XENDAYA.
It's the following night and the banquet is already in full swing. The Obsidian Dragon will enter these very halls tonight.
I look across at Morwenna, all dressed in her pale pink gown. The innocence on her face makes me angry. She doesn’t deserve this.
She’s trying not to tremble as the Omegas style her hair.
“You’re shaking Morwenna. Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask quietly.
“Of course, I’m just nervous,” she gives me a smile that does not hide her true feelings.
“You know you can refuse this stupid marriage? They won’t force you to the altar. If we both say no, there’s nothing they can do.”
“I can’t do that. This marriage can save our people…” Morwenna says, frowning slightly. “I have to, Xenie.”
“No! You don’t!” I say, running my fingers through my hair agitatedly.
The doors open and we both turn as our parents enter. Mom is in black and I can tell she’s upset, whilst Dad is unreadable.
The Omegas take their leave, granting us privacy.
“Morwenna. You look beautiful.” Dad says as he walks over to Morwenna and embraces her. I see Mom hiding her tears quickly and smiling at us, but I know her heart is breaking.
Morwenna smiles, “I’m alright,” she reassures Mom, but I heard her tossing and turning last night. She’s scared, as anyone would be.
I refuse to look at either of my parents, as they stand there in formal attire looking like the perfect power couple. I have been giving them the cold shoulder since last night.
I now turn and glare at the moon. Even the Goddess can’t protect our people, or we wouldn’t need to resort to such measures.
There’s silence before Mom sighs, “We should head down.”
‘Don’t go.’ I say through the mind link, looking up at Morwenna, begging her silently to refuse.
‘Xenie...’ Morwenna whispers, ‘I can do this. I will be alright.’
I don’t respond. How do I explain to you that you shouldn’t have to?
“Xenie, will you attend the banquet, then?” Mom asks.
“I won’t watch my sister be given away as collateral,” I reply coldly.
Mom sighs, frowning deeply.
“I understand what you mean. I’m not happy with this either,” she says.
Dad glances at Mom and Morwenna to signal them to leave first.
“Xendaya, you have been ignoring me since yesterday. Look at me,” he says quietly, yet there’s a command I cannot deny in his voice. My eyes flash as I turn my attention to him.
“I have nothing to say to you, aside from one final thing.”
“And what might that be?” Dad asks.
I stand up and look him in the eyes, “I hope you are ready to perform the final rights of one of your children, because the moment she leaves this kingdom the countdown to her end will begin, and you will soon be hearing the news of her death.”
I see pain and fear flash in Dad’s eyes, something I’ve never seen in his eyes and it scares me even more, but I want him to feel it, I want him to feel our pain, my pain. “This is all we are to you,” I add softly.
“Xen-”
“And when that happens, consider yourself the father of only sons, because you will lose me, too.”
I turn my back on him, and I hear him sigh. For a moment it’s silent before the door shuts and I spin around, realising he’s gone, leaving me alone in the large bedroom I used to share with Morwenna.
‘Why do you act like this when you have already made up your mind?’ Shayara’s strong soothing voice comes. ‘Dad needs to be swatted.’
I smile a little at that, but the truth is if she isn’t going to refuse, then I will have to do something.
‘I’m still upset… and you know I can’t let her do this. If one of us is to die, it should be me.’
‘Then what is your plan?’
‘The only thing left to do.’
I ball my fists as I walk towards my closet and take out a deep red gown, my mind made up…
-
The grand banqueting hall is decorated with such extravagance one would not think there is internal and external unrest in the kingdom.
One could get lost in the opulent luxury of the night, drinks are being served to the high-ranked guests, delicacies on golden platters and music is playing in the background.
The atmosphere is pleasant, but the countless guards that line the hall are a dark reminder of the true reason behind this feast.
“I thought you weren’t attending?” Lycus asks, concern in his eyes as he walks over to me.
I look at him, frowning slightly before averting my gaze. What happened that day never should have happened.
“I changed my mind,” I say, smoothing my dress. I’m wearing a deep red gown with a plunging neckline and my hair is braided, with a tiara crowning my head.
“Don’t do anything reckless, Xenie…” he says quietly as he reaches up brushing my cheek tenderly.
Since last night, things have been different between us. Tense even.
