Fairydale: Part 3 – Chapter 28

My limbs are sluggish as I drag myself on the ground. My mouth is dry and parched, and as I open my eyes, I find myself in a foreign location.

The events from before slowly come back to me and my eyes widen as I remember how I’d last seen Amon: on his knees, sacrificing himself for my sake.

Just as horror sinks in at the thought of my Amon in danger, so does my determination soar.

He’d surrendered for me. On the off chance that my mother was telling the truth and my heart is my weakness.

He gave up everything for me at that moment. Because it’s not just his life he’s forfeited, but that of those loyal to him and any hope for justice.

According to what we’d spoken, Amon was certain they wouldn’t kill him immediately if they captured him. They would torture him to get a confession out of him before publicly executing him. All of it is a well-crafted plan to ensure that any ongoing loyalties to him within the Empire would be squashed.

Amon had been rather modest when he’d told me that he has followers in all corners of the Empire, and not all in the military. Seeing the effort my mother and whoever else she’s working with are putting into this, it’s clear they consider him a threat.

I’m coming for you.

Even if it takes the impossible, I’m not going to let anything and anyone stand in my way.

My pulse accelerates as strength flows through my limbs as I force myself to my feet.

Taking in my surroundings, I note it’s something similar to a cell, but the location is not familiar.

Where had my mother taken me?

The cell is dark and the only door that leads outside of it has a small grilled window. There is no other source of light inside.

Making my way to it, I grasp onto the metal bars as I raise myself on the tips of my toes so I can look outside.

‘Is anyone there?’ I call out, my echo traveling far through the hallway.

This tells me the location is quite big, and as such, might be guarded by a fair number of guests.

Flexing my palms, I try to summon my energy to the surface, afraid that my mother would have messed with it somehow. After all, she’d definitely pulled some tricks I was not aware of when she’d gone for my heart and injected me with that magical sedative.

I am certain it was magical because they’d experimented with normal ones on me in the past and my body would break down the compounds extremely fast so they ultimately never achieved their intended effect.

Within seconds, I feel the usual tingling, my entire body becoming surrounded by the familiar tendrils of electricity.

Maybe it’s sheer determination that’s causing this, but my power pulsates to life like never before.

Placing my hands on the door, I push some of the energy into the metal. At first, my purpose is to melt away the closing mechanism and open the door. As soon as I touch it, however, something completely different happens.

The door is thrust backwards almost like a projectile, hitting the back of the hallway and freeing the way for me to move.

I don’t linger.

Already I hear people moving around and yelling orders as they undoubtedly heard the crash and are coming to check it out.

Running towards the end of the hallway, I come to a narrow staircase that is quickly filling with guards as they march towards me.

Closing my eyes, I focus on the same energy to create a blast that I throw towards the first five soldiers I see in front of me.

‘Ops,’ I mutter under my breath as they turn rather crispy in front of me.

‘Stop her!’

More voices echo in the building as I climb up the stairs just as more males charge towards me.

As I advance, I hone in on my concentration, keeping the same level of electricity at the surface of my skin. The moment anyone tries to touch me, whether with a hand, foot or weapon, they get burned.

Remembering the way Amon’s skin had turned into an armor, I try the same.

No one stands a chance as I make my way to the exit.

Even when soldiers with powers are sent after me, it’s quite easy to block their attacks. More surprisingly, I find that I can manipulate energy no matter the source—whether it’s mine or theirs. And as one of the soldiers sends a blast towards me, I open my palm, absorbing it.

Instead of using my electricity as a shield that reflects back the blast, I use it to consume it instead, adding some of my own energy as I redirect it stronger than before.

With no defenses to speak of, they stand no chance.

‘Wh-what are you?’ A male asks me as he watches in horror his burned arm, my tendrils sneaking up on him and burning an inch at a time.

‘Death,’ I whisper when his heart stops.

And I will be death for as long as I must to get back my beloved.

I shield my eyes from the sun as I finally find the way out.

Odd how even my anxiety about going out into the world has dimmed to a mere afterthought. Despite the ever constant fear of what I will encounter out there, it’s something I need to do—I need to push my own limits.

For him. For me. For us.

Looking around, I note I’m somewhere at the edge of a forest.

I still don’t know where my Amon could be, but my intuition tells me they would have taken him to the palace to interrogate him and have him admit to assassinating the former Emperor. That means I must go to the capital.

But how do I get there?

Looking down at myself, I cringe at the state I’m in. My dress, though not one of my prized gifts from Amon, had still been in fairly good condition before the fight. Now it’s ripped and torn at the bottom, one sleeve is missing and there is mud and blood caked all over it.

As I rake my hands through my hair, I note there’s more mud and blood there, too.

Good thing there isn’t a mirror in front of me or I would probably have a heart attack.

Taking a deep breath, I start in the direction of the forest.

My knowledge from books and Amon’s stories are the only things that can help me find my way at this point. And one thing I remember is that sturdy roads were built all around the Empire some thousand years ago. All of them had been designed to provide easy access to the capital.

If I come across a road and follow it, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to come across some travelers who could take me with them.

Since I don’t know where I am on the map, I have no idea how far I am from the capital.

The Vissirian Empire is absolutely enormous. So much so that I have no idea how it’s endured as it has until now without breaking apart due to revolts or civil war. There are plenty of factions inside that aren’t exactly fans of how the Empire has been operating in the last centuries. Specifically, there’s a lot of bad blood with the recently annexed territories that still maintain their national identity, no matter how much the Empire had tried to force its language and traditions upon them.

There is only one recognized official language: Vissirian. But the more you travel, the more language and dialects you will find—one of the reasons why there is so much unrest in the Empire.

When you have so many group identities, which sometimes go beyond the national in the case of some species, it’s hard to find common ground and establish a strong Vissirian identity.

As Amon had told me, one of the most polarizing issues in the Empire is the fact that non-humanoid species are mostly enslaved and robbed of any benefits that basic citizens have.

They would be the first ones to oppose the empire, but because one of the earlier Emperors had already foreseen this issue, he’d passed laws that ensured they would be spread out all over the vast territory of the Empire based on their species so they wouldn’t come together and rebel. He’d taken advantage of inter-species enmities and had created a new map for the empire where every people was placed strategically to avoid coalitions.

So while the army is leading perpetual wars outside of the Empire, it also polices what happens inside since a civil war could start at the drop of a hat.

And that is why the Empire is so terrified of Amon.

Because he has the potential to unite all those factions under a common goal. With his name and prestige, he would be the only one who could entreat different species to involve themselves in a potential war. But more than that, he has the power to sway the citizens, too.

‘Wait for me,’ I whisper.

I don’t know what state I will find him in, but I am praying with all I have that I won’t be too late.

I’ve never been a believer, or practiced any religion, mostly because my mother prohibited me from doing so. And like the good girl that I was, I always obeyed her.

Now, looking back, I realize it had been manipulation on her part, just as she’d done with the false books she’d given me to read.

If I’d believed in anything other than her, then I would had reason to hope for another future that didn’t have anything to do with her. I would have probably been curious about the outside world and I might have rebelled earlier—all things which she tried to avoid.

For that reason I’d never had books that covered the topic of religion in the Vissirian Empire, though it had been, at times, briefly mentioned in other writings.

It had been Amon who’d opened my eyes as he’d told me about the practices in the capital.

‘The other areas of the Empire are more different, and just like languages, you will find plenty of religions, gods and pantheons throughout the Empire. But the only recognized one is the Vissirian pantheon, led by Vessar, the god of war. There are plenty of other major and minor deities in the Vissirian pantheon, but the cult of Vessar has been the most popular for thousands of years for no other reason that it gives credence to the Empire’s mission to conquer the entire known world.’

Oh, Amon. How I miss you!

Just thinking about him being hurt and in pain makes me want to raze the entire damned Empire to the ground.

Even being separated for this short amount of time and already I don’t feel whole.

After walking what feels like an eternity, I reach a road.

My face lights up, and I’m about to do a celebration dance when I see a carriage coming up. Not knowing which is the direction for the capital, I just dash towards it, waving my arms up like a crazy person in hopes they will see me.

Lucky for me, it stops.

‘Are you lost, miss?’ The door to the carriage opens, and I note the features of a male a little older than me. I suppose it’s hard to know someone’s age when they could be equally thirty or thirty hundred years old.

‘Could you point to me the way to the capital?’

‘You’re going to the capital?’ his brows go up as his eyes rove over my dirty clothes, his lip twitching in disgust. It’s soon masked though as he gives me a pleasant smile.

‘We’re going in that direction. I can take you with me. There is one spare spot in the carriage.’

As I move closer, I see there are two other male inside.

The thought of being in such close quarters with three strange males is not a comfortable one, so I simply ask.

‘Could you tell me how long it will take me on foot?’

‘On foot,’ one of them exclaims in dismay. ‘One or two days, I reckon. No one should make that distance on foot.’

‘But…’

‘It’s only a few hours with the carriage if you will join us,’ the male from the beginning interjects.

‘I don’t know…’ I bite my lip in apprehension.

But as I think of Amon and his suffering, I know that I must put my sensibilities aside and approach this from a practical angle. I need to get to him as fast as possible.

My mind made up, I look up at him and I give him a determined nod.

‘Wonderful! Hop in, miss,’ he says as he opens the door wider for me to step inside.

