." He called and she raised her head, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "What are you doing out of your chambers this late?" He g

“Get your fine, ceramic vases here!” A trader called out his wares as King Kaelric strolled along the village market, accompanied by his guards, the local town’s leader, and Advisor Maevin. The noisy chatter of people haggling prices, chickens clucking in their wooden crates, and sheep bleating in their pens filled the hustling atmosphere. Advisor Maevin glanced at his feet and pitied the hem of his robe which tread the muddy path, wishing King Kaelric hadn't insisted they trekked on foot. “Any news on the market since we met the production demands?” Kaelric asked the town’s leader, a middle-aged man with a slight hunchback. “Market prices have decreased significantly, and the people can now buy daily goods.” He wheezed, straining to match the king’s long strides. “Okay,” Kaelric replied with a straightened stare, although he was pleased to hear the people could afford staple foodstuffs after decades of starvation. “Anything else?” “Uhm—they complain the taxes are still a