"Why, little princess? Does my proximity make you nervous?" Asked Zarek, in his velvet voice. Glaring at him, "Your presence suffocates me." Said Crystal, bitterly. "Really," Smirking, Zarek chuckled and said, "You didn't seem to complain last night." Zarek's remark elevated the frustration level in Crystal's head. Grabbing him by the collar, "Don't you dare talk to me like that!" Yelled Crystal. Grabbing her by her waist, pulling her closer, he fiercely said, "And don't YOU dare talk to me like that!" . . . "She was an angel craving chaos, they were the demon seeking peace." Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that beasts exist, but because they tell us that they can be beaten. For years people believed that beasts don't exist anymore. For years people lived peacefully. Little did they know that it was the calm before the storm as their belief was a lie. One fateful encounter changed a Princess's life completely. It took away all that she had ever known as she was torn between her family, her people who believed she was going to save them and the love of her life, her mate. What happens when destiny plays it cruel game and gives her a chance to choose between her loved ones and mate? Who will she choose? Join the journey of Princess Crystal Rosette Aquislanada in revealing the mysteries, the desires and her true identity.
'Whoever gets the moon crystal wins the world.' It is an old prophecy that has made all the capable people of the world move.
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"Theo, you need to get out of here!" A woman said as she rushed outside into the backyard with a boy.
"Mother? Mother, what is happening?" The boy asked frantically as he ran towards the woman.
"The kingdom is on fire. Dark sorcerers and their soldiers are everywhere. You need to leave the castle with everyone alive. Right now."
"No Mother, I wouldn't leave you here alone. I will find Father and get him to help us." The grown-up boy replied with determination.
He gripped her mother's hand, and she shook when she heard another blast go off at some part of the castle. The boy didn't know what was happening. There was a huge commotion all around the castle. But why would a sudden rebellion start in the kingdom when they had been living in peace and harmony for centuries?
His thoughts were interrupted when the door into the backyard flew open. Armed soldiers who didn't belong to the boy's kingdom trooped in. The last person who was in, however, was familiar to both the woman and the boy.They looked at the person in front of them in disbelief.
"Ha ha, my lucky day! I met the queen and the prince at the same time without any effort? Your good days are over." The wizard couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.
The man in front of them was not the same who served their kingdom for the last two decades with utmost sincerity. He
He used to be the teacher of Prince Theodore, he taught the prince about the strategy of war, and he was also the prince's favorite wizard.
But now, he stands on the opposite side of this country, he holds a sword, and points the sword at the heir of this country.
No. It couldn't be.
Standing before them was a cunning sorcerer, a savage monster thirsty for blood. His otherwise dull blue eyes were blazing with a strange blue fire, making them look like blue sapphires. His brown hair was tousled, and his face was deathly pale. A sneer played on his lips as he watched his prey with a calculating look.
Queen Genevieve draped an arm around her son and pulled him closer to her own trembling body.
"Not another step forward, Eldar .Or I will not hesitate to use my powers on you."
Eldar Aquislanada cracked a smile and fixed his eyes on the shaking body beside the queen, not in fear, but excited. Seeing the prey's powerless clamor made him feel comfortable and excited.
"I'm not here for you Genevieve, dear. What I want is that boy you have with you and the throne he will inherit when he is older."
"Stay away from him."
"You know what, I didn't even have to ask, I could just channel the required power from the 'Moon Crystal'. 'Whoever gets the moon crystal can rule the world. ' This prophecy is about to be fulfilled. Ha ha ha ha. Before I do it, be obedient and give up the throne." Said Eldar, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
'Moon crystal? Has it fallen into his hands? ' The queen's heart dropped.
Before any of them could utter another word, the door was opened roughly. But this time it was soldiers of the kingdom with their bloodied black and red uniform and steel armies with the royal crest.
Leading them was their King.
"Father!"
The kingdom soldiers charged forward at the flick of King's wrist. In the commotion, Queen Genevieve managed to usher the prince across the backyard to her husband.
"Are you both all right? Did he inflict harm?" The King let out a sigh of relief when he found them unharmed and pulled them into his arms.
"Your highness, we cannot hold him back for much longer, he's too strong for us." One of the soldiers called out.Soldiers fought hard against wizards and enemies.