I do my best to not touch any of the occupants as I plop myself on the empty seat.

The carriage starts moving again and I take a moment to observe the males. They are dressed in quality garb, and the carriage itself looks to be constructed with expensive materials.

‘So what is your business in the capital?’ the first male asks me.

I force a smile.

‘I’m supposed to meet with my husband,’ I lie.

He frowns, his eyes once again on my tattered dress.

‘Looking like that?’ another man bursts out, but it’s clear he’s voicing out what everyone else is thinking.

‘I had a little accident on the way,’ I release a small laugh.

‘Well, I hope you’re fine now.’

‘Of course,’ I reply, happy when they stop questioning me and go about their own discussions.

The first hour passes quite uneventfully, and when I inquire how much longer, I’m told we’re around halfway there.

Yet as night falls and the carriage veers off the road, my suspicions start to mount.

So much so that I’m already with my guard up when I feel a sharp metal against my neck.

The blade glints in the moonlight, its sheen confirming it is a rhodium one.

‘Take off your dress, girl, and I won’t have to hurt you,’ one of them says, and the others laugh, shuffling around to remove their own clothes.

‘You commented on my torn dress and now you want it?’ I ask ironically.

‘You know what I mean,’ he barks.

‘No, I don’t think I know,’ I say as I move closer, letting the blade dig into my neck.

‘Foolish wench. You’re going to fucking die,’ he rebukes me, though he doesn’t take the knife away from my throat.

‘Isn’t that what your plan is?’ I inquire languidly as I build a shield around myself. ‘After all, I doubt you’d let me live after you had your way with me.’

‘But you have to be alive first,’ he laughs, and the others join in.

‘I’d rather take my chances with death,’ I mumble under my breath.

Lifting one finger up I turn to them, letting the blade swipe over my skin some more, drawing blood.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’

‘This?’ I ask innocently as I bring my finger to the blade, electricity pouring into the metal which conducts it straight to the man’s body.

His cries of pain echo in the carriage before he slumps against his seat, his body charred.

The smell of burned flesh permeates the air, and the other two seem to realize that they will not be having any fun times. Scrambling to exit the carriage, one of them trips and falls to the ground while the other runs straight into the woods.

I take my time to get out, pushing the smelly corpse onto the ground before creating two lassos with my hands, using both to bring the runaways back.

‘It’s not very nice of you to accost a lady,’ I tsk at them. ‘You really should be thankful my husband isn’t anywhere near, or he wouldn’t have been twice as merciful,’ I smile.

They blabber some more, but I’m not inclined to hear silly excuses when their intentions were clear.

‘Why couldn’t you prove my mother wrong that the world isn’t a dangerous place?’ I sigh as I imbue the lassos with electricity.

The driver of the carriage looks in shock as he places his hands up, dropping to his knees and begging me to spare him.

‘I still need to get to the capital. You can take me there.’

My voice doesn’t leave room for discussion and he nods fervently, thanking me for saving his life.

Before I get in the carriage again, though, I take out the luggage the men had brought with them. Using my palm as a source of light (it seems I’m finding more and more uses for my abilities), I sift through the clothes in hopes I can find something I can use.

Clearly, with my current appearance I’m only going to attract the wrong kind of attention, which is the last thing I need.

The only thing that seems to be remotely useful is a pair of loose pants, a shirt and a jacket. Sighing, I decide it’s better than nothing. Luckily, I also find a pouch full of coins, which should serve me well—especially since I need to get some food and water.

I might be indestructible—at least to a certain degree—but I still need sustenance.

Taking the clothes with me inside the carriage, I instruct the driver to get going while I change. And for the next hour and a half, I make myself comfortable as I wait to get to the capital.

‘Here we are, miss,’ the driver tells me as the carriage comes to a halt.

‘You were their hired driver, were you not?’

He nods.

‘Then you’re welcome to keep the carriage. I’ll be off,’ I incline my head before turning to look at the capital.

Amon had made it sound like it’s the center of decadence. But from where I’m standing it looks a little…decrepit.

There are street lamps in the distance, and I make my way towards them.

I walk for a few minutes in absolute silence before the atmosphere begins to be more buoyant. Shops appear on each side of the road, merchants still selling their items at this late hour of the night.

People are bustling up and down the street, some peddling their trade, others shipping from stall to stall.

I’m guessing this is a more mercantile area—still not in the center of the capital.

Walking around, I note the people around, some humanoid, some not.

In fact, with how busy the street is, I can’t believe I’m not in the least afraid of walking around since I’ve never been among so many people on my own.

Yet after the previous events, I find that there’s little to be scared of when I can take care of myself. After all, people might look frightening, but when it comes to a direct confrontation, I am the more frightening one.

That isn’t to say I can go around flaunting my powers. Considering how distinctive they are, it’s the one thing I need to refrain from doing if I don’t want to draw attention to myself.

Walking deeper into the city, I come to a halt when I can make out the shape of the Emperor’s palace in the distance.

Though the darkness of the night affects the visibility, the palace’s windows blare with light, illuminating the sheer size of it and making me blink in surprise at the opulence I’m seeing.

Soon.

First, I need to gather some information. If they captured the great Shadow General, rumors are bound to swirl around—if only to emphasize the status of the new Emperor. I just need to find the right hub and listen.

Feeling the weight of the coins in my pocket, I swallow hard as my stomach rumbles with hunger. Maybe I can do that while eating too.

As I throw my gaze around, I spot a place that’s overflowing with clients.

Straightening my spine, I confidently walk inside and seat myself at a table as I see others doing.

‘What can I bring ya?’ A girl wearing a colorful apron asks.

‘Uhm,’ I bite my lip as I look around. ‘What do you recommend?’

‘We have the specialty pie that’s the most popular. That and the ale,’ she chuckles as she nods to some patrons chugging ale from an enormous mug.

‘I’ll have that then. Thank you.’

‘I’ll be right back,’ she winks at me.

Fidgeting with my hands as I look right and left, I surreptitiously push my table forward so I can hear what the people at the other tables are talking.

‘Here you go. One pie and an ale,’ the girl lays them on the table.

‘How much is it?’

‘One runa,’ she smiles.

I might add the fact that I’m not familiar with physical money as another thing that I’m not proficient in.

Looking through my pouch, I take out one of the smaller coins, thinking this could be it.

The girl’s eyes widen.

‘That’s a vessa. No, no,’ she shakes her head as she leans in to look at my pouch. Fishing one bigger coin, she shows me the side of it which has a woman wearing a headpiece—the goddess of the household. Next to it, the letters R U N A are carved at the bottom.

‘Ah, thank you,’ I tell her honestly, and because she was so helpful and without ill intention, I take out another runa and I hand it to her.

‘I can’t take that…’

‘Please,’ I push the coin towards her. ‘Thank you for everything.’

‘If you’re sure,’ she teeters on her feet before eventually taking the coin and leaving.

I hadn’t exactly looked at the money when I’d found it, but now I find myself curious to see what the rest of the coins look like.

The vessa has an engraving of Vessar, the god of war. There are mostly vessas in the pouch, with a few runas and another one called treva for Trevio, the god of metals.

Since Vessar is the head of the pantheon, I assume the vessa has the highest value.

Putting my money aside, I take a fork and I dive into the hot pie. The smell is already intoxicating and as I take the first mouthful, I can’t help but be surprised at how good it is.

I force myself to eat slowly, washing it with sips of ale. Yet the mere fact that I’m eating alone, without Amon, takes away from my enjoyment of the meal.

How can I eat with such gusto when I don’t even know if he’s been fed? If he was afforded even one sip of water?

Though I finish my meal, it’s hard to hold the tears at bay. It’s only when I hear some murmurs, followed by the words Shadow General, that I shake myself, my ears perking up as I strain to hear better.

‘They’re lying. The Shadow General wouldn’t be captured so easily.’

‘Everyone I spoke to heard the same, and a few said they witnessed it, too.’

‘They did?’

‘There was a procession at dawn on the main road when they took him to the palace. They had him all chained up. Everyone swears it was him. How many people do you know with his signature white hair?’

‘But… The General’s never been defeated in battle. How could anyone…’

‘Who knows what tricks they used to catch him. I’m telling you, this is all that new Emperor’s plan. He knows we don’t like him.’

‘But this will make people not like him even more,’ someone protests.

‘Yes, but it will also make people fear him. Everyone knows how strong the General is. For him to be defeated…’ he trails off, the implication clear.

So Amon is indeed in the palace.

‘I heard they plan to execute him regardless of whether he confesses or not.’

‘Of course they will. Even if he doesn’t confess, it will send a message to anyone who thinks to stand up to the Emperor.’

As the discussion turns more political, I realize that my window is much smaller than I believed.

If they plan to execute him anyway, then it could happen at any point.

My heart speeds up as fear overtakes me.

Somehow, I need to act.

Getting up from my table, I move to the back as I spot the nice girl who’d served me.

‘I’m new around here and I had a question,’ I tell her as I catch up with her for a moment.

‘Yes? What can I help with?’

‘Do you happen to know how one could get into the palace? I’ve always wanted to visit…’

Her frown cuts my words as I hurry to ask what’s wrong.

‘No one visits the palace. It’s forbidden. You need a special invitation to even be allowed through the gates.’

‘And who would have one of those invitations?’

