《Bride of the Dark Lord》


 #1 The Sacrifice

    FIRST MONTH


    Armalith Kingdom


    Xemein (19 years old)


    When I was a little girl, I always thought that when the day comes for me to marry, that I would be as happy as some of the brides I had seen. That my face would glow like theirs. And that on every line of my cheeks, happiness would radiate; joy would fill it. That was my thought. What I believed. And my father let me think so too.


    But the thing about life is, is that it surprises us. Stuns us. Proving to us mortals that we aren''t in control of it, instead, it controls us.


    About ten years ago, I witnessed a wedding ceremony for the first time, and now, since, I''m about to be wedded in less than a day, I can boldly say that dreams don''t often come true. That the desires that envelope our young hearts could just be crushed, as easily as an egg in the palm of a toddler. ''Cause now, my face isn''t glowing and neither are the lines of my cheeks radiating joy and happiness.


    "Please lift your chin, my lady" my maid servant, Isolda, a busty female in her twenties said as she applied the grounded powder particles to areas right below my jaw.


    "I''ll be done soon" she said.


    I kept quiet. Wishing I could tell her to let me be alone. To not bother dressing me up at all, as I didn''t want this wedding. Didn''t want to be joined to a man I''ve never met. Didn''t want to have to share the same bed with a man half the world feared.


    The Dark Lord.


    The only living being to possess a dragon.


    A man born with a rare colour of hair - silver, and when lightning filled the skies, compounding his lightning abilities, many said, his hair blazed white, absorbing the streaks of lightning along with the rest of his body.


    More so, this Gift of his was so powerful, that it was said that a touch of his bare hand against someone''s flesh, was enough to electrocute that person. Causing instant death. Hence, as a result of this, he always wore hand gloves.


    My left hand went to my neck. My bride collar. Another constant reminder of everything I would lose if I failed my mission in this marriage.


    Cold chills ran down my spine.


    The things I''ve heard about Him.


    Like every Armalith royal, he possessed fish lungs. Making Him beyond able to spend six or more hours beneath water. What did that mean? Fat goose bumps lined my arms. That whether on land or in water, my to - be - husband was indestructible? A god capable of turning any environment into a death zone for his enemies?


    A tale about one of the many battles he had fought in was still continuously repeated by every storyteller on the streets of Armalith.


    It was said that during the Analican war (the war that gave Him his infamous nickname). The Dark Lord and his army pursued a thousand men into the Elden river.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    His enemies stood in the shallow water, while he and his army stood at the Elden riverbank. The Dark Lord came down from his horse, deflecting the several arrows his foes fired at him with his sword and shield, and then, his feet made contact with the Elden.


    He crouched, removed his glove and placed his bare hand in the river.


    The horror of what happened next, is still narrated till this day. And used by mothers to frighten disobedient children into obedience as they threaten them with words of inviting the Dark Lord.


    Many of the soldiers (from the Dark Lord''s army) who witnessed that infamous historical incident were later reported to have been in shock for weeks. A few of them who weren''t as tough as others had nightmares about that day for months and finally, some of them left the army, with their minds scarred for life.


    What they saw was this, a thousand healthy men once standing in River Elden and shooting arrows at them, suddenly stopped, then started screaming in agony, as streaks of lightning travelled from the point of the Dark Lord''s bare hand in the river to every point in the river. And then, like speed demons, the streaks of lightning enveloped the feet of each man and raced to their heads.


    Struck dead by lightning.


    And all that was left of the men in the river, were corpses for vultures. Unidentifiable bodies. Every bit of skin on each man had been savagely toasted.


    "My lady, time to fix your hair" Isolda''s words interrupted my thoughts. I stood up and moved to a second seat where a brown-eyed maid started brushing my hair at once. A few minutes later, of another maid touching up my face, I heard the words I had waited hours to hear "we are done, my lady. You can look now".


    Slowly, my eyes opened. Gazing into the mirror the maid had put in front of me. I might be beautiful but I was not feeling beautiful at all.


    "You look so gorgeous, Princess Xemein" one of the maids said.


    Princess. The word raced through my mind. As the diamond earrings on my ears sparkled.


    Princess Xemein. Heiress to Marjol Kingdom.


    I took in deep breaths. Feeling my heart pound like a drum.


    One thing my to-be-husband, the Dark Lord, didn''t know was, was that this marriage was a ploy. A cover up for the mission his father, the King of Armalith (a very cruel man) sent me.


    I was to murder the Dark Lord, Prince of Armalith Kingdom on or before six months time, in exchange for the freedom of my country men and women.


    "Why me?" I asked the King "why not send an assassin?"


    "If my son was that easy to kill, would I have any need of you?" he replied.


    For the last six years of my life I''ve lived here in Armalith. Being raised as the ''adopted'' daughter of nobleman Lyman Edgar. However, as you already know, I was born a princess. Future Queen of Marjol, a small fallen nation unlike Armalith (a vast nation).


    Six years ago, my country was conquered, ''buried'' and ''caged'' with a powerful spell controlled by sorcerers, minions of king Randall, the Dark Lord''s father.


    The spell worked in a way that non-sorcery minds could not fully comprehend. But what mattered was, my people were still alive. Though imprisoned beneath the grounds of Marjol (the city currently looked empty with the people of other nations believing that the citizens of Marjol were wiped out by a deadly plague). The lives of my people were sustained by a life-giving charm, that would eventually run out in six months, causing my country men to die, if I failed to murder the Dark Lord within that time frame.


    Hence, this was my secret.


    No one but King Randall, Lyman Edgar and his household (spies for Randall) knew that I was the fallen princess. For I was marrying the prince as though it was another arranged marriage, where a highborn lady was simply chosen to wed a prince.


    I looked at my left arm. Several lines marked it. Each line, indicating the number of days, my people have been bound by sorcery.


    Right now, two thousand, one hundred and ninety short faint lines were there. I counted it every morning as a new line appeared.


    I stroked the lines. Invisible to every other eyes except mine. And the moment, the marks of the lines reaches my neck, it meant all hope was lost. No chance for my people to ever be saved or freed.


    I thought of my mother. My father. And two years old brother. Their lives all depended on what I did next.


    Tears formed in my eye sockets. And a tear slid down my cheeks.


    "Princess, we shouldn''t waste more time. It''s time for you to meet..."


    I signalled her to keep quiet as I exhaled. And then, inhaled.


    Xemein. You must not disappoint your loved ones.


    And as I followed the maid out the door, one question lingered in my heart.


    Will I fail or succeed?

 #2 The First Meeting

    Xemein


    The journey to the North was a long and tiring one. The carriage I was in, quivered at every brush of stone against it.


    I turned the flap of the window near me. Fresh breeze rushed in, blowing against my face. I smiled. The air around places far away from the overpopulated Capital felt so good.


    "That''s not why you are here" Eleanor, the head maid in nobleman Lyman Edgar''s household spoke. She was hired by King Randall himself. And like every dog Randall owned, she was fiercely loyal to him.


    "You don''t have time to grin!"


    "All you should be doing, is thinking" she tapped her temple "-thinking of how best to serve King Randall" she roared, like the wildcat she often Turned into when she wanted to mutilate or intimidate someone.


    "Don''t forget. I''ll be reporting your every step" she warned.


    Reporting. To who? King Randall, most definitely. A man who now felt, he owned my soul. And was entitled to know every step I take from this moment onwards.


    The sound of an arrow flying through the air, rang in my ears. I looked out. But before I could see anything, I heard the horses neigh and felt the carriage slowly stop.


    "Who dares?" Eleanor yelled. "Step out of the carriage now!" she thundered as she too came down. She glared at me "my eyes are on you".


    She started marching towards the horses, while I followed. Standing in front of our carriage, were the four guards of King Randall that escorted me on this journey. Also there, were four other persons I was seeing for the first time. Four males. Though one out of them wore a cloak and a hood, while another, holding a bow and an arrow in his hands, looked feminine.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Glowing dark skin, lovely light-brown eyes accompanied with a smile that had the most charming dimples I''d ever seen. ''A beautiful man'', were the best words for his physical outlook.


    "This is a royal carriage. Stand back!" Eleanor said, as she moved and stood in front of Randall''s guards to challenge the intruders.


    I remained where I was.


    "I''m here to take the lady" the man covered in hood said as his friends parted so that he could walk through and stand in front of them.


    "You won''t dare to touch her" one of the guards growled, as he stood at an ''alert'' stance with the spear in his hands.


    "I won''t dare?" the voice under the hood chuckled.


    Who are these people? So bold. Highway thieves? Thinking of kidnapping a nobleman''s ''daughter'' for a hefty ransom? I stepped back. I couldn''t afford to lose my life, and my country in that process, all because of the greed of these few men.


    Then, Eleanor opened her mouth, with so much confidence ringing in her voice. Confidence that said, she knew her next words would make the intruders back off. After all, who in Armalith, has not heard the legendary tales of the Dark Lord.


    "My lady is the bride of the Dark Lord" she announced. "And I''m certain" she stressed each word "you don''t want whatever belongs to Him anywhere near... "


    "Unless I''m Him" the voice beneath the cloak boomed, as the hood slowly lifted "then, I wouldn''t mind".


    The hood came off finally.


    And I''d be lying if I said at that moment, I was the only one whose heart went into shock.


    Gboom. Gboom.


    Lightning struck the skies. I looked up. And as if the lightning knew who they obeyed. They raced down from the skies.


    We all fled for cover.


    Except the man in cloak.


    The lightning hit Him. Bolts after bolts of lightning struck Him. I gasped. Who is this? A man or a god? In his hands, the bolts of lightning danced, and then disappeared. Absorbed into his body.


    "Mother of Light!" One of the guards shuddered with fear.


    Never in my life, have I seen such an awe-inspiring Gift.


    I stood up. Moved from where I was. Staring at the ''lightning'' man.


    His, was a strange face.


    A face I had never seen before.


    Never ran across in the street. Never seen a portrait of.


    Yet, I knew. Just knew.


    That he was my husband. The man I have to kill to save my country.

 #3 The Man in the Cloak

    How did I ever think that the Dark Lord''s friend, the beautiful man, would be the most charming thing I come across today?


    I continued gazing at Him. His torso, upper and lower limbs perfected what should no doubt be labelled ''exquisite masculinity''.


    And atop his face - his breathtaking face - was his rare silver hair that I thought would make Him look terrible. Instead, it made his face, look like an uncommon masterpiece, that every painter would gladly fight over just to be the first to paint it.


    I licked my lips. Mother of Light. How could one mortal alone be this stunningly attractive?


    And then, he looked at me! And I would be lying if I said the thought of raw, primal, sheet-clawing sex didn''t just run through my mind.


    Xemein! Get a hold of yourself!


    This is not the time for the stories, Cousin Bella snuck out of Marjol''s adult bookstores to influence your mind.


    "Get a grip on yourself" I muttered to myself.


    I was here to kill. And not to love.


    We maintained eye contact but then, I had to look away (for the sake of my own sanity), but that was not before I noted that he was younger than I had assumed at first. Younger than thirty would be my guess. But his eyes - those eyes of his - were much worldlier. Harder. And icy cold.


    "Greetings, Your Highness" Eleanor and the guards bowed, after they had recovered from the shock of the lightning incident.


    "We were not expecting you" Eleanor said. "Sincere apologies for our ignorance".


    The Dark Lord did not reply. Not a single word, slipped out of his lips. And the silence which followed, was the kind I imagined would occur, when a lion was contemplating whether or not, he would eviscerate the prey in front of him.


    Then the Dark Lord suddenly spoke "Bride. Come, let''s go".


    He said it so calmly. And with conviction. Like a man who knew that all he had to do was spit words and he''d be obeyed.


    And the truth was, I would have acted instantly on his order (''cause of his reputation), had it not been that the fear I felt for Randall (the fear of losing my country) was by far greater than the fear of whatever punishment I felt the Dark Lord would dish out on me. So, I chose to remain where I was. With King Randall''s people. Until a decision was reached.


    "Your Highness, my lady is not allowed to..."


    He arched his brow "not allowed. By whom?"


    "King Randall" Eleanor raised her chin as though saying Randall''s name shielded her "the king ordered that we arrive along with your bride to your castle".


    "And he says ''no''. He doesn''t want the rest of you, besides his bride, in his home" the Dark Lord''s friend, the beautiful man said, still grinning. And showing off his dimples.


    Why did I have the feeling that this beautiful man, even when in grave danger, and fighting a battle to save his life, would still have a smile on - either for himself - or to mock his enemies. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "You-" the Dark Lord looked at Eleanor and the guards "will not reach my manor today" the Dark Lord declared with finality.


    Wow! So much courage. To go against his own father. I love him!


    In Armalith, very few people could be bold enough to contradict Randall. And when you did, all I can say is, lovely things don''t come knocking at your door.


    Eleanor snarled. Bared her teeth. Fangs protruding slowly. She was Transforming! Against the Dark Lord? My eyes bulged. The insanity of this woman!


    Along with me, everyone Randall sent here, had a task to perform. Eleanor''s, was to continue to pose as my maid at the Dark Lord''s castle, while she kept watchful eyes on both the prince and I. Reporting our movements, as she has done, with reporting all my activities for the last six years.


    And as for the guards, when they reached the castle, they were to try to obtain either the hair or scale of the Prince''s dragon, before returning back to the Capital.


    Eleanor bellowed "we have our orders! We are coming to your..."


    The Dark Lord moved like a blur. Along with his lightning Gift, could he also move at the speed of light?


    And at the next moment, the Dark Lord''s gloved hand gripped Eleanor''s thick fat neck "I see you are Gifted" he said. His eyes on the tattoo of Ucatus (the wild beast Eleanor Turned into) on Eleanor''s neck that proudly announced that she was a Gifted shifter.


    "Well, I''ll tell you this" the Dark Lord said.


    "No Gifted has ever fought me and won. So, before you Turn and try to intimidate or tear me apart, just ask yourself, if I''d be able to hit you with just a single bolt of lightning before you fully Transform into your beast".


    Eleanor closed her mouth. And bowed, showing submission to the Dark Lord''s will. He maintained his grip on her neck for another minute and then, freed her.


    I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t happy to see Eleanor being reduced to this submissive state. For years, she bullied me. Twisting my words and actions, so, she could hit me. And strike me like her little dog. Yet not harming my face, ''cause Randall needed it for his ''marriage'' plan to succeed.


    "I know what you are" He said, looked at Eleanor and the guards. From the way he spoke, I guess he was referring to the fact that he knew my maid and the guards'' complete loyalty was to Randall, and so, they coming into his home, was like he, inviting possible spies to dwell with him.


    I like him! Smart man.


    "You''ll return back to the Capital at once".


    "I''ve accepted the bride He decreed for me. So, your task here is finished" He turned away from them.


    Faced me "come".


    With trembling legs, I moved towards Him. And with my hands shaking like leaves in a storm caused by a Gifted, I placed my right hand in his outstretched clothed arm.


    For a minute, I thought I''d feel that lightning shock, but what, I felt was something different. Something unique. An invasion of my nostrils with his smell. His exquisite smell. I inhaled. Damn...He smelled sinfully good. Not apples. Nor perfume. Or strawberries. Whatever it was, it was mouth-watering. Making me want to lean into him and take...


    Xemein!


    I blinked out of my semidaze.


    I won''t fail my loved ones.


    And as I stood beside the Dark Lord and watch Eleanor and the guards leave without me, I realised something. My usually over-burdened heart felt lighter. ''Cause for the last six years, I spent every second with Eleanor watching me but now, for the first time in a long long while, she was not close by.


    Damn! I felt like, I could breathe in again. Without feeling like my windpipe was blocked with clogs. And that I could smile, without it being reported.


    I laughed. So loud and ''freeing'' was my laughter that the Dark Lord and his friends turned to look at me.


    Strange. That the person who made me feel this less-burdened was the Dark Lord.


    He mounted his black horse. And with those intensely blue eyes of his that made him savagely gorgeous, he stared at me once again "it''s not everyday that I am greeted by such a beautiful lady" He said, raising an eyebrow as he helped me mount his horse.


    Did he just flirt with me?


    And as we rode away, continuing our journey to the North, I turned back to look at the carriage once more.


    Now no one watched my every step, what lied ahead of me?


    Months of love in the arms of a husband I find devastatingly attractive? Or months of pain and heartbreak.


    And if love was all was in front of me, would I let it consume me?

 #4 The Blood Wraiths

    We rode for what felt like hours on end. But, as the sun started to set, the Prince announced, "let''s rest here".


    A good place to spend the night, if you asked me. I could hear the sound of a flowing river and coupled with that, grasses filled this woods - enough for our horses to feed on, to regain their strength for the ride tomorrow.


    More so, I honestly didn''t even know the North was this far from the Capital. After Randall stamped the King''s seal on the Dark Lord and I''s marriage certificate, I thought it would take me a day''s journey to arrive at my new home.


    The Prince assisted me in coming down from his horse. My body rubbed against his, and I felt my nipples react. Our eyes lingered. And he let go of my hands.


    The Dark Lord looked around. As if to make sure no assassin or predator was hiding somewhere in the many trees around us.


    "Do you also feel it?" the Dark Lord''s friend, the lean green-eyed one asked.


    The Dark Lord nodded as he looked at his gloved hands. And then, at his friend again, the green-eyed one who asked the question.


    "Can you Turn now?" the Dark Lord asked.


    Oh. This friend of his, was a Gifted shifter too. What beast could he Turn into?


    His friend shook his head. Confirming that his Gift wasn''t active at the moment.


    The Dark Lord paused, "listen" he said.


    Four pairs of eyes faced Him.


    "We are on a magic-deprived land" he said.


    Oh no. A magicless land. I looked at the woods, it still ran for miles. It could take hours to leave this vast wood, and our horses needed to rest.


