The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 224: Chapter 224

Words spread—echoes of how redemption was slowly creeping into the realm. Rogues heard terrifying stories of how their own were burned alive.
Greedy leaders heard how their power was slowly slipping from their grasp.
The starving were surprised the soldiers were no longer lashing out at them.
Shocked to find sudden grains in the home.
Fear for the devious. Hope for the lost.
They spoke of the Dragon Queen and her unbelievable increase in army—the one they had cast out, called the devil—had come back stronger to save them.
Guilt seeped into some. The realm's eyes had cleared. They should have known people shouldn't be judged by what they are, but by what they do.
Among the saved, hope stirred—perhaps Duncan Thornevale was also alive.
The true guardian and ruler of the realm. They had once opposed his judgment, and now they had learned their lesson.
Arianna was based in her pack, the one she had grown up in, and that’s where the people sent their gratitude.
Fruits, food, expensive wine... prayers and thanksgiving rituals to the goddess were made. People's celebrations echoed.
Many hadn’t seen her, but those who did praised the beauty and power she possessed.
Night stories about her graced the lips of the elders who gathered children for bedtime tales.
They also learned to keep their lips sealed. Her army advised them to. They understood—not wanting the cruel ones to go after their saviors.
Arianna even made it seem as though the protest was still ongoing, just to make Valoreth believe he was still winning.
But... these secrets weren't meant to stay hidden from the eyes of those who were not satisfied.
A message was sent: the Ouroboros are still alive—and so is the King's woman. The place she stays was exposed as well.
The message reached a soldier in the palace, who curiously checked it out.
"Ha! It says the Ouroboros are still alive, and the King's woman too. The realm has gone crazy," he laughed.
"You’ll get into trouble for that," another soldier said.
"How? The King isn’t even sane, and Lord Valoreth asked us to keep every message away until he settles the chaos in the realm. And this?" He raised the letter. "They probably sent it just to stir trouble."
He disposed of the letter and walked away.
Around the corner, Amy emerged and retrieved the letter. She hid it and looked up at the full moon that was slowly appearing, before heading for the Shadow Wing to visit Gatha who was still imprisoned.
"Here to deliver a meal for the head maid Gatha sure" Amy said to the gruff solider with a tray of meal.
The soldier scanned the human maid from head to toe.
"Care to tell me who you're satisfying tonight. If not, I want you in my bed."
Amy didn't panick, gaze low. "I'm to tend to Lord Atheon, in the east wing."
"Lying?"
"He gave me a scroll on case," she pulled out the scroll while holding the tray with one hand.
The Gruff soldier scoffed, disappointment flashing in his eyes. He can't go against a Lord of Emissaries, that would be a death wish.
Reluncantly, he stepped aside to let her in.
Amy headed to the end of the cell sighting the head maid who sat around the corner.
"Lady Gatha" she whispered.
Gatha looked up and shot her a glare. "Seriously Amy?"
"Oh... I'm sorry. I mean madam Gatha"
Gatha sighed. "What do you want?"
"I found a letter. It came from the realm" Amy reached for the letter hidden beneath the tray and gave it to Gatha who reached to collect it.
After reading Gatha's expression changed.
"Dragon Queen?"
"Yes. I think it's her. Lylah succeeded."
Gatha looked at her, stunned.
•••••••
Meanwhile, Toran woke up feeling weak and heavy. The stone beneath him was cold, his sight blurry as he tried to adjust to the strange place.
“Toran,” a whisper came from the side. His vision cleared slightly.
“Brigid,” he whispered.
“Everything will be fine from now on. I’ve found a way to end our suffering,” Brigid said, her voice lovely to his ears as always.
“Is that so?” he asked, words slow. “You’ve found a way for us… to escape and live together? Just… us?”
Tears dropped from her eyes. He frowned.
“Why are you crying, my love?” He tried to reach her but couldn’t move. He looked down and saw his hands chained. He was wearing black, and the place smelled like ancient herbs that reminded him of that night.
The night that haunted him.
A silver, massive coffin stood to the side, clad in large shackles. The dark mage was sharpening a knife, and Arianna stood coldly staring at him.
Toran felt his soul leaving his body. He shot a look back to Brigid.
“What’s… what’s happening? Am I dreaming again?” He panicked, struggling against the chains.
“It’s not a dream, Toran.” Brigid held him gently, but her touch burned.
“What are you saying? Arianna is not alive… and you’re not about to sacrifice me…” He remembered the shackle’s condition. One must sacrifice a loved one.
“Why so afraid to have a taste of your own medicine, Toran?”
Toran couldn’t look at the owner of that voice. “No… no. No! You’re dead. You’re dead!!!”
He felt a touch on his head. He cried harder, trembling.
“This is a dream. A nightmare!!!”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s a nightmare.”
He finally opened his teary eyes, convulsing as he realized his fate.
Brigid was crying beside him, her heart wrecked.
“Why can’t you just stay dead, Aria?! You think opening that coffin will bring your love back?! You’re not real! You’re not real!”
Arianna simply stepped aside, letting the mage come forward.
“You’re not real!! You’re not fucking real!!! Why can’t you stay dead?! Why do you haunt me every night?! You fucking bitch!!!”
His gaze met Sahrak’s, who raised the knife.
“No!!!” He flicked his gaze to Brigid, voice lower. “Brigid.”
Brigid rushed to him, holding his face close. Her cries mixed with his.
“I love you, but I’m in pain right now. I’ve always been in pain, Brigid,” he sobbed.
“I’ll end it.”
“Why… why would you do this to me? I fucking love you. Go kill Arianna, please. I’m in pain,” he whispered, struggling. "I'm in pain Brigid. It hurts so much. My head, it hurts so much."
“I know. It will all be over soon.”
“Stop them, you fucking bitch!!!” he yelled at her, causing her to flinch and step back. His eyes glowed momentarily, as if trying to shift. But it wasn't possible.
“I should have killed you a long time ago. You and that fucking friend who betrayed Lylah!! I should have slitted your throat, you fucking whore!”
Brigid shook her head, fingers digging into her hair as she stepped back.
“I should have ended you! I used you, Brigid, and I don’t regret that! Why?! Why the hell did I fall for you?!!! You ruined me Brigid. You fucking ruined me!”
Brigid rushed to the corner, crouching and hugging her folded knees.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she sobbed, burying her face into her folded knees. "Stop. Please stop, Toran"
“You’re the worst thing that ever happened to me. I wouldn’t have been this weak if it wasn’t for you!!! You should go die you whore. Go and die!” he cried, hurting her even more.
As Sahrak held Toran down, Arianna watched the mad king spew more deranged words at Brigid. She glanced at Duncan’s coffin and then back at them.
She wasn’t sure how to feel anymore. Wasn’t sure if this should touch her heart or not.
Wasn’t sure if she should coax the sacred woman, breaking so much.
Wasn’t sure if she should stop the dark mage, whom she was supposed to kill after the ritual, from ending Toran.
It was three birds with one stone.
They were villains. She shouldn’t feel anything. Should she?
Sahrak began the ritual. The knife sank into Toran’s chest, and a loud scream echoed through the whole place.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!”