‘Only soldiers and officials. Sometimes the aristocracy. But I wouldn’t recommend it. There have been people who’ve tried and they’ve been killed for it.’

‘I see… Thank you for the advice.’

‘Have a good night,’ she offers as I wave her goodbye.

Mulling over her words, I decide that the best course of action is to head to the gates and observe who gets in and who gets out.

Ideally, I don’t want to use my powers and draw attention to myself in case they have another army ready to send after me. I might be strong, but I don’t know how strong I am. Certainly, I doubt I could take on an entire army as Amon had.

Though it is night, the road is becoming increasingly more illuminated as I head towards the area where the palace is located. And though I am a little spooked by the sheer fact that I am walking by myself, alone, at night, I am more comfortable than I ever thought I would be on my own—in the outside world.

Yet with everything happening, I’ve barely had time to think about the implications—the fact that I interacted with strangers, or that I went to an establishment and ordered food for myself. They are all milestones for me and I suppose when I will have time later to mull over everything that happened, I will be able to analyze everything more thoroughly.

Right now, the most important thing is to get to Amon—no matter what.

It takes me more than an hour to get to the palace gates, and this was only following a straight road. The capital is a big place, indeed.

As I come across the big gates, I spot two big torches lit on either side, accompanied by two surveillance towers. In fact, everywhere I look, there are soldiers.

The sound of hooves resounds in the air, and I hurry to the side, hiding in a bush as I watch a carriage draw up to the gates. The driver shows a permit to one of the guards after which the gates slowly open up for him to come inside.

Without even thinking, I act.

Summoning the same lasso I’d used before, I pray what I have in mind will work.

Feeling the energy materialized, I throw it at the back of the carriage, willing it to hook on a lower railing but without sending any electricity through the lasso. Instead, I use it as it’s been intended, as a rope.

Considering this is my energy, I should be able to manipulate it at will.

I force myself to focus as I pull on the lasso, imagining it shrinking in size as it pulls me forward at an insane speed.

I almost yelp out loud as I find myself flying in the air, the other end pulling me towards the carriage as the rope continues to shrink.

My eyes widen when I realize I’m going to collide with the back of the carriage, so I use my other hand to create another lasso, this time to stabilize me when I get to the carriage.

Releasing a worried sigh, I find myself right between the carriage wheels as I secure myself to the metal railings. And it seems the entire process is finished right on time as no one noticed and the carriage speeds past the gate and towards the palace courtyard.

Noting a slope to the side, I grit my teeth as I release my hold on the carriage, falling to the ground and rolling down the slope. I stay there for a moment as I try to assess what’s happening around me and what the position of the guards is.

Well, getting into the palace certainly wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

Eventually, I get up, surreptitiously making my way around the courtyard and towards an open door that leads to the palace.

As soon as I get inside, though, I note that it’s the kitchen—a grandiose kitchen by the sight of it, with tens of tens of staff members.

‘You,’ someone points at me. ‘You’re the new girl, aren’t you?’ she wrinkled her nose at me.

‘Y-yes,’ I force a smile.

‘Stop dallying and go change. You can’t go around in those awful clothes,’ she says in disgust.

Luckily she shows me where the staff uniforms are and I quickly change into one. Maybe this will afford me more anonymity as I make my way around the palace.

Going back to the kitchen, I pretend to work for a while as I try to find someone who can give me an idea about the palace’s layout.

On one side, some girls are rolling dough, so I join, too, since that’s not too hard—especially for someone like me with no experience to speak of.

‘I heard the Shadow General is being held here,’ I start, thinking a bit of gossip won’t hurt anyone.

They frown as they look at me, giving each other an odd look and ignoring me.

‘Wouldn’t you want to see the Shadow General?’ I attempt again, but it’s to no avail.

‘There’s a no speaking policy, new girl,’ the same woman from before comes from behind, looming over me.

‘Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize,’ I give her a look of regret. ‘I was just curious about the General since he’s such a famous figure.’

‘We don’t see, we don’t hear. And we certainly don’t talk,’ she tells me none too nicely. ‘Come, I have another task for you.’

‘Wha…’

I don’t get to protest before she pulls me aside, putting a tray full of food into my hands.

‘The feast is short staffed. You go into the hall, you don’t talk. You don’t make eye contact. You keep yourself in the background, understood?’

‘Uhm, yes…’

‘Good, now go,’ she gives me a light push.

I don’t even know where to go, but as I see an army of other servers head to the hallway, I quickly get in line to follow thinking I could sneak off at some point.

The line becomes so ordered, almost as if it was an army drill. And as they enter a big illuminated ballroom, I find that I cannot move out of formation without drawing too much attention.

Swallowing hard at the discomfort that prickles my skin, I watch what everyone else is doing and proceed to do the same, moving silently around and laying the food from my plate on the table.

Curiosity gnaws at me, though, and from the corner of my eyes, I try to see what’s happening at the table.

The entire scene is what I would have imagined a feast for kings to be. And it’s quite fitting considering at the top of the table is the Emperor—at least going by the incredibly garish crown he has seated on his head.

But that’s not the only alarming thing I see.

As I scan the rows of people, my eyes come to a stop on my mother.

She’s not too far from the Emperor, seated between two males around Amon’s age. They are both wearing formal army clothing. Going by the intimate body language between the two, I have to wonder what their relationship is.

My mother brings a goblet of wine to her lips as she chuckles at something one of the males says before her gaze meets mine.

Her eyes flare with shock when she recognizes me.

But I’m even more surprised since this was the last thing I needed.

Luckily, the army of servants is returning to the kitchens, so I take my spot in the line. When it comes to entering the kitchen area again, I remove myself from the line.

My pulse is racing.

She shouldn’t have seen me. Not yet.

Fear pools in my stomach that she’s going to sound the alarm and I will lose any chance I have to save Amon.

My breathing intensifies as panic continues to grow within my breast. But I cannot let it stop me. I came here with one purpose only, and I’m going to get Amon back—whatever it takes.

If I have to confront my mother while doing it, then so be it.

I may have been reluctant in the past, but after the tricks she pulled with Amon, risking me like that, I’m clear where her priorities lay.

More than anything, I’m certain she’s never cared about me for more than the value I can bring her. The future she’d been telling me about from the beginning had been one where she groomed me to her liking, a mere puppet who didn’t asked questions and just followed her lead.

Unfortunately for her, I stumbled across Amon, who opened my eyes to a life outside the walls of my house.

Turning to head to the other side of the palace, I take another hallway so I can lose my trace.

Yet just as I step onto the new corridor, I still in my tracks as I hear my name called out.

‘Sela!’

My mother’s voice echoes down the hall, and I clench my fists in fear that she will alert more people.

‘Good to see you, too, mother,’ I mumble drily.

‘I should have known that jail wouldn’t hold you,’ she observes as she comes closer, a hint of respect in her tone.

‘Then why did you put me in one?’

‘I hoped it would delay you. The execution is at dawn.’

I gulp down the wave of uneasiness as I fully turn to face her.

‘Well, here I am. And I’m not leaving without him.’

‘You would risk everything for him?’ She raises a brow at me.

I nod.

‘That and more.’

‘He’s played with your mind, Sela. Why can’t you see that? How long have you known him? A few weeks at most.’

‘So? In a few weeks with him I found more about the world than in all my previous eighteen years. Of course you wouldn’t understand. All you’ve ever wanted was to keep me ignorant. You think I don’t know about the books? About every lie you told me?’ I grit out. ‘I was so brainwashed, I even justified those experiments you did on me when I was a child. Why? Because I thought it was your manner of looking out for me. But when have you? When?’

‘You don’t understand,’ she shakes her head. ‘All this. Everything I’ve been doing from the beginning has been for the future—for the good of the Empire and everything that will follow.’

‘Really? And how’s that? By killing the Emperor and framing an innocent man for it? By executing him in front of the entire capital?’

‘Innocent?’ she sputters. ‘Amon d’Artan is the furthest thing from an innocent man, Sela. You think you know him?’ she laughs. ‘Shadow General is an apt term for he’s been the shadow of this Empire for too long, Sela. He’s killed and slaughtered nations, towns and villages. How is that innocent? You saw what he did to the army,’ she spits out, and I can see that there’s some personal bad blood there. ‘He destroyed Milena, and you’re telling me he’s an innocent man?’

‘He did what he had to do?’ I raise my chin confidently.

‘You didn’t see him at the time. So mighty on his horse and covered from head to toe in Milean blood. I saw him, and I’ll never forget the sight. Amon d’Artan is a scourge for this Empire. Let’s not forget about the fact that he’s been hiding his Reva heritage all this time. Do you know what the punishment is for hiding non-humanoid ancestry within the army ranks?’

‘Non-humanoid…?’

‘Ah, I see you don’t know everything. The Reva were the monsters of nightmares. Their abilities were as terrifying as their appearances. When they were wiped out, everyone rejoiced. And tomorrow, everyone who’s ever looked up to the famed General will find out just what type of monster he is.’

‘You’re vile,’ I tell her, disgust rolling in my stomach as I look at her.

We’re so close together in resemblance yet miles apart in our personalities.

‘Maybe I am,’ she shrugs. ‘But you will not succeed today. I’m sorry, Sela. But one day maybe you will see reason.’

Just as she finishes talking, she starts chanting something in a muffled voice. Like before, her hands start glowing.

