CHAPTER SIX:
Assassin of Rivadin

• • •

My wet hair captured the King's attention just as Jungkook predicted. In fact, I had most of the room's eyes on me as I took a seat across the prince responsible for my apparent unkemptness. I didn't think damp hair was a big deal. I should've known better.

Sky was already occupying the chair next to me, and I ignored the scorch of her gaze to offer nods of greeting to the rest of the princes. By my count, the massively long table was shared by eighteen other guests whom I presumed were all invited to the palace by the King—or rather, by his impostors.

"Jungkook." The King was at the head of the table only a few spaces down from me and Sky. His cold and deliberate voice did nothing to lessen Jungkook's mischievous smirk. "Care to explain why you arrived with one of my guests dripping wet?"

My hearts fluttered as I recalled slipping on my way out of the pool. Jungkook had instinctively caught me and got half of his hair wet in the process. I'd apologized more than once, but he seemed excited that it happened. Made me wonder if he didn't mind the fact that our arrival would clearly announce that we had been together.

"Moon wanted a tour of the palace grounds. Before we were done, I decided to show her the rock pool." Several of the princes turned their heads to stare at him, but he carried on smiling. Then those violet eyes found mine from across the table. "I suppose things got a little out of hand."

I scoffed before I could catch myself. He was unbelievable.

The King hardly moved, save for the faintest shift of his jawbone. Beneath that silver mask, his gaze strayed to me briefly before locking in on the scheming prince once more. "Need I remind you—"

"Nothing happened, Your Greatness," he said in a tone that bordered dangerously close to mockful.

The King's shoulders widened as he drew a deep breath. He looked exactly the same as he did the two other times I'd seen him, except that his hair was pulled into a tight bun. Still immeasurably beautiful. Still exuding physical waves of power. I was sure that it was not the same man who had danced with me in Oreth, though.

I'd met four princes, but there were five in total. And only four sat at the table now. The True King wouldn't be so careless as to let the one impostor be found out simply by his absence. My earlier theory had to be correct: each prince took turns appearing as the King, meaning whichever one of them was missing was the current impostor.

Jungkook sat just one spot off from being in front of me, and Prince Jimin sat between him and the King. On the other side of the King was Prince Seokjin, and beside him was the one brother I had yet to officially meet. That left the warrior prince, Hoseok, as the present King. The single question remaining was whether he was the true ruler or just a shield.

"Are we that wonderful to look at?"

Breaking from my concentration, I met Jimin's grey eyes. "Yes, actually."

Better for them to think I so easily fall under their allure than to suspect I'm here for the throne.

A soft breath left the nose of the prince next to me. I turned my head toward him and watched his brow lift as he shifted to meet my gaze straight-on. Yet another outrageous beauty, of course, with his strong nose and jaw, wide lips and defined cupid's bow, thick brows, deep brown eyes, and hair to his shoulders the color of sun-warmed honey. Flowers and leaves weaved throughout a braid that fell in front of his pointed ear.

When he refused to break the silence, I widened my smile. "I'm Moon of Oreth."

He surprised me with an easy laugh. "I know."

I glanced briefly at Jungkook and Jimin, finding both of them with little smirks on their lips. Taehyung was awaiting my attention when I looked back at him.

"And your sister there is Sky, correct?"

Sky leaned over my shoulder to answer while I bit my tongue the whole time, worried if she would make an impression on any of them. I needed her to be sent home. "Yes, Prince Taehyung. It's an honor." She gave the slightest bow of her head and I followed. She had done her research before arriving.

I planned to say more to Taehyung, but he moved to speak to Seokjin before I could get another word in.

"How did he already know our names?" Sky whispered close to my ear, her hand finding my wrist.

"The King expects the Princes to know about each of his guests."

That earned a pointed look from her. "And how do you know that? What were you doing with Jungkook anyway?"

"They can hear you," I whispered, sensing the stares of Jungkook and Jimin on us again. One glance their way confirmed my suspicion, but they were even more amused than I thought.

Sky pursed her lips in embarrassment, tilted her chin up, then swiped the chalice in front of her to take a drink and, presumably, to hide her face.

"Like he said, he showed me around the palace grounds. I ran into him, Prince Hoseok, and Prince Jimin, and then he offered—"

Sky's small coughing fit made me pause. She placed the cup back on the table and caught her breath, then sent me one of the greatest glares I'd yet seen from her. "You got up early, dressed all nice, then went out to find the princes without bothering to wake me up so I could go with you?" she accused quietly. "The whole reason we went to sleep in the middle of the day was so we could get up and try to meet the rest of them once they were awake."

