“Elise called a private audience with the queen after their spell had allowed her to force the marriage to your father, Anthony. She wanted the old queen to know that it was Royal’s child she carried. The old Queen was overjoyed by such excellent news she had her servant put a celebration together, and she invited the whole kingdom to the event. Antony, having done the math, refused to believe the babe was his. He could smell his brother’s scent all over Elise and knew that his brother’s bastard grew in his new wife’s womb.
Slighted, angry, and broken, he ran to the one person who loved him without question. He ran to your mother, Nethra. She may have no longer been his betrothed in public, but it didn’t stop their bond from growing even more in secret. The love they shared was the greatest I had ever seen between two Werwkin. It flourished like a flower forced to grow in the dark. Three years after the pretend princess and heir to the throne was born, you came into the world. A glorious child with all the powers and strengths of the Nightshade line Elise was furious, but Anthony forced her into excepting you with a mind-altering gift give by Nyx to only a few of the Nightshade lions. She believed she had born you herself and that you were but a weak child, nothing important because you would always be the second born. Just a poor replacement in her thoughts should something happen to her beautiful Sasha.
She tried many ways to kill you and remove you from the picture. She chased it obsessed by the residue of a memory that held a warning but no actual meaning to her mind because the spell had removed it. Even with her attempts, your father had taken necessary precautions against her and her magic. Your father had a few tricks up his own sleeves, and keeping you safe was his top priority.
One day Anthony was called to war. In his worry for you, he placed a spell on you that would stop any harm from befalling you until you reach the age of maturity. If you are wondering child, you will not reach the age of maturity until you hit the age of twenty and one. Even if Elise were still trying to break through that curse, she would be thwarted at every turn. Just beware of Sasha and her blades. With the power of the beast coursing through her veins, it makes her the one and only deadliest foe you can have. From prophecy, it was stated she was the force meant to destroy Werekin.” Nana finished. Her cheeks flushed from her glass of wine, though the tension in her body showed how nervous Nana was about how Zoey she would feel by al these new revelations. Exhausted by all of it, Zoey sat back puzzled, and she began to imagine how she would take her throne back. Surely there had to be a way to tame the beast?!
Chapter 12
Sasha’s Lesson
Nyx was done with Sasha! She was a lazy vile creature, a burden to the very world she had been raised to protect. It was as if the beast she wore when she shifted was just as heartless as her human side. Screw going through the motions. Nyx was going to use her form as Sara to teach this hateful princess a lesson she would never forget. After the magically made young girl fled back into the forest, Sara made her way over to Sasha, who just chuffed at her.
“You could have helped me, you know!” she snapped. It was hard not to yell at this little bitch. Sara knew in her heart that it would do her no good and that the only thing she would get from Sasha’s mouth would be more bitter bullshit. Nyx had no time for games. The Werekin world had to survive even if it meant stripping this child’s mind down to the bare bones and replacing it with a more loving and compliant nature.
“Why should I risk my life for one girl? She was powerful enough to help you fight back. You didn’t need my assistance, besides I could have been injured.” Sasha’s bleated like the selfish cow she was. It took all of Sara's will power not to slap her where she stood.
At least I know you are who you claim to be. The useless royal who helped throw our world into chaos.” Sara glared at Sasha, daring her to even lift a finger in anger at her. Sasha’s eyes blazed with fury as she struck out at Sara. Nyx, in her anger, let fly with a spell that knocked the princess out cold. She left her there on the ground, her lip bleeding her nose broken, and her eyes swelling. This ungrateful child could make her own way to the castle and into her Uncle Royal’s clutches. He had no love for anyone who threatened his throne, and Sasha was a definite threat.
It would be a thrill to watch her punished and finally killed as a fake. For that was the lesson Nyx planned to teach her before she brought her into the mind-altering state and stripped her powers to their natural state. She would become the weak lioness that she had been born as, and her titles would be stripped when she could not pass the Queen’s trials. She had to work fast if she was to have any time with Princess Zoey to explain what she needed to do to usurp this vile beast before her. As she pulled herself from the dream world, Nyx stopped to wonder if Sasha was indeed the prophesized child that would become the beast of destruction?
If this were true, all her work would be for naught, and she would have to find a way to help Princess Zoey take her down. This child could not be the ruler of Astra. Maybe the queen’s trial was the only way. As Nyx reappeared in her apartments at the magic school, she opened her scrying glass to put her plans to work. She knew nothing would attack Sasha as she slept within the dream world, but she had to give a hint of her reappearing to Royal and stir the seeds of malcontent that always flourished in his heart both in this world and the one she had created.
She waved a hand over the glass switching her view to the greasy ruler of the dream world Astra. Her disgust was a vile taste in her mouth. Using her magic, she dove back into the glass and took the form of a messenger from the Hemlock Kingdom. She felt the irony would be the most biting to stir this dream world Royal’s anger. She approached the castle on a fine white horse dressed in soft velvet, her hair tightly bound into a bun that lay upon the back of her neck.