    "Just to be cautious. Let''s make sure that not even a drop of anyone''s blood touches these grounds" the Prince said.


    And here I thought, the Dark Lord and his friends would hunt a deer for us to roast and eat tonight.


    I hate you magicless land.


    What was a magicless land, anyone might ask? It was a piece of land where a blood sacrifice - sorcery - has been performed. And because of the stain / presence of dark magic on that land, light magic (Gifts) won''t work.


    Gifts are magical blessings from the Mother of Light. You need no blood sacrifice to possess or utilise it. But sorcery? To use it or own it, someone or something usually had to die. It required blood. Most locals called it, dark magic. And because of the evil associated with it, and the hate society had towards this practice, sorcerers were rare. Very rare. Only people as diabolical as Randall, had them as their minions, and I bet this secret of his, wasn''t something his entire kingdom knew of.


    I looked at the Dark Lord. How vulnerable was he without his lightning Gift at this moment?


    He looked unbothered. Unperturbed. As though the disappearance of one of the things that made Him a formidable opponent wasn''t missing right now.


    My eyes moved down his body. Hah. His tall, powerfully lean muscled body. Such magnificent hardness, only in one man. That was why he wasn''t bothered at all. ''Cause besides his Gift, he had a body that proved he has spent several hours on a training field.


    "No need to just ogle Him. He''s yours now. You are allowed to taste Him" the beautiful man, who introduced himself as Ashton during the journey, said. He winked at me.


    And my eyes bulged. As Ashton walked away, smirking.


    Who else saw me checking out the Dark Lord?


    Then, I felt a pair of arms wrap round me. I turned back. The Dark Lord. He let the cloak in his hands rest on me.


    "You were coming to the North for the first time, and you didn''t know to wear a cloak and gloves?" He said gently, as he also removed his gloves and wore them on my hands.


    I didn''t even know that I had been shivering.


    I looked up at him. That smell again. And that sinfully gorgeous face of his. They did something to my body. Things I''ve never experienced before. Things I''ve only read about in books. I was about to open my mouth and say ''thank you for caring'' when he walked away. Simply just walked away from me! I blinked.


    If he had not wanted me to be nice in return, why then did he offer me his cloak and gloves without me even asking?


    "Asshole" I kicked a pebble.


    I joined others, where they were setting up tents and building a fire. An hour later, we all had a full belly after having shared and eaten the dried mutton the Prince''s friends had brought along.


    It was time to sleep. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "I''ll stay up and keep watch" the Dark Lord said.


    "When you have a new bride waiting for you?" Ashton joked, bursting into laughter along with another of their friend whom I noticed had a feminine laughter.


    Suddenly, I fidgeted. Fiddling with my fingers. How does the first day of marriage work? Will He choose to claim his conjugal rites tonight? Close to his friends? My heart quickened in fear. I didn''t know the type of man I was married to. How he treated women sexually.


    The Dark Lord stood up, rubbed his hands above together the burning fire. For warmth. "Nadia, you''ll share a tent with her" He said.


    Nadia? I looked at the other three males around me. The man that had been laughing along with Ashton all day, nodded.


    My eyes widened. What? He wants me to share a tent with another man?


    All eyes were now on me. Oh Mother of Light. I voiced out my previous thought unknowingly.


    The silence in the camp lasted for a few minutes while I waited for the Dark Lord to respond but then I heard, "I''m a female". The one, the Dark Lord referred to as ''Nadia'' said. The male I had thought had a feminine laughter.


    "A female?" I looked at his outfit. The boots on his feet. The sword hanging on his waist, along with a Northern crest proving he was a soldier. An Armalith warrior.


    "But..." I stuttered "you''re..."


    "A soldier and a female" She completed my thought and smiled, "females like me are rare, I know. Women, interested in battle strategies and weapons" She said with a smile that still showed she was a bit worried, sharing this important information with me. For female soldiers, were not allowed.


    "The Prince doesn''t mind" Nadia completed and kept silent.


    And others, including the Dark Lord said nothing too. I suspected they were all waiting to know my thoughts. To know whether or not, tomorrow morning, I''d want to file a report against their friend, and send what I discovered to the Capital.


    In order to get the group to start trusting me, and also because I sincerely meant it, I said, "Nadia, your secret is safe with me".


    "I''ll keep watch, everyone go to sleep" the green-eyed man (the shifter) said, as we all separated, going into our tents.


    And then, hours later, I heard it. In fact, I''ve been expecting it. After the Dark Lord sent Eleanor and the guards away, I knew I''d hear from Randall soon and now, he has sent something on his behalf.


    The howler.


    A sorcery letter. It could fly. Capable of covering any measure of distance. And when it locates the recipient of the letter. It calls out the receiver''s name, with only the receiver hearing his or her name.


    I turned on the furs I was lying on beside Nadia and stood up, as quietly as possible, after all, my life depended on this.


    I took a few steps out of the tent. Looked around. And noticed the shifter. He was asleep, with his back resting against a tree.


    "Who''s there?" I suddenly heard.


    I didn''t reply or move. And after a while, when I believed he had returned to sleep I continued walking. The howler now above me, shinning a little light as it led me away from where we made camp and down a stony hill.


    And then, the howler stopped moving, opened wide and King Randall''s voice, boomed from the one-page letter.


    "Fail me, Xemein. And you''ll never forget the consequence of your failure".


    The light from the howler died. And the letter burnt itself up, leaving no proof that it ever existed.


    I looked around, every corner of this woods was covered in darkness. However, a little light still reflected from the moon.


    I have to hurry back.


    Using my hands to guide myself so that I didn''t my head on a tree. I walked back. Taking gentle steps up the hill.


    Xemein. Hurry. No one must know you''re missing.


    I stepped on a stone as I almost climbed out of the hill.


    "Hah".


    A sharp stone nicked my foot. And then, I felt myself falling. Down the hill. Stones cutting my skin.


    "Hah!"


    I finally landed with my back to the ground. Intense pain. My backside hurt so badly.


    My hand touched my leg. And I felt as my heart started to slowly slam against my ribcage.


    Blood!


    I''m bleeding!


    And then, the slamming became fast. With fear, flooding my system. On a magicless land. A land already polluted with sorcery. All it needed to give you your worst nightmares, was a drop of blood.


    And then, I heard the screams.


    Nadia''s voice "ah!"


    I looked around me. And knew instantly that something was coming.


    And then, I felt it. The grounds, shaking. Trembling. Whatever was coming, clawing its way out of the ground, could only be one thing.


    Wraiths!


    Abandoning the hills, I took another path. Racing. Running. And feeling adrenaline surge through my veins.


    I didn''t know where I was headed, but I had to run. Escape!


    My blood fed the ground. So, I hoped Nadia and others were safe and had escaped on their horses. No other person has to die because of my failure.


    I looked back. And right then, the moonlight hit my pursuers.


    The blood in my arteries froze with terror. The blood wraiths were the scariest things I had ever seen.


    "Help me!" the words sprang out from my throat.


    "Help!"


    I couldn''t escape these many wraiths on my own. It''s either I die or end up as a wraith myself, for their bite or their long terrifying claws scratching you, was enough to make you be like them.


    "Help!"


    I was about to die. Without having saved my country.


    "Hel..."


    And then, I saw him. Someone on a horse. Speeding through the woods like a man possessed, swinging a fire torch. And then, I noticed the wraiths chasing Him.


    Many wraiths. Hundreds of them. And I froze. There is no escaping this, we''ll die.


    "Come towards me!" The Dark Lord screamed but I didn''t react. I don''t know why.


    "Come!"


    "Run!"


    I just couldn''t move from where I was. Maybe it was the fear I felt but for me, at that moment, everything had stopped. I didn''t see things clearly. And didn''t hear them anymore.


    The Dark Lord came down from his horse "distract them" He told it. Grabbed my hand, and then, the wraiths split into half. Chasing the horse. And chasing us too.


    We''ll die. Don''t bother running.


    But it seemed the Dark Lord didn''t believe that. The many battles, he had fought in, had perhaps taught him to keep fighting until his last breath. But for me, I knew when to give up. To lean back. And ask your foe if you could negotiate, like I''d done for Marjol. I couldn''t fight sorcery, so, I had to give in to my enemy''s demand so, I could live. In this case, quite sad, that there was no negotiating with wraiths. The only thing they wanted from you, was your quick imminent death.


    The Dark Lord''s hand held unto mine. Clutching it tightly. As though, there was still hope and he couldn''t afford to let me fall behind and die.


    "Run!" He encouraged.


    And then, I turned my neck back. To see our pursuers. Is there hope for us?


    And at that moment, I saw one of the wraiths. A monstrous monster. Horror of all horrors. His claws with length of about six feet, stretched out. His hand ready to scratch my face. Wound me. And make me one of them.


    "Hah!" The cry jumped out of my throat.


    And at that second too, I felt myself being dragged. And then, I was jumping. And landing straight into the flowing river of the woods.


    And my last thought was;


    did the wraith touch me?


    what am I now?


    A wraith? Or still a human with a country to protect?

 #5 The First Kiss

    The coldness that filled my body upon breaking the river surface, was severe. It was the kind of coldness I''ve heard of, but was just experiencing.


    It made my teeth judder. My feet, numb and unresponsive. And I couldn''t even move my arms enough to attempt swimming.


    And at that second, I felt it. Water, rushing into my lungs.


    I can''t breathe! I can''t breathe! I was choking. No air!


    Xemein, put your head above the water and breathe...


    No! I screamed inwards. I won''t risk it.


    I won''t dare lift my head above this river surface. I nearly lost my life to a wraith, with claws as long as six feet, I won''t give any other wraith, waiting on the riverbank a chance to scratch me when my face comes up for air.


    Wraiths feared water and sunlight. So, I was certain no wraith would be entering this river to end me soon.


    My bronchi!


    More water rushed into my airways.


    Xemein! If you''re choking, and going to die. Try to stab the Dark Lord now! End him right now!


    I tried to move my left hand. To reach the sheathed dagger round my waist. But, at that same moment, my right hand lost its grip on the Dark Lord. And then, I was falling. Falling rapidly. Sinking to the river bottom.


    Death in the hands of the wraiths versus death by drowning. I choose drowning. To lose my hold on life, with me still being myself. With me, still having the memories of Marjol as my eyes closed forever. I choose that. I choose...


    With my partly closed eyes, I saw Him swim towards me. Moving like he did in the woods, with magnificence, to save the damsel in distress. Except, in this case, he couldn''t save me again now. I wasn''t like Him. Born with fish lungs. So, I''ll surely die soon. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The gods must have seen this day, when they blessed every Armalith royal with fish lungs.


    The fish lungs wasn''t a Gift. You were born with it. Gifts start to manifest at age three but family heritage (like the fish lungs), from the second you were conceived in your mother''s womb, you were that way. Hence, unlike Gifts, it was unaffected by the presence of sorcery.


    His hands touched my cheeks. And then, as though his near presence was not already confusing my dying body, he kissed me.


    My pulse quickened.


    What just happened? My first kiss! A wave of lust coursed through my system. And I felt my core start to throb.


    He pulled his lips back. Looked at me. And kissed me again. Pushing air down my windpipe.


    Mother of Light! Why does his kiss feel like my entire sex was enveloped by the heat of his mouth?


    His kiss returned. Air filling me.


    His tongue, moving in and out of my mouth fast, was like him tongue-fucking me. Lapping greedily at my wet folds as though he was dying from not tasting me enough.


    The waves of pleasure built and built, and I feared I''d finally crash down around him, like I''d been hit with a tsunami.


    He stopped "do you feel better now?"


    His voice, cultured and smooth with a rasp that made my stomach flutter. And the thought of that raw, primal sheet-clawing sex I thought of, the first day I saw his spectacular face raced through my mind.


    I tightened my legs. Yet, still felt that raw energy at the peak of my thighs, begging for release.


    I nodded. Implying, my airways felt a lot better now.


    And as he continued every few seconds with the kisses, striving to make sure I survived the next hours under water, it made me think.


    Why save my life?


    Why? Just why? Wasn''t it rumoured that He enjoyed seeing others perish?


    If he had let me die in the hands of the wraiths or here in these cold waters, no one would start a war on my behalf. So, why stress himself to save me? Why return for me when he could''ve escaped on his horse, far away from the grip of the wraiths?


    But the irony of all this was, if this case was reversed. And I was the one with the horse, or the one with the fish lungs, I know with full certainty what I''d have done.


    Abandoned him to the wraiths. Left him to drown.


    And yet, this man whose guard I was supposed to lower, so as to kill him when he least expects it, has now saved my life twice! And I wondered what that meant.


    Do I avoid killing him on two occasions when I''m certain I could easily end him?


    Or just as he has shown me mercy, I could postpone my plans, until the sixth month of our marriage, the date limit to set my people free. And then, I''d kill him.


    *****


    And now, our lady wants to wait for six months to repay him for saving her life more than once. What do you think will happen from now till that 6th month? Will she end up choosing her people? Or her future love?

 #6 His Favourite Horse

    We remained in the water until the sun came up. By then, we were certain that the wraiths would have all disappeared, due to the rays of sunlight that they feared.


    By the time we stepped out of the river, looking completely drenched, the Dark Lord''s friends were already on the riverbank. Waiting for us.


    "We knew you''d hide in the river" Nadia chuckled. And with the dry piece of cloth in her hand, she wiped the Dark Lord''s silver hair, grinning.


    The Dark Lord and Nadia, are they close? And how far did the closeness go? I wondered.


    The green-eyed shifter moved and snatched the piece of cloth from Nadia''s hand. He threw it on the Dark Lord "you have hands. Use it".


    Wow. Someone was jealous. I laughed inwardly. The green-eyed shifter seem to be interested in Nadia.


    "Oh please" Ashton rolled his eyes "can we set out now?"


    That was when, I noticed something. No one in the group had bothered to speak to me. To ask me how I was or how I felt after several hours under water.


    "You brought an extra horse" the Dark Lord stated.


    "It was necessary" Nadia''s joyous demeanour disappeared. "By the time, Hunter -" The Dark Lord''s horse "found us. We knew we''d need an extra horse for you" She said.


    And that made me look at the group of four. And then, at the five horses.


    Since the moment this journey commenced, we rode only four horses - the Dark Lord''s (which He and I rode) and the three horses (ridden by his three friends). But now, his friends went out of their way to look for an extra horse. Why? Since I was certain the North should no longer be far away anymore.


    And then, the Dark Lord stepped away from his magnificent horse that he had been holding. Hugging tightly.


    And I nearly shrieked from shock.


    My heart rate, quickening all over again, like I had been pushed back into the water to drown.


    Was that...?If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    I sped to Hunter.


    Oh no!


    Not again!


    No death or life should somehow be connected to me again! No!!!


    "Don''t touch him" the Dark Lord said. Anger burning in his voice. "Don''t you dare" he stressed each word.


    His blue eyes, seeming like a ''calm'' lake, waiting for me to trespass. To intrude. And put one leg in. And then, it would show me its claws. The monsters lying beneath it. The horrid beings that I should have feared from the outset.


    I cowered.


    Feeling my heart break. I wanted to touch Hunter. To feel the wraith scratch I caused.


    If I had chosen to be more careful on the stony hill, where I fell, and got cut. No one would be about to die.


    "I''m sorry" I whispered to Hunter. To the Dark Lord "I''m sorry".


    On Hunter''s neck, was a deep wound. Fierce. And angry red. They were indisputably, claw marks from the claws of a wraith.


    The Dark Lord climbed the new horse. He faced Nadia, like he couldn''t even bear to see even my shadow. Talking about me, he said, "she''ll be riding with you, today".


    And he spurred his mount forward, as Ashton and the shifter followed.


    Nadia waited to let me mount her horse.


    No one rode Hunter. He walked alone. Following us.


    She''ll be riding with you, today.


    She. The Dark Lord said. Like that moment of kisses in the river did not happen.


    Or perhaps, I was the only one who felt anything from the kiss. While for him, it was just a trivial task needed to save a trivial person, that somehow ended up in the river with him.


    She.


    Does He even know my name? And was He even interested in knowing it?


    Since we met, all He had used when wanting to refer to me was just ''she'' or ''her''.


    And now, after what I''ve caused Hunter, whom I had a feeling was his favourite horse. I bet the thought of ever knowing or speaking my name would feel repugnant to Him.


    "Hunter was the last present His grandpa, the late King, gave Him before he died" Nadia said.


    So, that was the reason, his friends also didn''t want to talk to me. I had not just put the Dark Lord''s life in danger but also, something else the Dark Lord cherished so much.


    "I''m sorry" I said to her "I put everyone''s life at risk".


    All for what? To read Randall''s letter of threat.


    "Thank you" I said. "Thanks for returning back to pick us".


    She hesitated "I wasn''t the one who came back for you, it''s the Prince" she said. "We had already fled away from the wraiths when we heard your scream".


    She continued "at first when we woke up. We thought you were missing because you''d already been taken by the wraiths".


    "But then, after we heard your scream, He turned back".


    "We told Him it was risky. His lightning Gift wasn''t active. And so, could get killed. Yet, He insisted on returning. Returning without us, three" talking about her, Ashton and the shifter.


    "Returning to save you. At great peril to his own life. So, you see, it wasn''t me who returned, but He".


    Slowly, a tear slid from my eyes. If her goal was to make me feel terrible, then, she did her task well. It worked.


    But the truth was, no matter how much guilt I feel now. No matter how much gratefulness and love I was beginning to feel in my heart towards Him. I knew I''d still give up the Dark Lord''s life, without a second thought, to save my people.

 #7 Hunters Death

    "I''m a Gifted healer" I said "let me heal him, please".


    Today was the third day, since the incident at the river, where Hunter, the Dark Lord''s horse was scratched. And today, was also his last day as his ''normal'' self.


    If he lived beyond today, he''d definitely become a wraith, losing himself, with only thoughts of attacking and murdering others, filling him.