My eyes widen at the sight, and I immediately channel my energy forward, sending a blast her way and stopping her from mouthing her words.

Remembering Amon’s lessons about sorcery, I realize it hadn’t been Aristol who’d cloaked the soldiers. It had been her.

She is the one dabbling in sorcery.

The blast sends her to the ground. Her breath comes in short spurts as she tries to put herself together and start chanting again.

Her eyes narrow at me, and before I know it, the earth opens up, tree-like branches extending from below and coming towards me.

‘What are you doing?’ I breathe out.

‘You’re not the only one with abilities in this family,’ she smirks as she straightens herself, her hands moving in time with the branches.

‘That’s sorcery,’ I accuse.

‘Maybe,’ she shrugs. ‘But it only gives me an edge. Hasn’t your lover told you already? To do sorcery, you need a big source of energy to draw from,’ she brags before she sends the branches towards me.

Summoning my lassos, I hurl them to the ceiling, coiling one around a chandelier and pulling myself up while using the other one to reach for the branches, sending zaps of energy deep in the ground so I can sever the roots.

Pushing myself more than usual, I focus as much energy as I can towards the hole in the ground.

‘Don’t tell me this is your plan when you know you can’t hurt me?’

‘I can’t?’ she smiles. ‘You think you know yourself, Sela, but I know everything about you. Including your future.’

‘Future? What do you mean?’ I frown.

She shrugs, and at the same time another blast catches me by surprise from the back, sending me reeling to the ground. I slide on the floor before I’m knocked against a wall, the power of the blow so strong, I know I’ve broken something—or more.

I breathe through my nose against the pain as I feel my ribs perforate my skin and poking to the surface. Lifting my shirt I see the bones sticking out, blood pouring out from the wounds.

Gritting my teeth, I push them back into my body, my skin melding afterwards.

‘Is that all you have?’ I provoke her as I spit blood onto the ground. ‘You know that if you hurt me I’m just going to heal. All over again.’

Before I can blink, my mother is in front of me, her lips twitching in distaste.

‘I could kill you easily if I wanted to,’ she tells me matter-of-factly. ‘You’re not as invincible as you think you are, Sela.’

‘Thank you for letting me know. Unfortunately, I can’t let you do that. By the way, thank you for telling me that your sorcery is energy-based. You see, you’re not the only one with new tricks up her sleeve,’ I smile at her as I put my hand on her shoulder.

As I’d done with the blasts before, this time I focus on absorbing the energy from her.

Her eyes widen as she tries to shove my hand away, especially as a pained cry erupts from her mouth.

‘Stop,’ she whispers, pushing against me.

I’m staunch in my position.

She claws at me, scratching me with her nails and hitting me with her mini blasts whose size decreases the more I hold my hand on her flesh.

‘I’m sorry, mother. I truly am.’

She starts trembling as she falls to her knees, her breathing harsh, her skin turning a pale shade. She gasps for air but it’s becoming harder and harder to breathe.

‘You…will…regret…this,’ she grits out.

Before I know it, her arm reaches out and she buries her hand in my stomach just like she’d done with my heart on the battlefield.

My mouth opens in shock, my eyes widening as I feel her fingers moving under my skin, almost as if they were signing something over my organs.

‘You…might…kill me…today,’ she coughs. ‘But…I…will…kill…your…future,’ she says, just before she removes her hand, blood dripping down her arm as she holds something clenched between her fingers.

‘What…’ I jump back, an aching emptiness overtaking me.

‘No children…no prophecy…no future…’ she continues, giving me a crooked smile as she says two barely audible words and the organ in her hand catches fire.

That’s when I realize something. Whatever she took from me…it’s not healing.

It’s not…

‘I win,’ she laughs.

‘No, you don’t,’ I shake my head as I send the most powerful blast of electricity her way, watching as her entire body burns and turns to ashes.

Just like what she stole from me…

I barely register the noise of feet thumping and heading in my direction.

Still dazed, I quickly move out of the way, finding a different path so I won’t be discovered. Yet I can’t stop thinking about what she meant and what she took from me.

Opening a random door, I get inside and lock it behind me. I can’t make out anything in the darkness, but it seems to be unoccupied so I take some time to gather myself.

No children…

My hand goes to my lower belly where the emptiness still persists. Did she… Did she take part of my womb?

The implications are too much for me to ponder right now. Not when I still have to get to Amon and not when, if that is true, it will wreck me for my entire life.

More noise erupts from outside, and I keep myself still as soldiers run around the corridors in search for whoever had done the damage to the hall. Luckily, my mother’s remains had melted away and they won’t ring the alarm about her murder yet. I doubt that wouldn’t be an important issue seeing how close she was to the Emperor.

My pulse continues to race as I barely come to terms with the fact that I killed my own mother—with my own hands…

A few breathing exercises and I have myself under enough control to move forward. I’ll have plenty of time to dwell on my actions later—when Amon is safe.

Opening the door, I glance around, quickly closing it when I see two soldiers walking down the hallway.

‘It’s a kitchen girl, so she’ll be wearing the uniform. But be careful. If what happened in the hall is any indication, she’s not someone to underestimate.’

The voice of one of the males registers, as well as the fact that they think I was the suspicious one. That means that I won’t be able to move around freely dressed liked this.

Pursing my lips, I open the door, choosing a narrow pathway as I listen for any other loud noises. If previously I’ve hidden from the soldiers, now I need to find some who can lead me to where Amon is being held.

I wander around for a few moments before I see my chance, using my lasso to drag one of the soldiers to me.

The entire ordeal lasts surprisingly little time as he tells me what I need to know immediately. But as my eyes rove over his uniform, I realize that I might need something else from him.

Careful not to burn his clothes when I turn him to a crisp, I shrug the uniform on, putting on his helmet and hoping I won’t be recognized this way.

I may not fill the uniform as well as a male, but in the darkened hallways I shouldn’t be spotted.

According to the soldier, Amon is being held in the dungeon, which can only be accessed from the army garrison in the west wing, so that’s where I am headed.

All the while, I can’t help but keep Amon in my thoughts and hope I won’t find him near death. With how my mother had been speaking about him, I don’t doubt that everyone who carried him any grudge or hated him simply for his position, might have tried to make him suffer.

The fact that the execution had been scheduled for tomorrow at dawn tells me just how afraid they are that they won’t be able to contain him, or his supporters.

I reach the army garrison, and I’m lucky to see that it’s mostly empty. Everyone is so busy doing their own thing that they don’t notice me going down to where the prisoners are being held.

There is a tunnel that leads down a narrow path before I note some light coming from torches on the walls.

As I slowly walk inside, I see rows and rows of cells, each of them full.

Taking one of the torches, I swipe the light at every cell in my search for him. But the sights I see are absolutely horrifying. There is not one person that is still whole. Some have had limbs amputated and left to rot, barely clinging to life. But others have already perished, some freshly dead, others well on their way to putrefaction.

I bring my sleeve to my nose and mouth as I try to ignore the smell of death and waste that lingers in the atmosphere.

Yet there is one commonality I see in most prisoners. The majority are non-humanoid.

The Empire really has a vendetta against those that do not fit into its designated mold.

I walk for minutes on end and the cells seem to be endless. There’s so much pain and death here that my heart cannot help but be moved by the sadness that permeates the air.

The more I walk, though, the more confused I get when I cannot find Amon anywhere.

Where is he?

I’m getting increasingly afraid that something might have happened to him as I can’t spot him in any cell.

But it’s only when I get to the end of the tunnel that I realize why he was not in a cell.

As the row of cages ends, there is a wide area at the end that holds a myriad of torture devices. All the instruments are dirty and bloody, with a few people wasting away while strapped to them.

And one of them is…my Amon.

His white hair is the first thing I see, and knowing it must be him, I rush forward, holding the torch closer so I can ascertain his state.

‘Amon?’ I whisper.

He groans in pain, slowly lifting his head towards me. And that’s when I realize what his torture had been.

I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth in shock as I take in his condition, tears streaming down my cheeks at the pain he must have suffered.

Both his eyes have been removed, the eye sockets empty as blood pours down his face.

But that’s not the worst.

His entire chest cavity had been opened, his ribs cut to expose his inner organs, and his guts had been pulled out, currently hanging on the ground.

‘Sela…’ his voice is barely audible as he moves his face, using his other senses where his sight cannot help him. ‘Is this an illusion,’ he whispers brokenly. ‘Is this how you’re going to torture me next, Elora?’ he grits out, and it dawns on me that he’s addressing my mother.

Gods, but was it her who doled out this torture? If that is so, then I cannot find it in me to regret ending her life. Not when…

I bite back a sob as I force myself to be strong for him.

‘It’s me. It’s really me, Amon. I’ve come for you and I’m getting you out of here.’

He takes a moment to reply, probably still trying to ascertain if I’m telling the truth.

‘Sela? Sela mina? Why are you here?’ he eventually answers. ‘Go. You need to go and save yourself. I…’ he trails off, choking on the anguish that’s seemingly holding him in a tight grip.

‘No. Never. I’m here for you and I’m not leaving without you.’

‘Look at me,’ he states harshly. ‘I’m… halfway to the grave.’

‘No, I refuse to believe that,’ I tell him staunchly. Anything but that.

I will not let him die, no matter the cost.

