The Curious Case of Wands and Wizards

Nikolai Howre is everything the Kingdom of Woreh wished for a prince. A charmer. A sword-fighter. A dragon slayer. A worthy successor of the throne. Until he wasn't.

An achiever. A scholar. And a perfectionist to the bones. Everything Nikolai wanted but couldn't achieve. Ladislav Grimm, heir of the House of Grimm and a contender for the throne. Chosen by the late Queen Pirr's legacy, born and bred for politics and perfection.

With two rival houses and an ancient feud between them, Ladislav and Nikolai sought to break each other in order to get the throne.

But with darkness being bread and bodies being found, Nikolai and Lada must set aside their differences to uncover the secrets tied within their blood. And possibly within the dark history of the kingdom itself.

"Water or wine?" She repeated his question.

Nikolai looked to his left to see Ladislav playing with her watch, the blue gems glinting under the dim candlelights. She looked away from the window and met his gaze.

Her eyes were always so glassy. And being this close to her made him see himself in her eyes. He could see his too-blonde hair and too-blue eyes. But just this once, he wasn't smiling.

"Water or wine?" He repeated his question under his breath. But he knew that both of them heard the question with what little space they have left within this empty bunker.

A grin broke from her face and saw mirth dancing within her eyes. It roamed his face and met his gaze again. But this time, it was as if she was looking at him. Past his eyes and body to whatever lay beneath.

"You know I never choose either, You Majesty."

"And what would you choose then?"

Then he recalled the flash of teeth, the burning gaze, and the too-long nails from the night they hunted the forests of Ekiel.

"I trust you know the answer to that, Prince."