Chapter 66
Ragnar
ས.42%–
1355 voucherd
The temple of Kings is not a place I like to frequent. The last time I was here, I was 17 and a mess. I had just woken up after losing my mate. Everything hurt, and I don’t know what the hell was thinking when I willingly took the blood oath dagger to my chest.
A blood oath is not easily broken. I never thought I’d come back here to do just that. I’ve had three years to finish this, but the truth is that I didn’t have the courage to face the consequences of my half–thought–out actions.
Sophia’s shift has changed things. I didn’t know that was possible I knew she had the characteristics of a Lycan at times, but the maturity of her body as a wolf was more. Normal Lycan females could never conceive before their shift, and there is no doubt in my mind that she would have given birth to a healthy alpha heir had she gone through with it.
The anomaly has left me in a bind. Our bond is calling to me, but the oath is keeping me from accepting it. Then there’s her. The way she looked at me with contempt when she realized what we are to one another. I don’t know what I expected, but the anger in her eyes wasn’t it.
Her shift has changed the rules of our contract. There is no need for a binding ritual if she’s already a Lycan. The position of Beta is open to both her and Ivar. I don’t know what to do or how to explain to her that this was never part of my life plan and that breaking my blood oath puts me a little too close to death for me to rush it.
“My King,” the priestess who helped me get home the last time I was here comes out from behind the altar. She takes a knee and bows in the old ways. “You bless our temple with your presence. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Seraph,” I greet her properly and place my hand on the top of her head before letting her up. She doesn’t meet my gaze when she’s upright.
Seraph V Sixteen is a virgin of the scribe. She had once been one of the most formidable Generals in my grandfather’s army. When he passed, she stepped down and joined the temple to honor her King’s demise. She’s older now. A lot older than Zeraphine Helvig, yet she looks to be Sophia’s age.
The first time I was here, she urged me to reconsider the blood oath. She said I was young and that it would be better for the next King to be my heir and not Ivar’s. At the time, I didn’t care about heirs or the Kingdom. I wanted to feel the emptiness consume me. I wanted it to overwhelm enough to send me to her. Nothing else mattered.
“I understand,” she says after a while. “So you have met her.”
“Her?”
“Your true Queen.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’ve been here before, sweet prince. I warned you the first time you came to us. A blood oath is not the kind of magic one takes lightly. I assume you are here to try to break the bind across your heart.”
It’s not a question.
“What do you mean by true Queen? Was Clarity not?”
“Clarity is dead, young one,” she lets out a heavy sigh. “You didn’t understand the first time you came here, and believe you don’t understand now. I’ve foreseen your future, and it has not changed. Your reign is upon us, and you have never been alone.
“I knew you would come back eventually. I knew you would con back here for her. This is the hard part, sweet prince. Letting go. The fact that you are defensive of the truth tells me that you are not yet prepared for it.”
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17:17 Tue, Jan 20 GDD.
Chapter 66
42%–
1255 vouchers
“It doesn’t matter. She’s here” I sit on the bench and let out a heavy sigh, remembering the way she looked at me. How she had nothing to say to me when I tried to piece together what I was supposed to say.
“Yes, but that doesn’t make a difference. I will start the preparations for the ritual. It will take me six months to gather everything you will require. I suggest you speak with her. Tell he the reason why you are so-” she looks over at me, her pale eyes stare into my soul the way they did the first time. “Discourteous towards her or anyone who dares come too close.”
“What if she doesn’t understand?”
“Lycans do not have second chances unless it is fortold and it has For the two of you. Bring Sophia here when you are ready, and perhaps I can help you explain what you have done. I know your mate. She is as understanding as she is ruthless. And as you demand understanding, you must understand her.”
“What does that mean?” And how the hell does she know Sophia
“You are not the only one who will suffer from this second chance. Nor will you be the only one who can’t trust. She has a real reason to hate the idea of being tied to someone who will not give her what she deserves. You will not find the love and devotion the way you did the first time. You must earn your place at her side. As a King, this will be the greatest test you must face, and once you do, you will have all you are missing.”
“Thank you,” is all I can say.
“Don’t thank me, my King,” she says, stands up, and begins to walk away. “You must still survive your trial.”
Sophia will be arriving back at Helvig Ranch in a couple of hours. I lose control when I see anyone touch her. I’ve been keeping my distance, not wanting to scare her, but I’ve done a pretty shit job at it anyway.
My instincts are fighting the mark across my chest, and it brings out the worst in me. I don’t know how to act around her. My possessiveness gets the best of me when I see her struggling to forget him. It’s the fact that Santiago is still alive that gets me. The idea of him coming for her. The thought of him changing his mind when he finds out that she is one of us, and that he could have had far more power with Sophia at his side. And then there’s her.
Sophia seems like the kind of person who would forgive anything. It’s her kind nature that bothers me. The fake smiles she gives, the care with which she presents herself, and the mindful way she speaks to everyone.
The only time I ever heard her speak ill of anyone was when we came to an agreement about the way the Alpha King forgave the Romanos for their crimes. The fire in her eyes surprised me but it’s been some time. Enough time for her to have cooled off.
I’ve seen the way she’s come alive since joining the medical team She makes friends easily. The girls she chose as confidants are known to keep outsiders away. Pack alliances like theirs aren made very often, and when they are, friendships never last. However, they’ve taken to her as if she had been one of them from the start. Even their families have welcomed her into their home for the way she treated them from the moment they met.
“My King,” my private guard comes out of the shadows. “You are being followed by a shadow wolf.”
“I am aware, Freyr. Romano sent it. Keep a close eye on her and form me when she reports back to him. There’s another. A male. He’s watching Sophia. Kill him and bring the body back to the palace. I’d like to deliver him back to his alpha myself”
“As
you
wish,
“Is what true?”
my King, he bows. He turns to leave, but pauses. “I it true?”
“A true Queen is upon us,” he whispers.
“Keep it to yourself. The fewer people who know, the better procted she is.”
“I would like to request that my sister, Embla, shadow her. I know she would give her life to protect her if needed,” he bows his head respectfully.
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17:17 Tue, Jan 20 G D D.
Chapter 66
ས ་ 42%
55 vouchers
“I’ll allow it. However, Embla must present herself to Sophia as a friend. She’s paranoid after what happened in Artume. It’s best to tell her the truth from the start. You must warn her about lying. Sophia has a very keen sense to bullshit. I don’t know what her affinity is yet, but I’m sure when it makes itself known, she will need someone by her side.”
“Yes, my King,” he bows his head once more. When he looks up a me again, he smiles. “Congratulations, sir. Miss Helvig is a prize to behold.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
