"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

“Your highness the others are on their way.” Kinth looked anxiously around the empty war room. 


Only a few candles had been lit which gave the room a ghostly glow. Azrel lounged in the chair normally reserved for his father. This was a particularly delicate time. Now that the small group had been decided, it was finally time to get down to the details.


“Are you sure these men can be trusted?” Azrel glanced at the nervously pacing Kinth, who for all his worth was a wonderful soldier but a skittish spy. 


Azrel nodded and surveyed the table which had been rearranged to show a closer map of Oberin and in the corner the Fort Fernasses. Azrel worried that the entire operation was too hastily put together. He had to continue to assure himself that without risk there would be no way they would win the war. 


The first knock at the door brought a stiffness to Kinth. He opened slowly and the three Dermnith guards in plain clothes entered. 


Chapter 31: The War Meeting