That familiar temper of mine flared up, and I did my best to douse the flames. My hands were on my lap, and they fisted around the silk fabric of my dress. Did she not care that we had an audience? "I didn't think I would find them. I just wanted to look around and see how this place is at night."

Her frown remained, and those eyes—the ones I adored for how closely they resembled Idaea's soft purple skies—were filled with pain that hit me right in the gut. She knew I was lying. But if I explained that I didn't want her to catch the nobles' favor, that I needed her to return home in case my mission went wrong, she would likely try even harder to gain a prince's eye. She'd want to stay and protect me like she always had, despite her being the younger sister.

"I suppose it was optimistic for me to think we'd be on the same page for once," she said quieter than anything else.

Another strike to my stomach.

I wanted to say more, to apologize before my supposed betrayal settled too long in her mind, but she and everyone else at the table turned their focus to the heavy door that opened noisily at the end of the room.

His aura was so distinguishable and potent after we'd been in each other's heads that I easily knew who it was before seeing him.

Black boots cross-tied all the way up to his shins, pants of darkest green tucked into them. A black shirt clung to his frame with all the laces hanging so loosely that the entire front was open, revealing skin to just above his navel. A longcoat polished up his look, threaded with patterns of the same deep emerald and obsidian colors. When I took in his face, our eyes locked for half a second before he glanced away, and I could've sworn those thin red lips twitched upward.

Aware that all eyes were on him, he cleared his throat and crossed the room to where the giant table was. He stopped directly behind a female Alfir who sat next to Jungkook.

"I hate to bother you, darling, but I'm afraid this seat is reserved for me."

The Alfir turned toward Jungkook and the rest of the princes for confirmation, but it was the King who gave her a nod. With reddening cheeks, she stood from her chair and went to an empty one on the opposite side of the table.

I straightened up as the Trian—Yoongi—slid into the seat directly in front of me. He avoided my eyes, instead turning to the princes and the King. He gave an easy bow of his head, then wasted no time in grabbing the chalice before him and throwing his head back to take a swig.

"Yoongi," the ruler sounded almost... warm toward him. A first for me to witness.

"I apologize for my tardiness. Lost track of time," the black-haired, green-eyed elf said and he set the drink down. "You didn't have to wait on my account."

The King raised a perfectly shaped brow. "You still count as one of my guests. Of course I did."

Hadn't Yoongi told me he planned to kill the King? How could he possibly be on what seemed like such friendly terms with him?

"Well, by all means, carry on."

With grace, the King stood and took time observing his company through the silver mask. The light of the chandelier gleamed off the woven crown on his forehead. "I thank all of you for attending the feast today."

As if we had a choice.

"I realize for some of you, this hour is not what you are accustomed to. However, as most of you have likely come to understand, it is in your best interest to adapt to the way of things here. My Court has plenty of high elves willing to participate in the Gleaning, but you must interact with them if you wish to earn their favor. As such, I've arranged for an afterparty of sorts to help you form connections. Until then, I invite you all to enjoy Sellovir's greatest food and drink."

Was Prince Hoseok really the one speaking? He had been so stiff and cold the two times we'd met, so imagining he was the one behind the mask now was difficult. And how was it that each prince appeared exactly the same when they posed as the King? Some sort of appearance gift? The power to cast an illusion?

At the impostor's signal, a dozen Alfir servants entered the lavish room with gold-plated dishes, each with a wide assortment of foods. As they set them down in front of us, the aroma swiftly had my mouth watering. It was all I could do not to gape at the plate below me. A range of roasted vegetables, a bowl of creamy soup, oil-drizzled bread, and what looked to be grilled fish.

Then I froze.

Specks of glowing red dots swirled above the food discreetly—appearing as some kind of seasoning if not for its movement.

Of course the rumors were true. They had such an abundance of the treasured essence that they could sprinkle it on their meals as if it were salt. Vahna back home was so hard to come by that Seeva had to meet with a smuggler from Gridul to get his hands on barely enough to strengthen us. We had never outright consumed it—only swiped a little along our wrists so it could absorb over time. Had to stretch our supply out as long as possible if we wanted to continue our training.

The problem with eating vahna was that it hit fast and hard, and it reacted visibly with gifts. If I were to eat the food before me, my eyes would glow enough to make my affinity for magic known. The King would surely question what my ability was, and as soon as he discovered I could read minds, he'd send me away. Or worse—he'd see that I maintained my gift and demand the same fate for me as the rest of the Order.