    "If I could just touch him" I continued, "perhaps..." tears filled my voice, and the Dark Lord''s icy-cold blue  eyes turned to me.


    "If you''re truly Gifted, then, you''ll know that Gifts can''t heal whatever has been caused by sorcery" He said.


    "I just..." I stuttered "I wanted to try". Try something. Try anything.


    Even though He didn''t say it, sometimes I felt that He regretted saving me. That He wished He had not used His horse to distract the wraiths and save me.


    He looked away from me. Like, he could no longer continue to stare at the murderer of his ''first love''.


    And gently, like He has been doing for days now, he stroked Hunter''s mane. Crest. Withers. And cheek. With so much love and kindness in his touch.


    We were in his castle now. Arrived here after the wraith incident. And so far, I''ve seen that Hunter loved here. So, personally, it was good he''d die in a place he loved, and felt loved.


    Slowly, Hunter lowered his knees. Letting his huge body rest on the ground. He was exhausted.


    Ever since he got the claw marks, his body has weakened. Each day, he lost more strength, ate less and whimpered a lot more in pain. Like he suffered from a torture beyond these claw marks we could see. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    With the Dark Lord''s right hand still stroking Hunter''s back, his left hand pulled out a dagger from a sheath atached to his waist.


    I understood. Completely understood.


    Hunter has to die. Today.


    He stopped petting Hunter. And I could''ve sworn I saw a tear slid from the corner of his eyes, before He wiped his face.


    The great Dark Lord, weeping for a horse. It seemed unreal.


    If I die here in the North, would anyone, besides my family (if they survive), feel my loss?


    The dagger, the Prince held close to Hunter, shook. Juddered, I''d say. He couldn''t do it. Couldn''t end the life of the horse that has served Him so well for years.  Been with Him through his teenage years and through several battles he fought in.


    His friends tried to console Him, but he told them to leave. So, would my presence here, add to his pain or ease it?


    No matter the answer to that, the healer in me,  made me move forward. I''d love to support Him, even if it was in a little way.


    His gloved hand tried once again. To move the dagger. To slash it on Hunter''s body but, I watched as the blade quivered once more. No matter how long He stayed out here, I don''t think he''d ever have the courage to kill Hunter.


    And then, it made me wonder, why? Why couldn''t He end a mere horse? Wasn''t He the same man rumoured to have slain thousands?


    Some said He even killed his own mother (at age three when his Gifts manifested). And murdered his grandfather, the late King. If He could end the lives of these people, how could he could now be this hesitant in terminating the life of his favourite horse?


    I took the blade from his hands. "Let me help you".


    And I was glad when He stepped back.


    I placed the blade on Hunter''s neck. I was a healer, so, I knew what major arteries to cut, for a swift and painless death.


    I turned back to tell the Dark Lord to look away, but his back faced me, while his hands covered his face.


    Has He finally let go of his tears? To let it fall freely, down his cheeks? I decided to leave Him and face Hunter again.


    I petted his mane, with all the love in my heart. Wished it the very best in his next life, I hoped he lived longer, and happier when that time comes. And that if it happens, he''d get to also receive more of this kind of love, the Dark Lord had for him.


    "Thanks for saving me" I told it and then, cut.


    In less than five seconds, I watched as his life departed from his eyes.


    And my heart broke.


    Will I ever find someone who would love me half as much as the Dark Lord loved Hunter?

 #8 The Lady, the Dark Lord and the Dragon

    I woke up that morning to the sound of noise. What''s happening? Why did it seem like everyone and everything was awake?


    I washed my face and hurriedly took a bath. Since I arrived at the Castle, the Dark Lord and I slept in separate bedrooms. It was as if, he was giving me space, or perhaps, a choice in the matter, I''m not confident of which.


    I stepped out of the Castle and the first person I saw was Nadia. Dressed in her military attire and giving her horse a bath.


    I walked towards her. Since after the river incident, that she, Ashton and the green-eyed shifter refused to talk to me, for putting everyone''s life in danger, I think we''ve gotten quite a bit closer.


    But, I''d not say the closeness would have gotten a start, had the Dark Lord not defended me. Yes! Defended me. It was the day Hunter died. And so, that evening, we sat in the hall to eat. The Dark Lord ate on the same table, with his friends, who were also his elite personal guards.


    During the meal, his friends all chatted - Ashton and Nadia talking mostly, and then, He barked "Stop!"


    "Just stop it! Why''re you not talking to her? You know she''s the Lady of this Castle, right?"


    Nadia mumbled and then said, as she placed her hand on the Dark Lord''s "she took Hunter from you".


    I''d have felt a bit jealous of how Nadia touched and cared for the Dark Lord, but from the conversations they''ve had around me, I''ve come to understand that the Dark Lord has known Nadia for a longer time, than the others. That in fact, He and Nadua grew up in the same household, after He left the Capital at age nine. And so, Nadia was protective of him, like a big sister would be.


    The Dark Lord answered "Hunter was precious to me but he, was not a coward" He continued "And if he was here right now and could speak, we both know, he''d tell us he was glad to have given up his life, while trying to protect his lady".


    Unshed tears filled my eyes and the spoon in my hand, dropped.


    He held both of Nadia''s hands with his gloved hands "I loved Hunter but he loved the task of protecting others, more".


    Nadia shook her head in tears.


    The room was now silent. No one was was talking. No one''s cutlery moved against the plate they used in eating.


    "But if she had not decided to roam about that night, Hunter won''t be dead. And you''d not be sad".


    And before the Dark Lord would answer for me, I said, "but I did, and for that, I''d always be sorry".


    "Deeply sorry" I said.


    For a long time no one spoke, and then, Ashton in his jovial style, said, "so, Nadia. Can I start talking to her, again? Without you, wanting to murder me?"


    I looked at Nadia, "you told everyone not to talk to me?" I said.


    She took a napkin and unfolded it on as she placed it on her thigh "I don''t know what you''re talking about, my lady".


    And Ashton burst into a wild laughter.


    Since then, the tension between us has ceased. But, not without me realising, tjat if I harmed the Dark Lord, she''d be the first to get on a horse and chase me down to the ends of the world, just to slay me too.


    I stood not too close to her horse, so as to avoid the water she poured on it, to bathe it.


    "What''s with the noise?" I said.


    She turned to look at me "morning, my lady".


    I chuckled "oh please, stop teasing me". Ever since the Dark Lord referred to me as, ''Lady of the Castle'', she wouldn''t let me rest.


    "We''re travelling" she said. "We return to the camp today".


    I was not sure how I felt about that information. The military camp was at the Northern border. And I''ve heard of how cold it waa there. Snow fell there. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "What about me?" I asked "would I be going too?"


    She shook her head, as she finished washing her horse, "you''ll remain here".


    "If you''re bored, walk around the castle, I''ll see you later" she said and sped off with the bowl that held the water she used in washing the horse.


    I walked towards the south side of the Castle. I''ve not walked this way since I arrived here. The path was a lot more quiet. I took a turn. And came upon the largest open space I''ve ever seen in the compound of a castle.


    I gasped.


    The space was so big. A super-large vast field. And resting upon it, was a magical creature whose legend reigned along with that of the Dark Lord, on the streets of the Capital.


    A dragon.


    A fire-breathing dragon.


    On this massive creature, the Dark Lord sat and rained down fire upon Tarko warriors when they attempted to take the Northern lands of Armalith.


    The Tarko king, a greedy fellow, always looking for more and more lands to acquire. Not by doing it nicely. But, oppressing those there and taking it forcefully.


    Well, after this dragon visited the Tarko king''s army, it''s safe to say, the king learnt his lesson. And realised no portion of Armalith could ever be for him.


    The dragon growled.


    Its mouth opening wide. I almost feared it was about to release a fireball.


    I stepped forward. Waited a while to see how it reacts. It remained silent. Beautiful fear-inspiring creature. With brown scales.


    It stared at me. Kept staring, I must say. Hypnotized by it, I couldn''t resist covering lots of steps to come closer to it.


    It moved his neck close to me. And I stroked it, grinning.


    The only living dragon.


    The only offspfing of the most Ancients. Dragons existed long long before all things, hence, unlike many things, can not be affected by sorcery.


    I touched the scales. The Dark Lord''s enemy would find it almost impossible to pierce this dragon.


    I hugged it. Already feeling myself loving this creature a lot.


    According to stories, it was born after the last true dragon Lord - the Dark Lord''s grandfather, the previous king, King Ricker.


    Either King Randall or the Dark Lord shluld''ve also gotten the Gift of a true dragon Lord, but it seemed neither did. And I was glad about that. Not that I think the Dark Lord would abuse the Gift, since I''ve come to know Him better. But I knew Randall, he''d definitely cause terror with such a Gift.


    A true dragon Lord, apart from being able to call upon a dragon (no matter where he was in the world, the dragon would hear his call), a true dragon Lord could also fly the dragon to wherever in the world he wanted - even beyond the birthplace of the dragon.


    Also, a true dragon Lord Gift made the Gifted individual heal very quickly. Cutting them would simply trigger their dragon Gift and brown scales would appear on the skin to heal and close the wound.


    That was why many believed, it was the Dark Lord who murdered King Ricker, who was found dead in his bed chambers with his skin completely toasted.


    Only an extreme injury or extremely powerful Gift, such as lightning or soul deep pain (that leaves its victims looking like they''ve been struck by lightning) could''ve killed someone like Ricker.


    And at the time Ricker died, no one with the Gift of soul-deep pain (a very uncommon Gift) was anywhere near the Capital. And so, till today, the Dark Lord remained the prime suspect.


    More so, because the people of the Capital loved King Ricker, the Dark Lord, was banished away from there.


    He might have inherited the throne, since many said the late king, Ricker loved Him more than he loved Randall, but, at the time, people were too angry, to consider a prime suspect to the murder of the king they loved, to be their next king.


    So, most likely until the Dark Lord takes the throne, He won''t return to the Capital.


    I tickled the dragon, my newest love, "what''s your name, handsome?"


    "Shalott".


    I looked back. The Prince stood behind me. Holding a basket and looking so handsome. Those alluring blue eyes of his, were really dangerous to a female''s health.


    "A female?" I said, facing Shalott.


    He moved near me. And nodded.


    Wow! Female dragons could reproduce by themselves, unlike male dragons that needed a female for reproduction to occur.


    Shalott started growling. Happy growls. The Dark Lord laughed "she knows breakfast is here" he said, laughing.


    Nice one. So, he could laugh like this. This was the first time I was seeing an iota of joy on his face, since, Hunter died.


    He removed the lid on the basket he held. And a delicious aroma wafted from it.


    Dried meat. That was why Shalott was excited.


    The Prince put a piece of meat near her jaws, and quickly, she snatched it and gobbled it up.


    Then, he held my hand, "let''s have some fun" he said, still so happy. The corners of his eyes, crinkling.


    He should smile more often.


    He took a piece of meat and threw it away from Shalott. She moved her huge body and caught it before it landed on the ground.


    Wow! "Impressive, Shalott!"


    And so, the Prince and I took turns in throwing Shalott''s food into the air or away from her. And impressively, she caught all her meals. Even, when the Prince and I threw multiple pieces at once, Shalott still caught it. Her large throat gobbling her meals.


    And from the Prince and I playing with Shalott, we started chasing each other on the field. Shalott, growling as she laughed.


    I grabbed a piece of Shalott''s meal, and threw it on the Prince''s head.


    It hit right at the centre of his forehead.


    His eyes bulged.


    Even I was shocked, did I just overstep my...?


    And then, he was laughing, running after me, I sped off. And soon, I tripped and fell to the ground, laughing. My heart feeling so light.


    He jumped on me "surrender!" He yelled, like how those little boys howlered out to their friends, as they played games, impersonating the military.


    Shalott moved near us, growled again. And I couldn''t resist laughing.


    I was joyous. So very joyous.


    Was I happy the day the Dark Lord freed me from Eleanor? If so, then, today, I was happier. Happiest!


    In six years, until Him, no one has made me this happy.


    And I feared what that meant to my heart.

 #9 Meet His Friends

    "So, you can heal people?" Ashton asked as the Dark Lord, his friends and I were seated once again in the dining hall for breakfast.


    I nodded. Guessing that perhaps the Prince told him about my Gift. Or that he was nearby, eavesdropping on the day Hunter died.


    He winked at me. Then smirked. Ashton was too pretty for his own good "only healing?" he said.


    I paused. Wanting to lie. And say, yes, I only heal. But instead, I chose to be partially truthful "I have visions too" I said "though I can''t control it".


    As the visions come to me irregularly. And quite sadly, I never see visions about anything related to me else, I''d have loved to have warned my country about Randall''s attack.


    "Visions and healing. Fantastic" Nadia said "two impressive Gifts".


    Three. I wanted to say. Three Gifts. But, kept shut. Healing and seeing visions were one part, but my most formidable Gift was, that I was a Feeder. A secret that I don''t enjoy sharing. A secret I hid from Randall and Eleanor (so, they don''t take advantage of it). And it was the secret weapon I intend to use against the Dark Lord, when his six months was up. The six months to repay him for saving me from the wraiths and from drowning. The six months deadline to save my people.


    Feeders, like sorcerers, were rare and considered to be dangerous even by their fellow Gifted. Why? We could feed on the Gifts of others. Absorbing it as our own.


    Sometimes, when we feed in excess (absorbing another Gifted''s magic in excess), it could weaken or even kill the Gifted.


    So, although, Gifteds liked to support one another, since already, non-Gifted tend to fear them, many Gifted stayed stayed far far away from Feeders.


    I looked at the green-eyed shifter. His eyes were on Nadia again. Did she know he enjoyed staring at her?


    "Forgive Brayton, my lady" Ashton joked "sometimes the way he looks at Nadia, as though he wants to eat her, makes me want to puke".


    Oh. No. Ash. I laughed inwardly.


    "If we were at the camp. And the other soldiers noticed his constant stare. They''d think he was the homosexual one here" Ash said. Since everyone besides us on this table, thought Nadia was a male.


    And I couldn''t resist laughing at Ashton''s jab.


    The striking green-eyed shifter, whom, I now knew was Brayton, picked the piece of bread on his plate and flung it at Ashton. Ashton dodged.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    "You can''t even throw properly" Ashton jested "no wonder Nadia still hasn''t picked you".


    The sip of tea Brayton had gulped, spat out of his mouth, in shock "and no wonder, no matter the number of times every homosexual male says you look good, the one man you want, won''t ever fancy you" Brayton said. Then placed his hand on his chest, as if in pain "that must hurt, Ash. Really really hu..."


    Ashton snatched his own slice of bread and threw it back at Brayton. Brayton picked another of his to throw back.


    "Oh please! Stop! Stop!" Nadia yelled.


    Both men glared at each other. For like twenty seconds. And then, burst into laughter.


    "Cederic" Nadia looked at me "he''s the one Ashton likes".


    "Oh. No. Not again" Ashton rolled his eyes.


    "She needs to know. She''s one of us now. So, we hide nothing from her".


    "And he is one of us. One of the elite personal guards" she added.


    While we talked, the Dark Lord remained calm. And quiet. I was starting to think that He wasn''t much of a talker.


    "You''re Gifted?" I said to Ashton.


    He nodded "we''re all Gifted".


    I looked round the table. Wow. A group of Gifted trusting each other and keeping one another safe. I liked that.


    "I can make several giant clones of myself" Ashton said. "Brayton is a shifter" he continued "king of shifters" he explained.


    I turned to Brayton. Looking at him with a different set of eyes. A king shifter? Wow! Shifters tended to love showcasing their Gifts, like Eleanor did. With their Gifts, that gave them superstrength, they felt like they could bully anyone, and they did, most often.


    More so, the shifters I''ve met, before you even spoke five sentences to them. They''ve already told you that they were shifters.


    A king shifter was born once in every hundred years. Their Gift could not be fed on. I may Feed on him and Transform to a wolf or another beast, but I wouldn''t gain that Gift that made him Alpha. Alpha of all beasts.


    For with a howl alone he could call every wolf / beast nearby, except a dragon of course. And most importantly, the other shifters couldn''t resist his Call. And lastly, unlike other shifters, who could only Transform to just one particular type of animal, Brayton, the king of shifters could Transform to all types of animals - both small or large animals (except a dragon).


    "Nadia" Ashton said "is a weather mage. She controls storm. And that''s our Gifts" he concluded.


    He didn''t need to add the Dark Lord''s Gift. Every soul in Armalith has heard of it.


    And then, I thought to myself. My husband, I didn''t know his name. Everyone in the Capital called him the Dark Lord. While his friends simply said, "the Prince" though I think they did that on purpose. You shouldn''t share a Prince''s name, unless, He gives you permission to.


    At that moment, Brayton whispered into the Prince''s ears. They spoke in low tones. And then, He stood up "time to go".


    To return to the military camp.


    Before He could take another step, I held his gloved hand and said, "my name is Xemein".


    His eyes moved from where our hands were joined, right up to my neck. My lips. And then, my eyes.


    "Regalis" He said. Then, a hint of a smile appeared on his cheeks "call me, Regalis".


    My heart skipped. To address Him without his title? His humility, made me want to like him more.


    And as I followed them out, to watch them mount Shalott and fly to the border. What I thought of was this. Regalis.


    He had powerful friends who loved Him.


    That meant, if I killed him in six months time, I''d be haunted for the rest of my life, by his Gifted friends.


    But, I told myself this, for Marjol, my life and the life of the man I was starting to care about, was simply nothing.

 #10 The Bride Meets The Scarred

    Early the following morning, Konstanza and I left the castle. Headed for the fabric market outside of town.


    Orabella, Konstanza''s grandmother and head maid of Regalis''s castle, had her birthday coming up soon, and Konstanza, her thirteen years old granddaughter hoped to surprise her with a gift of good quality fabric.