Going closer to his side, I study the mechanism of the chains that hold him together. They are made of pure rhodium and even while restraining him, they keep hurting him by rubbing against his skin with no hope for relief.

Pushing down the hurt I feel at seeing him like this, I look around for the keys to unlock his chains. Luckily, they aren’t too hard to find. It’s harder to get him down considering the damage to his organs.

‘You need to leave me here, Sela,’ he groans in pain as I help him onto the floor.

How he is not dead with all this damage is beyond me, but I can only be thankful to whatever force kept him alive.

I stifle my tears as I focus on him.

‘Not leaving you,’ I tell him, softly brushing his hair as I lay a kiss on his skin.

‘Sela… Please don’t endanger yourself for me,’ he rasps.

I ignore his continuous pleas for me to leave, and I focus instead on his open rib cage. Trying to fight against the wave of nausea that comes over me, I pick his intestines off the floor and place them back in his rib cage, arranging them to the best of my ability without causing him more distress.

‘I’m going to save you, Amon. I’ll do it even if it’s the last thing I do,’ I murmur lovingly.

Maybe this isn’t the time for more experimentation with my abilities, but the situation makes for exceptions.

Focusing my energy to the tips of my palms, I feel them tingle and heat up with vibrations. If it had worked to absorb energy, then it should work to give it, too. And maybe, if I concentrate enough, I can channel that energy into healing.

My hands become two beacons of light as they charge up with energy. Bringing them to his head, I close my eyes as I will every little bit of strength I have left into him, picturing in my mind how his eyes are regenerating and how his ribcage is slowly closing, every open wound healing until he’s perfectly fine again.

I feel the energy transferring from me to him, and suddenly, his entire body lights up.

My eyes flare open as I take in the blinding show before me.

As I’d intended, every little wound starts to mend. His eyes are completely regenerated, and his ribcage is closing, the ribs fusing together before the skin heals completely, leaving no scar behind.

When it’s done, I feel slightly light-headed, but I quickly compose myself when I see him drag himself in a sitting position, his features full of disbelief.

‘Sela, you…’

‘It worked!’ I don’t give him time to say anything else as I jump on him, hugging him to my chest and peppering his face with kisses.

Tears of joy coat my lashes and I let them flow freely for he is fine—my Amon is fine.

‘You’re healed. Oh, Amon,’ I whimper as I hold him so tightly, I wish I could sear myself on him so we’re never parted again.

‘It worked,’ he repeats numbly. ‘Sela mina, Sela mina,’ he chants in a deep voice as he wraps his arms around me, giving me the gift that is his embrace.

We may not have time to waste, but this moment is too precious.

‘I love you,’ I whisper fervently. ‘I love you, you silly beast. I still can’t believe you’d sacrifice yourself for me like this.’

‘I would have done so much more for you, my love. Ah, my darling Sela but you have no idea how much I love you,’ he pauses as he catches his break, his powerful emotions flashing on his face. ‘I didn’t think you would ever come for me,’ he confesses. ‘I thought you saw my true form and I… I would have never dared believe you would risk everything to come here.’

‘And that’s your first mistake,’ I chide as I draw back, giving him a pointed look. ‘I would always come for you Amon. We’re in this together.’

‘I accept it as my fault,’ he nods thoughtfully. ‘I will not doubt you again,’ he says as he lays a kiss on my forehead. ‘Now we have to get out of here. I already hear soldiers coming towards us.’

We both get to our feet as Amon regards his now healed chest with awe.

‘You’re incredible,’ he praises quietly as he feels his strength come back.

‘Now, let me give a little parting gift to my friends coming for us,’ he says as he closes his eyes. The next time he opens them, they are fully black as a flicker of white swirls through them. Screams echo through the palace walls and I already know that Amon must have killed the first wave of soldiers coming after us. Yet it’s not enough as he uses his abilities to open every cell in the prison.

‘You are all free to go,’ he yells to them.

I look at him in awe, that he would still do something like this when our time is running short. But then Amon has never been the type to shy away from a confrontation if it gave him the desired result.

‘You did good,’ I tell him as he pulls me in his arms.

In the blink of an eye, we are not in the palace anymore.

‘Where are we?’ I open my eyes to see we’re somewhere in a cave. Yet it doesn’t seem like a regular one.

‘This is one of my outposts. No one knows about this one so we should be fine for a while.’

I take a step further into the cave as Amon manifests a lit torch in his hand, going to the torches on the walls and lighting them too until the entire cave becomes illuminated.

‘Wow,’ I whisper in awe as I take in what he’d done with the place.

There’s a bed to the side, a chest of treasures and a hearth in the back. Yet that’s not the only thing that gets my attention.

‘Is that the sound of water?’

He smiles.

‘There’s a hot spring. Come,’ he takes my hand, showing me to a separate area. There’s a pond in the middle, steam coming out of it.

‘A hot spring?’

‘It’s why I chose this location. It was perfect to have some time to myself when I was in the area. And it’s on the edge of the Empire so they shouldn’t find us too fast.’

‘But you think they’re going to find us?’

He gives me a pained nod.

‘They have deep ties with dark sorcery. It’s not only Aristol, but also your mother and the new Emperor. They are all practicing, and with the right spell, they can find us—will find us eventually.

‘But…’ I bite my lip. ‘Where does that leave us? We can’t run forever, can we?’

He has a grim expression on his face.

‘Let’s get cleaned up first and I’ll tell you the options I’ve thought of. How does that sound?’ he murmurs lovingly.

I nod absentmindedly.

Amon has just survived the most painful day, and he is still covered in blood and grime. Of course he’d like to take a bath. And if I’m honest, even for me it sounds a little too attractive.

I start removing the heavy armor, shedding it to the ground until I’m left in a long button-up linen shirt. At the same time, Amon takes off his tattered clothes until he’s completely naked.

My eyes widen just as my fingers still on the buttons.

It’s my first time seeing him in such a state of undress and he is…absolutely glorious.

I blink as I take him in. He is one solid block of muscle. There is not one inch of fat on his body, his muscles hard and clearly defined as if they’d been carved in stone.

Yet there’s one thing that claims my attention as I survey him from head to toe.

My gaze zeroes in on his hips, shamelessly dipping lower to the length that sways between his legs as he moves.

I suddenly bring my hands to my cheeks, feeling my skin heat up.

Is that… I think it must be…

It’s the oddest thing I’ve ever seen, and though I have a vague idea about how the bedding business works, I’d never expected it to be quite so…big. And then there’s some type of jewelry adorning the end, which makes me even more confused.

‘Come, lass,’ he chuckles as he stops in front of me, his fingers deftly undoing the buttons of my shirt before letting it drop to the side.

‘It’s the first time we’re completely naked with each other,’ I whisper, averting my gaze.

Though I’d been in my shift in front of him and he’d been shirtless before, this is a true first for us.

‘Indeed,’ he drawls, his eyes dipping to my breasts, his gaze caressing my entire body as he studies me. A hum of appreciation escapes his lips. ‘And I like what I see. Do you?’

‘Uhm…Yes,’ I whisper, my cheeks turning even redder. ‘I’m just a little confused about…’

‘This?’ he asks as he takes his member in hand, his thumb swiping over the head before settling on the ring.

I nod as I slowly bring my gaze down, curiosity getting the better of me. But now it’s even stranger, for it seems to have doubled in size from before, appearing frighteningly large.

As I look up at him in alarm, I find him watching me with amused fascination.

‘I told you the Reva mated for life,’ he murmurs as he pushes my hair out of my face to lay a kiss on my shoulder blades. ‘This ring is proof of that. Only one female is ever allowed to see it. The one I’ll take as my mate.’

‘No one’s ever seen it before?’ I ask on a whisper.

‘Only you.’

That one statement makes me melt like nothing else, my inhibitions disappearing as he takes me into his big arms and carries me to the pond.

Slowly, he submerges the both of us in the water. It’s so warm and comfortable that I can’t help the sigh that escapes me.

‘Oh, Amon. This is exactly what we needed.’

‘Relax, my beautiful Sela. I’ll take care of you,’ he speaks against my ear as he proceeds to wash my hair, his movements slow and careful, as if he’s enjoying the mere act of it.

After he’s done washing my hair, I return the favor as I do the same with his own.

When we’re clean, we simply sit in the warm water and relax.

‘I was afraid I’d never see you again,’ he confesses, his words breaking my heart.

‘Me too. How is it possible that after so little time you’ve become such an irrevocable part of me?’

‘We belong to each other, Sela,’ he smiles. ‘And I promise you that I will protect you better from now on. Still, to know that you risked your life to save me… My brave mate. I’m immensely proud of you.’

‘Thank you. You were my driving force all along. For you…’ I smile. ‘For you I can be strong.’

‘You don’t need me for that, Sela. You’re the strongest female I know, and not only by virtue of your abilities. But because of here,’ he says as he skims his fingers down my collarbone before setting his palm over my heart.

‘I killed my mother,’ I confess as I relate what had happened with my mother, including the odd thing she’d done right before her death.

‘What prophecy could she have been talking about?’

He purses his lips as his arm tightens over my waist.

‘She visited me while I was being tortured. She was very angry that I soiled you because she had everything planned out for your future.’

‘What is it?’ I draw back to look at him.

‘She wanted to gift you to the Emperor.’