"Listen, we're running out of time.Genevieve, take Theodore and escape from the castle. Run towards the north and get the child to Antoinette at any cost. We cannot lose him. He's our only hope if things don't go our way tonight. I will not due knowing that the kingdom has gone into wrong hands." King fished a dagger from the belt around his waist and pressed it in Queen Genevieve's trembling hand. "For your defense."
The King bent forward until his son's level and placed his hand on Theodore's shoulder firmly.
"Don't stop until you avenge the death of your clan's people." Dominance reflected in his voice as he further continued, "Find the 'Moon Crystal' and reclaim the throne."
Bright malachite eyes, identical to King's dark malachite orbs brimmed with tears as the little prince brought them back and said, "I will Fath-".
Moon crystal, still safe.And it is waiting for its master.
A loud growl from Eldar cut him off mid-sentence as he ripped his sword from the now-dead soldier's abdomen. The King got his sword in position as Queen Genevieve grabbed Theodore and left the room as quickly as she could. A sharp stab of pain struck her, starting from her stomach and traveling throughout her body. Her back hurt, but she had to do this for her son, her people.
From all around him, Theodore could see blood and hear cries of terror and pain. He wanted to yell at them to make it stop. With whatever energy the Queen had left, she teleported them to the hidden dark forest. The scene wasn't any less loud or bloodier. It only seemed to increase now that they were outside the palace walls.
*********************************************
The forest was the only place, untouched by the soldiers as at a far distance, they saw the stables were on fire and they could see the soldiers rushing, cutting ropes, and dowsing water on burning beams, letting the housed horses free.
"Jack!" Queen Genevieve almost cried in relief when she found her horse safe and unscathed. Not all horses were as tough as Jack.
Jack roared in answer when he noticed his master. The Queen helped herself, leaning against Jack to maintain her balance, and asked Theodore to climb up onto Jack's mighty figure. She placed the reins in Theodore's hands and gave them a quick reassuring squeeze.
Theodore watched in mild confusion as his mother unclasped the sacred amulet from her neck and clasped it around his own. He opened his mouth to ask her why, but the Queen shushed her.
Out of confusion, he asked anxiously, "Why aren't you healing? Why can't you shift?"
She held his small hands, "We can't tonight, nobody can shift. And that is why we shall rely on our human strength-"
Before she could complete it, he whined; "But why mother?"
Wiping his tears, "If you could only understand my sweet boy," tucking the amulet safely, she began, "Listen to me carefully, Theo. I need you to keep this amulet safe for me. Whatever happens, do not take it off. It'll help you reach out to Antoinette; you'll be safe there. Now follow this path to reach the north of the dark forest. Once you reach the middle forest, the amulet will glow, and Antoinette will get to know you and she'll grant you access to enter her abode. Don't stop until you get there ." She instructed. Queen Genevieve placed a cold shivering hand on Theodore's tear-stained cheek, wiping away a tear as it fell.
"What about you, Mother? Father?" He asked. The noises around them seemed to get louder by the second.
Queen Genevieve gave her son a small but beautiful smile, one Theodore didn't know if he would ever see again.There was worry and determination in the queen's brown eyes. Tears glistened, and what she couldn't bear was the child in front of her. She cannot be weak. The queen suppressed the tears and kept them from shedding.
"We'll be fine Theo. And so will you. Your Father and I are ready to put our lives down to protect you and this Kingdom's future if we have to. Remember this, you are brave and strong, and you'll carry forward the legacy of the ' Vouculia Empire '. I will miss you, Theo. Remember that I will always love my boy, okay?"
She hugged Theodore tight and kissed his forehead softly.
Theodore breathed in deeply, taking in his mother's warmth. Queen Genevieve pulled back and patted Jack's body. "Stay safe for me, Theodore."
She took a step back to allow Jack to run.
"Mother!"
Prince Theodore held the reins tightly in his hands as he frantically tried to spot his mother amongst the gathering dust as Jack took off with all his power.
*************************************************
Queen Genevieve dragged herself towards the castle and sent the trusted clan people behind Theodore to back him as they would also be safe from the crisis.
If Theodore was shocked at the scenario inside the palace grounds, he was flabbergasted and utterly miserable when he got a view of the burning village.
