Chapter 35: The Kings offering

"Dolores!" Adams' agitated voice bellowed.

Turning to face the violent sound, Dolores lowered Faith, her crossbow as the Alpha King, her brother, came rushing into the training mat. His eyes filled with fury, and something made Dolores' skin crawl.

"Yes, your majesty?" Dolores bent in what could only be seen as a mocking bow. In the few weeks that had passed since Adam descended to the throne, the Kingdom slowly collapsed. Just as Jasper had foretold, the Spring brought a great flood, destroying most of Keyrons grand ships, assuring they would never be able to make the voyage back to the Vampire Kingdom.

Luckily one small ship was left, but the boat was only big enough to house the Vampire Prince and his court and no unwilling females the new Alpha King planned on bribing with.

Once the Vampires left, Adam raged through the castle. His plan was ruined. Dolores and Ellie had taken up training once again in order to hide from Adam's wrath. However, Dolores saw that even hiding away and even training wouldn't keep the King away from her forever.

"I have asked the Sage three times for aid, and each time he has refused me!" Adam waved three placements of paper in front of Dolores's face. She tried to not to gag at Adam foul smelling breath as she quickly read the signed name at the end of one of the letters.

Biting her cheek to contain her smile, Dolores straightened before speaking. "I'm sure what you are asking me, my King."

Not exactly a lie. Dolores did know what he was referring to. Adam had learned that he did need a High Priest or Priestess to rule the Kingdom, but every time he asked the Sage, Jasper refused him.

"I mean my dimwitted sister, I have decided to visit the Wizard Society." He hissed. "And you will accompany me."

A burst of excitement exploded inside Dolores at the thought of seeing her mate, Jasper, again, but the joy was instantly imploded when she saw the venomous expression on her brother's face.

"Why me?" Dolores cautiously asked.

“Because I know that Sage has a liking for you," Adam whispered into her like a lover sending an icy shiver to race down her back from his threatening tone. "So you will be a useful tool."

Dolores knitted her brows together as she looked at the Alpha King. "What do you mean?"

Adam’s lips pulled into a deranged grin, and Dolores heard the muttering of what could only be a spell being cast. Quickly turning behind her, she saw a male dressed in black robes, his hooded head looking towards the ground moving closer.

Suddenly bile bubbled in Dolores's stomach, and she thought she was going to be sick. Clutching her neck to stop her from retching her breakfast, she felt that the amulet that was around her neck was gone. Flicking her eyes to Adam, she saw the spider filled amulet, and stinging pain hit her core.

"Fucking bastard…" Dolores grunted out as the world around her went dark.

Dolores's head connected with a hard surface, waking her from her dreamless sleep. Blinking her eyes open, she found herself in the back of a wagon alongside chest and wheat bags. Sitting up, she found her brother Adam lounging against a pile of grain sacks, casually eating an apple.

Dolores attempted to slide further away but was stopped by the corner of a chest. Adam chuckled, taking a bite from the apple priced on his dagger. Her dagger, Dolores realized.

"No need to be afraid, my dear sister. I won't do anything" Adam pointed the blade to Dolores. "I only want to ensure that you do as you are told. If you promise to do that, then I promise no pain will come to you."

"And if I refuse?" Suddenly that stinking pain struck her core again, forcing her to cover her mouth to keep from screaming in agony.

"Tsk, tsk, I just told you. If you obey, then no pain will come to you." He viscously hummed. "The choice is yours.

Dolores ground her teeth. The choice was hers, Dolores had no choice. She either did as he said or was forced to be attacked inside her own body. Swallowing her fury, she forced herself to submit and play his game.

"You are my eldest brother and my Alpha King. What else is there other than my willingness to help you." Dolores pushed out.

"Good girl. Now, look, you awoke just in time. We have finally arrived at the Wizards Society headquarters."

Adam swept his arm over the Wulf Mountain view, presenting a magnificent white complex that climbed and wrapped around the Wulf mountains. Giant marble stairs stretched up, and Dolores saw that the main entryway was designed for beings with wings and not legs.

When the wagon stopped at the bottom of the tens of thousands of steps amongst the staircase, Dolores looked up and saw that the complex was surrounded by golden gates.

Following her brother, Dolores noticed the small woodland creatures scattered around the mountain. They seemed to come to see who had dared to climb the steep stairs.

Over an hour had passed when they reached the top of the stairs. Stopping in front of a grand gate, they found Dalfon standing behind the golden beams. With a sharp incline of his head, he opened the gate, eyeing Dolores intently.

Smiling up at Daflon, Dolores tried to hide her pain and that Adam was controlling her. Theirpulating her. She didn't want anything dangerous to happen to Daflon, and she knew he would do all he could to help her. The thought comforted her and terrified her all at once because she didn't know what Adam was capable of.

Daflon led them towards an open field where thousands upon thousands of flowers were spread throughout the surrounding trees. Even the stream outlining the meadow had large peddled flowers drifting along the water. The growing night sky seemed to rain down shimmering pedals.

Dolores wished she could truly experience and revel in the beauty of this Flower Festival, but the dull pain of the stink from the wagon reminded her that she was no longer in control.

Glaring at her brother, she dared her mouth to open to curse him and say anything as horrible as he was, but when she tried to speak, nothing came out.

"I thought it best for you to remain silent for the time being." Adam whispered, "I wouldn't want you to tell anyone about our little agreement, now do I?

Dolores glared before widening her steps to walk ahead. A voice she could never forget even if Adam deafened her rang out.

"Dolores?" Jasper's safe, comforting tones washed over Dolores, and she felt tears begin to pool in her eyelids.

"I was just about to come and invite you...." His words trailed off along with his pleasure when Adam settled himself beside Dolores. "What brought you here, your majesty?"

Jasper's tones shifted from one of happiness to cool calculation. Dolores tried to speak to Jasper's mind like she had so many times before, but like all the times before, she was unable to communicate by using only her thoughts.

"I came for the party." Adam quipped, wrapping an arm around Dolores's shoulders and sending a slight but still painful stinging sensation to being again in her stomach.

A tremble rocked through Dolores at the contact and pain, buckling her knees. Adam gripped her tighter, leaving minor bruises on her shoulder. Jasper watched them, heat radiating off him. Dolores shot Adam a warning look, trying to convey that Jasper was not to be provoked.

"I have heard that all the Wizards and Witches are celebrating their Flower Festival here since their new leader has come of age and the previous one is stepping down. So naturally, as the Alpha King of Kreqin, I thought I should attend, and I even brought my dearest sister. We are invited to stay and celebrate your new title. Are we not great, Sage? Adam jabbed.

"And, of course, you are welcome." Jasper practically growled, catching sight of Dolores pleading eyes.

Adam wasted no time bringing them to a round table before demanding Jasper assign the Capital a new High Priest or Priestess. Dolores silently watched as Jasper rubbed his palm over his mouth, hesitating.

"I am afraid that since you released High Priestess Crystal, I do not have any high ranking Witch or Wizards to give you at this time." Jasper finally said.

"How can that be!" Adam gestured to the now dancing Witch and Wizards. "Surely you wouldn't want to destroy the good relationship between the Wizards Society and the Kingdom of Krequin! I do not come with an empty hand, my Sage,"

Adam clapped his hands then, and Dolores saw that the chests, grain, and wheat bags had been brought to the complex. A smile spread across the Alpha King's mouth, and a group of beautiful females was presented to Jasper as a gift.

"I give you jewels, food, and females for your pleasure. What more could a male ask for!" Adam exclaimed.

Dolores glanced at the gifted females wondering how many stories were her mothers or Polly and Pears when a familiar face rooted her to her sea. *Heather.*