My eyes flare with shock.

‘Apparently, she was under the impression that there was a prophecy about your first born, that it will have so much power, it will conquer the entire Arkgor. She planned to use you as a bargaining chip to gain a position at court and power over the Emperor.’

‘But surely that can’t be true,’ I gasp.

‘I don’t know the veracity of it. She believed it to be true. But she could have also made it all up to appeal to the Emperor and trick him into not only letting her live but also promoting her as court adviser.’

‘She did something to me, Amon. I’m not certain what, but she took something from me when she reached inside of me.’

His features darken.

‘We’ll find out what. I promise you,’ he says as he takes my hands and brings them to his mouth for a kiss.

‘But where does this leave us? We can’t run forever, can we?’

‘They executed most of my supporters in a position of power. There might still be a chance I could gather up a resistance. But I don’t want to risk it.’

‘What do you have in mind?’

‘We can either go to one of the kingdoms that’s on bad terms with the Empire, although with my identity, they wouldn’t receive us with open arms.’

I nod. ‘Or?’

‘We can leave Arkgor.’

‘What? Leave Arkgor? What are you talking about?’ I frown.

‘Not many people know this aside from the high officials in the Empire, but there are portals that lead to other worlds. They are very sparse and scattered across Arkgor, but I was sent on a scouting mission a century back. The portals do, indeed, lead to different worlds, but they are highly volatile. The former Emperor started a unit to document them and the worlds they lead to, but it was discontinued for lack of funding since the Emperor wanted to focus on domestic wars first.’

‘What are they like? Those worlds?’

‘Some are very much like ours. The inhabitants look similar too. In some, they have abilities as we do, while in others they don’t. There are also wastelands, where only foul creatures live.’

‘And you think we could go to one of these worlds and they would lose track of us?’

He nods.

‘It’s the best option I can think of. I know it’s a lot to ask since we would be taking a chance on a totally unknown world. But…’

‘Let’s do it. My home is with you, Amon. As long as you are with me, I don’t care where we are.’

How could he even ask that of me? He is the one who has the most to lose. If we stay here and fight, he could achieve greatness and maybe even take on the leadership of the Vissirian Empire. But if we leave, he is forfeiting all his history, all his military accomplishments and his legendary status.

Most of all, he’s letting everyone think he is, indeed, a traitor.

He gives me a brilliant smile.

‘I’m the same. As long as we’re together, nothing else matters. I don’t care if they write me off as the villain in their history books,’ he says as he reads my mind. ‘I might be a traitor to them, but I’ll be a husband to you.’

‘You have a way with words, Amon d’Artan,’ I wink at him playfully as my heart speeds at his proclamations. ‘I don’t care about glory either, or prophecies, or power. I only want to be a wife to you,’ I tell him gently.

His hand reaches out to cup my cheek and I purr softly into him.

‘We’ll do it. We’ll find one of these portals and leave Arkgor for good,’ I state determinately.

‘But first,’ he says, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. ‘Before we leave, I want to wed you properly with our Vissirian traditions and the Reva way.’

‘How are you going to do that?’

‘Let me worry about that, alright?’ he leans in to lay a kiss on my nose before taking me out of the hot springs and leading me to the living quarters.

Laying me on the bed, he rummages through his coffers for some cloth to wipe the moisture off my skin. He dries me first, before doing the same with himself.

When he’s done, he dons on a simple white tunic.

‘I’ll be right back,’ he says just as he disappears from my sight.

I don’t even see him get back as more and more items start to litter the empty cave.

It all starts with a beautifully wooden carved altar, a table and two stools, a mix of paints and candles and a set of wedding garments. Lastly, he places fresh food on the table as well as a wedding cake. When he’s done, he’s back for good.

‘That was fast,’ I note.

He colors slightly.

‘I may or may not have already bought the items before,’ he admits.

‘So you’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?’

He nods.

‘I bought them as soon as I met you,’ he smiles, satisfied with himself.

I shake my head at him, though his regard never fails to amaze me.

‘Since you don’t have a maid to help you, will you let me do it?’

‘Of course. You probably know the traditions better than I do.’

‘I’ve been to a few weddings in my lifetime,’ he chuckles.

First is the dress, an exquisite white gown with gold thread interwoven in stunning patterns. He helps me into it, buttoning it at the back before seating me at the table.

He dresses himself in the matching two piece suit featuring a pair of white linen pants of the highest quality and a white top interwoven with the same gold designs.

‘Each wedding set has different patterns embroidered into them. There are never two identical ones so that each couple may prosper independently of the world.’

‘I like that,’ I smile. ‘A marriage is only between two individuals, and it should be unique to them.’

‘Now for the next step,’ he declares.

He draws the other chair for himself as he picks up the paints he’d brought.

‘What are those for?’

‘Women are traditionally painted in the style of Yula, the goddess of marriage, while men are painted in the style of Yul, her consort.’

He spreads red paint all over my face before adding some black to my eyes and white to my lips. He does a similar design to himself but the colors are inverted, his entire face black, his eyes white and his lips red.

‘You look funny,’ I giggle. ‘But handsome. My handsome husband,’ I murmur as I send him an airy kiss.

‘You look funny too,’ he chuckles as he taps my nose with a little bit of white paint. ‘Now a little more so.’

Startled by his touch, I move back and his finger ends up dragging a white line all across my cheek. Not one to back down, I smear white paint on his nose too, continuing on his cheek in an identical pattern.

‘Now we match,’ I say in an amused tone.

‘A pattern of our own, isn’t it?’ He smiles as he picks up a small mirror, holding his arm back so we can both fit the frame.

‘Perfect,’ I whisper.

We sit like that for a moment, simply watching our reflection and the way we fit together.

‘One day, I’m going to commission a painting of us like this,’ he says quietly.

‘Why commission it when you could do it yourself? You’re quite the artist,’ I tell him.

He pauses for a moment.

‘You think so? You think I could do it?’ he asks in a soft voice laced by longing.

It’s moments like these that I fall deeper for Amon. When, despite knowing the massive strength that lies inside of him, he shows me his vulnerabilities, trusting me to protect them as he does mine.

‘I know you could. I would only ever trust you to paint my likeness.’

He nods to himself, though there’s a quiet determination that shines in his features.

When we’re done with the preparation, it’s finally time for the ceremony.

Taking a couple pillows off the bed, Amon positions them in front of the altar for us to kneel over them.

‘Ready?’ He takes my hand, helping me to sit down and fold the dress under my legs.

I give him a nod.

The altar depicts the union of Yula and Yul and the scene of their wedding when they’d said eternal vows to each other.

Amon takes his place by my side as he hands me a candle and keeps one for himself.

We twine our hands while holding the candle in the free hand.

‘Goddess Yula, I present to you my chosen wife, Sela,’ Amon speaks first. ‘She is the female who’s stolen my heart, my head and everything that I am. She is mine just as I am hers,’ he murmurs as he looks at me with such love, I feel the emotion overflowing in my own chest. ‘Please bless our union for an eternity to come. Please bless me with the ability to protect her at all times. For as long as she exists, I shall exist, too.’

He places the candle on the altar.

My turn comes and I give him a shy smile.

‘Goddess Yula, I present to you my chosen husband, Amon,’ I repeat after him. ‘He is the male who utterly and irrevocably stole my heart. He saved me from my lonely tower and showed me the joys of life and of love. More than anything, he taught me how to be strong. How to get stronger every day. And it’s only because of him and for him,’ I whisper, the words meant for the goddess, yet my gaze is all meant for him.

‘Please bless our union for an eternity to come. Please bless me with the ability to make him as happy as he makes me,’ I squeeze his hand. ‘Our lives will be forevermore intertwined. As long as he is, I shall be too.’

I place my candle on the altar, too, and I follow his cue as we both rise.

Still holding hands, we make a bow before the altar before we turn and we bow towards each other.

‘We’re married,’ I breathe out in wonder.

Amon’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he watches me with rapt fascination, his love so very evident in every little facial expression and every small gesture.

Taking a chair out for me, he sits me at the table before seating himself next to me.

We have a small wedding feast as we talk about anything and everything. It doesn’t matter that this isn’t a grand wedding, or that there are no guests. That we are together is all that’s important.

‘Were you scared of my Reva form?’ he asks quietly as he cuts a piece of steak for me.

I shake my head.

‘Why would I? It’s part of you. A part that was willing to slaughter an entire army for me.’

His lips tip up.

‘It was my first time fully turning,’ he admits. ‘I’m still uncertain how it all came about, but it was also the first time I didn’t hold back.’

‘How do you know so much about the Reva if they are nearly extinct?’

A melancholic smile pulls at his lips.

‘I met one once. A few hundred years ago, I went on an expedition with the army. My entire regimen had been killed and I was lost in the woods. By chance, I stumbled across one of them and we engaged in a fight. When he saw my eyes shifting color, he realized I was part Reva, and he invited me to his home and he taught me a lot of the things I know about them,’ he remembers fondly. ‘Because I’m not full-blooded, my Reva form isn’t permanent. But that male told me that once I activate it, it will become an impulse to do it again. More and more every time until I gain complete control over it,’ he relates, telling me what else the Reva he’d met had taught him.

‘I tried to go back a few years later, but his home had been destroyed. Because of their monstrous forms, the Reva were never welcomed in society, so I assume some villagers had found out about him and tried to drive him out. Or worse,’ his face scrunches up in horror.