As the sound of utensils clinked against plates and everyone raised the food to their mouths, my hearts began pounding. My breaths grew rapid and shallow, and all sound diminished to muffled echoes.

My hand trembled as I went to lift my fork.

Breathe.

His low voice didn't even startle me—I was already too tangled in panic. But his single word served as an anchor, and I inhaled deeply.

Wonderful. Now take a sip of your drink, then place it next to mine.

I don't need your help, I said to him in my own head. Glancing up at his face, his lips were fixed in a smug curve despite looking down at his food. He took a bite of vahna-coated bread before leaning back in his chair to meet my eyes.

No glow overcame his gaze. But when I looked at the nobles, all of their irises were shining a far more vibrant version of their usual color.

When I returned to his eyes, he was still staring at me. He tapped his fingers on the center of the table where he had set his chalice.

Now's not the time for such pride, Little Fox.

My hearts still raced, but my surroundings felt less blurred than before. I focused on doing as he said, since somehow he clearly knew how to stop the reaction that would expose his gift. And for whatever reason—despite us being at odds—he was trying to help me.

After sipping the unfamiliar, tangy liquid, I set the cup in the center of the table next to his.

You're going to have to take a bite of something and then immediately drink from my cup. Not yours. Mine.

I can't. If I eat anything—

Just trust me. The drink will counteract the vahna, but you have to have some of the vahna before it can work.

Why should I believe you? I have no reason to trust you.

Realizing someone might notice my hesitancy to eat, I glanced around. Still no one watching, but for how much longer?

I just proved that there was no reaction with me. Besides, I can't exactly have you getting caught. They'll question you, and what's to stop you from informing them about our shared talent?

It hadn't crossed my mind, but it made sense that he was helping me solely for his own benefit. Without other options, I stuck my fork in one of the vegetables and ate it quickly, then swiped his chalice and drank. The liquid was thicker than the previous one, all tang masked behind a strong bitterness. I held down a cough after the drink passed my throat, burning all the way through my chest to the pit of my stomach.

You didn't tell me it was going to hurt, I thought to myself, aware that he still lingered in my mind. I placed the cup beside my own, noticing that the Trian had started conversing with Prince Jimin.

When he finished speaking and Jimin began to respond, his raspy tone returned in my head. Sorry, lovely cheater. I might've warned you, but why would I play nice with someone who'll be gone in a week? I'd savor this meal if I were you.

He spared me one sidelong glance before withdrawing so he could go on talking with the prince.

I did savor the food. Not because the Trian told me to, but because he might've been right. No matter how much I charmed the princes, there was no guarantee any of them would spend a second to consider picking me in the Gleaning. Not to mention the likelihood that one of them would grow suspicious and discover my gift before I could gain any sort of trust with the King. And even if I did manage to be picked, even if I somehow never got caught, would I be able to determine the True King's identity? I couldn't hope to influence the throne until I knew exactly who he was.

So much stood in my way, and Yoongi knew it. He'd overhead—no, eavesdropped—on my strategy. It was no wonder he expected me to be gone shortly.

But even after being in my mind, he did not know me. It would take every last thing going wrong for me to quit the path I set on. He didn't understand that I had over a dozen fallen people I was doing it all for.

━━━━━━ ◦ ♔ ◦ ━━━━━━

Sky refused to spare me more than a couple glances the rest of the night, which ended up working against her as the princes noticed and took pity on me. I was rather offended that they seemed to think I needed company at all times, but I was not about to complain over another opportunity to grow closer to them.

After the lavish feast, we were led by the King to a neighboring room that was small in comparison to the dining hall. Marbled floors, grey walls, stained glass windows that scattered multicolored moonlight throughout the room, and a rectangular firepit that stretched between two long, black couches. An Alfir servant flicked his wrist and sent out a crimson flame that caught the coals and billowed into a line of red fire. That color, that gift reminded me too much of Callyn, but despite the pain, I was drawn to it.

The King slipped away before anyone could attempt speaking with him. While most of the guests ventured around the outskirts of the room to observe the windows and the shelves lined with fancy trinkets, I claimed a spot on the center of one of the couches. Before I even sunk into the cushions, Jungkook weaved through the crowd and slipped onto the spot next to me. I turned to give him a questioning look, but as he was opening his mouth, I felt the couch dip on the other side of me.

