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
Jasper's entire body tenses, his heart twisting as Eliana's words hit him. The slight shift of her expression gives away her thoughts. There is an anguish that takes hold of Jasper's spine."Why do I feel this way? Why am I hurt? She is a stranger. She broke into our house. Why does her opinion matter so much?," he constantly runs questions over and over in his mind, confused.As the thoughts swirl around in his mind, he continues to forget that he is holding the intruder up, his arms wrapping tightly around her torso. The word that shattered his resolve earlier, does so once more.Mate.This pull, the delicious scent of honey that draws him closer to her.Jasper's mind continues to race, confusion causing him to spiral down into denial. "No, this cannot be. She is a human. The soul bond is impossible between the species. It was created at the beginning of the Pivurlion race."Beatrice bypasses the statement that Eliana has made, "Are you hurt?"Eliana is shocked by the question
Forcing her vision to clear, Eliana looks back up at Beatrice, her eyes wide.The Xefol has her head turned slightly down, watching the Princess. "Are you alright?""Uh," Eliana clears her throat, trying to halt the sweat beading at her temple. "Is it alright if I stay just for the night? I will leave at daybreak."Beatrice presses her lips together, but Eliana easily sees the smile forming. "Yes, of course, honey."Eliana allows her shoulders to relax, the weight she is carrying disappearing. Her mind clears, and she refuses to look back outside."Jasper, heat up some water for her." Beatrice orders cocking her brow at who Eliana assumes is their son.His jaw flexes and he watches Eliana closely. His dense gaze scourers her entire face."What is he looking at," she wonders. Heat begins to build in her neck and ears, easing the pain slightly from her injuries."Why is she allowed to stay? She broke into our house and took my bed," Jasper argues roughly. His hair places a shadow