A very round and very lazy guard dozed at the entrance, his chin to his chest and his snores like a soft rumble that could be heard only as she approached. Clearing her throat so as not to startle him, she said, “ I wish an audience with King Royal of Astra. My name is Melody, a messenger from the Hemlock Kingdom. I bring urgent news.”
Her announcement sent the guard into a blurry-eyed frenzy. “I see, I will check with his advisor to see if his majesty is available,” He said, the irritation in his voice showing that he did not approve of being woken up from his afternoon nap. Nyx nodded her reply and smirked as she watched the lazy guard saunter away. This world was expertly crafted and made her feel as if she was playing with actual people. The truth of the matter was that it was only that vile creature Sasha that mattered. She wasn’t sure if this would teach her much of anything but, that child needed to be spanked hard by life, and this was the only way she could think to do it. Nyx would leave the lesson imbedded in her mind even after she had wiped her personality and replaced it with a more amicable mold.
It bothered her that the child lacked empathy and basic kindness. The words from the prophecy surrounded her mind like a warning. Could it be that the old queen had let her son marry a lioness that could produce the beast? These were all questions she would have to find the answers to. If her plan worked, she might still be able to thwart the Fates decree, though she knew from experience that the Fates were a stubborn bunch of bitches and kept their eye on the prize when they wanted to shake things up a bit for everyone.
Two hundred years of peace was a long time for the Werekin to avoid the spoils of war, and yet Nyx would see another two hundred if her plans came to fruition. There was much they could accomplish before war had to change the landscape once again, and the discoveries she had planned would change the way magic ruled this world forever. There would be no more inequality, and Astra would become a vast eutopia of pure conscience. Astra would be a marvel like no other in the worldly planes. It would bring power back to the gods and goddesses that had been long forgotten, and they would reign supreme once more. At least that is what she had hoped would happen. Like the human race, Werekin were unpredictable but far more charming as their minds were not as fragile. Beside
s, they could not be easily swayed from their beliefs as the human race could be. They didn’t bow to one harsh, unforgiving god, but held belief in many like the old humans once did in a far grander time in their history.
The guard finally returned his face red, he huffed and puffed his way towards her position. “King royal will see you now, my lady. If you will kindly dismount, I will have the stable hands see to your horse, while I show you to his Majesty’s receiving room,” The lazy guard wheezed. It took a great deal of will power for Nyx not to laugh at his challenged sips of air as the guard spoke around his fatigue.
“Did you run good, sir?” She asked just to hear him attempt to speak once more.
“You said it was urgent, and I made haste just for you, my Lady.” The lazy guarded huffed while giving a courtly bow. His large stomach almost touched the ground as he did his best to stay in proper form. Nyx finally lost her composure as a tiny bubble of laughter escaped her lips. “ I feel honored.” She said in an attempt to recover, but the damage was already done. The lazy guard's face had turned a bright crimson, and his temperament went from polite to harsh in a single instant.
“I am glad you find my efforts funny. If you would follow me, I would be rid of your insolent behavior. Might I suggest you curb your laughter before you reach his majesty for King Royal will not suffer jokes made at his expense.” The lazy guard all but barked at her. Nyx held back this time, but her mind buzzed with pleasure to see the parallel world she had created hed all the flavor and charm of the real world she was trying to save. It was remarkable and far more impressive than she could have possibly imagined. Her creations had a tendency to surprise her, and this false world was no different than those things she helped make in the real world. The only difference here was that she held far more control of the actual outcome.
It was a beautiful thing in her mind and one she missed having in the real world not trapped by magical dreams. Soon things would change, and she would be able to walk among her people like a treasured guardian instead of the unknown veiled bride that left the groom praying his parents had chosen someone pretty versus an ugly rich woman. The adoration would feed her power, and she could go back to enjoying her long life instead of finding new ways to convince mortals she still existed and wasn’t just a story from their histories.
The guard walked at a clipped pace, making Nyx have to almost run in her newly chosen form. It made speech impossible and left her wishing she hadn’t lost those tiny bits of laughter. The guard moved like a round little waddling old woman. His body swaying back and forth like a pendulum swing or a metronome hypnosis tool. If Nyx hadn’t known better, she would have assumed that she was following an automaton. It was too late now, and frankly, she didn’t care as long as she got Royal’s attention that would be all that matter.
As she approached the courtroom, the silence inside was deafening. No music played, no sound of idle chatter, and definitely no sound of life. Nyx hesitated before she followed the waddling guard through the entrance. Could it be that her audience was to be private, this would not suit her purposes at all. She needed the court aware of the beast princess’s arrival for the punishment to count. As she stepped through the doors, she was hit with a blazing din of sound. The noise so loud it was almost hard to hear one's self think. She knew then that the room had been soundproofed, and it made her messenger form tremble.
Rulers who would hide their festivities from prying ears tended to be beyond cruel and lacked any sort of redeeming qualities. She had to hope that the Royal she had created was more forthcoming than your average villain. “Your majesty, I bring the messenger from the Hemlock Kingdom.” The fat lazy guard said as he gave an awkward bow.