It was Seokjin, who used a hand to lift his pale blue hair over the back of the couch, then smoothly extended both his arms across the top of the furniture. He never touched me, though I could sense how close his fingers were to my shoulder.

I felt plenty of stares—glares, really—in my direction, which only boosted my confidence. If I was seen as a threat, it meant I was probably going to make it past the Gleaning.

Luckily, a crowd of high elves soon arrived and filled up the room, occupying most of the guests for the remainder of the night. I tried to keep an eye on Sky as she mingled with several of the Trians, though Jungkook and Seokjin were powerful distractions.

"And you know them all by name?" the icy blue-haired prince asked, those sapphire eyes taking in my face like I was the most interesting part of his night.

"Not all of them. There are probably thousands of plants I've never learned about yet, but I do know most of the ones native to Idaea," I answered.

Jungkook hummed beside me, taking a bite from whatever treat the elf beside him lifted to his mouth. I struggled with how casually intimate upper elves were. The Alfir in Oreth were never so brazen. He peered at me. "What of the plants you saw in the botanical garden tonight?"

"Some were familiar," I started, remembering the enchantment of that place like it was my own personal oasis. "A few grew in Oreth, but most were ones I'd only seen drawings of in the books I've studied. And a few I didn't recognize at all."

"A lot of them were imported from Rivadin and Gridul. Rivadin is especially known for its lush landscape," Seokjin explained.

It was true. Of all the material I studied about botany, Rivadin was full of the prettiest and most powerful plants. I'd always dreamed of visiting the kingdom someday to roam their open hills and grassy fields, to walk along the seaside, but it wasn't much more than a fantasy. Those who lived in Idaea rarely left.

"I bet you'd love to travel there, wouldn't you?" Jungkook guessed after whispering to the female elf next to him. She got up and left, and I had to wonder if he used his gift on her.

"I can't imagine anything more exciting," I admitted, to which a new voice scoffed. Our heads turned to look ahead, watching as Jimin, Yoongi, and Taehyung settled on the couch opposite us.

"You'd think receiving a personal invitation to the palace, meeting the King and the Noble Family would be the most exciting thing for a halfling." It was Jimin who spoke, meeting my gaze boldly. He reclined into the cushions and wrapped his arms around the two companions at his sides.

What was his problem with me? He went from flirtatious to cold the moment he learned I didn't know his name. Had I hurt his pride that severely?

"Of course it is," I replied smoothly, "but can I not look ahead to the next dream while still enjoying this one?"

"You might miss out on what the current one has to offer," Seokjin noted, leaving me to question what exactly he was suggesting.

"Yoongi's from Rivadin," Taehyung spoke without looking up, his eyes and hands focused on braiding strands of Jimin's hair. "He could tell you all about it."

My sight skirted over to the secret assassin, surprised at the revelation. He was from the kingdom I'd dreamt of every day for the past decade? And if he wasn't from Idaea, what was his connection to the Royal Family? Why would he care whether our ruler lived or died?

Yoongi sighed and took his time before meeting my gaze. "It's not as special as you've probably convinced yourself. The people there are too... simple. The capital is outdated. The landscape's drying up, and it's always far too windy to enjoy being outside. But yes, you might spot some pretty flowers here and there."

My first thought was why anyone would ever talk so poorly of their own kingdom, but then I realized how quickly I'd spit in the King's face and snap his crown in half if I could. How soon I'd set fire to the capital before running home and tearing down the redblood camps to make room for something better. There was plenty I despised about my own kingdom, but there were still pieces I would always love. Our cabin, the Viridian Forest, the weather, the few kinder elves and most of the redbloods.

"Maybe its novelty has worn off for you because you've always lived there," I said, aware of the nobles' listening ears.

"Maybe," Yoongi clicked his tongue before giving me a once-over. "Although, you'd think with how often I'm living here in Idaea, I'd start appreciating home more. But I never do."

He was trying too hard to convince me. What was he hiding?

Just as I was about to dive into his mind, Sky's sugar-coated voice jolted my concentration to her.

"That's not surprising, considering how extravagant this place is." Her hand fisted the material of her dress, yet she spoke confidently. I could tell from her glance at me that she was trying to prove herself, prove that she could act on her own as I had.

As much as I hated that the princes were looking at her with curiosity, I couldn't deny how proud I was to see my sister—a redblood—breaking into a conversation amongst four nobles and a Trian. All the other redblood guests had not so much as looked in the princes' directions, assuming their chances only lied with the lesser elves of the King's Court.