    "Will she like this?" Konstanza repeated for the tenth time that evening as we returned from the fabric market "I really want her to love it".


    To reassure her thirteen years old mind for the millionth time, I repeated, "what we bought is one of the best fabric I''ve ever seen".


    "So, stop overthinking" I added.


    She stopped walking. Looked at me and grinned. Displaying her gap teeth "that''s why I brought you along" she said "I knew you''d have good taste. Thank you".


    "Welcome" I responded.


    She giggled. And continued walked, "thanks too for the extra coins. I couldn''t have purchased this -" she lifted the bag containing the fabric we bought "without you. Thanks a..."


    "Yea. Yea. I''ve heard you. No need for more ''thank you'' " I said. In order to complete the payment of the fabric, which was much more expensive than the amount Konstanza had saved for Orabella''s birthday present, I pawned the gold hairpin I was wearing.


    To be honest, pawning the hairpin, was something I happily did, after all, my luggage had arrived from the Capital, and the clothes and jewelry that filled it, fully befitted the role of the noble man''s daughter, Randall hoped I play well.


    I noticed a change in the weather. I looked up. Dark clouds. Rain was on its way "let''s walk faster".


    But before we could take five more steps, the rain came down. Pouring in torrents.


    "Konstanza, hold my hand" I grabbed her left hand, while her other hand held the bag containing the fabric.


    I led her to a roof shed, where we stood beneath it. Holding her closely, l wrapped my arms round her. ''Cause with the rain, came more of the Northern cold.


    How anyone adjusted to living in a cold place all year round, was still a mystery to me.


    Konstanza started shivering. I held her more tightly. Had it been me alone, I wouldn''t have minded walking in the rain, till I reached the castle, but Konstanza was with me, and my healer mind told me, that though she was raised here in the North, her body was not one of those that''ve acclimatized to extreme cold, when it comes.


    I looked around. We were still at the outskirts of town. Where could we find shelter?


    I gazed opposite us. Noticing the lone house there for the first time. It was in a thatch-surrounded compound.


    "Whose house is that?" I said to Konstanza.


    She noticed the direction I was staring at.


    "That?" Her voice quavered ''that is a place we must never consider going into" she answered.


    I turned her around, so she could face me. I touched her forehead, she''d have fever if she doesn''t find herself near a fireplace soon, to warm her body.


    "We need to go there" I said, "this rain may not stop any time soon".


    She shook her head vehemently "can''t you see, Lady Xemein? The woman in there, has a lone house in the middle of nowhere".


    What was her point? Weren''t people allowed to live wherever they wanted?


    "She''s serving her punishment" Konstanza said.


    I took in a deep breath, crouched to her height, "how do I explain to your grandma that I let us suffer in the rain while shelter was closeby?"


    To avoid further argument, I speedily lifted her into my hands and sped towards the thatch-surrounded compound.


    As we neared, the entrance to the lone hut opened, and a woman, carrying two jars stepped out.


    As she placed her jars in the rain, to collect water, she noticed Konstanza and I entry her compound.


    Surprise filled her eyes. Like, it was strange and completely unexpected to see someone on her property.


    Then, she reacted "come in. Quickly" she said.


    Without wasting another second of thought, I followed her order, and entered her hut.


    To be candid, I wasn''t scared. ''Cause this was a small town. So, I believed there was no need to feel fear. Everyone knew one another, unlike the Capital. And I had a feeling, Konstanza knew this lady, whose home we just stepped in, and that was one of the reasons she didn''t want us to come here.


    "You need to change your clothes" the lady said as she stepped in and closed the door.


    The inside of the hut, was a lot bigger than it looked from outside. More so, it was neater in here and looked well taken care of, than how dilapitated the house had looked, when I watched it from the rain.


    "Thanks for letting us in" I said.


    "Don''t mention" she replied, with a smile.


    She walked into her room, and later returned, holding dry clothes for Konstanza and I.


    She excused us, while we undressed, and returned to take our wet clothes. Hanging them close to her fireplace.


    I noticed her face. She was a pretty woman. And though, I couldn''t tell if she was one of those stunning women, that came along with distractingly beautiful curves, as she was wearing a big loose dress and a headband, but she was one of those women with lovely smiles, that Konstanza would normally feel comfortable with.


    "I''m Ingrith" she said "are you hungry? I''ve food".


    I beamed "I''m Xemein. This is Konstanza. And no, we''re not..."


    Konstanza''s stomach rumbled. As I started to say that we didn''t need to eat.


    "Food and water for my sister, please" I said.


    Ingrith nodded and left. A few seconds later, she came back with a bowl of hot rice for Konstanza.


    "And your grandma, Konstanza, hope her health is still sound" Ingrith said.


    Konstanza''s eyes bulged with guilt, as she looked away from Ingrith, and nodded. A spoonful of food in her mouth. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "My lady" Ingrith said, "and you?"


    I started to shake my head, to say I wasn''t hungry, but Ingrith spoke up, "this rain could keep falling for hours. You need to eat something hot".


    I looked at Konstanza, eating fast, and quickly, like she didn''t eat this morning before we left the castle.


    I nodded.


    Minutes later, I was served a bowl of hot rice, and soup. Konstanza ate extra plates.


    And as we remained there, I was tempted to ask Ingrith of her family, where they were, and why they didn''t run back to her shelter, in spite of the rain, but chose to keep shut.


    We finished eating and rested, with a thick cloth covering us. We must''ve slept off, ''cause by the time my eyes opened again, rain had stopped falling and everywhere seemed darker.


    "Konstanza" I woke her gently.


    I lifted the bag of the fabric. "It''s time to leave".


    As we walked to the door of Ingrith''s hut, Ingrith followed us.


    "Thank you" I said "let me repay..." My hand dug through the silk purse attached to my waist, but then found that the coins I had left, was too small in amount, to say thank you, "I''ll definitely return to repay..."


    Ingrith smiled, "I don''t need your coins, my lady".


    "But..." I started to say. I have to thank her, in some way, for helping out Konstanza and I. If she didn''t need my coin, what could I give her in appreciation?


    Without warning, Ingrith knelt down. Right in front of me.


    I stepped back. In surprise.


    "Help me, Lady Xemein".


    Tears suddenly filled her eyes. She gripped my hands.


    "Please, stand up" I said.


    She just assisted Konstanza and I, and even if she had not, aiding her in any way possible, including giving her a lot more coins, if that was what she wanted, was really no big deal. "Please, stand up" I repeated.


    Ingrith shook her head "save me" tears rained down her cheeks.


    Konstanza moved, and stood a few feet behind Ingrith, so, Ingrith won''t see her. And she muttered, moving her lips slowly, so I could understand what she was saying. "No" Konstanza mumbled, "let''s leave. No one must see us here".


    Leave? My stare lingered on Konstanza. How could she suggest we just leave, after Ingrith helped us?


    "She''s trouble" Konstanza''s lips moved, "she''s serving out her sentence from the law".


    Oh! That was the reason she lived alone. No relative here. And no house nearby.


    Konstanza moved, dragged me away from Ingrith as she whispered in my ears "Ingrith is being punished. She was found guilty of theft".


    I turned back and looked at Ingrith, whose tear-filled eyes remained on me, from where she was still kneeling.


    I faced Konstanza "what did she steal?" I asked.


    Konstanza''s shoulders dropped "a gold heirloom necklace".


    Heirloom? In a small town like this? It doesn''t make sense. I mean, everyone here pratically knew the symbol representing a particular family, so, why steal a necklace that would show clearly that you were not its owner, when you could steal another, that could not be easily identified.


    "Who did she ''steal'' from?" I asked.


    Konstanza snorted "Lady Caterina. The Judge''s wife".


    I pondered. Stealing a heirloom? Though, heirlooms brought a lot of money when sold, but even, a six years old in a small town, knew that stealing one, was a bad idea.


    Ingrith didn''t appear to be dull. So, for the Judge''s wife, whom I think would own a lot of jewelry, being a noble. Why would Ingrith take her heirloom instead of the other jewelries, no one would ever be able to identify?


    Konstanza continued, "her punishment is to live here all alone. With no one, visting her. With the fields around her unable to produce food for her to eat. And she, being given only a small sack of grain every four months".


    And this time, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I blinked.


    Given only a small sack of grain every four months. And we had just eaten out of that small sack of grain she had. Konstanza even asked for more. Instantly, I felt like the cruelest being alive.


    With the way I often ate, the gods knew, I could finish a small sack of grain within three weeks, yet, Ingrith was to eat hers for four months.


    A complete sixteen weeks!


    How long has she lived like this?


    Even hardened criminals in dungeons were fed much more regularly than this.


    Ingrith said, "you''re the bride of the Dark Lord".


    My bride collar, which I despised, must be what gave my identity away. Also, I was with Konstanza, granddaughter of Regalis''s head maid.


    "I''ve heard whispers of your Gift from passers-by. Please aid me" Ingrith implored.


    And my hands which Ingrith had moved to hold again, were pulled away from her by Konstanza.


    "Don''t get her into trouble. She can''t help you" Konstanza said, "no one is even allowed to visit you, talk more of help you. We being here is enough trouble on its own".


    Why does Konstanza not want me to help Ingrith? Was she scared of someone?


    Then, Ingrith started bowing. Hitting her forehead continuously on the hard floor, "help me! Please help me!"


    With the way, she was hitting her head on the hard flooring, I feared her skull could crack "please stop! Stop it!"


    She persisted, battering her head "Save me! Help me!" The tears flowing down her cheeks, could almost compete with the heavy amount of rain that poured from the sky today.


    I held her head, holding her back from striking it against the floor again. And that was when I noticed the blood at the centre of her forehead.


    Did her plea for help cause this?


    Instantly, I started to loosen her headband. Ingrith tried to stop me, but my hands were faster. The headband came undone. And Ingrith put her hand on her forehead to cover the injury there.


    I frowned "put your hand away. I need to see the extent of your injury".


    Ingrith shook her head.


    The healer in me couldn''t let it go. The slightest injury, and my Gifts awakened, wanting to heal. "You want me to help you? First, I must see your head wound" I said.


    After seconds of obvious contemplation, Ingrith put her hand down slowly.


    I gasped. What''s this? What was I seeing?


    Her forehead was ''decorated'' with multiple brands (evidently from a hot metal). Each brand had words like, ''husband thief'', ''temptress''.


    "I didn''t do it" Ingrith cried. "I''ve never seduced another woman''s husband".


    I paused. Wasn''t her punishment supposed to be for theft?


    I looked at Konstanza. My eyes clearly telling her to explain what was happening here?


    I mean, on Ingrith''s head, were clear signs that she''s been repeatedly burned and branded with a red hot metal.


    Some of the brands were fully healed, but it was the one at the centre of her forehead that still looked fresh, like it had been branded on Ingrith''s forehead less than a week ago.


    "Every four months, people from Ministry of Justice, as they come to drop the sack of grain, they rebrand her forehead, reminding everyone of her crime".


    "I thought you said she stole?" I yelled. Enraged.


    "My lady. Everyone knows Lady Ingrith didn''t steal the heirloom, but, it''s Lady Caterina, the Judge''s wife. Her family is a strong ally of King Randall. No one dares offend her" Konstanza explained.


    Paused and then continued, "Lady Caterina noticed that Judge Tyrion was starting to fancy Lady Ingrith and so, framed her for theft".


    "The whole town knows the truth. Lady Ingrith served as Accounts Keeper for the town''s cloth makers for years. Not one penny ever went missing! Yet, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, she''s accused of stealing. Of course, she didn''t do it!" Konstanza said.


    I breathed in. This injustice makes me furious. Burning Ingrith''s face to punish her, for what? For the fact that Lady Caterina''s husband had straying eyes?


    So then, should every beautiful woman his stare lingers on, also have to have their face burnt?


    "Only the Prince, who doesn''t know anything about this case at all, can save her" Konstanza sighed.


    I stared at her. What a brilliant mind. King Randall obviously won''t help. But Regalis could.


    His seal could!


    The Prince''s seal!


    "But we can''t tell Him about this" Konstanza whispered "Else, the Prince would try to aid her. The last person who stood up against Lady Caterina''s family, King Randall ordered that the head of the culprit be sent to him in the Capital. So, we have to protect the Prince" she concluded.


    Konstanza. Ever protective of Regalis. She adored him the way many Gifted adored the Mother of Light.


    But one thing she failed to notice about Regalis, was that he acted as he pleased. Without fear of anyone!


    However, how could I help Ingrith without putting myself at risk? ''Cause for me to remain completely silent and impassive, after seeing this, would say a lot about me.


    I hoped to rule Marjol someday, would a good leader stay silent now?


    More tears flowed down Ingrith''s cheeks.


    I took her hand, about to console her, when I accidentally felt her pulse.


    I stared into her eyes "Ingrith" I said "you''re pregnant".


    Tearfully, she nodded.


    She was wearing a loose big dress, so it perfectly concealed her growing belly.


    How come? I thought no one was to visit her.


    A painful smile covered Ingrith''s face "I fell in love, my lady. He used to take this route to the forest to hunt, that''s how we met".


    "And where is he now?"


    Her smile left her face "gone. He fell while climbing a tree two months ago. He died instantly ".


    Her gaze pierced something in me.


    "I don''t want my child to suffer this" Ingrith pointed to her forehead.


    Her child to suffer this. What does she mean?


    "Her child will also be branded every four months when she''s born" Konstanza explained.


    I clenched my fists. How could Randall forsake his impoverished citizens to protect the bullies? I gnashed my teeth.


    For a woman''s jealousy, the life of an unborn child was already at risk.


    No wonder Ingrith was ready to break her head, just to stop me from leaving.


    I took in deep breaths. Ingrith. Was I brave enough to willingly take on her burden?


    And if I did aid her in any way, why do I fear that the life of one of my people in Marjol could pay for it?


    I looked to the skies.


    Help her or forsake her.


    Which would it be?

 #11 An Answer From The Gods

    As I sat on Regalis''s bed, after having searched his room for the thousandth time, I took in several deep breaths.


    The Prince''s seal. Where could Regalis have kept it?


    I could send a letter to the camp, asking Regalis for it, but then, he would most likely be interested in the reason I needed it. And I didn''t want to let him know the situation at hand.


    Ingrith feared Judge Tyrion and his wife. And for the fact that the Judge''s wife came from a powerful family in the Capital, with ties to Randall, was enough to make Ingrith plead with me to resolve this matter quietly.


    And now, that I thought of it, there was wisdom in her fear. In six months time, I won''t be here. If I handled this matter in a way that would publicly offend or disgrace the Judge and his wife, they could later take it out on Ingrith and her loved ones again, this time, in a worse way.


    Where could this seal be? I looked round the colossal ritzy room.


    The seal would''ve the symbol of a dragon, denoting the royal family of Armalith, so, where was it?


    Could Regalis have it on him? And perhaps, always travelling with it?


    I shook my head. Regalis didn''t seem the type to be fixated on carrying something that would always announce that he was a royal.


    As I sat there pondering, the rest of my coversation with Ingrith on that fateful day, raced through my mind.


    "My baby will be coming soon. In a few months. She won''t survive, if all we can both live on, is a sack of grain.


    I need good meals. So, please help me with my fields. Make them able to bear food. The river behind the house, please heal it. Let it flow again. So that my child and I may have constant food and water as she grows up".


    I looked at the land in her compound. Nothing grew on it. Even the fields right outside her home. The plants on them were completely withered.


    Konstanza tiptoed, whispering "my lady, this land around her house can''t be healed. Several Gifted healers have tried to heal it in the past but nothing worked. That''s why here, is a perfect place to punish one who breaks the law".


    But, she didn''t break the law. She was being bullied! If Ingrith also came from a powerful family, loyal to Randall, could the Judge''s wife have had the courage to treat her this same way? I hissed.


    I felt Ingrith''s pulse once again. Being a Gifted healer heightened my medical skills.


    Her pulse was irregular. The beat of her heart, and that of her baby''s showed signs of trouble.


    They were not feeding well. Not drinking enough water. Not eating fruits.


    I touched her belly. It was good she''d feared for the baby in her womb. ''Cause if she had not, and chosen to remain here like this, she''d have miscarried in a few days. All from lack of proper nutrition.


    I placed my right hand on her belly, the left, on her forehead, as I sent healing weaves to both her and her foetus.


    Be healed. The scars on her forehead cleared. And the fresh wound, disappeared like she had not recently had contact with a branding iron.


    Obtain strength to live. Be healed. My hand remained on her belly. After a few seconds, I removed it.


    And as soon as I did, I almost fell. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    "Lady Xemein!" Konstanza held me.


    "I''m fine. I''m fine" I replied.


    The healing I just did, on her unborn child, put a strain on me.


    I smiled at Ingrith. She and her baby didn''t deserve to die for a ''crime'' that they didn''t even commit.


    "I''ll be here again tomorrow" I promised, as Konstanza and I left her home.


    My duty may not be to Ingrith, and her child. Nor to anyone in the North of Armalith, however, what doesn''t change is this. Ingrith was a human being. A pregnant human! And for that reason alone, I shouldn''t even contemplate turning my back on her.


    I only hoped this issue won''t in anyway involve Randall.


    I stood up from Regalis''s bed. Looked round the room once again. Where could his seal be?


    The next morning after I left Ingrith''s place, Konstanza and I returned, carrying baskets of seeds we intended to grow.


    On her field once again, I gazed at the withered plants there, she attempted to cultivate.


    Was it that this land here was naturally not fertile? Or was it magic?


    "My lady. No crop has been able to survive on these fields for eight years now" Konstanza said "many healers and Gifted farmers have tried, all to no avail".


    Will I be able to help Ingrith? The thought sped through me.


    Several healers and Gifted farmers, from both the North and South, tried to heal here, before Ingrith ever came here, yet their magic made no difference to the fields.


