GOLDEN STRINGS

Kore had feared the Clipping since she was old enough to understand that it would one day be executed upon her person. She'd had countless nightmares about it; they were filled with blood and gore and pain. Such pain, that she woke up panting, completely convinced that she'd been about to die.

Yet, at the present, she realized that she felt no pain, even if the snow was covered in the identifiable scarlet color of blood. In fact, her hands and face and spine were decorated with the heavy drops of it.

As Kore twisted her head, still too shocked to cry or mourn, she spotted the familiar ebony smoothness of her right wing. The sight of her untouched wings barreled so hard into her that she vomited on the blood-soaked snow. She wiped her mouth as she twisted.
Kore gasped at the pain of her left ribs. She placed a soothing hand there in confusion, and looked up to witness the carnage before her.

The sound of footsteps on the wet ground stole her divided attention. Kore glanced up at the male standing over her, his ebony black hair and dark blue eyes that were almost violet.
Kore sucked in a breath at the realization of who - and what - he was.

Aidoneus Rhysand, the High Lord of Night Court.

Her mate.