Winona, with a determined gaze, slowly raised her hands to the hood of her cloak, unveiling her face to the mysterious figure. Moonlight gently illuminated her features as she squared her shoulders, ready to confront the enigmatic presence before her.
"You demanded my presence," she stated, her voice carrying a mix of authority and defiance.
The mysterious figure regarded her with an air of detachment before questioning,
"Why the delay, Queen Winona? The opportunity to eliminate King Aurelius slips through your fingers with each passing day."
Winona's response was resolute,
"I am aware of the urgency. Rest assured, I desire his demise as much as the council does."
"He'll die when I decide he dies," she stated, emphasizing the autonomy she retained over her actions.
The figure's hooded head inclined slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment. However, the atmosphere turned colder as the figure issued a stern threat,
"Remember, Queen, your allegiance to the council is not a choice. Failure to act swiftly may lead to consequences."
Winona, unfazed, met the threat with an unyielding response,
"I am not one to be threatened, even by the esteemed members of the council. Your concerns are duly noted, but the execution of this plan requires meticulous precision."
The courtyard held an air of tension, the weight of Winona's words echoing in the silence.
Winona's stance remained unyielding, her resolve palpable in the moonlit courtyard. The mysterious figure, concealed within the cloak, voiced a stern reminder,
"Being queen does not exempt you from the consequences of failure, Winona. The council's wrath is relentless."
With a defiant glint in her eyes, Winona scoffed,
"Your threats mean little. Being queen doesn't make me subservient. If the council wishes to cross that line, they should be prepared for the repercussions."
The mysterious figure's response was as cold as the night air,
"Your defiance could cost you dearly, Queen Winona."
Undeterred, Winona countered with a mocking smile,
"Let them come. If the council dares to interfere, I'll tear their clandestine members apart, piece by piece."
Her words echoed with a chilling assurance,
"I am called Shadowblade for a reason. My allegiance may be compelled, but my skills and determination are my own."
Winona's commitment to her own agenda, veiled by the council's directives, stood firm. The threat of repercussions from the hidden council hung in the air, but Winona, a force honed by years of training, stood resolute in her resolve to navigate the treacherous path that lay ahead.
• • •
Standing in the courtyard after the mysterious figure had departed, Winona contemplated leaving when an unexpected growl caught her attention. Instinctively, she surveyed her surroundings, but there was no visible source for the animalistic sounds.
As the growls intensified, becoming more ferocious, Winona traced the unsettling noises to beneath the very courtyard she stood upon. The once solid stones now concealed a hidden mystery, their ancient surface pulsating with the eerie growls that seemed to emanate from the depths below.
Intrigued and cautious, Winona knelt to examine the stones, feeling a subtle vibration beneath her fingertips. The courtyard, typically a place of tranquility, now held an enigma that demanded her investigation.
Carefully, she explored the edges of the stones, seeking any indication of an opening. The growls persisted, resonating like a heartbeat beneath the surface. The night air became charged with an otherworldly tension, hinting at the palace's concealed secrets.
After meticulous scrutiny, Winona uncovered a discreet trapdoor hidden beneath an ornate pattern. Opening it revealed a staircase leading into the abyss below, where the growls grew louder, inviting her into the unknown.
Descending into the darkness, Winona discovered a small chamber with only a solitary torch providing a flickering glow. It hung on the wall, casting uneven shadows that danced across the room. The dim light revealed the presence of a man standing in the center, surrounded by two formidable and ominous creatures - hellhounds, primal devourers of flesh, dark as the abyss itself.
The hellhounds exuded an air of lethal menace, their eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intelligence. Winona couldn't help but be astonished at the sight before her, a guard seemingly in control of these fearsome creatures. The chamber echoed with the guttural growls of the hellhounds, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
"Quite the unconventional companions you have," Winona remarked, her voice echoing in the confined space. The guard, seemingly unfazed, turned to face her, and she could discern a mixture of caution and familiarity in his eyes.
As Winona ventured deeper into the dimly lit space, the guard acknowledged her presence with a respectful nod, addressing the hounds as if they were King Aurelius himself.
"These are the king's loyal companions," he explained, his tone carrying a mix of reverence and duty.
Winona studied the formidable creatures before her. Standing at a menacing 4 feet, their midnight black fur seemed to absorb what little light the torch offered. Their bared canines and raging eyes created a truly fearsome visage. Despite their intimidating appearance, Winona couldn't ignore the glint of intelligence in their eyes, a subtle acknowledgment that went beyond mere instinct.
"Why are you here?" Winona inquired, her curiosity piqued as she reached out to one of the hounds. The coarse fur felt cold under her fingertips.
The guard explained,
"The king ordered them starved for days, but he finally sent me to feed them."
Winona couldn't help but roll her eyes at the king's usual cruel tendencies. "Of course, he did. Always the sadistic flair."
The growling ceased as the hellhounds turned their attention to Winona. It was an unusual sight – the queen bonding with creatures meant to strike fear into the hearts of many.
As Winona shifted her attention to the other hound, running her hands through its fur and scratching behind its ears, the creature responded with a low purr and a rumble that echoed from its chest. A smile graced her lips as she connected with the hellhound.
Turning her gaze back to the guard, she inquired,
"Have they been fed?"
The guard's response was negative, prompting him to step away briefly before returning with large chunks of flesh. Holding them up, he waited for Winona's command.
"Feed them," she commanded, a softness in her tone that contradicted the usual authority in her voice.
The guard complied, and as he did, Winona smiled at him. There was something about this man that she found appealing.
He seemed more than just a servant obeying orders; there was a connection, a shared understanding.
He possessed a handsome visage—strong jawline, piercing eyes, and a rugged charm that spoke of resilience in the face of the king's cruelty.
As she offered the hounds the meat, feeding them gently, Winona's mind seemed momentarily distant.
"What's your name?" she asked, her voice devoid of the usual command.
The guard responded respectfully,
"I am Gareth, Your Majesty."
YOU ARE READING
Cursebound Hearts
RomanceAll her life she has been trained for this. Kill the king!! She would rip his heart out, but now she is his. His queen. Every woman who bears the mark of the dragon meets a grim destiny, sacrificed on the 13th moon of the equinox to sustain King Aur...
