Eliana takes in a quivering breath, trying to calm her terror as the large doors to her castle are pulled open and the crowd of rebels and Climont soldiers scream out their lust for her demise. She bites down a sob, clutching at her overweight chains as dread washes over her, tightening her muscles. Two burly men flank her, matching every step she takes down the stairs. Her gaze sharpens and she clears her vision more by blinking away her tears.Her heart aches for Jasper. With every movement she makes, descending from the castle, a noose is tightening around her organs. Soon it shall be around her neck, and she will be gone from this world. If only she had told Jasper from the beginning who she was. Surely he would turn his back on her, but it would be for the best. She would not be feeling this pain right now. All she cares for, now with her father gone, is to see her mate one last time.As Eliana surveys the crowd, eyeing every man and woman that has betrayed both her and her fath
Alma spins in a circle, pulling out two small daggers from her cloak and slicing into five of the rebels surrounding her. As the crows begins to take notice, the werebears, completing the partial transformation they had already begun, barrel their way into the crowd. Alma rushes below the arms of the enemy. Her feathers begin to shift, her arms turning into wings. She glances back, catching sight of Olisnia's long, gleaming whip flicking through the air. It wraps around multiple rebels, flinging them across the courtyard.Setting her sights on the Princess, Alma squawks, jumping around the crows as they try to grab her. Once her transformation is complete, she flaps into the air, high enough to be out of reach from the rebels. She soars quickly, traveling across the courtyard. When she is almost to the platform, though, a sharp agony erupts in her left wing, causing her to tumble to the ground, smashing her body across the dirt. She releases a rough breath, her chest aching.The shou
Eliana's heart jumps into her throat. Jasper. Is he here? She takes in a deep breath and on the very edge of the bombardment of scents, is the pure bliss of lavender. She holds herself up, refusing to fall into her relief. How will he be able to save her?The soldiers come running through the entryway, their swords at the ready. A majority ride horses with the Climont colors glinting proud. Before Eliana can set her gaze on Jasper, several waves of wolves pounce into the courtyard, slaughtering dozens of rebels.Drake has brought werewolves? "Eliana, run," Evyn barks out at her from the ground.She blinks as she glances over at him, processing his words. "Oh, of course." She thinks before picking up her heavy chains and stumbling to the steps. As she takes the first one, Selma screams, lunging at her. The Princess does not have time to even cry out in terror as they both freefall off the platform. Eliana closes her eyes, preparing for the pain, but instead she lands into a strong
It has been two days since Eliana's friends helped her force out the rebels. Drake's men continue to watch over the castle's walls, keeping them safe. Olisnia, without the replenishment of her magic, has helped the others by bandaging their wounds and finding the medicinal herbs within the court doctor's quarters.Eliana has tried to give Jasper as much distance as she can. Every time she spots him, he always gives her a pained expression before turning away. She does not know why he still lingers, when the danger has subsided. Drake has already sent word back to his father that the war is to be stopped."Princess," the Prince states, walking up to her, "I mean, Queen Eliana."She cringes, not yet used to the idea of ruling all of Drein. "Please, you do not need to be so formal.""I fear I must," he counters, smirking. "For I must keep our countries on hospitable terms."Confusion causes her brow to furrow, "What do you mean? Once we bring my citizens back to Zaline, we shall be m
The night is quiet, a small breeze blowing through the land, upturning loose gravel and russet grass. The stories have been coming in daily. The death toll and the numbers of enemy soldiers crossing their border only continues to increase excessively.This is what Eliana ponders on as she sits on her balcony, watching the wisps of clouds shift over the harvest moon. The bright hue washes over the sky and paints her father's dark castle maroon.The small tower in which her quarters reside, are scorched along the outer walls. The worn-down palace is surrounded by a barren wasteland that expands for miles outside the small village at its base. Eliana remembers when it was once lush and bountiful. When she would pick berries with her mother all day. Now the grass lay in clumps, the bushes burned or dried up. A majority of the trees are chopped down and the fields that the farmers once plowed are now unfertile."Princess Eliana, you should really come inside." She turns, her wavy, golden
As the caravan that holds Eliana and her handmaid pulls away from the castle that she has known her entire life, she finally allows the tears to fall. As she is securely hidden within the wooden transportation, she gives herself the freedom to release her anguish and fear. Her tears are warm against her skin and she welcomes them willingly. Her father is the only family Eliana has left. She barely remembers her mother. There are only a few memories still clear in her mind."What would she say, if she were alive and heard about this arranged marriage?" Eliana wonders to herself, biting the bottom of her lip to hide any whimpers that try to slip through. "I am supposed to have a say in my future husband, but my father has gone behind my back. I wonder if she would be furious. Not that it would change my circumstances.""My Lady," Selma begins, quietly at first. "It would not be sensible to dwell on what has happened in the past, or what you are leaving behind. You would be wise to look
Eliana is awoken with the sudden halt of the carriage."Princess, you must be incredibly quiet, we are surrounded. We must have been followed from the castle."It takes a moment for Eliana to register what her handmaid has said and shakes off the grogginess of her slumber. "Who is it," she questions in horror."We do not know, they are hidden by the trees, but the men say that they are Pivurlion."Eliana's heart drops. She does not dare to look out the window when Selma mentions the trees. They have been traveling for a day and are close to the border they share with Murduk. Climont is only another half day's journey. Eliana gulps as she stares at her handmaid. She wonders which country has hired these assassins and which clan the Pivurlion associate with. Surely it would have to either be the werewolves or the werebears."When they attack, we must escape from the caravan without being seen," Selma explains. Her voice softens, her dull eyes wide with fear."What about the men?"
The forest is more active today. Jasper looks up through the holes in the treetops and he sees the birds flying high, moving North."It is odd that they are all leaving their nests this early in the day. I have never seen so many at one time," he thinks to himself."Son," Conrad Darcy begins.Jasper fights the urge to roll his eyes. He clenches his teeth and prepares for what his father will say. "I know your mother spoke to you already. There is no debate on the matter. You will go to Viptan and you will find your mate there. You must partner with another Xefol. There is no other way."Jasper glances over at his burly father who shoulders a large deer carcass that they have just taken down. It will be added into their stew simmering at the cottage."Papa, is it so important that I find a mate right now, and that they are from our clan?""Yes. There is too many mixed breeding. You need to keep our bloodline pure.""I was under the impression that your mate is already predete