로그인Odessa:I ripped the blindfold from my eyes just as the door shut behind me. "What the hell is going on, Zander? Why won't he let me see him?" I reached for the doors, but Zander stopped me. "He isn't in there anymore, and I told you it's formality." Rage bubbled in me, a feeling I forced myself to swallow."I don't buy it. I don't buy any of it." I forced my breathing to even out, despite my urge to take hold of Zander and shake him. "Tell me the truth, Zander," I spoke through gritted teeth."You need to try to calm down, Odessa." Gods, that was the wrong thing to say to me."I just spent nearly four moons getting here. I want a shower, and a nap. Afterward, you, Reign, Abner- I don't care who- but someone is going to explain this to me." My finger was pointed in his face, my breathing shallow and heavy as I motioned for Zander to lead me to my chambers as Reign had ordered. Neither of us spoke as he led me in and out of winding corridors that I would have admired if not for the
Reign:The moment she stepped into my territory, I could feel her presence. When I closed my eyes, I could smell the faintest hint of honey and sun. My grip tightened on my desk, the wood ready to splinter beneath the force. I stood, stepping out of the balcony doors in hopes the fresh air would clear her from my mind, but it only worsened in the evening light. “Zander, how near are you?” I asked my best friend, the only man I have ever trusted with all of me, through the link that we share by blood oath. “Look to the northern mountains, Reign.” He said coolly. When I turned to face the mountain range, it felt like the air had been forced from my lungs. She looked like a warrior, a goddess in peasant clothing. “Your queen is home!” I roared through the same link I shared with the people of my kingdom, as my fingers tightened around the stone banister. My hands shook violently as I watched my people surround her. I watched as pink stained her cheeks, turning to a crimson red tha
The blood bear attack slowed our progress; we had missed a full day, and both Zander and I knew it. We rode through the rest of the night, the next day, and into the twilight of dusk… then… we crested a hill, and just over it was my new home.Before us stretched an entire kingdom unlike anything I had ever imagined; dusk had settled over the land, painting the horizon in shades of violet, rose, and molten gold. The fading sunlight clung stubbornly to the world below, as though even the sun was reluctant to leave this beautiful place. Countless lights flickered to life throughout the kingdom, not from lanterns or torches, but from glowing blossoms that bloomed along winding streets, climbing the sides of buildings like living stars.My breath caught.The city appeared carved from moonlight itself.Towering spires rose toward the heavens, their surfaces shimmering as stone and crystal fused. They curved impossibly high, twisting like the branches of ancient trees rather than the rigid
Zander snapped his fingers, and I watched as the walls of the tent disappeared and the freedom of the outside air rushed to meet me, to soothe the sweat still coating my skin. "You're safe, my lady." Zander's voice came as a near whisper."Odessa," I replied. "Call me Odessa, Zander." I gripped his forearm as he hauled me to my feet, letting me stretch my now worn, sore muscles. Pushing my hair from my face, I looked down at my sweat-soaked tunic, then back at Zander. Before I could ask if there was a stream nearby I could clean up in, he snapped his fingers, and not only were my clothes changed, but my skin was fresh, smelling of wildflowers and soap."Thank you," I squeezed his arm again. "You are most welcome, Odessa." He bowed slightly, snapping his fingers once more, making a table and chairs appear; each side had large plates of kedgeree, steaming, fresh… delicious.My stomach growled as he urged me to sit. Suddenly, a porcelain cup appeared, steaming hot with chamomile tea.
Crickets sang into what I could only assume was dusk. Zander had let me sleep the day away, but as I sat up and stretched, my whole body felt better than it had in a very long time. I was completely, utterly at ease. "Zander?" I called out slightly, grimacing at the sound of my voice. "My lady?" Zander called from the outside. I stood and shuffled my way out of the tent, mesmerized by the moment I stepped out, and the orange and purples of nightfall pierced my still waking eyes, and for a moment I wondered if this was even real. I felt so close to freedom, yet somehow, I was still shackled to the past, and it felt like I was running as hard from those memories as I could, but would never escape them. "My lady?" Zander spoke again, and it was then that I realized I had been gawking at the setting sun just as the fireflies began to dance and the crickets began to sing. "Is this real?" I slipped, letting my fear of opening my eyes and being greeted by the fall from the cliff roll
I wanted to thank Zander after our feet touched the stairs, but I didn't. I was so fearful that if I spoke, it would burst the bubble surrounding us. I didn't speak; I barely took a breath until we left the manor entirely. Once the night air reached my lungs, I flared my nose and pulled in lungfuls of the clean, crisp air as Zander clicked his tongue, and two horses walked toward us. One deep and dark, just like the night. The other reminded me of an Oreo cookie, speckled and sweet. I was still certain that bubble would rupture if I spoke, so I stayed silent as Zander helped me mount the sweet oreo colored mare."We have a long way to travel, my lady. Let me know when you need to stop for a stretch." I nodded as Zander clicked his tongue, and both horses headed into the night. We traveled in silence for what felt like hours before I was convinced the bubble of freedom that I had found myself wrapped in wouldn't burst. Then, I finally spoke to Zander again. "Tell me about my husban







