<i>Zephyrine </i><fnf9ac> This text is hosted at f?ndnovel</fnf9ac>


    Finished


    “Ugh. Are we home already?” Dessyn’s voicees, whining. “I could live in this carriage forever. Look at howfy it is?”


    I don’t respond. My mind is elsewhere, lost in itself, lost in thought. I pray, with the little connection and bond left in me, that it isn’t true. That Nyroth doesn’t know anything about Ka’s intention to kill me.


    Unaware of my surroundings, I step out of the carriage, making my way toward the Dusk household, my mind deep in thought, until I feel a nudge from behind.


    I blink, snapping back to reality, to find myself standing in the living room. Dessyn stares at me, concern etched in her features.


    “What’s wrong, Zephyr?” she asks, but I can’t answer yet. I look away and freeze as I see movement ahead. Morwen, the great priestess, Dessyn’s mother.


    She steps out from the hall, stopping just a few paces away. Instinctively, I rush toward her, ready to throw myself into her arms, but she surprises me. She holds out a palm, stopping me cold.


    “Stay right there,” she says. I pause, confused. “I heard the rumors, and I’vee to realize they are nothing but the truth.”


    Morwen, a fine woman with short hair stopping at her shoulders, has always been a motherly friend to me. She coborated with the healer back in Ash Pack during crises and sometimes performed rituals before the Ashmeres went to war. I have always loved and respected her work, but now, after years of absence, she seems… changed.


    I try to read her when Blue appears from ahead, her head bowed, sadness written in her posture. I raise an eyebrow in horror.


    Wait… what?


    “You’re here, My Lady,” she murmurs, hiding her face, but I refuse to just stand aside. I walk up to her and see tears in her eyes. She blinks them away and forces a smile.


    “What’s wrong?” I ask, not at her, but at Dessyn. My eyes widen in shock. “What’s wrong with my personal maid? I didn’t bring her here to be hurt. What’s happening?”


    Dessyn looks equally surprised, exchanging nces between me and Blue. Before she can respond, Nathan, Dessyn’s father, walks into the living room, exhaustion sagging his shoulders.


    “Father,” Dessyn rushes to him, concern in her voice. “Father, what’s going on?”


    “Ask your crazy mother!” Nathan snaps, and I stiffen.


    I slowly turn my gaze to Morwen. She juts her chin, stepping forward.


    “First, Zephyr, you are like a daughter to me, and I am giving you an order,” she says, pointing at Blue. “This Lycan cannot stay here.”


    <b>R </b>


    35%


    Finished


    I freeze. An order. From her.


    “Why?” I ask, disbelief thick in my voice.


    “Why?” she repeats, stepping closer, staring down at me. “You are an Ashmere. A warrior, a leader and yet you allow a Blood to taint you.”


    A Blood? That’s Lycannar. Lycannar Blood.


    “I heard the rumors on my travels,” she continues, “and at first I doubted them. But now, seeing the darkness he brings here, I know it is true. This maid of yours returns to the Lycan Kingdom today, and you will end whatever is between you and that… monster this very day.”


    My heart plummets. Silence falls, shattered only by Nathan’s voice.


    “Morwen, I have told you already. The King is a good man. He hade for dinner before and You certainly won’t tell Zephyr what to do!”


    Morwen smirks at me.


    “A good man? Really? You have no idea what he is under the full moon’s light. Do you know why the ck Tower was built for him before he was even born? Do you think the Moon Goddess, who bound you to another man with a Mate Bond, is stupid? Do you think your dead parent will rest in peace if they know you allow a monster to see your body?”


    “His name is Lycannar,” I mutter quietly, but my voice is firm. Morwen freezes, taking a step back. “Those who don’t know his real name call him Apex. You can, too or better yet, address him with respect. Call him His Majesty. He is a King. Never call him a monster.”


    Her face turns pale, and she spits on the floor.


    “I should have known this would happen,” she snarls. “He has poisoned your mind, Zephyr. That King is not a man you can be involved with. His secrets are all dark. If you think he will make you happy, you are wrong. The bond you share will bring only destruction. You will return to your mate and stay with him. Do you understand?”


    “Mother, what is wrong with you?” Dessyn straightens from her father, stepping between us. “What is going on? What are you saying?”


    “That she cannot marry a monster! A freak! He is far from holy. He is cursed!” Morwen snaps.


    Dessyn turns to me in panic, holding my hand, but I pull away, anger rising.


    “I won’t be merciful next time, Dessyn. She should stop calling my Love names.” I move to walk away, but Morwen’s challenge cuts through the room.


    “Names? Your love? Fine. We’ll see what you call your love tonight. Invite him over for dinner, and I’ll invite Nyroth Hue, your mate, as well. Then we’ll sit together and see which one is truly worthy, the one fit for the great Goddess of War. Well, that is… if he even has the nerve to cross the threshold of this doorway.”


    I stare at her, stunned. Morwen is deadly serious, every line of her face hard with determination. I frown, confusion twisting tighter in my chest. What the hell is going on?


    And… what does she mean by Lycannar under the full moon being something else?