L
«CHAPTER 27&28»
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"How dare you, Thailra Alvarez?" a drop of liquid slid from his eye, it was not his tear, he had not allowed himself that weakness.
It was hers.
Thailra's eyes had filled with tears, and because they were bound to one another, the tears that fell from her eyes manifested in his as well.
They were tied by more than fate.
Anything inflicted upon one—the pain, the wounds, even the smallest sensations—was mirrored by the other.
Their bodies bore each other's suffering as though they were one being divided into two.
And in that moment, even her silent tears betrayed the truth of their bond.
Duncan felt it—every tremor in her breath, every crack forming in her composure, another tear slipped from her eyes, and once again, it traced the same path down his cheek.
His expression remained hard, carved from pride and fury, yet the bond stripped him of the comfort of distance.
He could not separate himself from her sorrow. He could not pretend it did not touch him.
"I did it to save Ashkaroth—to protect this nation from the brink of war. If that prince were to die, do you truly believe his family—his entire kingdom—would remain silent? They would unleash a war upon us, and that is the last thing I have ever wished to witness. Yes, our souls may be bound together, but a bond forged without choice is nothing less than imprisonment, Duncan,"
Thailra declared fearlessly, her unwavering gaze locked onto his.
Her words did not waver, they did not tremble, they struck.
The chamber seemed to absorb them, the silence stretching taut between them like a blade pulled too tight.
"The late king is dead. Verokron Drakmor—the next in line to rule Ashkaroth—is dead as well. That places the crown upon your head, Duncan. But how certain are you that Verokron's family will simply let that pass?"
"Your priority should not be questioning why I threatened our lives to stop you from strangling the Ice Prince before my eyes. Your priority should be uncovering the criminals who murdered your mother. It should be restoring this kingdom, rebuilding this city, and securing the throne that now awaits you"
"This is not the moment to obsess over why I defied you for the sake of one man. This is the moment for you to rise, to act—not as the Demon Prince who rules through fear and leaves shadows in his wake—but as the king Ashkaroth desperately needs. A ruler who will carve a remarkable history for this land, not drown it in terror."
Thailra's voice turned cold as steel, her eyes flashing with unmistakable warning.
Duncan stared at her in silence, momentarily speechless—wondering where such boldness had come from, and how she dared to wield it so fearlessly before him.
Thailra stepped closer to him and lifted her gaze to meet his.
He looked down at her in silence.
Their eyes glistened with tears—hers faintly red, mirrored by the same crimson sheen in his.
"Your mother, the late Queen of Ashkaroth, Queen Ilyra, was bitten by a venomous snake—one so deadly that even the Serpentis Clan does not possess an antidote for its poison"
"Iskaria Venmora, Verokron Drakmor, and Alaric Ashcroft may not have been the only ones involved in the queen's death. I believe there was a hidden accomplice, someone still living within this palace. That is what you should be concerned about—the search for the truth and the exposure of those evil plots." Her voice trembled slightly, tears brimming in her eyes.
"They are plotting against the royal household. Their goal is to seize control of Ashkaroth. If we fail to stop them from achieving their dark purpose, then we will both be cursed forever for failing to protect the kingdom entrusted to us. The Earth Goddess herself will condemn us as a failed Eclipse and Moon." Tears fell simultaneously from both of their eyes.
Duncan tightened his fists behind his back, his gaze never leaving hers.
"How did you know that Alaric Ashcroft, Iskaria Venmora, and Verokron Drakmor are responsible for my mother's death? Where did you obtain this information?" Duncan asked.
"Iskaria Venmora is a dark sorceress who was cast out into the Avialyn Forest. Alaric Ashcroft is the only being who has reached the Fifth Eclipse of the Soul. It is highly likely that she would find a way to make him work for her. And as for Verokron Drakmor—one does not challenge a king without allies."
"I simply connected the pieces. When all the information is aligned, the truth becomes clearer, and it explains why you are searching for the three of them." Thailra spoke calmly.
Duncan stared at her in silence, completely speechless.
"Now that Verokron Drakmor is dead, do you truly believe his family will remain idle? If you kill Iskaria Venmora, do you think her people will simply stand aside? The more you kill them, the more enemies you create. Killing is never the solution"
"It is better to preserve life than to destroy it.
