Andrew has been on the battlefield for eight years defending the kingdom from an empire that refused to leave them alone. Finally, a ceasefire was reached. Returning to a land he has not seen in many years, can he make it a home again? Will those he fought for accept him in their communities? or will he turn his own kingdom into a battlefield?
The throne room was quiet. Normally at this hour, courtiers and administrators would be bussing up and down the halls. However, right now, the King sat on his throne with eight of the kingdom's most elite warriors before him. Over the past fifteen year's these warriors had entered service and risen through the ranks. However, in the last 7 years, they had formed the Dragon Squad and proven themselves to be the top fighters around. Each was dressed in full formal regalia, complete with impressive gold knotwork on their shoulders for rank, having just come in from the public promotion ceremony.
"My gods of war, come forward." Said the king, gesturing to eight.
"With your new rank as of gods of war, you will serve under the supreme commander, and while your terms of required service are up, your rank is beyond your active service. I request you each take charge of a province. You are not responsible for the day-to-day operation, that is still the lord governors. However, in what capacity you see fit, you are in charge of the military forces of your given province. Jackson, as first among the gods of war, I am assigning you to Rhodes. Being in the west, you will have easy access to the capital here but also be able to support Asrana who will be assigned to Warrenton in the Northwest."
"Yes, My lord," said Jackson, bowing and accepting a sealed tube of orders.
"Anika, as second, I am placing you in charge of Placida to the east of the capital. Port Manai and its garrison will be under your purview, but I am sure you will spend much time in Tirana dealing with Lord Reva."
Anika stepped forward and accepted her tube, a look of distaste crossing her face at the mention of Lord Reva.
"Gad, Malachi, and Carter, you three are assigned to the southern provinces of Ruatha, Parcia, and Karth respectively. Hopefully, you can encourage the farmers there to send more food supplies north and avoid too much of the fighting."
"Thank you, my lord," said the three, accepting their orders and stepping back.
"Zev, I give you the unenviable task of dealing with Coutre. It is beautiful coast there, but you are Cutoff from Placida to the south by the Drahgfir mountains. Coordinate with Nash who I am assigning to Ashai."
"Yes my lord." Said Zev.
"Nash, Asrana, step forward." Said the king. "you two will bear the brunt of any hostilities to come. The Empire agreed to six months of ceasefire, but that is already half gone. If things start back up, it will be up to you to defend the walls, and garrisons. Call in aid as you see fit. Asrana, take charge of Warrington province, and Nash, you will have the province of Ashai."
"Yes my lord." They each replied.
"Any questions before I release you to a much deserved time away from the front lines?" asked the king.
It was Anika who stepped forward. "My lord.... Andrew? He was not at the promotion ceremony and was not mentioned..."
The king sighed. "O he was there, don't worry. He saw you each raised to gods of war. However as for the rest... at his request, he was left out. As for where he is now, he is already on his way to the airfield I imagine, where there are planes ready for each of you."
Jackson and Anika glanced uncertainly at each other before bowing formally to the king.
"We serve the kingdom, and we will listen for the command of the supreme commander." The eight gods of war said as they bowed formally, and retreated to pack, and head to the airfield.
After the gods of war departed, a hook-nosed advisor stepped out of the shadows and sneered, "they serve the kingdom and the supreme commander, but how about their king?"
"It is the pledge of the elite dragon brigade and has been since its inception, even when there were no gods of war yet, nor a supreme commander in place," said the king in a tired tone.
"then why have you not ordered it changed?" queried the advisor.
"It is tradition, Freemont, and they have served their terms faithfully. There is no need for you to pick a fight with them," replied the king.
"And DeVos? Will you hold their conscription term upheld?" Freemont pressed.
"They sent us Andrew. He may not have been DeVos blood, but with everything he and the Dragon squad have accomplished, why should we make a fuss about it? If they had not sought him out, the kingdom may not be standing."
Freemont frowned and held up a document. "The man was likely just a street orphan from what my sources say. How is that upholding the conscription decree for 8 years of service of a member of each high family?"
The king glared at his annoying advisor. "I know what the degree says, I signed it and enacted it! The spirit of the law was preserved and the kingdom is better off because of it. Drop it!"
"Yes my lord" Freemont said, stuffing the intelligence page back in his pocket.
After marrying 'into' the Cochan family, Conor's life hit rock bottom, especially after the mysterious death of his mother. He had tried his best, but things didn't get any better. Instead, ironically, his mother-in-law started looking eagerly for a new son-in-law for his wife, Jessica. There was no hope for Conor to turn the tables, it seemed, until one day — Conor's 25th birthday when a lawyer knocked at the door and a long forgotten heirloom from his mother. Something that will change his life forever and start him on the path to glory.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.