Alle Kapitel von FORBIDDEN BLOOM : Kapitel 61 – Kapitel 69

THE JESTERThey say some victories cost more than defeat. Nothing has ever sounded more right than in this one single moment. ‘Before I go, are there any other truths you’d like to tell me?’Like a cowardly dog, I tucked my tail in and ran. Despite all the common sense pushing me to open up to her, I shut her out when she only needed the truth.If only it’s that simple. I chuckle, the sound harsh to my hearing, loud in the silence that echoes back to me. After putting enough distance between us, I risk a glimpse at the place where she stood last, finding it empty.She will probably hate me for as long as she can. And I will have it no other way.Or is there another way?That’s when my composure cracks, bringing down with it the restraint I’ve fought hard to keep.I throw my gaze into the sky where the dawn has begun to crack through, chasing away the night but never my gloom. I lean against a Redwood tree, whispering a desperate plea to the Moon Goddess for her help.I’ve faced

KAELITHThe sight of Xena wielding a knife against her brother’s throat throws me off balance. A billion thoughts and her betrayal will never cross my mind. “Is this fear I smell?” She asks in a taunting voice that rings out clear and loud to warn off the guards who stand rigid with tension. “Take your hands off her.”He doesn’t move at first. The malice etched into his features outshines the will to listen. Even with his life on the line. Xena moves her hand to the side by a fraction which causes him to wince. It takes a few seconds before his clawed fingers free my face and when he does, relief buckles my knees so hard I sink to the floor.My body rocks with so much fear it chokes my throat, stealing every ounce of courage I thought I had.“What are you doing, Xena? You are desecrating the throne room by doing this to your Alpha.” She flashes a sardonic smile to the bald-headed man who’s just spoken. “I think curtailing the tyrant is more fitting for this.” Her wild eyes trac

THE JESTERMinutes after she leaves, the scent of her—lavender— and the heat of her anger lingers in the air. My legs stay rooted to the spot, unwilling to move lest I miss it. A sadistic part of me would rather stew in her anger than miss any part of her at all. I just…I wish there was a better way to make her understand. Even though the bulk of my plans have been dealt with, there is still a lot more to cover. For example: the neighboring packs who are allies of Ferdinand.The moment they catch wind of the recent development, there will be unrest. I can’t risk bloodshed when she is still in this place and a lot of them recognize her as his Luna. Even the word tastes like something putrid in my thoughts alone. Thanks to that meatloaf of an alpha.A chilling presence walks in. I know at once who it is.“Could you be any more obvious?” I ask, unable to hide my irritation. Kaelen leans on the door, his shadow stretching on the floor toward my feet. “I just saw your damsel. Did

19 — THE JESTERMy gaze sweep across the room and over the bodies scattered across the floor of the throne room. My senses are consumed with the metallic stench of blood. None of which belongs to me. Nor Ares, who just ripped his hand out of a man’s chest, ragged breaths following his actions. He turns to me, dropping the bloody organ. “You want to handle that or do you want me to clean up after you as well?” I sneer. The cocky bastard.“I will deal with this one myself, thank you.” The man whose chest my hand is deeply embedded in hisses in pain as I let my hand squeeze. “Are you ready to say something?” “You know you cannot kill me. If you do, you will never see your women again.” “Trust me,” I step closer, “I know several methods I can get a man to squeal and for a loud mouth like yours, you won’t even last a day.” Ares stops suddenly in his tracks, his hand coming up to rub the center of his chest, the space over his heart. His eyes flies to me with sharpened urgency. “Di