Demons are not meant to destroy for the sake of destruction—they are meant to protect when necessary. And I want you to become the Demon Prince who saves Ashkaroth. I promise you, with every drop of my blood, that I will find a way to lift your curse, Duncan. Trust me when I say this—with every drop of my blood."
She gently raised her palms and placed them against his cheek.
Tears fell from his eyes, this time, they were not reflected from hers.
They were truly his own.
"Then let's rule Ashkaroth together, Little Moon" Duncan muttered, before Thailra could react, his lips claimed hers possessively, his tongue dominanting hers and exploring her mouth.
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Thailra reciprocated immediately.
His arm circled her waist as he drew her closer.
The room seemed to dissolve around them, and they found themselves inside a wide, massive bathtub, both immersed in water that felt cool and warm at the same time, alone in the world.
Their lips met again, holding each other in a lingering, passionate embrace. The soft sounds of their breathing filled the quiet air.
Duncan's other hand moved gently to Thailra's neck, tilting it slightly as he placed warm, lingering kisses along the delicate curve of her skin.
A soft moan escaped Thailra's lips.
"Fuck… you drive me crazy" Duncan growled, grazing his teeth on Thailra's lips, then trailing his kisses down Thailra's neck, ravishing his soft flesh while Thailra sank her fingers in his hair, back arched and head thrown backward.
"That's the plan, Mr. Eclipse. You haven't been on a roller coaster yet. Fasten your belt, because I intend to drive you mad," Thailra whispered near his ear.
Her warm breath brushed against his skin as the space shifted back to the king's chamber.
Swiftly, Duncan grabbed one of her arms, yanking her closer. Thailra's senses jumbled at the intense, sharp scent of Duncan that hit his nose.
A whimper escaped her lips as Duncan's hand reached down to squeeze his ass.
"Rollercoster? I love the sound of it little moon I'm already fastening my belt and I love that look of defiance in your eyes" he whispered, squeezing harder.
Thailra torturously bit down on her lip, eyes slipping shut as heat rose within her. Duncan's toxic scent, the firmness of his hard, toned chest against her cheek, and—most especially—the hardness poking her belly.
"Duncan…" She whispered completely lost in pleasure.
"If Ashkaroth is to have a future, it will be built with you standing beside me." Duncan's whispered in a hoarse voice, trailing his finger to her hole.
"You must learn to rule not as the Demon Prince feared by the people, but as the king who protects them" the last word rolled out as a gasp from Thailra as Duncan's shoved two fingers in at once.
Pain and pleasure shot through her. She winced against Duncan's chest, clutching onto his broad shoulders.
"Fucking tight… damn it's been a while we had this" he growled, eyes glinting with excitement, his fingers plunging into her in a steady pace.
Each thrust making Thailra's breath hard and shaky, her body trembling at his hold
Duncan's second hand trailed up to Thailra's neck, slanting it gently and delivering hot wet kisses on his delicate skin.
A moan slipped out of Thailra's lips.
"You missed this?" Duncan muttered, against Thailra's neck, her hot breath grazing the part when he left a hickey.
Thailra could barely think, the more Duncan touched her, the more her body gave in—melting against every graze of her lips.
"Go on little moon. Use that lips of yours"
"I—" Thailra's words faltered, her thoughts blurring like fogged glass. She bit her lips suppressing a loud moan against the heat coiling inside of her.
She couldn't even get herself to form a word.
"Don't worry about it… your body tells it all" Duncan whispered again, and in the next moment Thailra came, breathing hard.
Thailra felt Duncan's hand slid down his hip, lifting him onto himself. Instinctively, Thailra arms wrapped around her neck.
Duncan turned off the brightest light of the room, keeping it dim.
"Uhm… Duncan, what are…" Thailra words were back when Duncan dropped her on the bed and hovered over her.
Before she could react, Duncan's lips claimed his possessively, his tongue dominanting his and exploring his mouth.
Thailra couldn't keep up with his pace, her mouth wildly accepted Duncan's. In the shortest moment he broke the kiss, his finger dugged into Thailra's hair, titling her head gently for more deeper access.
The sound of the lips burning against each other filled the air, along with their deep sexy throaty groan.
"Fuck… you drive me crazy, little moon" Duncan growled, grazing his teeth on Thailra's lips, then trailing his kisses down Thailra's neck, ravishing his soft flesh while Thailra sank her fingers in his air, back arched and head thrown backward.
