AURELIUSMy boots clicked on the tiles as I strode down the hallway. Ahead, the dull murmur of voices echoed forth as the court bickered about God only knew what. My father wasn’t expecting me, which meant none of the others were either. Part of me relished the surprise I’d see on their faces, but another, deeper part of me simply wished I wasn’t there at all. I was not made for this, no matter how much my father had hoped I was. Though, I would do my duty as heir apparent to the clan.Two guards stood outside the conference room, looking somewhat bored until they heard me approaching. The one on the left, who had been in my father’s employ for as long as I could remember, saw me first. His jaw dropped open.“Prince Aurelius?” he said in a husky whisper. “You—I thought you were still on a diplomatic mission.”“Yes,” the other guard drawled, looking me up and down with obvious distaste. “What brings the prince back so soon?”This man wasn’t as familiar to me as the other guard, though

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself not to correct him on his usage of my name. Aurey was a child’s nickname. I was thirty years old, and the heir to what was left of the entire dragon shifter world. Still, he continued to use my childhood moniker. It would make me angrier if he wasn’t using it out of pure love for me. There was no malice or ill intent, simply familiarity and old habit. That didn’t change the fact that it always made me feel more like a child than a man.“The fae tribe of Hikshil were gracious in their dealings with me,” I said. “They agreed to our trade terms and also pledged their allegiance to maintain our working relationship.”“That is good news,” Father said, looking relieved.The wellsprings of magic were deteriorating rapidly as the human world expanded, and the power of their tech grew. One such wellspring sat within the boundaries of the fae territories of Hikshil, a valley on the outskirts of Seattle deep within the rain-soaked forests. Without access to a w

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

“My son is right,” Father said, with a single bang of his fist on the table. “Let’s leave this discussion for another time.” Father at last gestured to the empty seat to his right. “Come. Sit. You should help lead this meeting, as the throne will soon be yours by rights.”Giving him a single nod of acceptance, I circled the table and took my seat beside him as instructed.Father stood again, addressing the council.“On to other, though somewhat connected, items,” he said. “We do have something about the Laurents we must discuss.”“Their encroachment on our supply lines?” I asked.He nodded. “They have been inching closer and closer to the areas where we transport our wellspring items out of Hikshil territory and into more direct lines of highway and rail transportation.” He picked up a small remote control, then turned and clicked the next slide on the large screen behind him. “Here we have the most up to date map of the Laurent family movements…”Ispun the top off a crystal bottle o

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

“Sweet,” Rasp said. “So, Aurelius, what can we do to turn that frown upside down?”“What frown?” I asked, glancing up and frowning even more.“You look pissed.” Vincent took a sip of his water. “Like, really mad.”I put my glass down and heaved a sigh. “Shit,” I muttered. “I guess you’re right. It’s all this bullshit with the council. I spent the last two hours listening to them bickering about stuff that doesn't really matter. My dad included.”Rubbing at my face, I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I want prosperity as much as anyone, but I want it done honorably. I doubt all my father’s advisors and some of the other families think the same way. There should be a way to pursue peace, and increase our numbers at the same time. Most of them seem to think the only way to do that is through subjugating the fae and destroying the wolves. It’s short-sighted and dangerous.”“One day, you’ll be king, though,” Vincent said, smiling encouragingly at me. “Then you can do what yo

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

Lorraine grinned from ear to ear as I reached up—my feet flat on the ground, mind you—and grabbed the box.“I should pay you more just for that,” she said.“Don’t mention it,” I said. “I’m just glad my giant ass can help do something.”“Don’t call yourself an ass, dear. It’s not ladylike.”Lifting an eyebrow, I grinned at her. “Didn’t you call a customer a bitch, like, two seconds ago? Is that ladylike?”Lorraine narrowed her eyes playfully. “Don’t be a smart-ass. That’s not ladylike, either.”We both burst out laughing, and only barely managed to contain ourselves when the bell above the door tinkled to let us know a new customer had arrived.“Hello,” I said with a bright smile. “How can I help you?”“Hi,” she said. “I came in last week and purchased some of that rainbow-colored faux fur. I need another two yards of it. Do you still have that in stock?” she asked.Of course we did. That ugly stuff had been on the shelf as long as I could remember. I had no idea why anyone would ever

Last Updated : 2026-02-10

All Chapters of The Forsaken Heir: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

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