‘That’s horrible,’ I whisper.

‘It’s the way of this world,’ he shrugs. ‘It’s why I’m not keen on pursuing this silly vendetta against the Empire. Even if I do get to the top, they will never accept me. Your mother was right in one respect. They might venerate Amon, the military legend, but they will always shun Amon, the Reva.’

‘Maybe things will change.’

‘Will they?’ he gives me a sad smile. ‘In the time I’ve been alive, if anything, people have only gotten more intolerant of those that do not look like them. There are so many factions in this Empire, just as there are so many peoples who hate each other to the bone. I must confess that I won’t be sad to leave this world.’

‘Hearing your stories makes me very happy I grew up in isolation. I can’t imagine living in constant fear that people would find out what I am and…hate me, too. I am fully aware that despite the fact that I look humanoid, my abilities would make people regard me with skepticism. Just like those experiments when I was younger, there will always be those who will want to get to the bottom of my ability, or who will want to replicate it.’

Amon nods.

‘I feel like I’ve only told you about the ugly parts of Arkgor,’ he chuckles. ‘There are the good parts too, the warm people, the traditions and the history, and of course, the absolutely breathtaking nature. It can be a haven for some. Just…’

‘Not for us.’

‘We’ll find our place, Sela. It might not be this world, or the next. But we will eventually find our happy place.’

I reach across the table and squeeze his hand.

‘Alright, enough morose talk. It’s cake time,’ I say as I pull the beautiful cake he’d bought closer.

Amon uses his knife to cut it into a few pieces, placing one on my plate and one on his.

As soon as the flavor bursts on my tongue, my entire face erupts in a bright smile.

‘This is wonderful, Amon. My favorite flavor, too!’

He shakes his head in amusement but continues to feed me. And to be a little cheeky, I feed him too, bringing mouthfuls of sweet cake to his lips.

We take our time eating, but when we’re done, Amon is the first to get up, excitement sparkling in his eyes.

‘Now that I’ve sweetened you up, it’s time for the consummation, dear wife,’ he winks at me.

I giggle at his eagerness.

Rising from my chair, he wastes no time in snapping my buttons open before the dress pools at my feet and I’m completely naked before him.

He swoops me in his arms as he carries me to the bed, laying me down on the clean sheets. Leaning in, he grabs my nape as his mouth opens on top of mine, his kiss as potent as it is maddening. The paint on our faces smears and mixes together, creating brand new colors and patterns.

Drawing back, he takes his top off, throwing it to the ground before hooping his fingers through the band of his pants and removing those too.

My eyes widen when I realize that part of him is even bigger than before. Just how big is it going to grow?

As I drag myself backwards on the bed, Amon’s knee presses into the mattress as he comes forward, his body blanketing mine as he captures my lips again.

‘Don’t be scared,’ he whispers against my lips when he feels me tense.

‘It’s not that. It’s just…’

How do I tell him that I want him more than anything but I don’t know what to expect? That I’m both curious and scared at the same time but it’s all overpowered by this desire I have for him—to be one with him.

‘You don’t have to tell me anything. I know,’ he assures me. ‘And I’m just as scared.’

‘You?’ I raise my brows at him.

‘I don’t want to mess this up, and I want to make it good for you, too,’ he confesses.

I lick my lips as I take in the intense expression on his face. His eyes are wholly black to complement the paint on his face. Gods, but I want nothing more than to please him, too. It seems hard to believe that this is his first time as well and he is as nervous as I am.

‘Tell me what to do,’ I whisper.

‘Just… touch me. Anywhere, everywhere. There’s no wrong way to go about this, Sela. I’m yours.’

‘I’m yours, too,’ I smile as I cup his cheek, leaning in to lay a kiss on his lips.

My hands go down his body as I touch him, becoming familiar with every scar and indentation on his torso.

At the same time, Amon dips his head and brushes his lips over my pulse point, laying open-mouthed kisses all over my neck as he moves down my body.

His teeth tug at one nipple before he swirls his tongue around the bud.

‘Do you like this?’ he asks as he looks up, his eyes finding mine, curiosity, desire and love all mingling together in his gaze.

I nod fervently as I urge him to continue, slowly losing all my inhibitions as desire takes over. My worries disappear as I focus on pure sensation and the feel of him.

He gives the same consideration to my other breast before he continues his journey down my body. Cupping my ass, he places my legs over his shoulders as he nuzzles his face against that place between my legs that weeps for relief.

‘You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed about this, Sela. Your scent,’ he pauses as he inhales deeply. ‘It’s been haunting me, lass.’

The first swipe of his tongue surprises me, my eyes flaring open in shock as pleasure courses through my veins.

‘You like that, don’t you?’ he chuckles against me.

‘Yes… More, please,’ I whimper as he kisses me there just as he kisses my mouth, seducing at first as he licks me thoroughly before resorting to full-on plundering as his tongue delves inside of me, lapping at me as if I were a delicious dessert.

‘You are. You’re so fucking sweet, Sela mina. So wet, so mine,’ he purrs, gently blowing air over my wetness and making me shiver.

‘Amon…what…’

‘Come for me, Sela. Give me your pleasure,’ he rasps before he wraps his lips around my bundle of nerves, making me thrash and moan. My fingers lodged in his thick locks as I urge him to continue.

I don’t know what’s happening to me, but there’s a delicious tension building inside of me, my muscles tensing the more he pays attention to that particular spot.

Gods, but his mouth on me, down there… I’d never thought something so scandalous could feel so good.

‘Amon,’ I moan. ‘I…’ My spine arches, my toes curling into the mattress just as my words are cut off. A wave of pure pleasure crashes through me, followed by light pulsations as I feel myself creeping to the edge again.

‘Give me more, love. I need you wet and ready for me,’ he says. ‘Let me please you, lass.’

‘It’s… It’s too much, Amon. I…’

‘Let your male please you, Sela,’ he growls before resuming the same ministrations from before. Wave after wave, I lose count of how many times I jump over the edge just as I lose track of the time he’s been spending between my legs.

‘You’re so fucking beautiful, Sela,’ he whispers, licking me languidly. ‘So fucking sweet.’

‘I need you, Amon. Please…’ I whimper, opening my arms and beckoning him to come to me—fill this aching emptiness I feel inside.

He relents and climbs up my body, once more kissing every inch of my skin before kissing my mouth and making me taste myself on him.

‘You’re going to let me eat this sweet little cunt every day from now on, Sela,’ he speaks against my mouth. ‘Multiple times a day. Every time I want to eat, you open your legs for me. Alright, wife?’ he rasps seductively.

My entire body is entirely too languid to argue with him so I just nod. I would agree with anything right now as long as he gave me more of himself.

‘Good girl,’ he purrs.

Before I know what’s happening, he has our positions reversed. He’s sitting on the bed with me on top of him, that hard part of him brushing against my thigh.

‘Touch me,’ he asks in a gruff voice, his eyes hooded yet still watching me with resolute alertness.

Giving him a shy smile, I cup his cheeks first, leaning in to give him a sweet kiss before I move lower, doing to him what he’d done to me.

I kiss every inch of his chest, swirling my tongue around his nipples and sucking each in my mouth. His reactions are so fascinating that I’m soon becoming addicted to touching him, curious how he will react next and how much pleasure I can give him.

Continuing my descent down his body, I bring my hands to his chest, raking my nails over his skin before soothing the light sting with my tongue.

‘Such a good girl,’ he purrs, his chest vibrating with the sound. His deep rumble echoes in the cave as he praises my every little action.

My eyes on him, I make the courage to move lower and lower until I finally touch that hard part of him that is as fascinating as it is daunting.

Biting my lips, I wrap my fingers around his shaft, surprised to find it so soft and silky despite being so rigid.

‘Ah, Sela mina,’ he throws his head back. ‘Fuck. I’ve been imagining your hands on my cock for so long. But nothing does the reality of it justice.’

I massage him lightly, and he soon shows me how he likes to be stroked.

‘This goes inside of me, doesn’t it?’ I ask as I swipe my finger over the tip, feeling for the ring attached to it. Theoretically, I understand how it’s going to go, but seeing the size of him, I have to wonder if we’re anatomically compatible.

He chuckles as he undoubtedly reads my thoughts.

‘We’re compatible, lass. But don’t worry, we’re not in a hurry. You’re dictating the pace this time. I just want you to be comfortable.’

‘This time only?’ I raise a brow at him as I squeeze his shaft.

‘Don’t torture me. Not when I’m hanging only by a thread,’ he says in a strangled tone.

Giving him a playful wink, I lean forward and I swipe my tongue over the bulbous head, his spicy taste hitting me immediately and making me clench my thighs in response. His ring protrudes from a slit at the top, the metal shining even in the darkness of the cave. Clear liquid seeps out, and I tentatively give it a lick. Leaning back, I smack my lips together, swirling my tongue in my mouth to experience the full taste of him.

It’s… I must say, I never expected to enjoy it so much. It’s a mix of salty and spicy but there’s a flavor that is so thoroughly Amon, I can tell it’s going to be my next addiction. Especially as I note the immediate effect on my own body, my channel dripping with arousal.

To show him just how much I love this, I bend again, this time capturing the entire head between my lips and sucking, using my tongue to lick him as I would a flavored ice stick.

