Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 99

Garrick

The heavy oak door of my private chamber groaned shut behind me as I strode into the dimly lit room. The black stone walls of Nightfang Fortress gleamed coldly under the moonlight streaming through the tall windows. Morgana was already waiting, draped in a deep crimson robe that seemed to absorb the shadows around her. She sat elegantly in my chair, her pale fingers trailing along the rim of a crystal goblet, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"The plan proceeded even more smoothly than anticipated, my dear commander," she purred, her voice sliding through the air like silk. "Three villages, and not a single soul can describe the true identity of their attackers."

I threw back my head and laughed, roughly pouring myself a drink and downing it in one gulp. The wine burned as it went down, but it was nothing compared to the fire of triumph coursing through my veins. "Thanks to your concealment dust, my forces slipped into those villages like ghosts in the night." My laughter grew more reckless. "Those foolish survivors were terrified out of their minds, only able to cry out 'werewolves'. Our plan was flawless."

But even as the words left my mouth, a shadow of concern crossed my features. I set down the goblet with more force than necessary. "However, Draven is sent to investigate. He's always been shrewd—if he discovers it was Second Legion forces who carried out the attacks..."

Morgana rose from the chair with fluid grace, her fingertips gliding across my armor. "My dear Garrick, you give that First Legion commander far too much credit," she murmured, her voice dropping to a hypnotic whisper. "Draven won't be returning alive. I've already arranged some... special welcome ceremonies for him."

I grabbed her wrist suddenly, suspicion flaring in my eyes. "Who are you really, Morgana?" The question burst from me before I could stop it. "Your abilities far exceed those of any ordinary mage. Your plans are too intricate, too perfect. What exactly are you after?"

Instead of pulling away, she stepped closer, her eyes beginning to glow with an eerie red light. "Are you certain you want to know, my wolf commander?" Her voice seemed to echo from a great distance, and black mist began seeping from her fingertips, coiling around my arm like living smoke.

A wave of dizziness crashed over me, as if countless tiny spiders were crawling through my brain. "My... my head..." I struggled to maintain clarity, but my thoughts grew increasingly muddled.

"Relax, my warrior," Morgana whispered, her cool palm caressing my cheek. "You don't need to doubt me. You need only execute our shared plan."

My vision blurred, my eyes growing vacant as the last traces of suspicion were consumed by the dark mist. I shook my head, suddenly confused, and laughed. "What nonsense was I speaking? Of course, our plan will succeed magnificently."

Morgana's smile deepened with satisfaction as she began unlacing her robe, revealing alabaster skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. "My commander, it's been too long since we've played our games." Her voice was sweet as poisoned honey. "Tonight, let me reward your loyalty and courage."

"As you command, my goddess," I growled, roughly pulling her into my arms. My reason had long since been devoured by desire and dark magic.

As I kissed her with desperate hunger, Morgana's lips curved in a cold smile. Deep in her violet eyes, a flash of inhuman red light flickered—a glimpse of something far more ancient and dangerous than any werewolf could imagine.

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Thalia

Moonlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dancing patterns of color across my chamber floor as I paced restlessly. One hand rested protectively over my still-flat belly, where our secret grew with each passing day. It had been two hours since Draven was summoned away on urgent business, and an overwhelming sense of dread had settled over me like a suffocating shroud.

"Stay calm, little one," I whispered to the life growing within me, trying to soothe both my unborn child and my own fraying nerves. "Everything will be all right."

The door burst open, and Draven's tall frame filled the doorway. I rushed toward him eagerly, but the grim expression etched across his features made my heart sink.

"What's happened?" I asked softly, my fingers unconsciously tightening around the fabric of my robes.

Draven drew a deep breath, his eyes flashing with anger and grief. "Three human villages at the border have been massacred. The scene is littered with werewolf claw marks and scent trails." His voice was low and pained. "The Wolf King has commanded me to lead an investigation team to the site."

"No..." The word escaped as barely a whisper as dizziness washed over me. My knees began to buckle, but Draven caught me, gently guiding me to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Was it our people?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear of what I might hear—torn between grief for my fellow humans and terror of what this might mean.

Draven gripped my hands tightly. "I don't believe it. This wasn't Lycanthar's order, and it doesn't match our methods of operation. Someone wants to ignite a war, Thalia." His gaze hardened with determination. "I must uncover the truth."

A terrible realization struck me, and my face went even paler. "You're going into human territory to investigate? Draven, that's incredibly dangerous! If this is a conspiracy, whoever orchestrated it certainly won't want you returning with evidence..."

"I have no choice," he said, his hand cupping my cheek tenderly. "If I don't stop this plot, war between our peoples will be inevitable."

I bit my lip, fighting back tears as I rose and walked to my small wooden chest. From within, I retrieved a silver amulet engraved with ancient runes, a moonstone glowing softly at its center.

"This was my father's protection charm. It can ward off the most powerful dark magic," I said, my fingers trembling as I placed the chain around his neck. "It will protect you... you must come back alive, Draven."

Draven pressed his hand over both the amulet and my fingers. "I swear to you, I will find the truth and return to your side." His voice was deep and resolute, his eyes holding countless unspoken words of love and promise.

We held each other tightly, our heartbeats synchronizing in the quiet chamber. He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Wait for me."

I nodded, forcing a smile though my heart was breaking. When his figure disappeared beyond the door, my composure finally crumbled. An indescribable fear gripped my heart as my hand instinctively moved to my abdomen.

"Please, goddess, protect him," I prayed in a broken whisper, tears sliding silently down my cheeks. "And please protect our child..."

Outside the window, dark clouds drifted across the moon, plunging the entire room into shadow. Somewhere in the distance, I could swear I heard the faint sound of ravens calling—an omen that made my blood run cold.