Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 120

Adelaide

I stood beside Thalia, my fingers anxiously tracing the marble windowsill as she knelt before young Luke, her hands gently placed upon his temples. Pale purple magical light flowed from her fingertips, wrapping around his head like luminous threads. Luke's face was ashen, his eyes vacant, as though his very soul had been drawn from his body.

"How much longer?" I whispered, unable to mask the anxiety in my voice.

Thalia's brow furrowed deeper, beads of sweat sliding down her pale forehead. "The dark magic's imprint is strong, like a spider's web covering his memories... I need more time."

Heavy footsteps echoed from the corridor, and the door was gently pushed open. Draven's imposing figure appeared in the doorway, his expression grave, eyes flickering with alert wariness.

"The runes have been cleared," Draven announced directly, his voice low and tense. "They were carved into the underside of the ritual platform. If you hadn't warned us, we might never have discovered them."

A chill crept up my spine. "This... this means the enemy is among us? Here within Lycandor Keep?"

Draven nodded solemnly. "Yes, and they're intimately familiar with the ceremonial hall's structure. It must be someone who has been lurking here for an extended period."

His gaze shifted to Thalia, noting her pallor was worse than usual, her lips drained of color. Draven quickly moved to her side, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right? Don't push yourself too hard."

Thalia offered him a weak smile. "I'm fine, it's just this dark magic... it's incredibly powerful."

A series of urgent knocks interrupted our conversation. My chief handmaiden Lina pushed open the door, her face etched with concern.

"Your Highness, it's nearly time! You must begin preparing for the ceremony. All the elders and tribespeople are waiting."

I glanced hesitantly between Thalia and Draven.

"Go," Draven said firmly. "I'll watch over Thalia and ensure the ceremonial hall's security. Don't worry."

I nodded, casting one last look at Thalia as she struggled to break through the memory barriers, then followed Lina from the room.

In the dressing chamber, handmaidens surrounded me, clothing me in an exquisite white ceremonial gown. Intricate silver embroidery depicted moons and wolves, symbolizing the Moon Goddess's blessing. Yet I could barely feel the weight of this magnificent garment. My heart raced, an ominous premonition swirling in my chest.

"Your Highness, you look absolutely stunning," Lina said softly. "The Wolf King will be amazed when he sees you."

I forced a smile, but the unease within only intensified. My fingers unconsciously moved toward my back, where my carefully hidden secret lay.

As night fell, the entire Lycandor Keep was illuminated by countless torches and magical orbs, recreating daylight's brilliance. I stood at the entrance to the ceremonial hall, my heart beating so rapidly it threatened to burst from my chest.

The hall overflowed with werewolf nobility and warriors, dressed in their finest, eyes gleaming with anticipation. When I entered the hall, all fell silent, turning to gaze upon me. At the hall's far end, Lycanthar stood majestically on the raised ritual platform, wearing deep blue robes trimmed with silver, awaiting my arrival.

As I walked slowly toward the platform, traditional werewolf sacred songs echoed throughout the hall. When I ascended the platform and stood beside Lycanthar, our eyes met. His gaze sparkled with love and determination, offering me a measure of comfort.

"Are you ready, my moon bride?" Lycanthar asked softly, his voice so tender only I could hear.

I drew a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready."

The elderly werewolf priest stepped forward, raising his hands high, beginning to recite the ancient bonding incantation. As the spell progressed, a silver beam descended from the circular opening in the ceiling, enveloping both Lycanthar and me in moonlight. I felt a strange warmth flow through my entire body, all fear and unease seeming to dissolve in this sacred radiance.

Lycanthar extended his hand, and I placed mine in his palm. When our hands touched, the silver light intensified, as if responding to our union.

---

Morgana

In a hidden corner of Lycandor Keep, I stood before a narrow window, the distant light from the ceremonial hall stinging my eyes. A cold smile curved my lips as I realized the ceremony had begun.

"Finally, this moment has arrived," I murmured, my slender fingers caressing the black obsidian bowl before me. "Three hundred years of waiting will reach its end tonight."

I withdrew a silver dagger from my robes, slicing across my palm and letting blood drip into the bowl. I began chanting ancient vampire incantations in low tones, the blood in the obsidian bowl starting to boil, emanating a dark red glow.

"By the ancient bloodline's name, by the power of night, awaken the seeds I have planted..."

As the incantation continued, I closed my eyes, extending my consciousness toward the ceremonial hall, seeking the runic network I had carefully laid. However, my consciousness touched only emptiness.

My eyes snapped open, crimson pupils flickering with furious flames. "Destroyed!" I roared, striking the windowsill with my fist. The solid stone cracked under my strength. "Damn werewolves, they discovered my runes!"

My chest heaved violently, sharp fingernails piercing my palms and drawing blood. My usual cold composure nearly shattered as curses echoed in the shadowy corner.

"Calm, calm," I finally drew a deep breath, forcing myself to regain control. "This is only part of the plan being destroyed. There are other ways."

My gaze turned toward the distant, brilliant ceremonial hall, a cold smile returning to my pallid face. "Adelaide, you're cleverer than I anticipated, able to discover my runes. Since that's the case, I'll send you a more special gift."

I quickly cleared the blood from the bowl, rearranging magical materials, beginning to prepare an entirely new spell. Dark energy gathered around me, forming a swirling vortex that suddenly shot toward the ceremonial hall.

After completing the incantation, I immediately packed all items. I knew I had been exposed; Lycandor Keep was no longer safe. I had to leave immediately, but before departing, there was one final task.

"Now, it's time to contact our allies," I muttered to myself, a cruel smile playing at my lips. "Garrick must be eager."

I swiftly moved through the dark corridors, my form silent as a shadow, heading toward the underground prison. Behind me, the ceremonial hall's light remained brilliant, but soon, that place would be replaced by chaos and bloodshed.