“I’m not going to… I just need to do the right thing.” I say, slowly removing his hand from my face.
For this kingdom, but moreover for Morwenna.
“Rethink it, Xenie,” he murmurs quietly, his voice blending with the music in the background. “What happened last night-”
“Never should have.” I cut in, glancing around. ‘Don’t mention it again.’
“I didn’t mean to, but listen to me Xenie, you don’t need to do this.”
I open my mouth to speak when the large entrance doors to the hall suddenly fly open, slamming off the walls behind them, making silence blanket the hall.
Filling the entrance is a tall man. His aura demands attention and the power that exudes from him makes me suddenly feel small. His black hair is short on the sides, the middle braided and left open over his shoulder. That’s all I can see from this angle.
He has no weapon, but I know he doesn’t need one… He is far more deadly than a blade dipped in nightshade and wolfsbane…
He spots Dad, who now rises from his throne and crosses the room swiftly.
He towers above everyone, and the crowd parts, allowing him to pass.
“Alpha King, Kian Araqiel… We finally meet in person.” His voice is like rich velvet. Deep and seductive, and I shake my head to clear it. He has a thick accent, and it’s noticeable in every word he speaks.
I close my eyes before opening them and I see Niko already making his way to the front.
“Don’t do it, Xenie.” Lycus murmurs, taking hold of my wrist.
‘I have to.’ I know that moment’s rage and emotions got the better of us the other night, but we both know it was just that, an emotional reaction to the fear of the unknown.
I tug free and make my way through the throng of people, leaving him standing there…
XENDAYA.“Yes, welcome to Clair De Lune, King Agnarr,” Dad replies to the Dragon King, holding his hand out to him.Agnarr looks at the offered hand for a second before accepting it.“Thank you… Now where is my promised bride?”How shameless.I see Mom clench her jaw, her eyes filled with the anger she’s trying to control.“She is here,” Dad says, looking for Morwenna, who is approaching the dais with Niko.“I hope she is, because if I am not given what I was promised…” he leaves his threat hanging.“We will keep our side of the promise,” Mom says, as Dad places a hand on her arm to calm her. “I am Morgana, Queen of Clair De Lune.” Mom says, holding out her hand.Agnarr arches a brow as his eyes rake over Mom, but he does not take her offered hand.“The Vampire Princess who brought peace to this kingdom and the Sanguine Empire. I heard you were once nothing more than a slave.”Dad’s eyes flash. “You will do well not to disrespect my mate,” he says coldly.“And you will do well to resp
AGNARR.I watch from the shadows as my future wife drops to her knees in despair, the strong front she portrays gone within seconds. I didn’t think that werewolves were so weak.I have no interest in her, but it’s been years since I began searching, to no avail. Is she the one the Seer spoke of?It’s a pity one so young has to be married to the likes of me, but if she behaves, it might be favourable for her. After all, even the Silver Dragon was planning to reach out to the Alpha King himself. I am not sure if she is the one, but if she is, then she is mine. I will trust the Seer’s words and take her choosing to be the princess I marry as a sign…Irritation flits through me as that same wolf who I had heard trying to stop her earlier encourages her to run away.I turn away from them. I will return for her soon enough and if there is another man, I will kill him.---The dark memory of the screams of my tribe members as they are slain echoes in my mind. “Don’t do it, Nefzaan!” I warn
XENDAYA. The journey to the Dragon Kingdom is one I will never forget. Agnarr had shifted into a huge, magnificent dragon. I have not seen one before, but compared to his men, it is obvious. He is far more superior, and his dragon is breathtaking. Something I won’t admit to him. His black scales hold a green shine, and those intense eyes of his retain most of their greeny hue, even in dragon form. The power that emanates from him is vast, and at times, I feel I couldn’t breathe. He allowed me to climb onto his back with the help of Dad and Niko. Goodbye was emotional. Mom had tears in her eyes, tears she refused to allow to fall and she had thrust a small package into my hand, telling me not to open it until I was alone. Morwenna was a sobbing mess, and Dad’s last words echo in my mind. ‘You are your mother’s daughter. I believe the next time we meet you will greet me with a smile on your face.’ That isn’t happening. I had to hold onto Agnarr's back as he soared into the sky, t
