"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

“I was taken from my home in Genthral.” Anaya began to explain not letting go of Azrel’s hands. She was afraid she would be taken away from him if she let go. “I was taken to the fort of Fernases and when the ambush happened they captured Nasacha and took her to the fort.”


Anaya inhaled a shaky breath and looked at Azrel unable to continue. 


He told the rest of the story, Islo’s posture becoming less and less agitated as he spoke. He gritted his teeth when Azrel told how Nasacha died and how Anaya had revealed the information to the rebels. 


“She did betray us.” Islo turned to glare at Anaya and she shrunk under his gaze. 


“She had to. Wouldn't you have done anything to save your family?” Azrel held tighter to her hand and she was relieved to be forgiven. 


“None of that matters anymore,” Azrel spoke like a true leader. “Where are Khanthar’s soldiers?”


Chapter 44: The Unveiling