“Are you sure she can help us? I wouldn't want our journey down there to be a waste. The energy used up in climbing those mountains would help us find seven sorcerers," Ivory mumbled as she saddled the horse.“I've never known you to complain so much," Ragi chuckled. “I need to. My back still hurts," she mumbled. “I am positive she can help us, Your Highness. This will not be a waste of time, I promise," he assured her. “However, if it is, you might just have to suck it up." Ivory shot him a glare and the man rode away laughing. The journey to the mountain was not as stressful as she thought it would be. Probably because they were riding a horse and Ragi knew the shortcuts perfectly well. There were no annoying misdirections of any sort and they moved at a very steady pace. She was barely hungry by the time they arrived at the mountain even though it was nightfall already. “Should we like announce our presence so she doesn't mistake us for mountain lions and throw a fireball at
“I know all the dresses are beautiful but I need you to pick one for me. I promise to wear anything you pick whether I like it or not," Heli told Styles. “I'm not sure I agree with that. This is our wedding day and I believe it should be your happiest day. It is only right for you to pick whatever you want," Styles declined. Heli shook her head, demonstrating her disagreement but Styles wouldn't budge. His mind was not completely in the event. He was more worried about his Empress.Since she was released from custody, he wasn't opportune to see her. It wasn't because he was busy. He had gone to her chambers several times to see her but he couldn't find her there. A few times, he panicked that she was gone but when he asked the guards, they informed him that she was with Ragi. Why was his wife spending more time with the general than him? It was obvious that she was doing it on purpose to avoid him. “Are you even listening to me?" Heli’s question pulled him back to reality. “You s
Something drastic was happening. She couldn't control the rapid transformation going on within her body. Her nails grew longer, darker, and sharper. Her pretty face was gone, tearing apart to give way to the horned monster hidden within her. Screams erupted as the crowd scurried away. This wasn't the wedding they were expecting. Hell, no one expected the gorgeous princess to be secretly a monster. Styles remained frozen on the spot, stunned to disbelief. Ivory got off her seat, shocked by the revelation. How did this monster get past the border? She hurried from her seat and grabbed her husband to move away from Heli. Heli struggled to control whatever was happening within her but it was stronger. For some reason, the demon just wanted to break free from her body, ruining everything she'd worked so hard to secure in the last couple of weeks. “Why are you just staring? Somebody bind her! A monster like this shouldn't be let out," Someone yelled out but no one dared to step forwar
Darell took the moment of distraction to launch her last attack and the demon hit the floor, shifting back to Heli's fragile form.Cedric released a deep breath and scrambled off the floor. “What is wrong with you?! Have you lost your damn mind?! I could have been killed!!" He screamed at the General.“So what?" Ragi retorted. “My duty is to ensure the Emperor's safety at all times, not protect you. If you had gotten in there, so would hundred others and eventually the monster!" "Are you even listening to yourself? A good Emperor would be more concerned about the safety of his people…” Cedric started."And a good General is more concerned about the safety of the Emperor. I guess we are even now,” Ragi finished. With nothing left to say, Cedric stormed away. Ragi stayed behind to examine the damage. More than half of the guests were severely injured and a few of them dead. Darell walked over to Heli's body and turned it over. “What do we do with her now?" Ragi asked. “What do you
Chains. The first thing that pushed Heli into panic when she woke up. She yanked the chains, hoping to free her hands but it was no use.How did she end up like this?Heli struggled to remember the events of the last couple of hours but nothing was coming up. Her mind was a blank space. “Let me go…” she said quickly but only the echoes of her voice responded. She yanked the chains harder, panicking as the tears burned her eyes. "I said let me go!!” She screamed but once again, there was no response. Heli looked around the room but there was nothing other than bars and emptiness.Either she was kidnapped or imprisoned. She hoped it was neither. The thought of being kidnapped didn't sit well with her, not when her people had next to nothing to get her out. Being imprisoned was way worse. It only meant that she'd been discovered and that was trouble for everyone, not just her. “Please help me…” she resorted to pleading. "Is anyone out there?” she sobbed. "Please let me out… I can't
The temperature in the room dropped by ten degrees as the Styles read the letter. Ivory hadn't been lying. Someone took advantage of her right under his nose. His fists clenched around the letter as he read the bastard's writing. The audacity! “Where did you say the note was?" The coldness in his tone startled Ivory. It was expected of him to be enraged but this cold fury made her shiver. “It was just on my pillow the minute I came in. I am sure he must have sneaked in while I was away. I asked the guards but they said no one came into my room… “"If no one came into your room, how the hell did it get to your pillow then? They are incompetent, all of them! A man took advantage of my wife right under my nose and dared to send her letters. Do you know the temerity it takes to send them? He knows that he wouldn't be caught!" Styles growled. Ivory took slow steps towards him. “No one is impossible to find. We will get him, but before that, you need to calm down. The most important th
Heli sat up when she heard approaching footsteps. She expected to see the skinny woman who threatened her endlessly last time but now, the woman before her was full of flesh. The sweet scent of blood trailed into her nose, stirring the demon within her. Thankfully, it seemed asleep or possibly too weak to make a move, else she would have been on the woman, draining her blood to the last drop. “Who are you? Who let you in here? No one is supposed to be in here…”"You talk too much, don't you think? You should be more bothered about what I can do for you instead of ranting about how I got here,” Elena stated. Heli swallowed her anger. Had it been normal, she would have torn the woman to shreds. “What do you have to offer?" Heli asked. “Freedom. Do you want anything more?" Elena asked. Heli took a look at the cell. How did the woman intend to break her out of here without attracting attention? To the best of her knowledge, the cell was heavily guarded by soldiers and there was no
“She is a very foolish one, I tell you. I made her an offer and she ignored me. Now she is going to get what she deserves,” Elena scoffed. When she didn't get any response to her rants, she turned to the people behind her. Joel and Klein were busy cleaning up their father's body."Is that how we do things now? I speak and you all ignore me?” She exasperated. “Mother please, now is not the time for trouble. We should be more concerned on how to help father recover,” Joel said."And you are one to speak? When last did anyone see you around here? You have been busy doing whatever and we have been suffering to keep him stable while fighting for our rights!” Elena yelled. "Why are you shouting, Mother? You are well aware that Joel had to leave for some manual work in the heart of the city to make money for father's treatment. You, on the other hand, have been chasing shadows and ranting all day,” Klein defended. "Oh, I see what this is. I won't stand here and let you both insult me. Be