    However, what I chose to put my faith on, was that I was not just a healer, but also a Feeder. We were rare. So, I wasn''t surprised, that no one considered calling a Feeder to help with this land.


    Over the next few days, I quietly Fed on the barrier magic surrounding the air and soil of the field. Although, it took me hours, absorbing every unnecessary magic I felt in the environs. I believed it was worth it. Results came from tireless efforts.


    Afterwards, I touched every portion of the land. Willing it to be healed. Ingrith desperately needed this, for her and her young to survive.


    Days after ploughing, the seeds were planted.


    And the portion of the land, where a stream once flowed, I touched with my healing hands too.


    And so, the wait began.


    To see if I''d find the seal.


    To see if the plants would grow.


    To see if the stream would begin to flow normally again, once rain fell once more.


    "My lady, think not of it, you''ve tried your best. Not every plan can succeed" Orabella, Konstanza''s grandmother said, days after her birthday, and I still had not found the seal. Nor seen the portion of the land that used to be a river, show sign that it could ''hold'' even a jar of water.


    Hence, I doubted my Gift. Several times. Doubted it was what, could help Ingrith.


    But, I chose not to focus on it. And instead, think of the goal. The survival of Ingrith and her child.


    If the Judge''s wife hated Ingrith that badly, then, she''d live at the outskirts of town, but, she must not live there, starving away slowly, with a babe at her breast.


    For the fields, I could say I''ve done everything I could possibly do as a mortal. Now, the rest was up to the favour of the gods. Will they smile upon us or choose to resist my magic?


    Each morning, Konstanza set out to Ingrith''s land to check if the plants had started to grow. While I continued searching every nook and cranny of Regalis''s massive room for the Prince''s seal.


    And each day, from Konstanza and Orabella, the same news returned. No growth. No progress.


    And from my side, the news was, no seal. No end in sight for the branding of Ingrith and her loved ones.


    My spirits plummeted.


    And so, on the eighteenth day, after a night of thunder and storm, and heavy rainfall, (a night which I spent, thoroughly searching for the seal. This time in the rooms Regalis''s closest friends used. I found the seal, in Ashton''s room! Hidden in a safe box, buried under the flooring).


    I screamed!


    And screamed!


    One would have thought it was me who would no longer be branded.


    "Yes!" With this, I could write a letter to the Ministry of Justice, ordering them to desist from practising the old law of branding, else, I visit them, with the full wrath of my infamous lightning Gift.


    Haha! I laughed. Wow! It paid, having a husband who was feared.


    With the stamp of Regalis''s seal on the letter, it was as good as the Dark Lord, standing in front of them to yell ''stop this! Or I destroy you!"


    And then, I dozed off. Peacefully. For the first time in weeks. For on my watch, no four months old baby was brutally branded with a scalding iron.


    Exhausted. I felt my eyelids close.


    My Feeder Gift may not save the land around Ingrith''s home, but at least, with the little power this marriage has brought me, I changed at least one thing!


    I grinned. Slowly drifting off.


    And I could not possibly have lay in my bed for an hour, when I was roused from sleep with heavy knocks banging on my door.


    "My lady! My lady!"


    Who is that, banging this incessantly on my door early this morning?


    I opened the door, to reprimand the intruder. And give him or her, a piece of my mind, when I received the best news that filled the dry wells of my Gifted soul.


    "My lady! My lady!" Konstanza screamed.


    "Ingrith''s plants are growing!"


    "And for the first time in eight summers, the river behind her home now flows!"

 #12 Death by a Thousand Burns

    Overnight, I became a sensation in the Northern towns.


    In the past, when I walked on the streets, I noticed the love I received. After all, I was the bride of the Prince who rode his dragon and burnt down the Tarko army that tried to claim their lands.


    However, now, it seemed I was even more well loved. And respected. Ever since, the news of Ingrith, broke out.


    The Northern Ministry of Justice wrote an order ending the continuous branding of Ingrith and her relatives.


    More so, now, when anyone passed Ingrith''s home, on their way to the fabrics or meat market, they could all see the abundant food crops and fruits blooming in her compound. And also hear the sound of the stream behind it, flowing.


    After the first seedlings sprouted out of the ground in Ingrith''s compound, I invited a Gifted farmer. And within a week, Ingrith started harvesting fruits and other vegetables, as the farmer''s Gift quickened the growth of the seedlings.


    And so now, it pleased me, that though I didn''t bring Ingrith back into the town, yet, at the outskirts of town where she was, she had more than enough food to feed herself and the growing child in her womb.


    I giggled. Reading the note of thanks, that accompanied the jar of wine, Ingrith''s old parents sent me. How sad they must have been all these years, to know their daughter was suffering, but yet, was prohibited from giving her a helping hand.


    I shook my head. Some humans, posing as law makers and law enforcers, were even more cruel than wild beasts.


    "Should I take the jar into the castle?" Konstanza asked, holding the jar of wine from Ingrith''s parents, which Ingrith''s cousin just delivered to me, while Konstanza and I stood outside the castle gates.


    I nodded. "Why not? Take it to..." I paused. As I saw a boy of five, standing a few feet away from Konstanza, with an injury on his knee. It was a big wound. Did he fall? He had to be hurting right now.


    Konstanza noticed where I was looking. She turned. Gasped. "Come here, Jamie" Konstanza said.


    However, the injured five years old boy, Konstanza called ''Jamie'' sped off.


    "You know him, right?" I asked Konstanza.


    She nodded.


    "Hurry! Drop the jar of wine in the castle, and return. We must follow him" I said.


    My healing Gift rising in me. Wanting to aid him.


    I followed Jamie. "Jamie" I called.


    He kept on running.


    "Jamie!"


    "You''re hurt. Let me help you".


    His speed did not decrease.


    Soon, Konstanza returned to my side. Breathing heavily. She had been running to catch up with me.


    "Lady Xemein. People rarely take this path. Why would Jamie come..." She noticed the building Jamie was entry "Jamie!"


    I started to follow him, she held my hand back "we shouldn''t enter there, my lady" Konstanza said.


    If a five year old could enter this creepy-looking building, that filled me with chills, why should I stand, out here afraid to go in?


    "It''s the torture centre for criminals, when they''re being questioned" Konstanza explained "I''ve heard the tools of torture there are extreme".


    I took in a deep breath to ponder. The sun was setting. And soon, everywhere would be dark. Should we go back and call several other persons, before going into the building?


    I turned back, "let''s go and call..."


    "Hahhh!!!" A loud cry came from the old building.


    "Jamie!" Konstanza''s eyes teemed with terror. "Is he in trouble?" She started racing to the building.


    The Northern kids all grew up together, so, it was no surprise that Konstanza would want to dash towards danger, without fully knowing what was ahead of her.


    I pulled her back. "Where do you think you''re going?"


    "Jamie, he gets scared easily. The last time I frightened him, he passed out. So, what if he just fainted in a place like that?" She said, pointing at the old structure.


    I held her hands. I was terrified too. But, at this second, we had to be reasonable.


    "I''ll go in" I said. "Alone" I added.


    "No, my..."


    "We need not argue. Jamie is in danger. You''ll stay out here. If I don''t return, call..."


    "I should be the one going in, my lady. You don''t even know..."


    Know Jamie? That didn''t matter. All lives were important. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    I didn''t waste another second, thinking. I sped towards the building. My heart galloping within my chest.


    Why did he scream?


    Was he in danger?


    Who or what could''ve attacked the boy?


    I entered the building "Jamie".


    I moved down the staircase.


    Everywhere was dark. Chills ran down my backbone.


    Why did a boy of five ever choose to run into this kind of place?


    "Jamie".


    I had not walked up to another five steps, when I heard chains falling.


    Instinctively, I tried to dodge. But before I could even react or move a few feet away, the iron chains encompassed me!


    Circled round my waist, my arms and my legs.


    What''s happening!


    Is this a trap? Or a mechanism, I stepped on, used to hold criminals?


    The fire torches in the room suddenly came alight.


    "Lady Caterina, a present for you" the voice of an adult male spoke.


    Lady Caterina. The Judge''s wife?


    On a seat across from where I stood, chained, sat a heavily made up woman. Her neck, beaming with the emerald necklace sitting on it. Behind her, stood five huge men. Her guards.


    If this was Lady Caterina, then, I''d be a fool to think, that it was a coincidence that she and I, suddenly happened to be in the same room.


    The bitch led me here.


    She must''ve seen the growth of crops in Ingrith''s compound, and was here to scold me.


    Well, she might as well, get on with spouting the words in her heart, ''cause, so far as Ingrith and her child were safe, I didn''t mind being called names.


    She stood up. Walked across the room. Passing one of her guards who held someone whose face was covered with a sack. And also passing a pool of dark-green water at the centre of the room.


    She stopped in front of me.


    I looked away. If both of my arms weren''t bound by chains, from opposite ends, I''d most likely be the first to show this woman how callous humans could be. Perhaps, pulling her long dangling earring would do the trick.


    "Who do you think you''re?" She said.


    Xemein! Proud defender of the weak. Daughter and rightful heir to the throne of Marjol, were the words I wished I could throw at her.


    I continued looking away. Staring into the distance. As if, I was yet to notice that anyone of importance was standing in front of me, talk more, of even asking me a question.


    "Answer me!" She lashed out.


    Her voice, echoing in the quiet cell.


    She grasped my chin. Her fingers, digging into my face.


    Anger, burning in each word she roared next, "who do you think you''re to defile my order?"


    Order to let a pregnant woman starve to death? Order to pretend I didn''t see another human in pain? Order? What order!


    "Answer!" She thundered.


    "No matter how fierce, dogs bark. They''re still animals" I muttered.


    And her face and eyes seemed to swell with rage.


    Oh...was she offended, because of my mean words? It seemed being the Prime Minister''s niece made people afraid to send a few mean words her way.


    She glowered at me, her face still swelling. My neck, rose in pride. What could she do?


    And the next second, the worst slap I''ve ever received landed on my cheek! Gboom.


    My jaws shook.


    Mother of Light!


    Will my left eardrum ever function again, after this earth-shattering slap?


    I glared at her.


    "Perhaps, you think because of the family you come from, you could challenge me" She fired "let me correct you, the power of your family is nothing compared to mine" she said.


    Like I cared about the status of Nobleman Edgar''s family.


    She stepped away from me. Looked at me again. Fire could almost be seen, sprouting from her pair of light-colored eyes "did you honestly think, no one would know it was you, who used the Prince''s seal?"


    Shock, must''ve enveloped my face. As she burst into laughter. Laughed some more. Paused. And then, continued laughing.


    "Since the Dark Lord moved to the North, never for once has he used his seal, because his focus is on the military.


    And now, days after you visited Ingrith. Out of nowhere, a letter appears with His seal on it.


    So, tell me, how I wouldn''t suspect it''s the handiwork of the Prince''s bride?" She smirked.


    Clapping her hands. And applauding her ingenuity.


    "But then, somehow, you healed Ingrith''s lands. How did you do it?" She said.


    I kept quiet. You didn''t tell maniacs like this, that you were a Feeder.


    "Apologize" She said. "Vow to never interfere in my matters. And I might forgive you".


    It was my turn to laugh. I giggled. Is this woman, one of those funny storytellers, that the ''real'' Lady Caterina sent to impersonate her?


    "You won''t submit, I see. Now, watch this" She signalled to the guard holding the person whose face was covered with a sack.


    The sack was lifted.


    And what my eyes beheld, made me shriek. "Hah!!!"


    The man the guard held, was the Gifted farmer I called, to assist with Ingrith''s land, after the first seedlings sprouted.


    And now, he was dead. His throat, slashed.


    "Hah!" My heart tore. This was a youth, in his late teenage years, she just murdered.


    "I promised that whomever aided that bitch, won''t have a corpse for his loved ones to bury" Caterina said.


    And before, I could say another word, the Gifted farmer''s standing corpse, was pushed into the pool of dark-green water.


    Instantly, the flesh-eating worms in the pool covered the body.


    I howled. Closed my eyes. And fell on my knees.


    What just happened? My heart panted. What just happened?


    This lady killed a young talented man, and had his body destroyed. No corpse for his loved ones to bury. No body for his grandparents and parents to say goodbye to.


    I stood up. Pulled hard against my chains "you cruel bitch!"


    "You, foul demon from the pits of damnation!"


    First! She was comfortable, letting her pride and jealousy control her enough, to order that an unborn child, once born, be branded constantly like its mother. And now, she was doing this?


    Where was the justice that was supposed to govern this world? She killed a young adult, fully knowing that she will get away with the murder.


    My cardiac muscles throbbed with pain.


    One of her guards moved. And lifted a branding iron, I had not noticed, was in the fireplace.


    Holding it with a tong, he moved towards me.


    I looked at Lady Caterina "you can''t do this! I am the bride..."


    "Of the Dark Lord?" She sniggered.


    "Why do you think I have the courage to be here?" She cackled.


    "We all know the truth. He has no interest in you. I mean, what kind of man abandons his new bride to go to a military camp?"


    "A man who is totally uninterested in you" she said.


    "And if he cared a bit about you. You wouldn''t have had to steal his seal behind his back. You would simply have asked him to handle this matter. And he''d have come personally. As a favour to his woman".


    She paced for a few seconds "If I don''t teach you a lesson tonight! You''d always want to interfere in my matters!" her voice, ringing out of her gullet, like a peal of thunder.


    "And I''d never let it!" She screeched.


    "Jamie?" I asked, "is he safe?" Even though, she used him as ''bait'' to lead me here, I had to be certain he was alright.


    "He is one of the Dark Lord''s rescuees, I dare not harm him" she said.


    Rescuee. Whom the Dark Lord saved from slavers.


    I nodded. Clenching my chin. As I braved myself for the worst.


    Does Regalis care even a bit about me? The thought, could not but cross my mind. And though, I didn''t seek his help directly in this matter, but would he care at all if I got hurt?


    He probably won''t.


    And that response hurt, even though I wished it didn''t.


    Caterina''s eyes moved to the guard, holding the red hot branding iron. And her voice rose. Uttering the words, that would forever scar my physical appearance "you may proceed!"


    And the next scream, I heard that night. Was not that of a child. But, my own.


    My own pathetic screams. Filled with panic. Horror. And excruciating torment.


    And along with it, came the sore sick stench, of my burning flesh.

 #13 Knights in Shining Armour

    What made me open my eyes, on that extremely cold night, was the noise of an angry growl. Gooh!


    The skies rumbled.


    The loud fear-inspiring growl of a dragon ringing in my ears, as the din of ferocious lightning followed it.


    I was in an enclosed place. Yet, I could still tell that this lightning that seemed to want to tear apart the skies, wasn''t natural. It was man-made. The work of an extraordinarily powerful Gifted!


    "The Dark Lord!"


    "The Dark Lord!" One of Caterina''s guards stormed into the cell. Juddering, with sweat all over him. At a glance, one would think he had just run thousands of miles to reach here. He breathed heavily. "He''s here!"


    "He''s here!" The guard repeated, panting.


    Everyone in the room, took a step back. In obvious dread. Their display of fear, worse than when a person hears a mountain lion was headed their way.


    "I thought you said, He''d never come to save her!"


    "You were certain He would never leave the camp for her!" Judge Tyrion, Caterina''s husband yelled with fright.


    The panic, that infused every of his facial pore was a kind I''ve never seen before.


    He started stuttering. He and every guard in the room "..." . Words unable to leave their once-chatty mouths.


    Judge Tyrion accompanied his wife, tonight. And for the last hours I''ve been the butt of their joke.


    As Caterina boasted of how she easily trapped me, using my healing Gift against me. "Create an injury, and any Gifted healer, would walk towards it, to try heal it" she said, laughing.


    While her husband responded, speaking to me, "such a shame that if this branding iron wound, was on others, you could heal it with just a touch. But now, on your own body, your healing Gift can''t even help you".


    "What a waste"  he said.


    "I''d rather not even have a Gift. Than have a Gift, that help others, but can''t help me" Caterina said. Her husband nodding along.


    "I won''t help anyone with it, since it can''t help me" Tyrion concluded.


    I hissed. Recalling a few memories from the last hours.


    As a couple, Caterina and Judge Tyrion really fit. I won''t help anyone with it, since it can''t help me. They were truly the most selfish persons I''ve ever come across! Either in Armalith or beyond it.


    They were the kind of couple to tear down the only bridge left to cross a river, simply because they had crossed, and the bridge no longer served a purpose for them.


    They''d tear the bridge down, without care for the others who still also wanted to cross the vast river.


    "It can''t be" Caterina mumbled, she faced Tyrion, a fine-looking man in his forties. No wonder she was set on making an example of any female that his stare lingers on.


    "The Prince never leaves the camp at this time of the year".


    When soldiers were being trained.


    "It''s not possible" Caterina added. Faced her guard that ran into the cell "did you see the Dark Lord with your own eyes? Because if it''s just the lightning, it could be a natural..."


    Her words ceased as the building shook. Gboom. Gboom. Like heavy bolts of thunder just struck it.


    And along with that, came footsteps.


    Fury-laden footsteps. Shaking the building, the exact way, fierce lightning caused violent tremblings in the skies.


    How could one single man be this powerful? Because of the last times I saw Him - laughing, being quiet and unable to end Hunter, I almost forgot how hazardous his Gift was!


    "The Prince must''ve entered the building!" Judge Tyrion yelped "release her!" he cried.


    The guards ran to the device controlling the chains.


    I was chained upside down. With my feet in the air, and my head, facing the worm-infested pool.


    Few metres above the pool, was where I was.


    "Now!" Tyrion fired.


    The guards turned the device to the left. And started sprinting out of the cell. Through a stone door there, I did not notice earlier.


    If I had not witnessed the race for their lives, I''d not have believed it. That someone without the Gift of speed, could run as fast as Caterina, her guards and her husband, just did. They fled, like they were escaping, last minute, from a house on fire.


