"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

“Princess are you ready?” Her handmaiden knocked on the door.


Anaya stood at the window where she had been watching the path up to the castle hoping Azrel would return before this dreaded day. She had woken in the middle of the night when she realized that his soul had fled from the castle. She had pushed the ceremony off as long as she could but she was out of options and the moment had arrived.


“Yes.” Anaya called and the door was opened to a giddy group of girls that picked over her, straightening her dress and hair so it fell perfectly. 


“How am I to do this?” She asked herself she felt no anger toward Azrel but wished more than anything that he would show up and save her from this fate. They hurried her down the main steps to the grand feast hall where Khanthar was waiting for her. 


“Good luck princess!” Her handmaidens kissed her on her cheek and she felt a pang of nervous energy but pushed it down. She would do what she had to for Azrel and her family. 


Chapter 40: The Wedding