"Azrel?"

Azrel stopped looking at his changed form and saw that he was alone again save for one dark-haired girl; she held her hand to him. He tried to remember if they had met before.

"I am a monster." He shied away from her but she stepped closer regardless.

"Azrel take my hand." She spoke with the voice of a thousand women before her. Being close to her made him feel more at ease. He felt human again.

"Please?" She spoke softly and he felt his heart buckle for her.

He reached for her hand feeling like he might crush her with his new claws. When they touched, he felt calm for the first time since he was a child.

***

Anaya and Azrel are hiding secrets. She is a spy for the rebels against her own will. He has a new power that changes him into a beastly creature. Posing as siblings, their love becomes another secret they bare. Together they must find a way to save the kingdom and each other. 

Spoils of War is created by Jo Thromby, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Spoils of War

“Hold a feast and then excuse yourself.” Anaya remembered the teacher's voice from the rebel camp. “Then you will have all the time to be alone and meet up with your informant.” 


Anaya knew she was not supposed to meet the spy until later that night, so she took time to wander the halls by herself. It was one thing to see the castle corridors on paper, but she felt more comfortable after seeing it all with her own eyes. Everyone else was preoccupied with the festivities and bowed to her before quickly running off. 


“Did I make a mistake?” She thought grimly as she thought of the feast and how she had spared the man's life.


She knew that it wasn't in Nasacha’s nature to do such a thing but she couldn't stand by and watch the man die. She knew what it was like to starve.


“Princess,” the couple she walked upon exclaimed. 


Chapter 17: The Randevou