Turns out dinner didn't turn out as bad as Sephora had thought it would. Ambrose had acted like nothing had happened and went back to his usual banter. Sephora was grateful, but couldn't help but feel as though he should share about his concerns about her suitability as his mate. After all, it did concern Sephora as well. But she decided to give him his space, she didn't want to ruin anything, and for him to return to being that stone-faced Lord that had greeted her a few weeks back. She would wait for him to tell her in his own time, what his findings were - if he did indeed find anything at all.Ambrose had at least yielded the rights to choosing dinner that night, and Sephora swore on her life, that she'd never tasted a better cottage pie than the one she devoured that evening. Ambrose had even allowed a little smile to come back, as he watched her demolish her plate of food. Sephora ate like she'd been starved for days, and didn't care one bit about the mess she'd made on the table
Sephora couldn't help grinning as she walked down the steps to the throne room. She was wearing her gift from Ambrose, the shimmering burgundy satin, flowed like liquid as she moved. The thousands of tiny crystals sparked and glittered under the candle light, like droplets of blood trickling down the front of the dress. The off-the-shoulder design of the straps showed off Sephora's long elegant neck and smooth collar bones. She'd opted to hold her fiery auburn hair in a loose bun, with tiny ringlets of red curls escaping to brush her neck. She wore ruby earrings that were shaped in a tear-drop, catching the light and accentuating the red of the dress and her hair. She looked like a living flame, a survivor of pain and bloodshed, the face of a conqueror. And Sephora admitted she'd never looked more intimidating in her entire life. Perhaps that was Ambrose's intention, he said he was going to declare her as his Lady, Joe had told her that Ambrose didn't think she was weak.
Sephora smiled when she turned upon the silent table of Lords and Ladies, intently staring into each of their faces. All the Lords appeared to have their mates sat next to them, all except one.The said Lord was wearing a pitch black suit, his broad shoulders telling Sephora that he too was a warrior with centuries of experience. He was a male of unnaturally good looks, with a defined chin and full mouth, his skin gorgeously tan. His eyes were the most captivating of his features though. Pure grey eyes glistened with a predator's stare, as they met with her's, contrasting with his jet black hair that fell slightly over his face to brush his dark eyebrows. He was terrifying. Sephora wondered what his Soulborn power was.She tried not to flinch at the touch of Ambrose's hand against the flat of her back, hinting for her to sit down. She could feel the heat of his fingers through the satin of her dress, and desperately wished she didn't enjoy the sensation as much as she did. She spared him
[Ambrose]There was nothing but silence in the darkness. He was paralyzed, his limbs didn't want to move. It was cold and hard where he lay, why was he on the floor? A crack of light appeared as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking in pain at the sunlight that was pouring in through the window above him. Sounds and smells became apparent as he came to his senses, birds were singing outside and his breath smelt like something had died and he'd decided to cram it down his throat. Ambrose groaned as he sat himself up, his head pounding like it had been smashed repeatedly against an anvil. He lifted a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes with a wince, what on earth happened? He glanced around at his surroundings, to find himself in his study - no, not his study, his father's study. A red woolen blanket had been carefully pulled over him, that now fell off his shoulders, to reveal that he was still in his beige suit from the Assembly.Ambrose groaned again and lifted himself off the col
After Ambrose’s confession about his past in the council chambers, things between Sephora and the Lord went pretty much back to normal. Only now, there seemed to be a new unspoken trust and understanding between them, that they'd never had before. Sephora was now allowed into any room she wished in the palace - to her delight. When she discovered Ambrose owned a huge ballroom, she frequently found herself sneaking inside to dance when no one was watching.Over the following days, Sephora and Ambrose had slowly developed a silent way of communicating with each other. By using the bond they shared, along with the meaningful glances that they gave each other, they could let the other know what the other was thinking. It was good fun, sending each other emotions and giving silent glances, Ambrose had even said with enough practice they could start learning how to send words to each other through the bond. Sephora found this way of communicating with the Lord incredibly entertaining, espec
The Seer's words hung in the air.The floor felt like it was about to open up and swallow Sephora whole. Her mind was completely blank with shock, she couldn't feel anything - that familiar numbness overtook her senses, and it almost reminded her of when her name had been called out as The Chosen, that same dread.How could it be possible she was an Ardanam? Humans couldn't have a Soulborn power, unless... Sephora felt dizzy - was her soul really that strong? It explained why she was Ambrose's mate, but - how could this be possible?As if The Seer had read her thoughts, she shifted those glowing eyes onto Sephora. Those lips peeling back to reveal those hideous teeth as she gave Sephora a smile. Sephora's stomach dropped to the floor, out of terror and shock. She was about to turn to Ambrose beside her, to see his reaction, as he had gone as silent as her - when he snapped,"Bullshit!" His face was pale. Sephora immediately tensed, as Ambrose clearly forgot his own cautioning about b
"I hate you." Sephora panted through her teeth, arms pumping sloppily beside her.For at least 2 hours, Ambrose had made her run laps around the pit. Sephora had been fine for the first hour, and was even fairing quite well for a further twenty minutes, when the sun had risen to full height in the sky, beating down on Sephora's head while she continued to run laps. All the while, Ambrose had crafted himself a stone canopy over his head, in the center of the pit and was now lounging on a chair, that he'd brought over, and was merrily drinking from a glass of ice water. Sephora scowled and Ambrose just chuckled, taking another swig of water."I really, really do hate you." She grumbled. This was not what she'd been expecting to happen.Ambrose snickered again, "No you don't." He sat forward in his chair. "Ok, you can go into a walk now, walk one lap and then come over here."Sephora almost collapsed in relief, as she broke her long strides and started her walk. Sweat was pouring down he
Sephora's blood went colder than the obsidian stone she sat upon. As the weight of Ambrose's words sank through into her very bones.War, was that really what the Lord wanted? Even after everything, after all the bloodshed from 500 years ago, how could Vince possibly want to go back to war. What was his reason, what did he want? What was possibly worth so much sacrifice and waste of lives?Sephora looked to her mate, "Why, why would he go to war - what for?" Her hazel eyes were pleading, and she was sure what felt like pain rippled down their bond, as Ambrose watched her.He shook his head in decline, "I don't know - I was hoping Ravyn would have been able to find out." He lifted his brows up expectantly at the Shadow, who only shook her own dark head in return, her thick dark waves swishing gently with the movement."I'm sorry my Lord, but I couldn't get anything of Vince's motives for amassing this sudden army. Even Lord Daemon was keeping quiet about it, I have no idea what they're