    And if I did not feel so weak, from my injury and arid throat, I''d have laughed so loudly. My laughter, accompanying them, all the way to their home.


    And then, I noticed something.


    The chains weren''t moving me away from the centre of the pool.


    It was lowering me. Closer to the pool!


    The guards may have meant to release me. But, their fear did not make them take note of which direction they turned the device.


    I yowled. My heart, doubling its beat "help!"


    No one was in the room with me. I''d die a slow miserable death, if I fall into this pool. "Help!"


    And then, the chains seemed to be lowering faster than earlier. Moving me closer, and closer to the surface of the pool.


    "Help!"


    "Help!"


    I don''t want to die now. Stolen novel; please report.


    I have to save Marjol!


    My brother. My parents. My people!


    The beat of my heart tripled. Sounding in my ears.


    "Please!!!"


    At that second, a strong net encased me.


    And I was pulled in the direction of the bare floor. Away from the pool!


    I just escaped death! My dry throat, taking in breaths. It felt unbelievable. My escape.


    And then, the net was removed from my body. And my long hair, covering my face, was moved.


    And right there, staring into my eyes, was Regalis!


    He came for me.


    Left his camp for me.


    And saved my life again!


    Would I be disloyal to my parents and loved ones, if I said, I was so happy to see him?


    His eyes moved from my face to my shoulder, where my cloth was torn, and displaying the fresh burn on my skin.


    His countenance changed. From expressionless to fury and pain.


    "Konstanza told me, she heard your screams. But, I could never have guessed, that this was how much you suffered" he said softly.


    My branding-iron wound, looking so red and angry.


    He patted my hair "silly girl".


    "You should''ve just lied that you would keep quiet, next time, she hurts any other person" he said.


    Why would I tell Caterina that? When if I could, I would''ve told the world what Randall did to Marjol, so the world could fight him, in unison with me.


    But then, I didn''t trust the world. They may just choose to keep quiet, in spite of the pain, their next door neighbour is going through.


    Hence, why should I lie, that I will take the path of silence, when I despised it?


    "Konstanza saw everything. She was snooping through the window" he said.


    He removed the chains on me, "when my father decreed this marriage, I could never have known he was sending a brave woman my way. A warrior woman, who fights for others, fights for what she believes in, even at the risk of her life".


    "And beauty" he added. Looking at my burn.


    "What is beauty? It fades with time" I responded "Pretty faces get old. Nice bodies will change. But a..."


    "Good person will always be a good person" Regalis completed the popular adage.


    "So, you care not that you now have a permanent scar on you?" he asked.


    I grinned. Giving him my honest reply, "so far as Ingrith and her young are safe. I''m satisfied".


    Confusion flickered in his eyes. Like he was both surprised and astounded by my answer.


    "Never have I met a woman who didn''t value her looks, like it was the most precious thing ever" he said.


    I tried to laugh but my dry throat, hurt.


    "Except Nadia" he said.


    "And now, you" he added. As though he was seeing me for the first time. Seeing me with a brighter light than he used to.


    The way he said ''and now, you''. The words came, accompanied with a tremendous level of awe and admiration in his tone.


    "You are right. The lives of others is more important. Beauty is not everything" he said.


    I chuckled quietly. Of course, someone who looked like Regalis, saying beauty wasn''t everything.


    When with his enthralling eyes alone, Caterina would''ve been too enchanted to look away, talk more, of hurting a strand of hair on his skin. And as for beauty fading for most people at old age, I had no doubt his looks will be one of those that will age like fine wine.


    "I know what you''re thinking" he said.


    I laughed. My gullet hurt. "I''m sorry" I said.


    His gloved hand touched my cheek "I''m the one who should be sorry. I let the world think, you didn''t belong by my side. Never again" he vowed.


    Lifted me into his arms. Whispering, like he was ashamed, profoundly and immersely sorry. "I wanted to run away from you. Flee from what I was starting to feel for you. So, I fled to the camp".


    His eyes stared deeply into mine. As though he wanted me to gaze back and see his soul. To feel the sincerity that came with his heartfelt words.


    "No more, will I leave your side. No more" he swore.


    He marched out of the cell. Walked through the hallways of the torture centre, until we stepped out.


    And what I saw first, was Tyrion, Caterina and their guards, fleeing.


    After everything they did to Ingrith, me and whoever else they''ve used their status to oppress, I couldn''t believe, all they''d get from this night, is a few sweat drops on their foreheads, from escaping for their lives.


    Without warning, Nadia stepped out. Blocking their path. Orabella, Konstanza''s grandma stood behind Nadia, holding a fire torch. And with it, I saw a lot more clearly.


    Nadia, in her military uniform. Shallot, resting feet away.


    Nadia looked at Tyrion, and then, Caterina and the guards. She grinned, "where are we running off to?" As the Judge and his men cringed backwards.


    Caterina pulled Tyrion''s hand "take a stand, guards! We can fight him" Caterina said, talking about Nadia.


    The guards pulled out their swords, swung it. Ready to fight Nadia.


    I wished my cheeks had the strength to cackle. These five guards would never believe that the person they were about to challenge, was a woman.


    "First person who moves against me, dies" Nadia told them.


    "Second person, gets you all killed" She said.


    The guards cringed once more. Looked at Nadia from head to toe, and dropped their swords. Though they were five in number, the possibility of them, being able to defeat a Gifted serving in the military, was highly unlikely.


    "Good choice" Nadia moved her hand and the storm magic she wielded, came like a strong breeze, and tore off the lid on the excrement pit of the building.


    The foul odour from the pit was disastrous. It had to be where the faeces of criminals was disposed, when they were in the torture centre.


    "Jump" Nadia said.


    What? She wants them to jump into a pit, full of both fresh and decomposing excrement?


    "Jump" Nadia repeated. Taking steps closer to them. The wind twirling round her.


    Well, I guess the excrement pit wasn''t even as cruel as the pool of flesh-eating worms, they threw the Gifted farmer''s body into.


    One of the guards obviously knowing that worse could befall them, jumped into the pit. And another guard followed. And another.


    Tyrion was the last to jump, after Caterina tried to hold him back.


    And so, the only person left now, was Caterina. And her heavily madeup face.


    "I can not jump in there" Caterina said, and looked down the pit. No doubt, beholding the extensive meal of faeces that awaited her in there. "I won''t!"


    The guts of this woman!


    "My father is a Minister in the Capital! Appointed by King Randall himself. My uncle, is the Minister of Ministers. My brother, Governor of the Midlands!"


    What a powerful family. No wonder she could act as she pleased. ''Cause normally, in Armalith, men were the ones you hear, enforcing laws.


    "You can''t do anything to me" Caterina''s voice rose "if you hurt me..."


    "King Randall will have my head" Nadia completed.


    "It''s good you know" Caterina boasted.


    So, all in all, till now, Caterina still wasn''t even remorseful. If she couldn''t jump, why not own up to her mistakes? Like, was her heart so hardened that she could never be sorry for her actions?


    Since I met Ingrith, I''ve been able to hear from Konstanza and Orabella, some of the things Caterina has done.


    She blinded a fellow woman for wearing the same fabric with her. Ordered that the tongue of her servant be cut out, for serving her meal late. She felt he served her food late, because he spent more time talking, instead of cooking.


    And on another female servant, who dared to wear makeup around Judge Tyrion, Caterina had the servant''s face, mutilated with a blade! Also, chopping off that same servant''s ears!


    Nadia nodded "then, so that one day, I won''t wake up in the camp to receive an Imperial order, that my head, be sent to the Capital, I''ve to handle you another way" Nadia said.


    She tapped her chin "what can King Randall not kill?" Nadia said, pretending to think.


    She looked at Regalis "such a shame that the Dark Lord doesn''t kill women".


    The next second, I felt her storm magic. Starting to rise. "What can twenty of King Randall not kill?"


    A dragon. I thought.


    "Nothing! There is nothing King Randall cannot..." Caterina didn''t get to finish her statement. As she was lifted from her feet on the ground. And put in the air!


    Her body swerving around in the breeze, like a common tomato leaf. You would have thought, she weighed nothing!


    This time, for the wind to do as she willed. Nadia did not move her hands. They remained folded across her chest. Proving that her ability to control her weather Gift had to be intensely powerful.


    With the direction, the wind moved Caterina, she must have guessed Nadia''s intentions, as she started wailing, "General! I''ll enter the pool of faeces!"


    "Please General! I''ll enter there".


    "I only wanted to teach the Prince''s bride a lesson!"


    A lesson? Then, what of Ingrith? And her baby? Or the Gifted farmer she slayed? Was she just toying with them too?


    The wind stopped blowing. But not before dropping Caterina at Shalott''s feet.


    "So, Shalott, what do we do to a cruel woman who hurt not just the bride of your master, but also many others?" Nadia said.


    Shalott growled. Her jaws, spreading wide. Like she was angry. Furious, even.


    Caterina who had moved beneath Shalott''s neck, tried to stand up and flee.


    However, Shalott was faster!


    And her heavy limb landed on Caterina. Gbooooooom.


    The sound of bones cracking, shattering and pulverizing, was one I would never forget. Even, in my declining years.


    An oppressor, crushed to death.

 #14 The Untamed Ones

    My eyes opened slowly.


    And when I did look around. I realised I was no longer chained to the walls of a dungeon. No longer in a dirty outfit, feeling like every pore and cell of my skin was clogged with dirt.


    Now, I felt fresh, like I had just taken a warm bath. And I was in neat clothes.


    I sat up. My shoulder hurt. I touched it. It was bandaged.


    Where am I?


    Who treated me?


    Who changed my clothes?


    As I started to panic, I perceived the rich aroma of food. And the door of the room I was in, opened.


    Instinctively, I moved back.


    But then, watched as Regalis stepped through the door. Carrying a tray of food, he dropped on a table in front of me.


    Gently, he helped me sit properly, mindful of my shoulder. He opened the lids of the ceramic plates, to a delicious-looking mouthwatering meal.


    "You can cook" I said.


    "If you want me to" He grinned. His eyes boring into mine.


    I looked away. Feeling uncomfortable. The intense stare of Regalis''s blue eyes, and how kind I''ve come to realise he was, could put my heart in so much trouble.


    I lifted the spoon and took a spoonful of the food he prepared. I breathed in. Delicious. As I recalled the final events from the last night I was awake...


    As we left the torture centre, Regalis carrying me in his arms. He strode to the excrement pit where Tyrion and his guards were and he said, "when anyone ask, what befell the Prime Minister''s niece, tell them, the Dark Lord''s wrath paid a visit".


    And as we mounted Shalott to leave, Nadia said, "come on, Regalis. You think you''ve to protect me, for killing that bitch?"


    "Caterina comes from a prominent family. Her death could cause the country''s Ministers to want to file a petition for your head but none, would dare boldly petition for my death".


    "But then, those Ministers would become your enemy" she said.


    He gazed at her "what''s one or two more enemies to the long list I already have, so far as you''re safe".


    The words touched my heart. He was a loyal friend. Faithful to the core. Loved animals. And now, could cook too.


    He patted my wounded shoulder. Then, my cheeks softly "keep eating. You need your strength back".


    I looked at him. And then, chose to continue eating. Slowly recollecting, that it was Nadia who assisted me with my bath. I must''ve passed out after that, ''cause I don''t remember any other detail.


    "Nadia" I said "where''s she?"


    "Gone" Regalis answered "she left to pay for the ointment and bandage, the unGifted healer sold to her for your injury".


    I nodded. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable. As Regalis and I have never been completely alone together. And now, we were. It was in a very quiet place.


    To fill the silence, I said, "I thought you are always needed at the camp".


    He laughed. "If they can''t survive without me for a few days, then, I''d have to demote all my Generals" he said.


    I inclined my head in agreement. "Nonetheless, we could''ve just gone there. You must''ve a fixed schedule and goal for this training period, I don''t want to be the one who hinders..."


    He interrupted, "I don''t want my soldiers meeting you for the first time, when you aren''t at your best".


    He was right. Soldiers and their way of thinking. They tended to disregard and disrespect women. After all, that was why, Nadia has to pose as a man, before she could serve in the military. And now, that I''m pondering on it. My first time in front of them, shouldn''t be the way I looked when I left those dungeon cells. Weak. And broken.


    "Thank you" I said "for the food. And for taking care of me". While I was unconscious.


    "Mn"


    "Nadia helped a lot too" he said.


    A lock of hair on my face, he helped move to behind my ear. And his touch lingered. My over-sensitive ear sending ''strange'' feelings down my body.  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    I dropped my spoon.


    And his hand which was on my skin, lifted.


    I felt all the hair on my back rise.


    His bare hand?!


    He has been touching me with his bare hand!


    I stiffened. "Your bare..." I could not complete the words. He must''ve discovered my secret. His bare hand touched me, and I survived! Still sitting in front of him, hale and hearty.


    I started gasping.


    He gripped my arms, looked me in the eye "gosh, Xemein.  I''d never do that to you".


    "Never hurt you on purpose" he said.


    And I wanted to tell him, that it wasn''t fear  of his Gift that had me shuddering, it was the fact that he has discovered that I was a Feeder. That I could absorb the touch of his lightning Gift, without being electrocuted, yet, did not tell him.


    "We are in a magicless land" he said "our Gifts aren''t active. That''s why I can let my bare hands touch you" he explained.


    I almost breathed a sigh of relief, but then, recalled our last terrible experience with wraiths in a magic-deprived land, I said, "and wraiths?"


    He shook his head "no. Not with Shalott nearby" he said.


    Wraiths. Or any creature related to sorcery, stayed as far away as possible from a dragon.


    Just as our Gifts stopped working around sorcery. The powers of creatures of sorcery also ceased working around the most ancient beings.


    And then, I asked a question that had often crossed my mind, since I met Shalott.


    "How did you get Shalott?" I asked. No one simply just stumbles upon a dragon egg.


    "My grandpa" he said.


    "Wow" I responded "he was the last true dragon Lord, wasn''t he?" Last to have the ability to call a dragon to come from wherever in the world it was.


    Regalis nodded. "When I was six. He gave me the egg". Paused and then continued, "the dragon egg was in my family for generations, since the first true dragon Lord married into our family. My grandpa said, his father told him, the egg was to be passed through every generation and that it''ll hatch in the hands of the true dragon Lord, prophesied to defeat the winds of eternal darkness".


    "The egg hatched in your hands" I stated.


    "Like my grandpa said, would happen".


    "But you don''t have the true dragon Lord Gift" I said.


    To defeat the winds of eternal darkness.  I thought. I''ve heard the prophecy, containing those words in the past.


    Instead of dwelling on it, my mind instead noticed a new burn on my skin. Like someone has been staring at me for long. I gulped down the water in my mouth, and slowly, looked at Regalis.


    He smiled winningly, "you''re beautiful" he said "very beautiful".


    His words struck my heart.


    "Tell me something, I''m yet to know about you" he said, gazing into my eyes.


    Does he do this on purpose? Staring so deeply. Like he wanted to know how far my responses to him, came from deep inside of me.


    I paused. Thinking, whether or not, to be sincere. At last, I replied, "besides, aiding the ill with my Gift, I enjoy dancing".


    He froze. Like he was so surprised to hear that I could dance "really?"


    I squinted. "Do you think me incapable of doing so?" I said, suddenly feeling challenged.


    He beamed "and what if I am questioning your capability?" he said, leaning closer to me. His nose almost touching mine.


    "Then" I whispered "I have to make you apologize for your rudeness".


    His blue eyes glimmered roguishly "is that so?"


    He stood up. Obviously ready to witness what I''m capable of "no dance, could be complete without the strums of a guqin" he said.


    Grasped my hand, with clear mindfulness of my shoulder. And led me to a separate room. He opened the door. And the first object I beheld, which was at the centre of the room, was a guqin. A popular seven-string musical instrument, famous among entertainers.


    "You play" I said, surprised.


    "Only for princesses" he said and bowed. The smile on his cheeks, so alluring. Unaware of how close to the truth, his beautiful words just came.


    "And how can a first-rank princess, like me, be certain that you''re skilful enough to play for her?" I joked.


    A faint smile close to his lips, almost formed a dimple, as he raised his head, "until I play for her, she can never be certain".


    I smirked. "Then, play for her. She''ll be kind in judging you".


    "Thanks, my princess" he winked.


    I couldn''t help it, I blushed.


    He walked to his guqin. And sat down behind it. His hands touched the strings. He looked confident. The instrument was no stranger to him. He knew his tool while I knew my dance. Who''ll win?


    Like a guqin expert would, his finger hit the first strings. The melody was beautiful. He''d not lied. He did play well.


    I swung my waist. Rolled my hips to the strum of his music.


    I felt elegant. Dancing, was always something I have a flair for.


    Feeling more confident, from the look of surprise and amazement on Regalis''s face.


    My feet moved. My hands followed. Every inch of my body, swayed. The pain in my shoulder, forgotten. As a cruel thought entered my mind.


    Marjol wedding night bridal dance.


    A seductive dance, performed by the bride, for her husband.


    I smirked inwards. Regalis was in trouble.


    Much slowly, my hips twirled.


    And as my waist moved, a piece of clothing left my body. First, the scarf, covering my hair. I tossed it away.


    I swayed. Letting him see my backside, that I knew would roll like globes of fresh melon.


    Hips, dancing. My long black hair swayed with each move.


    Glorious! Was how I felt. Beautiful.


    Next, came the top of my outer garment, off, it went. Then my skirt. And inner garment.


    And at that moment, I noticed something important.


    Regalis''s effectiveness on the guqin had deteriorated. He was no longer focused. No longer rendering perfect strums. He was distracted. And the tune of his music broke, to show it.


    Harder, I swayed. Whining my waist.


    This dance of mine, would be the best he has ever seen in his lifetime.


