Semua Bab Rejected by my cursed mate: Bab 61 - Bab 68

An Unwanted AssetDaria’s POVThe council fire was low and flickered upon the hewn stones of the inner circle. I crossed my arms, and Harriet was quite secure, in a safe room below, and the witches were around me. Their faces were serious now. No fear. No doubt.Only decision.The old silver-haired witch of the previous came forward. Elder Maive. Here, her voice was heavy.What did happen last night, Ari, that changed everything, she said."I know," I replied calmly.Another witch said, You and your child had reserved power that could have broken Witchwood. "Rylan will not ignore that."I do not suppose he should, I replied.Maive nodded. That is why the circle has made a decision.I waited. I felt a very stable heart, but my guard remained on.“We are hereby acknowledging that you are one of our valuable resources in the forthcoming war,” she said. "Your magic. Your control. Your mind."Something about the word asset brought my jaw together.I didn't bow. I didn't smile. "I am not a

Lines that Still BurnDaria’s POVMy sore side was not as troublesome to me as was the silence that succeeded the battle. The witches were clearing the border, chanting incantations and examining the border to see whether there were any dark magic remnants, and warriors were hauling away the corpses of the rogues whom we were triumphing over. The woods resumed their fitful tranquillity, yet there was something heavy still to press upon my breast. I had known before I heard his feet that Lucius was behind me, because even the air seemed to be tighter whenever he approached.You are bleeding, he thought to himself.I did not turn around. I concentrated on unbuckling my armour and did it gradually, so that Harriet could not see how rigid my movements were. “Nothing,” I said, maintaining an even-tone voice.Lucius came nearer anyway. "It's nothing. You were struck when you reeled up that shield. I saw it."At last, I turned to him, and momentarily, I caught the glimpses of the old Lucius

The Alpha Without a PackDaria's POVI remained in the shadow of the high gallery and was enveloped in a spell of easy concealment, which made me visible without quite disappearing. I did not want to vanish. I had a desire to see and more to hear. The allied council chamber was cut out of pale by way of stone and old wood and was a broad and circular room made in such a way that there was no voice in it which could prevail. Today, it felt like a cage.In the middle of the centre was Lucius alone.He was not crowned, not wrapped in an official cloak, but simply clad in some dark tunic, with the insignia of his pack sewn on the shoulder. That scar attracted attention more than it did before the time when he was strong. I was conscious of the eyes upon him, weighing, evaluating, half-concluding.The territory of The Blood Pact is also unstable, one of the council elders said, with a cool and practised tone. Your power is challenged, Your Alpha Lucius.Lucius erected himself. Disputed, be

Not Your PlaceDaria’s POVAs soon as I entered the training yard again, I knew that something was not right.The air was stifling, as after a storm, full of things already said and that could not be unsaid. Some of the warriors were in small groups and appeared to be paying attention to what was going on, when they were actually listening to something. Kael was almost at the edge of the grounds, his jaw stiff, his hands crossed. And standing some few steps by him was Lucius.My stomach sank.I made no rush as I walked towards them with my boots firm on the dirt. What had been said I did not need to hear, to tell what the shape of it was. The pose of Lucius was too haughty, his shoulders square as when he was challenged. Kael himself, instead, seemed confused rather than angry.Inappropriate, said Lucius, not inappropriate, I reached them. His tone was repressed, and yet there was an edge to it. This is no place to be doing tricks.Kael frowned. "I was training. With her permission."