XENDAYA. The sound of a roar makes me jolt upright and I look around the huge room, my heart thundering. It takes me a few seconds to realise where I am and everything that happened rushes back to me. I sigh heavily as I brush back my hair that is sticking to my face. I wipe my neck. I’m sweating. It’s hot… so hot. I’m only in the skirt I was wearing last night, the fabric of my top still on the ground. Last night I didn’t bother to go look for something to wear, wishing to not be here, and I had probably fallen asleep at some point. I curl my legs onto the bed and look out of the grail window, seeing a dragon fly through the sky. I know it’s daylight, but the smog outside casts a shadow across the room. Why is it like that? ‘Morning.’ Shayara yawns. ‘Morning, it’s so hot here.’ I grumble. What do I do now? Will he come back, or can I hope he’s forgotten about me and leaves me in this room? I’d rather not have to see anyone. ‘But we can’t be forgotten, we need food.’ I gr
AGNARR. I hear her grunt, her thundering heart, and then the whizz of something travelling fast through the air. I open my eyes and they burn as I yank the woman from my cock and yank her from the waters, using her as a shield. Not because I had no other way to block her throw but because I want her to see the consequences of her actions… The bowl slams into the woman’s head and I smirk internally with victory when she screams out a distraught, “No!” I don’t flinch as blood splatters over me, and the slave girl’s body becomes limp in my hold. Her pale hair is now covered in blood. “What did you do!” she screams at me, as I drop the woman’s body in the water, splashing us all. “I did nothing. You did that.” I say as she rushes into the water, glaring at me with more rage than I have ever seen on the face of a woman. “Take her and get out,” I command the slaves. She might still live if they make haste. How intriguing. Wolves really are emotional beings. “That was meant for you!
XENDAYA. The heatwaves are visible around me, rippling tauntingly in the surrounding air… The burning heat is unbearable, almost as if it’s incinerating my organs within my body… My entire body is screaming in agony. It’s too hot, my head feels like it’s going to burst. Night has fallen, yet I still stand. I’m parched, my feet have long since numbed from the intense agony. The throbbing pain from the burns is something I have become accustomed to, but it’s so intense that I can no longer feel where it starts and ends. My head is ringing from the pain, but it’s too overwhelming for me to process. I was moving around before trying to keep the heat off as much as possible, but I’m no longer able to move. But I refuse to show any kind of weakness, refuse to show that I am in agony… I am more wolf than vampire, but from my mother, I did inherit some of her strength, and I know right now it is that which is keeping me conscious. Shayara has disappeared into the far corner of my mind
AGNARR. Night has fallen, and I have just returned. The castle is silent. I heard nothing from my men, no good news nor bad… but the atmosphere when I return is sombre. Does it mean she is not getting better? It’s been a while since something aside from Nefzaan has consumed my mind. I make my way to the infirmary before stopping at the open arch. “Your majesty…” Garza, the head healer, whispers, as the rest of the healers cower in fear. “What are the results?” I ask coldly as I push open the door to the room she is in. “She is not healing, she is far too weak, and her wounds are dire… I’m not sure how she is alive.” Garza bows low, her words irritating me. “Then what are you good for!” I snarl. How was she standing if she was in this state? It can’t be true. As much as I want to decapitate the healer, I need her for the war to come. “Leave.” I snarl. They obey without delay, and I brush the curtain that covers the bed aside and look down at the woman on the bed. My gut tw
XENDAYA. Half an hour later, I do feel better. The bath became easier, even soothing, as the hot weather didn’t help either and after a soak I am washed with a gentle soothing balm before I am patted dry and rebandaged. “Can I get some kind of hair balm or something for my locks? My hair has become brittle. What’s left of it, anyway,” I murmur, touching my strands. “I’m afraid we don’t really have anything much for hair here… but I will ask the herb master,” she replies as she ties my wet hair up off my neck. I sense him before I hear him. His powerful aura is like an enigma of its own and I tense, my heart thundering. ‘Xenie… remember, calm down. We do not want to be hurt again.’ Shayara tries to calm me. I sit there, my breasts heaving with rage that I am simply unable to hide… how dare he… Garza places a thin cotton gown around me, and I slowly clutch it at the front. I’m only wearing bandages underneath. “Excuse me,” she murmurs as if knowing to clear the room. She’s leavi