People were trying to escape and everywhere he turned, the orange-red hues of the flames that enveloped the Vouculia Empire in its tight scorching grasp were what he could see as far as his vision would go. His heart was beating harshly against his chest as if it was going to pop out.
'Don't stop until you get there, even if somebody asks you to.'
'Stay safe for me, Theodore.'
His mother's words rang in his ears. He can't turn back.
"But I cannot let my kingdom go to ruin right in front of me. I am not trained, but I can help for sure."
The little pup, the prince of the Vouculia Empire, Theodore was determined; his eyes glowed a darker shade of malachite as he handled Jack to a halt. Jack growled in protest, but the prince was having none of it.
"Prince Theodore, keep moving,We don't have time to stop. It's the order of her majesty." Said a soldier, behind him on the horse.
When Theodore looked back, he saw the people of the Vouculia Empire, alive, they were his people. He cannot be selfish and hide in the protection of someone when his people's life was endangered. These are his people, and he wants to protect them.
"You all will move forward and will halt on my command." Ordered Theodore and everyone shook their heads.
"We can't move in front of you, you are the heir of the Vouculia Empire."
"Just go on and I'll guard you all."
"No, your highness, we can'- Watch out!"
Theodore coughed and pressed his palm against his thigh where he felt a burning pain. A wooden arrow had lodged itself into the side of his left thigh. Blood now coated his hands and his already bloodied clothes. He heard the soldier suck in the air at the sight and feebly opened his eyes.
"As the heir of the throne, I command you all to do as I said. Now hurry!"
At last, everyone obeyed his order and moved forward.
Their hearts are trembling, this is their prince, and now the prince stand after them for their lives, they will not disgrace the mission.
Theodore could feel the heat surging through his veins. He might be just a pup, but his powers outmatched even the highest-ranked Lycans in his clan.
No sooner had they reached the middle of the dark forest as the amulet around his neck started glowing. Looking back, he found no one and Theodore sighed in a breath of relief.
They entered the boundary with the amulet and everything was safe for the time being.
When a woman who looked to be no older than in her thirties, with long brunette hair and bright emerald green eyes, walked towards them and a boy followed her from behind.
Theodore's tense nerves instantly relaxed and he passed out.
Her eyes widened when she took in Theodore's state.
"Prince Theodore! God! Someone quickly get him off the horse, this is getting out of control."
A little boy with raven hair and steel grey eyes, younger than Theodore came running toward his mother after hearing her scream.
"Adonis! Get here!"
Being the heir of the Vouculia Empire, the prince was much stronger and grew up faster compared to the humans- mentally and physically. Though they did stop aging normally once they reached adulthood. Theodore was almost in an unconscious state when he felt something
It was the little boy whom Antoinette addressed Adonis. He wrapped a cloth around Theodore's wound and got him off of the horse.
Antoinette quickly dropped the barrier spell and took everyone inside her secret abode in the middle of the dark forest. Running into the wooden house, she grabbed a few bottles off the shelves.
"He's the Prince?" Adonis asked in a surprised tone.
"I thought you would have recognized by the shade of his eyes. He's Prince Theodore Zarek Vouculia, heir to the throne of the Vouculia Empire," Antoinette said as she dabbed a dark blue substance on Theodore's stab wound using a white feather. Looking at Adonis, she said, "and your elder brother."
Theodore groaned and slightly squeezed Adonis' hand which he held tightly in his grasp.
"It's all right. It's over now. You're okay.... brother."
A few days later.
Theodore remembered everything, every pain inflicted on him, on his clan by Eldar Aquislanada.
A young Lycan boy, whose everything was torn apart, took a pledge in front of his people, saying:
"We are born of a time before every creature when the world was raw. The wisdom of rocks and fire and earth and blood is in our veins. For now, we live in a world of mists beyond the reach of mortals and immortals, but the time shall come when we shall rise again. The Lycans will return soon."
The others kneeled, bowing to their Young King. Promising their lives to him as their King's only goal was to find the 'Moon Crystal', to restore the glory of the ' Vouculia Empire', and to reclaim his lost kingdom, and they would support their King until the last drop of their blood.
It was not the end of an era, but the beginning of one.