Royal’s eyes blazed in anger as he looked her over, and then his demeanor changed, feign little or no interest. It was as if he decided that she did not look important enough to challenge. Nyx would show him, using a spell to make her voice boom through the courtroom she delivered her message. “Great King Royal, I bring grave news to the Nightshade court. The beast princess has resurfaced, it is like she has come back from death itself. She destroys everything she finds, and she is making her way here.”
Royal spit the wine he had been sipping from his glass all over the guard, who still held the bowing position. The lazy man gave a loud cry as he tumbled forward when the wine hit him in his eyes. The court began to laugh, but King Royal raised his hand in a gesture of silence. Not a sound remained, and everyone seemed to freeze in place with his gesture. “What do you mean, resurfaced? I saw my niece torn apart by a mob of unhappy villagers and soldiers; there was literally nothing left of her. Speak plainly before I unleash the worst of my court to do the same to you.”
All around the room, people stepped from the shadows, monstrous and deadly as if their presence was a harbinger of certain death for those that displeased King Royal. They all held sharp tools at the ready. A few Nyx recognized and few she had thought mere fantasy. She paid them all no mind as she took a step forward and looked King royal straight in the eyes, “She has come back somehow; my scouts watched her destroy the old healer hut in a fit of rage before she tried to kill a traveler that had stopped to help her. We know not what to make of her appearance; all we know is she is heading this way and needs to be put down if you are to keep your throne.”
Royal’s eyes widened as it dawned on him what was at risk if the beast princess made it to court alive. He sat back in his throne, his eyes red from drink, his face pale, and his stringy brown hair streaked with gray. He took his time before he spoke again, but his thoughts played across his face like a moving picture. “She will be dealt with, this country suffered under her rule, and we would not see her restored to power.” A throat cleared behind me as a lady dressed in crimson stepped forward.
“I say we make a game of it, your Majesty. The court has been spoiling for some sport and would delight in a reenactment of the mob that killed the princess, to begin with,” She finished.
“What are you suggesting, Lady Winterborn?”
“Let us lure her in, welcome her home, and press her to greet the court in a ceremony before she greeted her subjects. We shall pamper her, wash her, feed her, and dress her as if she was greatly missed and then rip her apart as an offering to the Goddess of the Night.” Lady Winterborn said with a bow.
Nyx stood there and kept her face neutral. The people of this dystopia were, wronged by the beast princess. Nyx had done her best to recreate the nightmare the Fates had shown when she crafted this training ground for would-be heroes. It had ways of surprising her, especially when it seemed that this place had become sentient. At times it scared her, but she knew this whole realm was subject to her will, and right now, her will was not happy with the princess.
“Shall we tell her what we all thought happened to her, torturing her mind just enough to make her wonder if she is truly safe? I do take such delights in your games and punishments Lady Winterborn.”
“I think we shall have those around her whisper of it like some great secret and anger her just enough for her to demand answers, and then we shall tell her of her own demise a mere thirty minutes before we rent her to pieces.” Lady Winterborn purred as she delighted in the game she concocted before the whole of the Court.
“I agree we shall see to this spectacle, I want it handled within a day. It should take no longer than that. I would not have her trying to take over this kingdom again. I don’t think it would ever recover from her wrath. “ Royal said with a wave of his hand. The men who had prepared to make my doom faded back into the crowd, lost from the eye and blending into their chosen hiding spots.
“As for you, I wish you to stay messenger. You shall see what we see and take part in our little game. It would seem only fair to reward you for the warning.” Royal said, a smirk on his face. Nyx did not trust this weasel of a king. She would stay and then leave a hollow being if she felt the people of her dreamland had planned to take her down as they had planned to take Sasha down.
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br /> “My Queen bade me deliver the message only, I was not to dally.” Nyx stammered, feigning her nervous answer as a way to limit suspicion.
“You will stay until you are dismissed, and you will deliver my response to your Queen. Is that clear?” King Royal ordered. It would seem Nyx had no choice, and she would let this play out, for in this world, she could not truly die. For all who existed, her were her own magic and her own magic could not hurt her. She walked through the crowd and found an empty table. Looking at the servant nearby, she gestured for food and drink. Her request was quickly met, and she waited.
Sasha couldn’t be far, maybe an hour out if she chose to travel as a lioness. If she chose to, like a princess, maybe two. Knowing Sasha, she would stay in her lion form once she woke up from her spell induced name. It might even be possible for some of King Royal’s men to come across her as she slept in the middle of the road. Being in control of this dream world left Nyx with so many possibilities. She would decide which avenue she wanted as she ate. She knew Sasha would be out cold still, and she wanted to spend her time replenishing her magic and contemplating how far she wanted to take this particular lesson.
Chapter 13
Plans and Mischief
Sasha awoke with her head screaming and her ears ringing. That stupid bitch had attacked her and left her undefended in the middle of the road, Who the bloody fuck did she think she was. When Sasha caught up with Sara, she would make her pay with her life. The people in this place seemed off to her. It was more a feeling than an actual assessment, but the princess was pretty sure she was in her version of home. She had found no proof other than that weird woman Sara’s stories. She found it hard to believe that she would kill her sister or let her own person be torn to shreds by mere peasants. Something was off.
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