Duncan's hands reached for Thailra's thighs, bending it over, the knees almost touching Duncan's shoulder.
"You want it?" Duncan bit one side of his bottom lip, smirking as he held his hard member, positioned to where Thailra needed him the most.
"Of course" Thailra rasped, clearly drowning in pool of need. The hunger in her eyes were pure.
"Then beg for it, little moon" he grinned under the dim light, stroking himself, while watching Thailra's eyes watch him do it, her lips curled up.
"Please… please My eclipse" she rasped, looking a mess. So damn sexy, she drank the sight whole, biting her lips.
Leaning, Duncan locked her legs and the thrust in deep. Thailra moan rose to the peak, her lips parted in ecstasy as pleasure slammed into her.
Duncan pulled out almost completely only slam back in, hard, making Thailra shrieked. Her hands gripped the sheet as though her life depends on it.
"Goddamit… fucking hell" Duncan groaned thrusting, his hip rising and falling in a punishing pace. The position gave him a good access, he was striking deep his wall.
Thailra's body shook violently, lost in the pit of hellish pleasure… her head reeled.
Too much. Too hard.
Her hands reached out, but got pinned above her.
"Ah… nghn..damn Duncan!!" His moan tore out her throat hard at each thrust.
"You're mine Thailra… fucking mine, and indeed you're driving me crazy in your rollercoaster" Duncan growled, his eyes flashing gold under the dark, swiftly he buried his face at the crook of Thailra's neck, still striking deep inside her.
Their flesh slapping against each echoed, mingling with Thailra's cries of pleasure.
«SHE BELONG TO YOU, DUNCAN THARAGON»
Those words slammed into his head, forcing a growl out of his throat. His Duncan beast surfaced without warning and his fangs elongated flashing under the dim light.
Thailra's scent filled his nose as he buried it against his neck.
«MINE»
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Behind the door stood Melissa, her fists clenched tightly as she struggled to control her breathing.
Rage burned in her eyes, and she gripped the bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Beneath her skin, faint traces of snake-like scales threatened to spread, a sign of the power she was barely restraining.
"Thailra…Alvarez"
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«A MONTH—LATER»
MORAZANA, VARKHOLM VILLAGE — GALVESTON PALACE-
Before King Leontius and the Queen stood Lord Veydrath, dressed in his customary black attire, his ominous hat resting upon his head.
He held a dark serpent-shaped staff, from which black smoke curled slowly, seemingly emanating from his body.
Only his eyes were visible beneath the shadow of the hat. Behind him stood his prime ministers.
A little farther from him stood Alaric Ashcroft, gripping his staff firmly, dressed in a casual red top.
His staff was planted steadily on the floor, his expression unyielding and unreadable.
Behind him stood several members of his family, dressed in yellow robe-like attire, each holding a staff while keeping their heads respectfully bowed.
Beside him stood Iskaria Venmora and Lady Evelyne in their witch forms—wearing heavy dark makeup with their lips painted deep, shadowed shades.
They held their staffs firmly, dressed in matching twin-style attire, their gazes hollow and devoid of emotion.
Dark, oppressive auras filled the air, weighing heavily upon the chamber as silence stretched between the gathered figures.
"We have sufficient armies to fight on our side, Your Highness. I promise you that the decision to bring the Silver Stone into Morazana will not be in vain. Lord Veydrath commands more than one thousand soldiers, and here in Morazana we already have over ten thousand warriors ready to fight should war break out," Iskaria said.
A faint smirk curved Queen Seraphina's lips as her eyes briefly swept across the figures who believed they could defeat Ashkaroth.
Throughout Ashkaroth's history, every war they had entered had ended with the empire returning with the heads of its enemies' leaders as trophies of victory.
"The strength of an army is not measured by its number," she said quietly. "Ashkaroth does not win wars through soldiers alone."
Iskaria lowered her head slightly, acknowledging the Queen's words.
Lord Veydrath's black smoke drifted slowly upward, coiling like a living shadow beneath the chamber lights.
"Morazana thrives on discipline and strategy," Veydrath said. "But Ashkaroth's true strength lies in its lineage of power. The Silver Stone must remain within our reach."
Thunder rumbled faintly beyond the palace walls, as though the heavens themselves bore witness to the ambition swelling within the throne room.