At the same time, when the sun rose, the moon went down, and stars were always stationary. The new morning came with a new surprise as Queen Ophelia Aquislanada gave birth to the princess of 'The Aquislanada Empire':
Crystal Rosette Aquislanada.
"You took everything from me!" I yelled, the gun shaking in my hands. He didn't yield. Instead, he seized my trembling hands, forcibly redirecting the muzzle to his forehead. His tone, dangerously calm, "Do it." "You think I won't?" I retorted. "Go ahead. Pull the trigger, Miss Russel. But remember, you'll lose the last bit of control you think you have." It was one night, one gunshot, and millions of shattered dreams. In one night, I, Dr. Alina Russell, a nobody, lost the love of my life at the hands of his own brother, Adrian Salvatore. He took away everything I owned and was going to. He took away my unborn child. Not only this, but he proved every belief of mine wrong: that my fiancé was not a mere CEO, but he was the face of one of the most powerful Mafia families in North America; that now I was the unwilling participant in their Mafia Empire; that now I am the possession of Adrian Salvatore; for him to decide whether to kill me or keep me safe.
Asher's hands balled into fists as he tried to resist the temptation of her nearness. "You're playing a dangerous game, Isabella," he warned. "Am I?" Isabella's voice was low and husky as she pressed herself even closer to him. "Maybe I like danger, Asher. Maybe I like the way you look at me when you're angry." . . After her sister's murder in New York City, Isabella Claire Robbinson is determined to bring the killer to justice, even if it means betraying her best friend Natasha Jackson, and marrying her unsuspecting fiancé, Asher Theodore Jonathan. As Isabella delves deeper into the investigation, Asher starts to question his loyalty to Natasha as he witnesses a side of Isabella he never expected, plunging him into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Their connection grows stronger, fueled by an intense and forbidden desire that lingers beneath the surface. But as Isabella unravels the truth, she finds herself facing a difficult choice—one that could jeopardize everything. She carries a secret, a revelation that will forever bind her to Asher. Forced to keep her secret hidden, Isabella's life and the life of her most loved one become targets for her enemies. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their forced marriage, Isabella and Asher must confront their pasts, question their loyalties, and determine what they truly want in the future. Will Isabella's pursuit of justice lead her to the killer, or will her own desires and emotions betray her? Can Asher forgive Isabella's betrayal, or will it be too late to salvage their relationship? Amidst the dangerous web of deceit and intrigue, they embark on a desperate search for truth and redemption. Will they find the answers they seek, or will the shadows of their pasts consume them both? Join the journey of Asher and Isabella in 'Deadly Desire'; where lust and revenge collide.
[Mature Content- 18+] "Why are you making it so difficult?" I screeched at the top of my lungs. God, why does he have to make everything so difficult? "I'm your boss and you're responsible for following my orders. You have no authority to defy me." He snarled; his hands balled into fists. "Are you even listening to your baseless blabbering?" "Shut the hell up!" He roared with pure antagonism and fisted his hand on the glass painting that hung by the wall. I gasped at the sight of glasses shattered into tiny pieces, droplets of blood oozing down his knuckles. His jaw was clenched as he shot daggers into my eyes, not because of the pain that was inflicted by the quick punch, but the remembrance of my betrayal. ------- Mystery. Romance. Deception. It's a famous saying that, hate is a strong emotion- so is love. You can only hate someone you place in high esteem since you care about what they think. Just when Evelyn Williams thought she could bring some light into her miserable life, destiny played its cruel game again, bringing her back to the place where she started. Five years later, she is forced to work with one and only Xavier Blake Knight, the one who remembers how Evelyn Williams has broken his heart. After what she did to him, would she be able to look into his eyes? Unbearable secrets will be revealed with a mixture of irresistible desires. Desires that Evelyn fears would only deepen her wounds, but somehow heal Xavier's.
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
For seven years, Jillian pursued Bryan with unyielding passion, but he remained distant, his emotions tightly sealed. Disheartened, she left for overseas after graduating from college. Three years later, Jillian, now a successful attorney, sat provocatively on the lap of Bryan's competitor. She flashed Bryan a playful smile and taunted, "What's wrong, Bryan? Are you impotent?" Bryan's restraint shattered in an instant. In a swift motion, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. The next morning, as Bryan woke up, Jillian flashed a mischievous smile. "Let's keep things casual, okay?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."