All Chapters of Property of the King’s: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Leonidas stayed in my room through the rest of the night. He did not ask for anything, nor did he make a move to touch me again. He simply sat on the wooden chair near the small window, his eyes fixed on the dark horizon, waiting for a signal from his men.I sat on the bed, watching his broad back. The mark on my neck gave off a steady, gentle hum that kept the cold terror in my chest at bay. For the first time since I was taken from the Hollow, I did not feel entirely alone."My riders are fast," Leonidas said softly into the quiet room, his deep voice barely louder than a whisper. "They will reach your house before dawn. The healers will leave the medicine on your doorstep and make sure your brother takes it."A tight knot in my throat loosened. "How can you be so sure they will get past the border guards?"Leonidas turned his head slightly, giving me a small, confident smirk. "My men know the hidden paths through the woods better than the wolves ever will. Do not worry, Fae. When I

The morning before the ball arrived, and sitting in my room made my skin crawl. Every minute spent staring at the walls felt like time wasted. I needed to know what I was walking into before I was thrown into that grand hall with a room full of monsters.A quiet knock sounded at the door. It wasn't the harsh kick Tiber always used, but two steady taps.I opened the door to find Caleb standing in the corridor. His brown hair was neatly combed, his posture straight, and his expression calm as he gave me a brief nod."Good morning, Miss Nova," Caleb said softly. "Beta Tiber wants you escorted to the ground floor to check the fit of your gown for tomorrow night.""Alright," I said, stepping out into the long hallway. "Lead the way."As we walked down the stone corridor, I kept my pace even with his. The Packhouse was massive, full of winding stairs and branching halls that all looked the same to me. If I was going to survive tomorrow, I needed to learn the paths."Caleb," I began, keeping

The long-awaited evening finally arrived, bringing a thick silence that filled every corner of my room. I stood before the small mirror, looking at my reflection in the dark gown. It fit snugly around my waist and left my neck exposed, showing off the faint claw mark from Leonidas alongside the throb of Riccardo’s mark on my chest.Two knocks sounded at the door.I took a deep, steady breath, settling the anxious flutter in my stomach, and walked over to open it. Caleb stood in the hallway, looking sharp in his dark guard uniform. His brown eyes held a quiet, steady warmth as he looked at me."You look ready, Miss Nova," Caleb said softly, giving me a short, reassuring nod."I don't think anyone is ever ready for this," I replied, forcing a small, dry smile onto my face as I stepped out into the corridor. "But I am done hiding.""Remember what we talked about," Caleb reminded me as we walked side by side down the long hallway toward the grand eastern wing. "Keep your chin up. Do not l

I stood in the center of the grand hall, keeping my breathing steady as the noise of the party buzzed around me. The harsh insults from the Fae lords still stung my heart, but Caleb’s words helped me hold my ground. I kept my head high, refusing to let anyone in this room see me falter again.A sudden movement in the crowd caught my attention. Beta Tiber walked toward me, a dark, smug grin plastered across his face. In his hand, he carried a tall glass pitcher filled with red wine, followed closely by two young wolf guards.He stopped right in front of me, his dark eyes brimming with cruel delight."Since you are standing around doing nothing, Fae," Tiber said loudly, his voice easily carrying over the nearby conversations. "You can make yourself useful. Take this pitcher and pour wine for the elder lords at the head table."Several surrounding guests turned their heads to watch. The disrespect was plain as day. Tiber wanted to humiliate me in front of every species gathered in the ha

The silence that settled over the balcony after Riccardo left felt clean, like air after a heavy rain. I drew a long breath, letting the cool wind wash away the dark energy that had filled the space only moments before.Leonidas was still standing close beside me, his tall frame blocking the chill of the breeze. His big, warm hand remained wrapped around mine, steady and solid. When he turned his head to look down at me, the sharp look in his green eyes had softened into something dark and intensely warm."Are you all right, Nova?" he asked softly, his deep voice barely louder than a whisper against the rustling leaves below."I am," I said, meeting his eyes. "For the first time in a long time, I actually am."A small, genuine smile touched the corner of his scarred lips. He didn't let go of my hand, but he gently shifted so we were walking back toward the edge of the balcony, away from the glass doors leading into the main hall."We should leave," Leonidas said, looking over his shou