The Immortal King (Wizardly Romance) +

Shadows of Betrayal+

The Following Eve. In the dim light of the hidden chamber, the flicker of crystal candles painted the walls with fleeting traces of movement. The Coven gathered, each face reflecting a mix of fear and intrigue. "We can't let Lincoln continue his tyrannical hold on us," murmured Marcus, a young mage with bright, defiant eyes. "If we don't act now, he'll tighten his grip until we're all mere shadows."

"Easy for you to say, Marcus. While you wave your wand, we'll become dust under King Flint's boot!" An older witch, Gwendolyn, raised her hand to silence the room.

"Listen! If we're going to dethrone Lincoln, we must be cunning. He can see through brute force; we will need strategy." Aria entered, her presence a sudden jolt of electricity, drawing every gaze. "You all hide and plot, but what good will it do if Lincoln always anticipates our moves?"

"So you propose we do nothing?" Gwendolyn bristled, her eyes flashing. "We can't let him dictate our lives, even if he is immortal."

Aria stepped forward. "What if I told you there's a way to control someone that will soon be very close to him?"

A murmur erupted among the group. Whispers soon turned to shouts of both fear and hope. "How will that even be possible? His highness never lets anyone get too close, his always guarded." Marcus warned, apprehension clear on his face."

''What if I tell you that there is someone that will be able to get close enough?'' Aria pressed, her voice resonating with conviction. She was sure what Albert Smith, an old acquaintance told her was true.

"But such a gamble-" Gwendolyn's voice trembled. "If we fail, we will lose everything, including our lives."

Aria's eyes sparked with determination. "Isn't it worse to live shackled under his rule? We can either submit or ignite the spark of rebellion. She took out a necklace from her pocket and let it swing in the air, ''With this we'll surely win.''

''How can you be so certain?'' Gwendolyn asked, sceptical.

Adam Smith.' Aria's face glowed with satisfaction. ''Albert Smith is a rival whose ambition is rivalled only by his ruthlessness. He harbours a vendetta against the immortal king, rooted in a rivalry buried deep within their pasts. Everyone knew that Albert Smith's mother would have married the then-immortal king had she not suddenly fallen victim to poison.

''We know that. Why would he agree to help us?''

''Charlene, the attractive new maid, is his love interest.''

Gwendolyn understood, ''He desires to be an immortal king with Charlene by his side.''

Aria added, ''Adam Smith is, after all, also the son of our former immortal king.''

The room fell silent as the weight of Aria's revelation settled in. The flicker of the crystal candlelight seemed to dim, casting shadows that danced ominously across the walls. Gwendolyn's expression shifted from scepticism to a contemplative frown. "So, if we play our cards right, Albert could be our key to dismantling Lincoln's reign. But how do we ensure he won't double-cross us?"

"He has everything to gain and nothing to lose by aligning with us," Aria reasoned. "Charlene holds the key to his heart, and together, they could change the course of history. Albert's ambition is vast; it'll drive him to weasel his way to Lincoln's side, if only to ingratiate himself and get closer to her."

"But there is no guarantee that he won't simply turn the tables and take control for himself," Marcus interjected, still wary. "We can't trust a snake just because we hand him a shovel."

"Marcus, we wouldn't be handing him anything," Aria countered sharply. "We'll be presenting him with an opportunity. Our proposal must be framed not only as a chance for revenge against Lincoln but as a way to rewrite their shared history. If he believes he's outsmarting both us and Lincoln, he'll see us as allies rather than enemies."

The murmurs resumed, this time echoing with intrigue rather than fear. The flickering light began casting a sense of hope among the Coven, warriors pitched against their own terror, debating what a strike against Lincoln would mean.

"What's the plan then?" Gwendolyn's voice faltered as anticipation washed over her. "Can we really convince Albert to put his vendetta above any self-interest?"

"We bring him in as if we're seeking sanctuary, whispering of what we intend to accomplish with his help, and how it could benefit him," Aria stated confidently, every word imbued with passion. "We put the necklace in play, the key to not only control but access. It will symbolize our trust, and Albert is ambitious enough to want to prove himself."

"All of this relies on the fickle nature of trust," Marcus pointed out. "What if he decides to run and tell Lincoln we are conspiring against him?"

Aria's eyes hardened. "Then we will have to ensure he finds himself too entangled in the web we're weaving for Lincoln-too afraid and too fascinated to turn back."

"And if it costs us our lives?" Gwendolyn hissed, peering at the necklace that hung like a pendulum between hopes and fears.

Aria stepped back, the resolve in her stance unwavering. "If we do nothing, we will surely lose our lives eventually. There is no changing of the guard that comes without risk. We must make a choice-to stay the same, or to reclaim our power. Together."

A charged silence enveloped the chamber. One by one, the Coven members exchanged glances-fear mingling with the tantalizing allure of rebellion. "I vote we give it a try," Marcus finally declared, heart racing with reckless excitement. "If it means breaking free from Lincoln's cruel grasp, it's worth the gamble."

Gwendolyn nodded slowly, the steel in her spine aligning with newfound resolve. "Let's summon Albert Smith then. But we must be ready; if he means us harm, we must act swiftly." Aria extended her hand. "Then it's settled. Together, we will ignite a rebellion that will shatter the dark heavens that have loomed over us for too long. The night is ours to claim."

As they clasped hands, the flickering candles seemed to speak in whispered promises of a battle to come, and the threads of destiny began to weave a tapestry only they could envision-a rebellion against tyranny, lit by the sparks of hope, betrayal, and ambition.