"There she is," Jungkook practically purred as he extended a ring-covered hand toward my sister. I was positive her face was flaming at the fact that he remembered her. "Come sit, Sky."

I watched as he took his hand and sat beside the Ardor Prince, my hearts working harder at the thought of him sweeping her under his... influence. He claimed he didn't use it on guests, but if he did, I'd be powerless to stop it.

"Everyone, this is the beautiful Sky of Oreth," Jungkook introduced her to his brothers as if they didn't already know who she was. Probably an attempt to charm her. "She's Moon's younger sister."

As each prince, along with Yoongi, offered her their greetings, I scrambled to think of a way to prevent them from gaining interest in her.

After allowing them to ask her only a few questions to avoid suspicion, I spoke up. "You know, we're still having to adjust to this new schedule and I'm quite tired. I think we should head back to our rooms."

Sky leaned forward to meet my stare. I tried to send her a please through my expression, but her eyes were as sharp as amethyst crystals. "Well, since I got to sleep longer than you, I'm still wide awake. But I'll be sure to head back as soon as I'm tired." She sported a perfectly convincing smile. I swallowed, unaccustomed to being so far on her bad side.

Seokjin placed a light hand on my shoulder, his tone pretty and soothing like his music. "I can walk you back if you're hoping for company. I'm sure you're still getting lost around here."

"I can take her."

Everyone glanced at the high elf. He looked bored, but those green eyes were sparkling with a hidden agenda. "It'd be rude if any of the princes left so soon, right? So allow me."

Seokjin's hand dropped away from me as he cleared his throat. "You're right. Thank you, Yoongi."

Not at all what I was hoping would happen.

"Let's go," the Trian mumbled as he stood from the couch, waiting for me to do the same. I spared a last look at my sibling, but she was already securing further conversation with the princes.

I'd been bested by my own sister all because I couldn't tell her what my real purpose here was.

Heaving a sigh, I got up and allowed Yoongi to walk me back to my room in silence. It wasn't until we reached the staircase leading to the Day Palace that he spoke a word. His hand paused on the silver door handle, and without looking at me, he asked, "Why?"

"Why what?"

Emerald eyes linked with mine. "Why are you even trying this? Why put your sister at risk—"

"I thought you cared about secrecy," I hissed after spotting a few elves walking nearby. "Come on." Before he could respond, I pushed the doors open and marched down the tiled hallway. I didn't bother holding my door open for him before entering the bedroom.

Beginning to take my jewelry off, I found his gaze through the ornate mirror in front of me. He fostered that usual amusement on his face as he leaned against the door. It closed with a quiet click.

I spoke firmly. "If we're going to talk about this, we need to be quiet."

That shouldn't be too difficult with us, his gravelly voice slid into my mind.

"None of that," I stated, turning to face him directly. My elbows rested on the dresser behind me. "I don't like you being in my head, so quit it."

He chuckled, raising his hands in mocking surrender. "So is that due to your trust issues or good old paranoia?"

I scowled. "My thoughts are meant to stay private."

"And how often has that stopped you from sneaking into others' heads?"

My jaw ticked. "I've always tried not to—"

"It sure didn't stop you from cheating in that game back at Oreth." The curve of his mouth was almost sinister. "And you don't expect me to believe you haven't tried listening in to the princes' thoughts already."

"Fine, okay? I'm a hypocrite, but at least I have good reason to try to get in their heads. You just go into mine so you can bother me."

"False. For the most part." His lips stretched into a full-blown grin. "Have you already forgotten the fact that I saved you at the feast?"

"I didn't ask you to." My arms crossed over my chest. He'd be waiting forever if he wanted me to express any gratitude.

"You didn't need to. Your panic was suffocating."

I could still feel a faint, lingering burn in my chest from the drink he gave me. "What was that anyway? Whatever you used to prevent the reaction."

He raised a brow. "You're Gifted yet you don't recognize xenith after drinking it?"

My breath hitched as images of the grey mist wrapped around Seeva and drained him from the inside out. "Xenith? You made me drink xenith? Are you crazy?!"

"Thought we were supposed to keep quiet," he whispered, taunting me by tapping a finger over his mouth. "In such a small dose, it's practically harmless. All it did was counteract the vahna. It's not enough to harm your precious abilities, I promise."

He made no comment about the memory of Seeva, which told me he respected my wish and was staying out of my head, But how long would that last?

