Page 6 of Of War and Realms

Princess, this is a little too far. I whip my head to the prince, telling him to be quiet or he’s next. Though, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind that. He raises both hands placatingly, smirking as he relaxes into his chair once more.

I turn back to Viktor, curling my lip. “So while I may be their whore, I am also their goddess.” I turn to the room, addressing the entire council. “My name is Anellah. I am the daughter of the God of Balance and the Goddess of War, Hale and Aeryn. Andras has held me captive for the last twenty-five years.” I leave Viktor kneeling while I circle the other members. “Andras is not the prince you believe him to be; he is the traitor that initiated the War of Gods six centuries ago. He was thought to be dead, though that’s clearly not the case.

“Being his prisoner for so long, I am intimately,” I spit into Conan’s face, “familiar with who he is at his core, and his plans for another war. Your prince is not lying. Andras has a witch and has used blood magic to create a bridge between Earth and Breoqan.” Horrified faces stare back at me. “He wishes for revenge against the other gods for what they did to him. I am his chance at that revenge. He wants me. He will come for me, and he will bring his entire army, city, and now demons along with him.”

I stop next to Casmir, seating myself on the arm of his chair. I run my fingers through his hair, needing to feel him right now. His arm circles my waist, holding on like he couldn’t bear to let me go. I sigh, my head suddenly feeling less cloudy.

“You will do well to listen to your prince. If any of you even look at him wrong again, you will answer to me.” I pull Viktor to his feet and release my hold on him; he grabs his chest, breathing deeply as he stumbles back to his seat. The rest of the council relaxes when their restraints vanish.

The rest of the meeting goes well, though I was sitting next to Cas, staring them down with every threat imaginable in my gaze. Once they all leave, my shoulders droop and I scrunch my eyes closed at the pressure leaving my head.

That wasn’t me…I have never manipulated someone’s mind before. Why—

Fuck me. I remember reading about the likely consequences of not completing a triggered bond. I’m feeling overly protective from the smallest things…none of them threatened Casmir, but my soul didn’t care. Their harsh words were enough to set me off.

I want to feel guilty. But I don’t. I really need to figure this out; I’m beginning to realize there may no longer be a choice.

Chapter Three

Anellah

Zipping my fitted black sweater, I take one more look in the mirror before turning to pick up Xamira. Emrys insisted I wear leathers, since we’re going to train at the north army camp today. I think this outfit will be just fine; plus, it’s getting warmer outside, and I am in no mood to sweat under leathers. My nose scrunches at the thought.

“Okay, my girl,” I say out loud to my sorid. “Ready to go fuck with some males?” She nods, and I laugh. She enjoys tormenting them just as much as I do. Even in her species, they’re arrogant and condescending. Emrys told me there were only two females at the north camp, which is hard to believe when there are thousands of soldiers.

I lift Xamira, holding her to my side and leave to find my bonds. They’re both waiting in the common area, ceasing their conversation when they see me. I bite back a smile when Em narrows his eyes. No one has ever made my abdomen flutter the way these two do with just one look. Cas has also forgone leathers, standing confidently in black, light-fitted pants and a deep blue jacket that accentuates the golden flakes in his eyes. He smiles at my approach.

Emrys wears his leathers, of course; though I quite enjoy the deep color of the ones he chose today. The contrast to his skin and caramel eyes is very alluring. Even if he is looking at me like I’ve done something wrong.

“Why are you not wearing what I set out for you?” His clipped tone gives away his rising frustration.

“I told you,” there’s a smile in my words. “I don’t want to.”

“And I believe I told you that the soldiers at this camp will fight dirty. They will not hold back in their sparring.” I belt out a laugh, throwing my head back and pressing a hand to my stomach. Xamira makes a noise and pushes off me, jumping down to walk ahead of us.

When I contain my giggles, I step up to Emrys and rest a palm on his cheek. His leathers must be new. Their scent is strong, but mixed with his muskiness? Delicious. “That’s sweet.” I pat his cheek and move to grab a hand from both males in mine. Deep-rooted heaviness lifts slightly when our fingers intertwine, and I can tell it affects Cas and Em too, because they both visibly relax at the contact.

As we’re walking to the castle entrance, Casmir’s voice breaks the peaceful silence. “I don’t know if you should be concerned, Em,” his voice teasing. “I think the soldiers will be more focused on looking at her ass rather than kicking it.”

“Wh—excuse you!” I bump him on the arm, laughing and shaking my head.

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” Emrys mutters quietly. I’m suddenly yanked backward as he stops in the middle of the hall. “That’s it—you’re going to change. He’s right. Your ass looks way too good in those.”

“Oh my gods, you insufferable male! Come on!” I pull him back along, and he reluctantly starts walking again.

We reach the stairs and make our way down, but my mind is elsewhere. I feel…strange.

It’s like a light breeze caresses my soul, pushing away the raging storm that hasn’t stopped in years. My chest isn’t so heavy anymore; it doesn’t feel complete, but there’s light filling some of the cracked edges. And each time I start to panic, one of my bonds is there to pull me out. They help ground me.

I’m not sure how to explain it. I just feel, I suppose, sort of…happy. Even with a war coming and a good chance many of us will die. Even with everything else there is to stress about. They are the light guiding me through, showing me it’s possible to have someone love you because they want to, and not out of perceived obligation.

“You okay, princess?” Cas’s quiet voice coats my ear, and I can’t stop the smile that crests my lips. He places a light kiss on my cheek, wrapping his arms around my torso to hold me against him. I may be warm already, but the heat from his body tantalizes my every nerve. I bite my lip, nodding lightly and leaning into his affections. Warmth races through my chest, claiming space in my abdomen and fluttering around like the soft hum of a distant melody.

His ability to suppress my every worry is remarkable. It’s as if his soul creates a dome of safety that begs for my presence within its intangible walls. It yearns to carry me through the worst of times; being the shelter I desperately need when my own mind betrays me.

These last few weeks have been hard. Exhausting. I want so badly to be healed, not having to rely on my bonds for help or pause my life to get through the next bout of panic. But nothing is ever so easy. At least I have them and Xamira. They are what keep me fighting when the urges to end my existence overtake all rational thought.

I shouldn’t complain, though. Each day is a little easier. Before, visiting one of the army camps would have been impossible. Fuck, I don’t think I’d have been able to even get dressed for a visit. I am doing better…it may not always feel like it, but the slight improvements are there. And thank the gods for that.

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