FELIPE and I circled each other. Both of our clothes were drenched from our sweat. I was already panting, but so was he. This duel had been going on for almost an hour now and none of us wanted to surrender. The knights who were watching said that this was the longest duel they had ever watched.Felipe was my mentor. He was also the knight I needed to go through before I could propose a match against Onyx. He was the third strongest hybrid among the devil’s knights. Onyx was the second. If I could win against him, that would be enough for me. I would not even dream of having a duel with the devil.I had already won against Khal a few weeks ago. And just yesterday, I finally won against Drake.The sparring was based on the knight’s ranks.It had been three years since Dad and Archer died. Removing the poison in my system took almost half a year. I spent another six months recovering, relearning about myself, and training my body and my wolf.During that time, so many things had taken p
“I HEARD the news.”I held my breath when I felt Blade’s hands on my shoulders down to the tips of my breasts. I opened my eyes and caught him staring at me as he sat beside the bathtub. These days, Blade would constantly disappear during daytime that we only get to see each other when the sun comes down.I wanted to ask what he was doing and where he was going, but I didn’t know if I had the right. I did try asking the knights, though. And all of them had the same response.‘We lived with his grace for a century, but up until this very day, it’s still difficult for us to ascertain what he truly thinks.’Blade would often leave on his own and none of the knights knew what he was up to. But they seemed used to it. They were just waiting for their king to give a command and so far, they hadn’t heard a word from him yet.As years went by, I realized what a rumor could do to a person. It could either make or break a life. The rumors surrounding Blade were the ones that truly chained him.
I CAME out of the house expecting to see only Chelsea and Enrique. That’s why I was surprised when I saw that the lawn was filled with twenty-four knights wearing their black and red military uniform.“What’s the meaning of this?” I asked, still stunned.“Princess, did you think we would let you go there alone?” Felipe shot back. “Of course, we are coming with you. But you know, when I told you to go somewhere and unwind, this was not what I had in mind.”“Sir, I thought you disliked the idea of me returning there? And it’s not your battle. I don’t want to drag you with me. All of you had already helped me and my family so much.”Every Dad and Archer’s death anniversary, no matter the weather, whether it was raining or not, the knights along with their king would quietly stand behind me in front of their tomb wearing their military uniforms like it was their way of honoring the dead.It was something I never asked, but they still do it nevertheless. They would stand behind me for hour
(Katniss)I CAN’T remember how long I’d been standing here, in front of the main hall, and just blankly staring at the golden throne. In my head, I could see Dad sitting there, calling me with a tender smile on his lips. When I was a little girl, when I was still innocent from the ways of the world, I remember opening the door and breaking in while he was in the middle of a meeting with his subordinates.The servants tried to stop me from getting in, but Dad didn’t.He excused himself as he met me halfway because my little legs and my weak body couldn’t run so far. He carried me and had me sit on his throne to everyone’s disgust.‘One day, the kingdom will rise higher than it is now and you will take my throne. That was the prophecy the moon goddess had shown me in my dream. When that day comes, I will be there, I will be the proudest father of all, princess, because that meant you have overcome all the hurdles in your life.’I remember just smiling back at him like a fool because I d
I WATCHED as the devil took a step closer to me, as his predatory and hungry eyes raked over my body. The air between us suddenly felt hot and thick. And when he was finally in front of me, he didn’t waste any more time to hold me. Blade’s big hands cupped my hips and pressed me into the hard length of his body. Just like that and a rush of fire flared throughout my core. Then and now, only this man could make my body melt with just his eyes, with just his hands. And Blade was very much aware of that. This kingdom had never allowed me to feel any sense of belonging but strangely, each time I’m in Blade’s arms like this, I felt like I’d found a place to belong. How about him? Was there even a tiny chance that he felt the same way? I wish there was a way to know the devil’s heart. But I couldn’t ask. I could wage my own war now. I could handle hundreds of wolves and maybe deal with vampires, but I could never have the courage to ask something outside the deal Blade and I had made.
BLADE’s kisses would never lie to me. His kisses conveyed the words I would never get to hear from him. I closed my eyes and kissed him as passionately as I could.It was just as I thought. With this man, the chaos in my mind, the rage in my heart, and the howling of my wolf had stopped all at once as if they were only a dream or a figment of my imagination. When the devil kissed me, everything had been silenced.For someone as broken as I am, being at the top didn’t make me feel anything at all. My heart was still full of anxiety, of the trauma I don’t think I could ever erase. But Blade’s presence had put all my anxiety at rest.I opened my eyes and stared at his face.We only had ten months, two weeks, and a day left. After that, our contract would end. I still remember how silly I was after signing the blood contract years ago. I used to count the days until I could be free from the devil’s clutches, eager to end it, to live my life without him thinking that maybe once I was freed
MY WOLF howled for the countless time. I didn’t know this could happen to me again. I didn’t know that after three years; I could break again. It happened too soon. I was not prepared.For the past days, I searched for Blade and his knights. They were not in the castle. And no servants had seen them. I went to the house where I used to live outside the kingdom. I had the key, Blade had given me a spare key, but none of them were there. The only traces they left were the documents stating that Blade was giving his properties to me and that he was setting me free.My role is over here, Katniss. You got your revenge and I’ve retrieved most of my energy. I had already burned the blood contract. It was interesting doing business with you.P.SDon’t cry, my beautiful wolf. You have made it this far. You are a queen now. Always hold your head high. Do not let your crown fall again. The knights said they will be cheering for you.Yours,BladeThey vanished just like that. But before that, the
(Chester)‘LISTEN to me, Reynolds. I’m only going to say this once. The Katniss I know and the Katniss you know are two different women. The woman who was with me for three years is the opposite of the woman you have known all your life.’While looking at the Alpha Queen, I was reminded of the hybrid’s words. Blade Marshall came to me a week ago. That was when I was still in the hospital.‘If you were to see little wolf now, she will shred your heart in pieces. Be prepared for that. You deserve that after all. But even after that, stay by her side. Embrace her thorns. In the first place, all of you were the cause of those thorns. Do all that you can to hold onto her, to win her back and remember that if you fail, I will come back and claim her for myself.’‘Why are you suddenly telling me this? Are you leaving?’ I asked.‘I have to leave. I can’t stay here longer.’‘Will you come back?’‘It depends. If I get to live and I found out that you haven’t succeeded in winning her over, I mig