I cleared my throat and stepped closer to his side of the room, then sat on the edge of the bed. "You asked why I'm here, why I'm putting Sky at risk. Not that I owe you any explanations, but I'm here on behalf of everyone who's been hurt by the King. By his rule. I'm getting my sister out of here as soon as possible. And you should know that I don't intend to give up on my mission for anything."

Yoongi's stare on me was light yet thoughtful. He kept his voice hushed, but it still carried strength. "You're just a halfling. You clearly don't know nearly as much about gifts as you think you do. And I really doubt you understand who you're planning to face. Do you even know why he's called the Silver King?"

I wasn't naive enough to think the title was based on his favorite color to wear. "Because of his gift," I guessed.

Yoongi scoffed. "You're in over your head. Drowning, and you don't even know it."

"You don't know me or what I'm capable of. And why does it matter to you whether I'm doomed or not?" I would not let him phase me.

"I already told you, if you get found out, I'm next to be discovered."

"Then why get involved with me in the first place? You're the one who sought me out as soon as I arrived here. I doubt I would've known you were here if you hadn't said anything."

For once, he struggled to find a quick reply. "Curiosity," came his delayed response.

"Curiosity? You put yourself at greater risk just because you were curious about me?"

"Poor judgment on my part, yes, but can you blame me? A sly little halfling comes marching into the palace, scheming to usurp the throne, and she has the same gift as me? Some gifts are common, but I've never met anyone else who can do what we can, Moon."

A slight chill ran over the back of my neck. I didn't think he'd ever used my name before then, which proved how serious he was.

"Never?" I echoed. Seeva had always assumed there were many others like me, but that they were all high elves stowed away as secret weapons for the King. Tools to use at his disposal. But if there really wasn't anyone else who could read minds, I had one less thing to worry about.

"It's funny, really," he chuckled, "when I first sensed you in Oreth and realized you shared my gift, I wondered if I'd ever see you again. Thought maybe we could meet and, I don't know...bond. But then you show up here and turn out to be my rival."

His confession sent a dull ache through my chest. We really knew nothing of each other, but the idea that there might be someone who understood exactly how intense—overwhelming—this gift could be... it was something I'd yearned to have for years.

"Do we have to be rivals?" I asked quietly, feeling my cheeks warm. How embarrassing to extend a hand to him now. "I mean, aren't we both trying to stop the King? Why can't we work together?"

His smile was bitter. "I heard your plan the other day. You only want to influence his decisions. You want him to be your puppet. I want him dead."

"Why does he have to die? If we help each other, we can both get in his head. We can share the power and change—"

"You don't get it. I'm not here to fix any laws or to improve Idaea. I'm here to put an end to an evil man regardless of what it means for this kingdom. If it means leaving Idaea a crumbled mess, so be it."

We may have shared the same target, but the difference in our methods and our end goals could not have been greater.

"So unless you're open to adjusting your plans, I don't see how we could be anything other than competitors," he finished.

Perhaps if I didn't care so much about my kingdom—if I didn't have a family who would be impacted, I might consider joining him. But it was also Seeva's dying wish that I attain power without more bloodshed. I was doing this for him, for my family, for the Order. There was no changing my mind.

My face set to stone as our eyes connected. "Then I advise you to stop underestimating me, Yoongi. You're looking at the soon-to-be King of Idaea."

I expected a grin to match his typical playfulness, but there was only darkness that promised a devastating storm.

"If it comes to that, I won't hesitate to kill more than one king."

When he said it, I wasn't sure if I believed him. But the following night, during a traditional tournament in which warriors compete for the title of Gratori, I watched Yoongi strike down each and every opponent with nothing more than a single drop of sweat. I knew then to take his threat very, very seriously.

• • •

AUTHOR'S NOTE: 

Hi :) 

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Got to see a lot more of Yoongi, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on him so far! (and don't worry, the next chapter will include an actual scene of the mentioned tournament!

Which prince are you hoping Moon spends more time with next?

The Gleaning is coming up soon, which I'm really looking forward to ;) Can't wait to see your reactions! 

Thanks so much for returning to read this story! You all rock.

Also, I received this ADORABLE artwork of Alfir Namjoon! Look how cute :,) Thanks again, @kpop_bxtch_! <3

And finally, I wanted to post these artbreeder "creations" I made to show how I picture my OCs! 

Moon:

Sky:

Essa:

Rinfra (not yet introduced):

I was SO excited with how these turned out lol. They look so close to what I had in mind when I started planning the story! 

See you in the next one <3

-Kat

October 28, 2021