    I swayed until finally, all that was left on me, was my transparent tunic.


    And as it was done in Marjol, I moved closer to my husband. Twirling. Flirting and batting my eyelashes coquettishly.


    I licked his earlobe. And ran off. Traced his nipples with a finger, and sped off.


    Then, danced a little more. Squeezing my breasts. And at last, returned. No more teasing.


    I spread my thighs across his legs, to sit on him and close the dance.


    But then, as my buttocks lowered, I gasped.


    My heart thundering aloud.


    For instead of my virgin rear encountering his flat thigh bone, it rubbed across a giant member! A huge bulge, ready to plunge into me.


    I looked down! Cousin Bella''s adult books had lied. This was far bigger than what was drawn there. Far longer than what I ever imagined.


    My lung cells, searched for air. Impossible! No way, could this warstaff possibly ever enter anyone!


    No fucking way!


    And at last, the man of the hour, spoke.


    His voice, low and menacing, like a firework whose fuse had just been lit. And he rumbled, "after teasing me for hours, what did you think you''d find down there?"

 #15 The Untamed Ones II

    The strength to stand, disappeared from my legs.


    The shock I just experienced, was quite a bit too much for my virgin channel.


    Before Regalis could hold me back, my knees hit the floor.


    It was funny. ''Cause now, I was in this position, I happened to be closer to his warstaff.


    My face hit it.


    Regalis inhaled deepily. "Whatever your curious mind is telling you, don''t" he said "I may not be able to control myself".


    He knew me. Curiosity, was a part of me. And though I kinda feared what was ''trapped'' within his clothes, I had to see it. To feel it.


    My hand rubbed the clothed surface of his bulge "can I?" I said.


    He took in a heavy breath once more, and nodded.


    Curiosity drove me to Cousin Bella''s books and now, it was here again. Or was it horniness?


    I put my hand into his lower garment. And pulled his rod out.


    It was the most attractive, and most powerful thing I''d ever seen. Yet, it frightened me.


    I gazed at it for so long, until I looked up. I noticed Regalis staring back at me.


    I blushed once more, that fateful day.


    He definitely caught me leering at his erection.


    I tucked him back in, and stood up. Intending to run away. Flee from what I started.


    He grasped my wrist. Placed a kiss on it " don''t leave. Please".


    He stood up. His height, looking like a wet dream. All that remained, was for him to step out naked fully drenched, from a pool of water, and he''d look like a stunning hot Prince of mermaid folk, as water dripped down his well proportioned muscles and narrow hips.


    Without warning, he lifted me. And before I could gasp, he smashed his lips unto mine. Like, I was a flavour he had tasted in the past, and now, he was seeing it again, he couldn''t let it elude him.


    He slid the tip of his tongue along the groove of my lips, seeking passage, insisting that they part. And when at last they did, his tongue plunged into my mouth.


    So fast, was his movement that I started to feel like, my lips were the sweetest presents, he had ever had the pleasure to unwrap.


    His tongue entwined with mine. His hands, dug into my hair. I wrapped my arms round his neck, lost in the blistering kiss. Lost in the inflamed passion.


    His kisses, so searing, that if I ever dared to pen this moment down, I had no doubt, the heat of his kisses would singe the pages of my text.


    He started walking. Seconds later, he placed me on the bed of the room I woke up in.


    With his body, partly covering mine, his lips drew sensual kisses from the bridge of my nose to my ears.


    His hands, slithering up my waist and fondling my breasts. The feeling of his callused hands (hardened from years of sword fighting) against my bare bosom, was everything. A dream, come true.


    At that moment, I realised I was naked. And before I could worry about how I looked nude, my lips were pulled into another flaming kiss. A forest-blazing kiss.


    If he had kissed me, like this, in that magicless river, when wraiths surrounded us, I most definitely would''ve drowned. ''Cause his kisses stole every drop of air in my lungs.


    His hot mouth ventured to my bosom, suckling from my left to right, and from right to left. Again and again, his hot lips went, trigerring a well of moisture to gather between my thighs.


    Soon, I was thrusting my chest out to him, as I moaned. Moaned out loud. Trying to give him unhindered passage to my breasts. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Please" I moaned.


    "Please..."


    His scorching mouth persisted, without mercy, on my rack.


    He pulled back. Panting heavily. As his eyes ogled me with feral hunger.


    Within a few seconds, his clothes left his body. And his legs nudged mine apart. He eased himself between them. Bringing me into an absolute awareness of his stiff length, resting right at the mouth of my arousal.


    And then, he asked, the ultimate question. A question I didn''t see coming. After all, he was the Prince and I was the daughter of a mere nobleman gifted to him in marriage. This was his right. His conjugal right.


    "Can I?" he said.


    I was still in shock, and didn''t answer. So, he repeated his question another way, "do you want this?"


    "Is this truly what you want?" his hand, touching my bride collar.


    I nodded. I wanted this. How could he possibly doubt this moment, despite the way my body responded to him.


    "If I take you" he said in that deep but sensuous voice of his "it will be long. And slow. And downright ruthless".


    Yes! My mind screamed. That''s what we want.


    "So, should I stop?" he asked, plastering fervent kisses across my torso.


    "I''ll pound your virgin walls. Hold you down to this bed for as long as possible, and I won''t let go of you, until you come all over my cock. Are you interested?" his smile, a sexy devilish type.


    And at that instant, I wanted to tell him ''no''. No, I''m not interested. You might tear me apart! However, I also wanted to yell ''yes!" Wail it out loud. For Cousin Bella''s books said, this was fun.


    "What do you plan to do to me?" I asked.


    "What do you wish for me to do?" he returned.


    I was so shy to voice my thought, so, I sealed my mouth.


    His eyes twinkled. With mischief.


    What was he planning?


    And he said, "I wonder, if you taste as lovely as you look" he winked.


    My mind scarcely digested his words, when he started moving his face to my pool of moisture.


    I gasped.


    Tried to close my thighs. In an attempt to stop him. I''ve always desired this. What he wanted to do. Since I read about it. But, it happening in reality, was something else.


    "You''ll love it" he said.


    I had no doubt about that.


    "Trust me" he added. His lush fingers on my soft voluptuous thighs, slowly pushing away all my fears.


    "So gorgeous" he said.


    "So perfect" And then, his hands was spreading my folds.


    And less than a second later, his mouth was on my cunt, tasting me, licking me, sucking me, as I had never been dined on before.


    The more he sucked me, the more I seemed to feel, my pussy making more juices.


    And the more he licked me, the wetter I became.


    "Oh...!" My hips bucked. His tongue on my swollen clit.


    I was going crazy.


    And then, his tongue went a level higher, and entered me! Diving deep. As deep as deep could possibly go.


    He devoured my pussy. Tongue-fucking my cunt as though, all he needed to survive was my sweet, briny taste.


    I pulled his hair. Riding his face shamelessly. His tongue, flickering up and down for minutes. Yet, I couldn''t stop wanting more. Couldn''t release him. I was ready to keep riding him until tomorrow came.


    And then, I heard moans. Breathless ones. Coming from someplace in the house. But soon, discerned, I was making them myself. And I just could not cease! For never, have I felt anything like this. Never, has my body come this close with intense pleasure.


    I felt like I could explode from it.


    The sensation of being spread and gorged on...gosh... it was addictive!


    An experience you''d want to go through, each day you awakened, and each night, as you shut your eyes.


    They say ambrosia, was food meant only for the gods, ''cause it was too delicious, too sweet for mortals like us to taste, as it could lead us to forsake the gods, but I say, fuck ambrosia, this was better.


    If the gods tasted this, they''d never think, ambrosia was what could lead mortals astray.


    This was it!


    Regalis''s tongue between the lush thighs of any female. That was what could lead hundreds of women, who loved men, right into transgression!


    He pulled back, long enough to whisper "amazing. I could eat you all day long".


    And his tongue pounced right back in. As though, to continue from where he stopped. And he went on, sucking, tasting, and lapping my cunt!


    Oh! Mother of Light! Someone would get drunk from drinking too much of me.


    I started screaming. "Regalis!"


    "Please!" I howled. As I felt myself get shoved over that explosive edge, and wailed, "Regalis!"


    I panted. Feeling like, I had just come down from a high.


    He looked up. From between my thighs. Grinning. Like a man who had just won his first battle.


    His mouth was covered with moisture. My moisture. My juices. He licked his lips.


    For a man whose Gift didn''t give him the freedom of constant touch with females, he sure knew how to blow a woman''s mind away.


    "Please" I mumbled.


    "Please what?" He asked, "what do you want me to do to you, Xemein?"


    And at that point, the only thing my mind could dwell on, was my need, not shyness.


    The engulfing need that was pushing me to finally do what I''ve always wanted to do with only Regalis.


    And for a moment, a thought sped into my head. As my mind whispered to me, "don''t do this!"


    If you do, it could start to sway your emotions.


    Make you care for Regalis, more than you should. More than you should care for someone whose life you''re supposed to end in six months.


    There was some truth in those words, I knew that.


    Nonetheless, at that instant, I hardly cared for right or wrong. Rules and regulation. Or wise and foolish actions. All I cared for, was the feral fires, burning within me, to be put out. In only one way, I knew.


    And then, I opened my mouth and responded to the question of my Dark Lord, "this is what I want you to do".


    "Please" I breathed, spreading my legs wider, "put out this fire, you set in me".

 #16 Our First Joining

    "Are you certain?" Regalis said.


    "Yes" I answered. Never have I been more certain of anything.


    I felt the big, mushroom-shaped head of his manhood slowly push its way into my wet sex.


    I took in deep breaths. Waiting for the discomfort to pass.


    "Does it hurt?" his blue eyes glistening with concern, as he held still. His length, within me, not moving at all. Giving my body time to get used to this new feeling of an ''invader'' being inside me.


    With the show of care in Regalis''s countenance and actions, if I wasn''t already starting to like him, I''d now. ''Cause from the moment he touched me, he has proven he wasn''t interested in taking whatever I didn''t want to offer. Despite, the Kingdom of Armalith giving the husband full rights over the bride. He could have her whenever he wanted, wherever he wished and however he liked, with or without her consent.


    "I''m fine" I said.


    "Good" he responded. And after a few seconds, continued his entry into my cunt. Bit by bit, his member stuffed my pussy. Until finally, his entire cock sat inside me. Like a king cobra. With the hook. Leaning over.


    I breathed in.


    Have you ever felt so full? Like from deep within you, every cell and part that made you up, was so full to the brim? That was how it was now. I felt that full. No vacant space, left. For the very head of his manhood was pressing the very mouth of my womb.


    He lowered his head and licked my lips. Holding still within me as he kissed me thoroughly. Very thorough. His kisses, tasting of passion and care. And my soft heart loved every bit of it.


    "I don''t want to tear you" he said. "Are you set?"


    I nodded. Feeling brave. I was ready for the ride of my life. I locked my limbs round his waist. And hugged his neck.


    His jaw steeled. Naked lust glimmering in his eyes, as his eyeballs darkened.


    He pulled back. Almost like, he was leaving my wet ass pussy. And then, with a fury, he plunged back in! Gboom. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    I screamed.


    Throwing my head back in both pain and pleasure.


    Again, he pulled back. And sank right back in!


    Thrusting into me so deeply! And deeply!


    I howled.


    His erection, hitting a sensitive spot in me that intended to drive me insane. "Ahhh!"


    His thrusts dug deeper. And harder! Extra deep and extra hard! As though, he wanted to bury his member, somewhere inside me, beyond the mouth of my womb.


    Faster, his slams came.


    I tightened my hold on him. My nails, digging into the flesh of his shoulders.


    He kept pounding.


    Plowing into me, tirelessly. With a fierce intensity! Savage tenacity! As if, he was determined, that once his cock left between my thighs, I''d always remember it. ''Cause every second that followed after this, I''d walk with that memory; my legs remembering that something had ''invaded'' its centre.


    His face tightened. Veins, on his forehead. The strength he exerted, almost making my limbs round his waist to loosen.


    Harder, he plunged!


    Faster, he plowed!


    Sinking that big pole into my tight little cunt.


    He''d not lied, when he said, he''d ride me for hours, without mercy or compassion.


    And guess what? I loved it.


    Enjoyed each slam of his thick length.


    And since we''d be here for the next hours, I let any restraint I felt, break, and I let myself ride him, as he flipped us and I sat atop him!


    My breasts bounced. Sweat dripped down my chest and back. Still, I couldn''t let it stop me!


    A few sweat drops in the past, and I''d want to pause and wipe it off, and even take a bath, but not today! After I was done with him, I''d return to my habits.


    And so, like an untamed stallion, I rode him!


    Riding him like a wild mule that I had somehow mounted, and refused to be thrown off from!


    I used his cock.


    And he used my cunt too.


    And the product, was glorious!


    His strong hands, caressed my buttcheeks.


    My round firm breasts, bouncing. I could feel my nipples, hardening from the cold. They wanted to be suckled. Feasted on!


    He flipped us.


    Switching positions. While ensuring that his thick scorching member, remained deep inside me.


    He rammed forward!


    And for a few seconds, licked my breasts. And sucked my nipples.


    My hands, went back into his sweat-drenched hair. Encouraging him to suck harder.


    And then, he continued.


    Plowing back home! Letting his staff kiss the very end of my core.


    He slammed harder. And harder. For another set of minutes. And then, exhausted, he finally released "Xemein!"


    Pulsing into me. Into the very depths of me!


    His milky fluid, occupying the core of my feminity.


    And as he came, collapsing on top of me, I felt a pull in my walls, and I was howling, crossing over that edge too.


    I panted.


    He panted too.


    Both of us breathing heavily. As he took a moment to place tender kisses on my face and neck. Making me feel treasured. Profoundly and wholly treasured.


    His member slipped from my pussy, and he laid beside me. Pulling me into his arms. I felt loved. Like I was on a trip to the skies.


    And as sudden as rain often came, I felt an instantaneous sense of sadness grip me! Clutching every bit of my heart. Like I had just betrayed my country. By loving this act.


    Savouring it.


    And for even craving more of it.

 #16 Our First Joining

    "Are you certain?" Regalis said.


    "Yes" I answered. Never have I been more certain of anything.


    I felt the big, mushroom-shaped head of his manhood slowly push its way into my wet sex.


    I took in deep breaths. Waiting for the discomfort to pass.


    "Does it hurt?" his blue eyes glistening with concern, as he held still. His length, within me, not moving at all. Giving my body time to get used to this new feeling of an ''invader'' being inside me.


    With the show of care in Regalis''s countenance and actions, if I wasn''t already starting to like him, I''d now. ''Cause from the moment he touched me, he has proven he wasn''t interested in taking whatever I didn''t want to offer. Despite, the Kingdom of Armalith giving the husband full rights over the bride. He could have her whenever he wanted, wherever he wished and however he liked, with or without her consent.


    "I''m fine" I said.


    "Good" he responded. And after a few seconds, continued his entry into my cunt. Bit by bit, his member stuffed my pussy. Until finally, his entire cock sat inside me. Like a king cobra. With the hook. Leaning over.


    I breathed in.


    Have you ever felt so full? Like from deep within you, every cell and part that made you up, was so full to the brim? That was how it was now. I felt that full. No vacant space, left. For the very head of his manhood was pressing the very mouth of my womb.


    He lowered his head and licked my lips. Holding still within me as he kissed me thoroughly. Very thorough. His kisses, tasting of passion and care. And my soft heart loved every bit of it.


    "I don''t want to tear you" he said. "Are you set?"


    I nodded. Feeling brave. I was ready for the ride of my life. I locked my limbs round his waist. And hugged his neck.


    His jaw steeled. Naked lust glimmering in his eyes, as his eyeballs darkened.


    He pulled back. Almost like, he was leaving my wet ass pussy. And then, with a fury, he plunged back in! Gboom. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    I screamed.


    Throwing my head back in both pain and pleasure.


    Again, he pulled back. And sank right back in!


    Thrusting into me so deeply! And deeply!


    I howled.


    His erection, hitting a sensitive spot in me that intended to drive me insane. "Ahhh!"


    His thrusts dug deeper. And harder! Extra deep and extra hard! As though, he wanted to bury his member, somewhere inside me, beyond the mouth of my womb.


    Faster, his slams came.


    I tightened my hold on him. My nails, digging into the flesh of his shoulders.


    He kept pounding.


    Plowing into me, tirelessly. With a fierce intensity! Savage tenacity! As if, he was determined, that once his cock left between my thighs, I''d always remember it. ''Cause every second that followed after this, I''d walk with that memory; my legs remembering that something had ''invaded'' its centre.


    His face tightened. Veins, on his forehead. The strength he exerted, almost making my limbs round his waist to loosen.


    Harder, he plunged!


    Faster, he plowed!


    Sinking that big pole into my tight little cunt.


    He''d not lied, when he said, he''d ride me for hours, without mercy or compassion.


    And guess what? I loved it.


    Enjoyed each slam of his thick length.


    And since we''d be here for the next hours, I let any restraint I felt, break, and I let myself ride him, as he flipped us and I sat atop him!


    My breasts bounced. Sweat dripped down my chest and back. Still, I couldn''t let it stop me!


    A few sweat drops in the past, and I''d want to pause and wipe it off, and even take a bath, but not today! After I was done with him, I''d return to my habits.


    And so, like an untamed stallion, I rode him!


    Riding him like a wild mule that I had somehow mounted, and refused to be thrown off from!


    I used his cock.


    And he used my cunt too.


    And the product, was glorious!


    His strong hands, caressed my buttcheeks.


    My round firm breasts, bouncing. I could feel my nipples, hardening from the cold. They wanted to be suckled. Feasted on!


    He flipped us.


    Switching positions. While ensuring that his thick scorching member, remained deep inside me.


    He rammed forward!


    And for a few seconds, licked my breasts. And sucked my nipples.


