The Runesmith - Chapter 414: Evaluation?

[Warning: r18+/strong mature content]He is her salvation. She, his demise. Yet, he refuses to let her go…Mineah, the youngest Princess of Ebodia, was cursed at birth to remain untainted and bring misfortune to those around her. This prophecy looms over her like a dark cloud, growing bigger every year it does not come to pass.She exists in hushed rumors as a pitiful figure - fragile, meek, unwanted. Underneath that mask is a strong and feisty vixen worthy of being a queen. And this would-be queen has set her eyes on breaking her curse, even if that means tricking the most cunning vampire ever born.Nikolai, though reclusive and enigmatic, is revered by the Kingdom of Valcrez as a wise and powerful ruler. Unbeknownst to his loyal subjects, his image of perfection is a web of lies that if exposed can send their kingdom and everything they hold dear crumbling beneath their feet.When these two find their paths crossed in a marriage alliance, the game of Crown's Seduction begins. But just who is the hunter and who is the prey?********Excerpt:“Why are you stripping naked in front of me?” she questioned with a frown, doing little to hide the irritation in her voice. Her goal was to capture only his heart, not his whole body!“Am I not allowed to have a bath with my wife?” he remarked with a cold tone. “I purposely asked for a big tub to just make sure that the two of us will fit in it together.”She sighed, not tearing her gaze away from him as she regained her composure. Seeing him smirk she forced herself to get comfortable as he spoke.“That’s more like it. You said it yourself that no one forced you into marrying me. Instead, you offered and volunteered yourself willingly for it, so I expect that you’ll be confident enough to share a bath with your husband,” Nikolai confidently stated. “After all, we’ll do more than this soon enough.”Shameless…Preventing herself from rolling her eyes, she managed to give him a smile as she said, “Don’t blame me if you die on me then.”

Modesty! Honesty! Compassion! Bravery! Justice! Sacrifice! Honor! Faith!He is a lich, yet he upholds the knightly spirit!He is a lich, yet he remains steadfast in his faith of light!“With a formidable enemy at hand, fearless and unobstructed! Daring and loyal, worthy of the Holy Spirit! Loyal and upright, willing to die unyielding! Protecting the weak, never going against heaven's principles!”Standing at the top of the world, no matter how great the storm, nothing can stop him from following the steps of the Holy Spirit! Not even the Holy Spirit!...This is a romantic legendary story of a chatty cat and a lich who dedicates his body and soul to the light!Yes, “romantic,” not deceiving you! That's just how it is!

“Duty before heart,” Ashleigh replied firmly.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I will do my job. But Caleb is just my duty, you are my heart.”

***

Two men, two distinct feelings of attraction and trust.

Ashleigh struggles to understand the feelings in her heart. Torn between the man she has loved for the past two years and the cold Alpha of an enemy pack, can Ashleigh figure out which of these men she truly wants to be mated to?

Does she really have a choice?

She is the daughter of Alpha Wyatt of Winter, the largest of the four Werewolf Packs. For two years she has eagerly awaited her eighteenth birthday so she can finally be married and mated to her love, Granger. But just before that magical day she runs into a significant problem: she finds herself bonded to another wolf.

Her fated bond happens to be Alpha Caleb of Summer, the man whose father was supposedly murdered by one of her own.

As if that wasn’t enough, every pack is suddenly reporting attacks from rogue wolves. Now Ashleigh is faced not only with a war in her heart, but one in real life.

Will they be able to work together, putting aside all their heart ache and pain to keep their packs safe from the enemy that threatens them all? Or will this love eventually become their downfall?

All Raven ever wanted was a chance — to go to college, make friends, be loved, and live like any other girl her age. But dreams, it seemed, weren’t meant for people like her.As a scholarship student at an elite university built for the wealthy and privileged, Raven's life quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Surrounded by cruelty and entitlement, she became the perfect target. Their relentless torment stripped her of everything — her dignity, her hope, her will to live. She bore it all in silence, blaming herself even for the tragedy that tore her family apart. Despair led her to the edge of suicide, but fate had other plans.Ten years later, those same bullies, now living lavish lives of success and luxury, had long forgotten the girl they destroyed. But Raven hadn’t forgotten them — not one bit.With scars that ran deep and a heart hardened by pain, she returned — no longer the fragile girl they once broke. One by one, she would visit her tormentors, delivering her own brand of justice and making them learn that every cruel action has a consequence.Because this time, Raven isn’t the victim.She’s the reckoning!