Placing my hands on the shaft, I move them as he showed me, worshiping his body as he’d worshiped mine.

‘Sela,’ he breathes out my name as he threads his fingers through my hair. ‘Fuck, lass. You’re killing me.’

His words are confirmation enough that this act can bring him as much pleasure as it did when he performed it on me, so I continue my efforts, enthusiastically sucking and licking him as he guides me, showing me what he likes and what drives him most mad. His hand in my hair, he massages my scalp lightly as he keeps murmuring words of praise.

‘You suck me so well, lass. Your mouth’s pure bliss. All wet and hot and fuck…’ he trails off as his eyes alternate between open and closed.

I smile as I nuzzle my face against his length, dripping spit all over and stroking him nice and wet.

Just seeing him so lost to pleasure, so out of control because he is under my control, and I know this will become a favorite pastime.

‘Enough,’ he suddenly says. ‘I need to come inside of you, lass,’ he breathes harshly.

I don’t protest as he lifts me up his body, taking my mouth in a savage kiss as he grabs his erection and positions it between my folds. He strokes me softly, the ring touching my sensitive nub and making me shiver from anticipation and the promise of his claiming.

‘Slow. We need to go slow,’ he recites the words like a mantra as he slides the thick head to my entrance.

‘Please,’ I whisper, my gaze connecting with his. My hands on his shoulders, I slowly push myself down, lowering myself on him.

It’s…a tight fit to say the least.

My face scrunches in discomfort as I struggle to take more of him inside of me. He’s just too big and I’m too…small.

‘Can you…’ I don’t finish the sentence as he reads my mind.

Gripping my hips, he gradually works his length inside me until he’s buried to the hilt. His features are tense, his breathing equally so as he holds me tightly to his chest. We both breathe in and out as we try to get used to this new sensation.

Every inch of him is inside of me, and a soft whimper escapes me as I feel him everywhere. He’s so big and thick, throbbing against my walls, stretching me and leaving a delicious burn behind.

‘Tell me I didn’t hurt you,’ Amon pleads when he feels me tense.

‘No,’ I shake my head. ‘It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact… I like it. I like it a lot,’ I admit as a blush climbs up my cheeks.

‘I’m glad to hear that,’ he chuckles as he licks my lips before kissing me thoroughly. His hands trail up my body, settling on my breasts as he massages my nipples gently, each touch sparking delicious new sensations.

‘You’re inside me, Amon,’ I whisper in awe against his lips as I feel him swell even more in size. ‘We’re finally one.’

‘We…are,’ he rasps, clenching his jaw as he tries to keep himself still. ‘Fuck, Sela. I swear to fucking Vessar I never thought anything could be like this… You’re so warm and tight and so fucking mine,’ he groans as he touches his forehead to mine. ‘So fucking mine.’

‘Can I…move?’

He smiles in relief when I ask the question.

‘A thousand times yes,’ he answers gruffly.

Raising myself slightly, I move up and down his length—tentatively at first before gaining more speed. His hands are on my ass as he guides me, but he’s still respectful of my own pace. This sweet, sweet man is holding himself back just so I’m comfortable.

And that’s what I love the most about my Amon. He is the deadliest man in the Empire—mayhap the entire of Arkgor—yet with me he is the gentlest soul.

Generous. Kind. Soft.

This infamous general that is reputed to have conquered kingdoms, who led the Vissirian Empire into its age of glory is soft.

But only for me.

‘You’re so beautiful, Sela. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on,’ he says on a loud groan. ‘The first time I saw you I couldn’t believe my eyes. You were that stunning. And I was the luckiest male in the entire universe when I realized you were my mate. That you were meant to be mine and mine alone,’ he rasps, his breath caressing my cheek. ‘Only ever mine, Sela. This cunt that’s gripping me so fucking tight will only ever be filled by my cock, will only ever take my seed and will only ever know my tongue.’

‘Yes,’ I whisper, lost in his gaze. His words arouse me to no end as I ride him, my channel squeezing him tightly.

‘That’s it, love. Fuck yourself on me and take everything you need. Show me how well you take your mate.’

I soon get into a steady rhythm, my eyes firmly on his as we stare at each other in this intimate moment. There’s always an urgency for more, but there’s something utterly hypnotizing about this lovemaking and the way Amon regards me at this moment, his eyes hooded, his mouth slightly parted. His desire for me is written all over his face and I’ve never felt more powerful than now. Yet it’s also clear he’s restraining himself for my sake.

‘What if I want you to fuck me?’ I lean in to whisper after I’ve had my time to play.

A growl escapes him, and a couple of are you sure later, I find myself on my back as he starts pumping in and out of me, the power of his thrusts making me reel as I see the difference between my shallow motions and his savage strokes.

My back arches with each thrust, and I slide my hands down his back to his ass, feeling for his firm muscles as he pumps in and out of me.

‘My beautiful mate. Ah, Sela,’ he says as he leans back to watch where our bodies are joined. ‘You take my cock so well, lass,’ he says as he withdraws all the way until only the tip with the ring is inside me. His thumb is on my bundle of nerves as he strokes me just as he delves forward in one smooth thrust before repeating the process all over again, overstimulating me to no end. ‘Your body was made for mine,’ he rasps. ‘Tell me how good this feels, lass. Tell me how good it feels to have your mate fuck you.’

‘Yes. Oh, Amon. It’s so good,’ I moan. ‘You’re so big inside me…filling me…making me yours…’ I trail off, unable to speak coherently.

‘That’s it, Sela. Mine. You’re so fucking mine, lass. Now and forever.’

‘Now and forever,’ I echo.

He licks my neck before kissing me deeply, the combination of his tongue thrusting into my mouth while he’s moving inside me making me mindless with pleasure and passion until I become drunk on everything that he is.

Our face paintings have already been wiped off, either on our bodies or on the sheets. We’re both a messy whole of tangled limbs and sweaty bodies. But we are one.

Now, at this moment, we are one.

The more he fucks me—the more he thrusts into me in that savage rhythm of his—the more my pleasure soars, my walls gripping him tight. The ring at the end of his cock brushes against a sensitive spot deep within me, making me whimper every time he surges forth.

‘Fuck, Sela. I can’t hold it in,’ he rasps as he raises his head. ‘Have to…bite you.’

My eyes widen in confusion.

Bite?

Yet I don’t get to voice my question as I feel his mouth open over my neck, his sharp teeth penetrating my flesh and drawing blood.

He sucks on my flesh greedily, and the prick of pain only serves to emphasize the pleasure more.

As he continues to drink from my open wound, I get the inexplicable desire to do the same. Almost as if I’m no longer in control of myself, I bring my hands to his neck, brushing his hair out of the way before laying sloppy kisses all over his skin.

The urge becomes stronger and stronger until my own teeth break through his skin and I taste the sweetness of his blood as it fills my mouth.

There’s something utterly intoxicating about the way he tastes, and the more I drink it, the more I find myself getting drunk, my head swimming with an ineffable euphoria.

A tingling glow envelops both our bodies, the bond tying us together. And for a brief moment I can hear his thoughts too, his powerful emotions echoing into my mind and humbling me with the love and desire he feels for me.

Now, more so than ever before, we are one.

Irrevocably bound.

Never to be separated.

The pleasure, too, is intensified tenfold as I wrap my legs around his waist, angling my hips so he can thrust into me deeper, touch every part of me he can.

‘My mate,’ he whispers as he licks at the closing wound. ‘You’re my mate, Sela. Now and forever. ‘

‘Yes,’ I agree. ‘Oh, Amon,’ I whimper as another climax claims me.

His hands go to my hips, holding me tight as he pistons in and out of me chasing his own pleasure. And just as my muscles tense again, his hot seed floods my insides.

He shouts my name with the power of his release. Collapsing on top of me, he rolls us until he’s on his back and I’m lying on his chest, our bodies still untied even as he softens inside of me.

‘It’s done, Sela,’ he murmurs as he brings his lips to mine, teasing my mouth open with his tongue as we taste each other. ‘We’re mated. Forever.’

‘Forever.’

I sigh contentedly against him, sleep soon claiming me.

We would later realize that our mating hadn’t only tied us together for an eternity, but my blood could heal Amon inside out, leaving no scar or mark behind.

Finally, I wouldn’t have to worry about him again for my power was now his, too.

A few days later,

We’d allowed ourselves to spend a mini holiday in bed before starting our new journey. With almost no possessions to our name, we’d simply set out for the first portal we could.

The portal is just a swirling mass of energy located at the edge of a cliff—a precarious location.

‘Ready, love?’ Amon asks as he squeezes my hand.

I nod.

‘Let’s do this. It’s a fresh start, Amon. Our fresh start,’ I smile at him.

Taking me into his arms, Amon lays a kiss on my forehead as he takes the step inside the portal.

A blinding light surrounds us, but just like his teleportation, one second we’re in Arkgor, the next we’re in a completely different place.

‘Let’s find our new home,’ he states as he looks into the horizon full of possibilities.

Little did we know that our journey in this world would lead us closer than ever to disaster. Especially as my suspicions about my mother’s spell turn out to be correct.

Elora had cursed me. She’d taken my future away.

Because as the years go by in this new world, as the thousands of years pass, we remain childless, and with the passage of time we slowly become…hopeless.