The Wicked War

Prologue

Drops of blood fell, staining the golden floor of Madoc's office. He settled into his chair, the bloodied sword resting on his lap.

 Normally, he would have appreciated the sight, as it would have made him feel powerful and in control.

He was supposed to be cleaning, but he isn't. There's something on his mind. 

 Everything is meant to be perfect. Balekin is now on the throne and seems to trust Madoc, which grants him more power and responsibility that he doesn't seem to mind.

No one challenged him now; no one dared to—well, no one except for Jude. She was the only person who didn't seem afraid of him. And no matter how much he hated that, he loved it all the same. After all, he had raised her, and unlike her two other sisters, she didn't disappoint. Almost... almost. Until she decided to turn her back on him and betray him.

He sent her away to where she belonged, but he couldn't bring himself to imprison her. Instead, he chose to exile her, with the condition that if she ever set foot in Elfhame again, she would face a life behind bars.

Now, however, Jude is no longer his primary concern. Something else is happening—something troubling him that he isn't prepared for.Now, however, Jude is no longer his primary concern. Something else is happening—something troubling him that he isn't prepared for.Mortals—Madoc had never cared about them or their world. They were never a problem; they were weak and mortal.

That's what he thought when he first spotted two humans in Elfhame. No one had ever walked into Elfhame without being compelled to do so. Something had changed.Not long after that, the number of humans began to increase. They were everywhere; somehow, mortals had discovered a way to enter Elfhame.

Recently, things had spiraled out of control. Madoc had to kill some of them. He had no choice; he had to kill.

In his position as the commander of the high king's army, he was never afraid of war. But now, he felt uncertain. He had recently discovered that while mortal soldiers may not be physically stronger than his army, they possessed lethal weapons that even he could not face.

Madoc needed a plan, and he needed it soon; otherwise, he was doomed. He swore he would not let those "worms" destroy his world, and he had never broken a promise.