บททั้งหมดของ Annesa, Vampire King's Mate: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Spring arrived quietly. For the first time in many years, the mountains surrounding Eryx's castle were no longer buried beneath endless snow. The ice began to melt along the stone paths. Small streams appeared between the rocks, carrying melted snow toward the valley below. The frozen lake reflected the pale afternoon sunlight, its surface slowly breaking apart. Even the gardens had changed. The crimson roses that had survived the winter began producing new leaves. Yet Eryx had ordered the gardeners not to touch them. He wanted Annesa to decide what should remain. That afternoon, Annesa walked alone through the garden. Her dark brown hair moved gently in the warm breeze. She wore a simple ivory dress, its skirt brushing against the grass as she walked. She stopped beside the fountain. For weeks, she had been thinking about one question. A question she had been too afraid to ask. She had heard Eryx's words in the council chamber. "I have not found someone wh

The kingdom had begun to breathe again. For the first time in centuries, the capital no longer woke beneath the sound of execution bells. The cages beneath the old fortress had been emptied. Human prisoners were being returned to their families. Newly transformed vampires were being brought into transition centers, where they received blood, shelter, and training. Eryx's new laws were spreading from city to city. But peace had never been promised. Three weeks after the new laws were announced, Gareth arrived at the Royal Council chamber carrying a sealed black envelope. He did not speak immediately. Eryx looked up from the documents before him. "What happened?" Gareth placed the envelope on the table. "We found them." Eryx's expression hardened. "Who?" "The remnants of Malthus's army." The room became silent. Several council members exchanged uneasy glances. Eryx opened the envelope. Inside were several reports. Missing blood shipments. Destroyed patrol posts. Atta

The attack came without warning. It was supposed to be an ordinary afternoon. The Royal Castle was quieter than usual. The council had ended several hours earlier, and Eryx had gone to the western training grounds with several commanders to inspect the newly formed royal guard. Annesa, meanwhile, had chosen to remain in the eastern gardens. Spring had finally settled over the mountains. The snow had almost completely disappeared, replaced by green grass, blooming flowers, and the soft sound of water flowing through the streams. Annesa sat beneath an old stone pavilion with a book resting on her lap. She was reading. At least, she was trying to. Her thoughts kept drifting toward Eryx. She smiled faintly when she remembered his expression earlier that morning when she had complained about having too many books. "You already have an entire library." "And?" "You haven't finished half of them." "I will." "Eventually?" "Definitely." The memory made her smil

The underground prison beneath Eryx's castle had never been designed for mercy. Its walls were carved from ancient black stone, reinforced with layers of protective magic. Narrow windows allowed only thin strips of moonlight to enter. Iron bars divided the cells, while glowing runes covered the floor to suppress the strength of imprisoned vampires. For more than a month, Malthus had remained there. Once, he had been the most feared vampire in the kingdom. The Sovereign. The ruler whose name had been enough to make entire villages fall silent. Now he sat alone on a stone bench inside a cell. No crown. No armor. No throne. Only a simple black shirt and trousers, provided by the guards. His dark hair had grown slightly longer, falling messily around his face. His enormous frame still made the cell seem smaller than it actually was. But something about him had changed. He was quieter. He no longer shouted at the guards. He no longer demanded his throne. He rarely even spo

The war horns sounded before dawn. One after another, they echoed across the mountains surrounding Eryx's capital, their deep notes rolling through the valleys like thunder. The castle awakened instantly. Soldiers rushed through the corridors. Weapons were distributed. Horses were saddled. The gates were sealed. And throughout the fortress, royal guards moved with a single purpose. The rebellion had begun its final assault. This time, there would be no negotiations. No warnings. No opportunity for the old noble houses to retreat quietly. They had infiltrated the Royal Council, manipulated military information, attacked protected settlements, and attempted to assassinate Annesa. Now they intended to open the underground prison and release Malthus. Eryx stood upon the eastern battlement wearing black armor. His silver hair was tied behind his head, though several strands were already being carried by the violent wind. His sword rested at his side. Below him, thousands o