    My hands, went back into his sweat-drenched hair. Encouraging him to suck harder.


    And then, he continued.


    Plowing back home! Letting his staff kiss the very end of my core.


    He slammed harder. And harder. For another set of minutes. And then, exhausted, he finally released "Xemein!"


    Pulsing into me. Into the very depths of me!


    His milky fluid, occupying the core of my feminity.


    And as he came, collapsing on top of me, I felt a pull in my walls, and I was howling, crossing over that edge too.


    I panted.


    He panted too.


    Both of us breathing heavily. As he took a moment to place tender kisses on my face and neck. Making me feel treasured. Profoundly and wholly treasured.


    His member slipped from my pussy, and he laid beside me. Pulling me into his arms. I felt loved. Like I was on a trip to the skies.


    And as sudden as rain often came, I felt an instantaneous sense of sadness grip me! Clutching every bit of my heart. Like I had just betrayed my country. By loving this act.


    Savouring it.


    And for even craving more of it.

 #17 The Magicless Lake

    Maybe because Shalott had not seen me in a while, she was exceptionally clingy, this morning. Growling whenever I stopped touching her body.


    Regalis and I have been holed up in his cabin, for the past few days. We didn''t step out of the door. And even leaving the four walls of our bedroom to make meals in the kitchen was a difficult task, ''cause all our bodies had been interested in, was making love. Deep, primal all day-fucking.


    I looked back, as Regalis stepped out of the cabin and closed the door. The snowflakes falling on his silver hair.


    He looked so attractive right now. I wished I could paint this relaxed look of his, and not just keep it with me forever, but also, show it to all those mothers who have raised their kids to fear the Dark Lord, they''ve never even seen.


    He held my nape and gave me a quick scorching kiss.


    I smiled, "you look so handsome this morning" I said.


    "You too" he said, "beautiful as ever".


    And then, he faced Shalott "you''re a big girl. Now, let Xemein go" he said.


    I tried to stop petting Shalott but, she started growling again.


    "No. No" Regalis said. Stroked Shalott''s head "if she wants your touch this much, just like I do" he winked at me "let''s both take her riding then" he said.


    And in a few seconds, he was on Shalott''s back.


    "Are you sure?" I said, suddenly recalling that we both had been so busy with each other, that we didn''t come out to feed Shalott. "She must be hungry. She can''t carry both of..."


    He let out a huff of laughter. And as if Shalott understood my words too, laughter glimmered in her eyes.


    "Why are you laughing?" I said to Regalis  "she must be starving" I insisted.


    He looked at me. Smiling. So broadly, like the bridge across the Kasso sea.


    "Shalott is a hunter" he said "she is fully capable of feeding herself".


    "But..." I started to argue, that the other time at the castle, we fed her together.


    "I just enjoy doing it" he said "to spoil her" he stroked Shalott''s ear.


    Without warning, he lifted me. And placed me in front of him, on Shalott''s broad back. "Move" he ordered.


    And Shalott took a few steps forward, and shot into the air!


    I was flying. It seemed unbelievable. We moved through space, touching the falling snow flakes. I soon regretted not wearing a thicker cloth. As it was cold up here. Sickeningly cold. I sneezed.


    And soon, before I knew it, Shalott was descending. And her feet touched the magicless ground, as she came to rest near a body of water.


    A lake!


    With the vapour coming out from one end of the lake, I knew, this was a warm lake.


    A natural warm lake!


    I jumped down from Shalott. Tossing away my footwear and clothing, I entered the water.


    Damn! I was right. This felt like warm heaven to my cold bones. I rolled in the water. Swam, as I stretched my hands. And let my hair fall down my back.


    Where is Regalis? This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    I looked at the bank of the lake. And there he was, slowly entry the water, undressed.


    I took in a sharp breath.


    Each time, Regalis went nude, I somehow became too enthralled to look away. It was often like, my eyes were bees, and his body, pure honey. And what did they say about bees always finding honey irresistible?


    I gazed at his muscular chest. Narrow lean hips and long legs. And bit my lower lip. He was truly a sight for sore eyes.


    Had he been born a woman, and I, a man, I would''ve had to duel with champions of  mighty kings, in order to claim him as my spouse.


    My eyes fixed on his member. Long and thick. And throbbing angrily against his belly.


    He walked towards me. And by the time he reached me. I could see his rod a lot more clearly. The glans penis, throbbed an angry purple. And precum, leaked from the opening. It made me want to taste him. Swallow him and gobble him, the same way he feasted upon me, everyday, for the last few days.


    He stopped in front of me. And the first thing he did, was muffle my mouth with his. Capture my tongue. And drawing it softly into his mouth, as if, to sip from its sweetness.


    My hand gripped his hot length. And he moaned into my mouth.


    His finger on my clit while I caressed his staff. And I felt as the velvet skin of his rod awakened more. Becoming even harder, and bigger, than it once was.


    He released my lips "I need to be deep inside you" he ground out. His erection, fucking my small hand, wrapped round it.


    Without warning, he turned me around. My butt, facing him. My palms, resting on a rock, as I leaned forward.


    Without wasting a second, he plunged in!


    Full force.


    Burying his thick cock, inside me, with one mighty thrust!


    I screamed. Arching my neck back.


    His hands on my hips tightened.


    He pulled back. Hammering back in deeply! With all the strength his warstaff could muster. Gboom! I couldn''t help groaning.


    He panted. Pulled back. And started a rhythm of ramming my cunt with tireless vigour.


    "Oh Mother of Light...oh Mother of Light...no!...please!...no" My words, like breeze, in the ears of a man gone wild.


    Continuously, he pounded. Each stroke of his member, against the walls of my pussy, obviously making him, more and more aroused.


    He growled. Pounding harder! Deep. And hard!


    He doubled his fuck thrusts. Pulverising my cunt. Like a primitive animal. Marking its territory.


    I howled.


    His thrusts, making me to see stars this early morning!


    He stabbed in and out. Hammered in and out. Over and over again!


    "Gentler...please...please"


    He pounded!


    Hammered!


    Every part of my pussy, feeling the presence of his ''invasion''.


    Harder, he rode me.


    Faster, his plunges came. Grinding into my pussy, like the cock of a barbarian. A battering ram. Smashing his way into my home.


    "Slow...down" I said in a raspy voice "slow..." It felt like his ''invader'' would rip me apart.


    "Fuck!" he roared. Like he still wasn''t getting enough of me.


    He made me lean forward, a bit more, and the angle of his penetration increased!


    This time, when he pushed so deep into me, I felt it in my guts!


    Relentlessly, he kept pounding. Plowing hard! "You are so tight" he moaned.


    Still ramming hard. Ferociously. Making me feel, like I was caught in the middle of a terrifying tempest.


    "Gently, Regalis"


    "Gen..."


    Yet, he went on. Breaking down the walls of my pussy, like a man possessed. Like a husband who had been starved of my cunt. And now, he was back home, craved it more than the air, he needed to live.


    Gboom!


    Gboom!


    His strokes, hit hard!


    "Gentler...gentler..." It was torment, to be so open. To be so wholly filled to the brim, and rutted by his massive member. Yet, I must confess, it was pleasurable too. Pleasurable, because I could feel my orgasm, coming. Fast. And hard.


    "Regalis!" I wailed. Panting and pleading "gen..." I feared, the intensely pleasurable sensations, I was about to crash into, would make me lose consciousness.


    Gboom. Gboom. The walls of my pussy were rammed. My bosom bounced. Each slam of his cock, causing my bosom, along with the rest of my body, to tremble.


    And as if, he could never get exhausted, Regalis, spread my thighs, even wider than it was already. Bending me over, as he slammed. Plunged. And plowed, harder into me! "I want you, Xemein. All of you!" He ground out.


    "Want you in the morning. Want you at noon. And at night, still want you by my side" he said. The force of his slams, not deteriorating. His motions, like being in a storm-like rhythm.


    And then, on a loud moan, I came. Screaming hard.


    And he hammered me. Straight through my orgasm! Banging my brains out, for another four minutes. Before finally plunging all the way in, with one final shove!


    "Ahhh!!" he bellowed out the longest, hardest orgasm I''ve ever seen him have.


    He panted "you are no longer just anyone to me" he said "you are mine now. Mine in the morning. Mine at noon. And mine in the dark".


    He placed tender kisses on my back,  panting out, as he vowed, "I''ll always keep you safe. Forever. I swear it".


    And at that moment, I felt as an invisible line apppear, and join the other marks on my left arm. Telling me, my people have spent one more day underground. And that the time, I now have to save them was less than six months. And I felt my heart slam in trepidation within my chest.


    As I feared that when the final month comes, to end Regalis, I might begin to wonder who meant more to me - Regalis, the man who has vowed to protect me forever? Or the country that birthed and raised me?

 Part II -#18 Forever and Always?

    2ND & 3RD MONTHS


    THE PROPHECY


    I see a time,


    a time of chaos,


    and greed to live eternal.


    And I see the bloods of babies, offered up for this.


    And I see a conqueror,


    blood of blood,


    calling upon a dragon,


    bringing an end to the winds of eternal darkness.


    ******


    Regalis returned back to the cabin, one afternoon, "we have a horse, my queen" he announced proudly as he bowed. Stretching out a bouquet of rose flower in his hand, "I heard my queen loves roses. So, while, I was returning back to her, I saw a garden filled with one and knew I had to bring one for Her Majesty".


    I grinned. Regalis makes me so happy. I used to think that until I become the Queen of Marjol, I could never feel like a queen anywhere else, however, with Regalis, those thoughts changed, ''cause in his heart, a beautiful and prosperous kingdom, I reigned as queen there.


    "Thank you, my king" I said and took the flower in his hand. I perceived it, and it smelled of snow, waterfall and magic.


    While snow fell here in the North, roses were not often in season, so for Regalis to have obtained a beautiful healthy group of roses, he must have had it, specially made for me, from a Gifted farmer.


    I chose not to call him out on that.  Choosing to pretend that I didn''t know, that he must have spent hours, sitting and waiting for the Gifted farmer to cause multiple rose seedlings, to fully mature, into what he could give as a present to me.


    "Thanks" I repeated. Lifted his head and smashed my lips unto his. I prolonged tasting him, relishing the sweetness of his mouth, after all, when next, would I have the opportunity to do this, since, we''ll be leaving this magicless land soon, and wherever we''d go, would most likely not be like this land.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    I let go of his lips. And released his neck from the powerful twine of my arms.


    "Amazing" he said "I love when you get so in need of my touch".


    I laughed.


    "You know, we could continue this" he said, "we''ll just head back in there" he pointed, in the direction of the bedroom.


    And I replied, "is that so?"


    He nodded. Flexing his arm muscles "I''m ready for you, any day, any time, my queen".


    I caressed his sculpted arm, kissed his earlobe, and trailed sensuous kisses down his nape, then back to his ear, as my tongue flicked into the sensitive crevice, exploring exquisitely, gently and sweetly, as though I was really considering his idea of us staying back all day in the cabin.


    He moaned. Writhing against me.


    Without warning, I pushed him aside. And stepped out of the cabin, through the door behind him.


    "What!" he roared "what just happened? You fucking turned me on.  And left me hanging".


    I stood outside, laughing at his screams. I stroked the rose in my hand. For the rose to not be affected by the magicless land, (by losing its magic and disintegrating), then, Regalis had taken more precaution in making it. Perhaps, that''s why he thought I wouldn''t know, he specially had the rose made for me.


    While the Gifted farmer willed the seedlings to grow, the seedlings must have been surrounded by scales, hair, or just any part from a dragon. Shalott. Since dragons couldn''t be impeded by sorcery, the rose grown with dragon scales, won''t be either.


    As he carefully thought out this present, it made me love it more.


    "Come on" Regalis laced his hands in mine, leading me to the horse, he purchased for our ride back to town.


    He believed we, travelling with Shalott, would make the people around where we were headed, know who he was, and he didn''t want us to be recognised.


    He put on his gloves and then, mounted the horse.


    "My queen" he said, and stretched out his hand, while I held it as he helped me mount the horse.


    He kissed my nape, and whispered "I''ll miss this. Touching you whenever I want".


    "Holding you wherever I desire" his hands wrapped round my waist "I''ll give up anything. Including my Gift, just to hold you this way whenever I feel like it" he said.


    And my heart broke. While my lips tightened. Did he just say he would give up his lightning Gift, if he could, just to be able to hold me at all times? Even though, his Gift was the major reason he was declared undefeatable in all his battles?


    Did he really just choose his feelings for me over power?


    The place where my heart should be, ached again.


    And at that second, my secret weapon almost flew out of my weapon. I''m a Feeder! I can absorb your Gift! But the words chose not to escape from my throat.


    The lives of my people depended on it. Depended, on the surprise of any advantage I have over him, when the final month comes.


    And he said, resting his head on my back. His hands on my waist ever sensuous, "even though I won''t be able to hold you at all times, just know this, Xemein -"


    "You''ll always be in my heart" he said "forever and always".


    If only you have forever to live. My heart whispered.

 #19 A Trip in the North

    Regalis patted the horse which started moving. For an hour we rode, and honestly, I didn''t know where we were headed. I''d have asked when we began our journey, but, at that time, every space in my heart was still filled with immense guilt from Regalis''s words.


    He was honest and kind to me, while I remained deceptive, counting the days, till I felt I''ve repaid him enough for saving my life, so that then, I could use my Feeder Gift against him.


    I breathed in. Looked around and noticed where we were. Lots of trees and a gated compound.


    Protectors of Children. The sign on the gate, read. An orphanage.


    Regalis dismounted as the horse stopped. And also, helped me with his hands round me, to dismount.


    "This place is beautiful" I said "beautiful and quiet".


    He smiled, "you haven''t seen its real beauty yet". He held my hand, and we walked through the unlocked gates.


    The moment we entered, I heard the noise. The endless sound of running feet. Child-like screams, filling the air.


    We reached the playground. A gorgeous playground, I must admit. Magic, must''ve been used to construct it.


    Gosh...it was so beautiful. And colourful.


    Rainbow butterflies were in a portion of the playground, as some of the kids, chased after them, trying to catch them.


    And on another part of the playground, were swings, seesaws and other objects, children played on. As a kid, I loved the swingset a lot. It threw you into the air and brought you right back, again to the ground.


    I chuckled, truly, this was the true beauty of this place. This happy kids. Completely without worries or burdens.


    Marjol. I hoped the kids of Marjol, would live like this again, someday. My heart shed a tear.


    And then, a gong beside where Regalis and I stood, was hit. Gaining the attention of all the kids at once.


    They looked in our direction. I suddenly felt shy. Like, they would be thinking, who''re these total strangers coming to disturb our fun time? You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    And then, the kids started sprinting. Running so fast, towards us. I took a step back. And watched them surround Regalis, as they screamed, "Regalis!"


    It was an eardrum-shattering scream.


    Regalis covered his ears. And because he was crouching, and happened to be at their height now, they started pinching him. On his arms. Legs.  Stomach. And he yelled funnily as though, he was in pain.


    "Forgive me" he cried, like a kid.


    They continued. Pinching everywhere possible. However, I noticed they didn''t touch the parts of his body, like his face, that weren''t clothed. They must be quite familiar with him.


    "So, you forgot us, right?" One of the kids said. A girl with blond hair.


    "Impossible, my princess. How could I?" Regalis answered.


    "Lies!" A younger boy screamed. He had to be about five or six years. "It''s been over a month, since you came to visit us".


    Regalis gulped, "ok. I''ll try to be more regular".


    "Yea!" the kids howled all together. So excited for more visits from Regalis.


    And I wondered, do these kids, know who Regalis was? Did they know he was the Dark Lord, storytellers used to represent villains in children''s storybooks? Did they?  They were just so comfortable with him, chatting endlessly with him. They were now even arguing!


    "No!" Regalis said. "It can''t be" chesting out. "I''m the adult here. So, I know more than you all".


    And the twenty kids round him burst into giggles.


    "What?" Regalis said, dramatically, looking round "you think, you know more than me?" he beat his chest "impossible".


    I guess, this was a game he''d played with the kids so often.


    One of the kids said, "since, you claim to know more than us. Answer this".


    "Bring it on, Derrick. I''m not scared of you" Regalis said.


    The boy of seven, changed his pose and said, "I''m something. My father is the sky. My mother, the clouds. Once, I come down from them, I can never go back up to them. What am I?"


    Regalis scratched his head "are you sure, your question is complete, Derrick?"


    And all the kids laughed.


    I smiled. Regalis was acting as if he didn''t know the answer, I could tell. Derrick''s question was a common riddle.


    And then, all together, the kids screamed, "rain!"


    "Right. Right" Regalis said "I was thinking about it but..."


    "You didn''t know it" a girl of ten, Regalis once called, Thalia, said.


    "Another question" Derrick said.


    Regalis frowned. And some of the kids pinched his clothed neck.


    "Make it simple, this time" he finally said.


    Another kid spoke, "I''m something. I follow you all the time. And copy your every move. But you can''t touch or catch me. What am I?"


    Shadow. I thought.


    "I don''t know" Regalis mumbled.


    And the kids laughed harder. Then, they said, "we told you, we are smarter than you. You only have a pretty face".


    "Ouch!" Regalis touched his chest. As though, he was deeply hurt by  their words.


    Then, solemnly, he said, "you see. That''s why I always tell you all to study. If you don''t" he touched his cheeks "you''ll end up like me, a good-looking face, who can''t answer simple questions".


    They all laughed again. And shook hands with Regalis in a sort of friendly fist-punch.


    Then, Regalis stood up, walked to my side "everyone. This is Xemein. You''ll be seeing more of her face" he said.


    They nodded.


    "Is she your bride?" One of the kids asked, noticing the way Regalis''s arm was round my waist.


    He smiled at me. And then, at the kids, "she''s more than that to me" he said, "she''s my everything".