The Last Silvermaw Hunter

Chapter 13

Sweat was sliding down my back, making my shirt stick to my skin. The sun beating down my back through the canopy from the top of the Dryad Forest. I've been out here since dawn, practicing the same move over and over again. I've gone noise blind to the sound of our metal clashing. A sliver of pride slid through when I disarmed Drayco once more. 

He lowered his sword but didn't sheath it. "Good." 

I glared, knowing what he was going to say next. "But you're still weak protecting your left side." 

A roar sounded in the distance, I ignored it, I wasn't the only one training. Vashak had put it to himself to learn to fight. Every time I visit him, there are more wounds on his body. At least they healed quickly, but they all would scar.

He sheathed his sword, "We need to work on your control."

"Of what?" I snap.

He pointed a finger at me, "That, right there. That is what you need to learn to control. Your anger. Your power answers to emotions, anger especially. Your anger makes your power dangerous, deadly. The guards you unleashed it on  are in the medic wing, still recovering from your power. If you can learn to control your emotions and call on your power by will, you could possibly be the most powerful in this relm."

"Doubtful." I murmured. 

He raised a brow, "It's not impossible." He looked to the sky, "It's nearly tea time. We should head back."

Shit.

I was already halfway across the stones when he finished his sentence. I had to meet my mother for a meeting. She was going to present me to the ladies of the courts.  I roll my eyes, can't wait to sit and drink tea, and make small talk with all the gossip. Yay.

My mother was scowling at me as she leaned against the door, in a black gown and her silver crown on her head. I will say that she never looked so queenly in the time I've seen her in her queen phase during the day. Trust me, if you think that she's queen like all of the time, you are sorely mistaken. She has taken it up on herself to find my own personal bodyguard and teach me the ways of this court. 

My instincts calling at me to cower from the heat of her gaze that screams disappointment. "Sorry, I was out for a run." I apologize, at least showing some of what I truly felt for myself, the same thing she was glaring my way. 

"Practicing with Mr. Saber?" She asked, in a knowing tone that told me all I need to know.

I clenched my first at the spark of annoyance. "He told you?" 

She hummed in response. I rolled my eyes, "Of course he did."

"Get your attitude fixed. You have seven minutes to get ready." She turned to leave and stopped, "Your dress is on your bed. Make sure you wear it." 

🗡🛡🗡

The dress was a monstrosity, but... I like it. It was an extravagant gown made of a layered black voile and silk, the mesh-like fabric embroidered with intricate designs in silver thread, giving the imitation of moonlight against the night sky. The full, multi-layered skirt easily reached the floor and had to be about ten feet long, flowing and gliding on the ground around my feet, and a slit up the entire right side all the way up to my hip . The smooth sweetheart neckline compliments the partially open back, that closes in the middle, leaving a small diamond-like shape at the small of my back and a triangular at towards the top, a thicker piece of lace with jewels hanging on it periodically stretching between the shoulder blades and holding the fabric in the back together. The bodice hugs the torso, and similar to the skirt, is covered completely in hand-sewn designs.

I was tightening the buckles of my thigh sheath when a knock sounded on my door. 

I stilled when I saw who was on the other side. Drayco was in a full-on black on black suit. My mouth dried.

"This is going to be bad." I say, closing the door behind me, noticing the look on his face.

He didn't say anything, but I could tell. By his silence and his mood. "Who's there?" I asked.

"Along with your mother and some ladies of the court?" He questioned, I nod. "My mother."

I cast a side glance at him, "Is she so bad?" I asked, looking forward once again, watching the wall at the end as our shadows dance in this fully enclosed castle.

"Is it just me, or does King Ceaser not like the sun?" I try to break the uncomfortable silence that feel upon us. He just stayed silent.

We walked in that silence until we reached the courtyard. That's when I heard the voices.

My anxiety spiked, and so did my power. It filled the room with the feel of that power, I tried and failed to get it back, so I just rolled with it.

The voices slowly stopped. I pulled my shoulders back, held my head up, and walked into the wolf pack. I stopped at the doorway, stunned.

My mother and a woman who was obviously Drayco's mother stopped and stared at me, the male standing behind Drayco's mother, stood there scanning the room, his eyes stopping on me for longer than the rest but continued on.

They were the exact carbon copies of each other. Her blue-black hair was cut just at the edge of her collarbone.  her eyes had a slightly different shape to her son's, but still the same blue eyes. High cheek bones,  

My mother stood. "Addison, this is my daughter, Child of Khonsu, Dragon Tamer, Adorite Griffin." She turned to me, "Adorite, this is Lady Addison Saber,  Lady of the Vamps and Queen of the Werewolves." She waved a hand in the direction of the bodyguard," And this is Zhoron Iarwarin, King of Ice and Fire, Desendant of Evelyn FlameDancer.

Zhoron Iarwarin.

I looked at him and a shiver went down my spine, sending electric sparks down my body.

I give a curtsy to the Lady. And look back at Zhoron. Startled to see his eyes on me already.

This won't be good.