The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

With soft rustles of Selene's cloak, she wove through the Grand Corridor. Her movements were practiced, her footsteps light and deliberate.
Her sharp gaze swept over the guards on duty, their postures rigid and alert.
She was forbidden from coming to a place like this, but she had no choice.
After all, this wasn’t her first time sneaking out.
Soon, the sun would rise, and the Lycans would return from their hunt. She needed to be fast and return before that happened.
Lowering her hood further to conceal her face, Selene continued on her path. She knew every nook and cranny, every guard’s routine, and every secret passage within the Citadel.
Timing her steps carefully, Selene finally emerged beyond the Citadel’s walls. She moved swiftly, the moonlight her only guide.
After a while, Selene reached her destination. At first glance, it appeared to be a large tree, but it wasn’t. She pulled a lever hidden by its roots, and the tree bent forward, revealing a concealed staircase leading underground.
Selene glanced around before stepping in, and as soon as she descended, the tree rose again, sealing the path.
She turned on the lantern in her hand, the soft glow casting long shadows on the stone walls as her steps echoed in the narrow cave.
A screeching sound echoed through the tunnel—a clear sign that the creature lurking within had sensed her presence.
Selene opened the lantern, and with a wave of her hand, flames swept across the room, lighting the torches set along the walls.
The light revealed a creature unlike any other. Its wings spread wide, shimmering with scales that gleamed like those of a reptile. Its claws were sharp and hideous, capable of tearing through steel.
It let out an angry, high-pitched screech—chilling to most, but not to Selene.
Saliva dripped from its sharp beak, splattering onto Selene’s face. She wiped it off with practiced ease.
"I know, I know, Eryndor. But you can’t eat my head just because I haven’t visited you in a long while," Selene muttered, placing the lantern down and reaching out to touch the creature.
Her fingers grazed its scaled body gently. "The Citadel’s security has tightened. The King has doubled the guards because of the rogues. He’s recruiting and training soldiers… too many of them."
The creature let out another screech, this time softer.
Selene shook her head lightly, understanding its needs. She retrieved the meat she’d brought, tossing it into the air.
Eryndor caught it effortlessly, devouring it with a satisfied screech that sounded almost like a purr.
"That’s all I have for now," Selene said, brushing her hands together. "You’ll get more once you’ve reached beyond the Moon Realm."
Eryndor, a messenger, could survive without food for years, but leaving it starved for too long would risk driving it mad.
Selene pulled out a scroll. "I need you to deliver this to my goddess," she instructed, crouching to tie the scroll securely to Eryndor’s leg. “You must not stop until you’ve delivered it. And under no circumstances can you allow yourself to be caught.”
Straightening up, she placed her forehead against the creature’s beak. "She must know every word in that scroll... Do you understand?"
Eryndor responded by closing its eyes, sensing the bond with its master.
Soon, they were outside. Eryndor let out a piercing screech, wings stretching wide as it prepared for flight.
“Tell my goddess that, I missed her,” Selene murmured, a rare smile gracing her lips as she watched the creature take off. Leaves rustled in its wake as it climbed higher into the sky.
To the untrained eye, it might appear to be just another bird.
But as Eryndor rose high into the air, it dove swiftly across the horizon with purpose.
•••••••••••
THREE DAYS LATER
What happened to the slave master had been lingering in her mind all day and night.
With every passing moment, whispers swept across the place. There was no sign of Ser Orion and Zephyr. They were known never to had leave their duty except for a sole purpose.
The scene of both of them burning alive still lingered in her head.
The way the fire seems to burn, responding to her command was utterly insane.
She couldn't focus not matter how hard she tried to do her work until the night started drawing close.
She haven't even seen Selene in three days, and the questions swirling in her mind was too much.
Arianna didn't know when she let out frustrating groan.
"You alright?" One of the slave asked.
"Yes... I... I am" she nodded drawing in a huge breath. Then she spot Brigid walking with some warrior.
"Brigid!" Arianna rushed towards her. The warrior with Brigid glared at her.
"Relax, she's my friend" Brigid waved. "I'll like to be with her alone" after the warriors left Brigid faced Arianna. "How may I help you?"
"I uhm... Where is Selene" Arianna almost lost her words due to Brigid referring her as friend.
"She is quite busy with the Grand Festival preparations. Any problem?"
"No... I just need to speak with her" Arianna shrugged.
"You can ask me instead. I know almost everything single thing that happens here in the Citedal" Brigid boost and Arianna gave her an awkward smile.
"Where is Ser Orion. It's been three days"
Arianna swallowed. "Maybe he is sick" she lied.
"Oh... Do you like books?" Brigid leaned and whispered. "I found a strange lovely ancient book in Madam Selene stuff last night. Shall we read it together?"
"Yes" Arianna replied almost too quickly. "I mean, I am a book lover. I read a lot of books with my father"
"Come with me then. Since your master is nowhere to be found and I am done with today's work.. let's go and read it. I don't want to be the only one madam Selene will lash at," she chuckled and began leaving with Arianna following.
After a few steps, Arianna glanced back.
What happened to the slave masters still bothered her to the bones.