King Leonthius rose slowly from his throne, descending the steps with deliberate grace. His robes trailed behind him like a shadow of authority reborn.
"If this plan succeeds," he said quietly, his voice no longer trembling but sharpened by resolve, "Morazana will not merely defend itself—we will dominate."
His gaze fixed on Iskaria.
"You swear my son will not be sacrificed in this pursuit of immortality?"
Iskaria lowered her head slightly. "Prince Kealric is essential to the ritual. Without him, there is no transfer. We would gain nothing from his death."
Evelyne stepped forward gently. "He is my son, Your Highness. I would never guide him toward ruin."
Queen Seraphina's eyes flickered between them all. She understood ambition—perhaps better than any of them—but she also understood consequences.
"And if Duncan discovers this scheme?" she asked softly. "You speak of separating a demon prince from his Moon as though it were a simple matter of persuasion."
Alaric's jaw tightened.
"It will not be simple," he admitted. "Duncan Tharagon is not ruled by reason alone. But power binds even the fiercest of beasts. If doubt takes root in the girl's heart, if her past resurfaces—his hold weakens."
King Leonthius exhaled slowly.
"And if it does not?"
Silence answered him.
For a fleeting moment, uncertainty flickered in the room—quickly buried beneath pride and determination.
Iskaria lifted her chin. "Then we adapt. But hesitation will only ensure our defeat. Ashkaroth grows stronger with each passing year. If we do nothing, they will eventually turn their gaze upon us."
King Leontius finally spoke, his voice deep and measured.
"And what assurance do I have," he asked slowly, his gaze sweeping across the assembly, "that this pursuit of the Silver Stone will not drag Morazana into a war we are unprepared to win?"
The chamber fell silent once more.
Lord Veydrath stepped forward, the serpent head of his staff scraping faintly against the marble floor. The black smoke thickened, curling around him like a living mantle.
"War is not a matter of if, Your Highness," he replied calmly.
"It is a matter of when. Ashkaroth's power grows with each passing cycle of the Eclipse. If we do not act now, we will one day find their armies at our gates—not as rivals, but as conquerors."
Alaric Ashcroft's grip tightened around his staff.
"The Silver Stone is not merely a weapon," he added evenly. "It is leverage. With it, we do not challenge Ashkaroth openly—we control the balance."
Queen Seraphina's gaze sharpened slightly.
"And what becomes of balance when two forces seek to control it?" she asked softly. "Leverage cuts both ways."
A faint murmur rippled through the ministers behind Lord Veydrath.
King Leontius descended the final step and stopped before them, his presence commanding, his expression carved from stone.
"You all speak of strategy and destiny," he said. "But destiny has devoured kings greater than I."
His eyes locked onto Veydrath.
"If this fails, Ashkaroth will not respond with diplomacy. They will respond with annihilation."
Veydrath did not flinch. The smoke around him coiled higher, as if stirred by unseen currents.
"Ashkaroth respects strength," he said. "If we seize the Silver Stone, we will not face their wrath—we will command their caution."
Alaric stepped forward slightly. "The key lies not in armies, nor in open confrontation. It lies in timing. Prince Kealric must not rush. He must earn the Moon's trust. Only then can the fracture begin."
"Not only those of us in this room are committed to this fight—we have secured another alliance that has sworn to stand with us, Your Highness," Iskaria said with a slight bow.
Queen Seraphina raised her brows, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she wondered who this ally could be. The king, too, looked equally stunned by the revelation.
The doors burst open, and every head in the chamber turned sharply toward the entrance.
Two boots stepped across the threshold—clad in flowing white garments. The moment he entered, the running water streaming from the carved dragon fountain along the wall froze instantly into solid ice.
Prince Dracula came into view.
Queen Seraphina rose abruptly from her seat, her eyes wide with shock.
King Leontius stared in disbelief, unable to trust what he was seeing.
A cold silence swallowed the chamber.
Frost spread outward from the frozen dragon fountain, thin veins of ice creeping across the marble floor with quiet authority.
The air itself seemed to stiffen.
Prince Dracula stepped fully into the throne room, his white garments flowing behind him like drifting snow.
His expression was calm—too calm for a man who had just announced his presence without a word.
"Prince Dracula swears to fight alongside you all until the very end, Your Highness," Prince Dracula said, lowering his head in a respectful bow.
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TBC