Prologue957Please respect copyright.PENANAfmgEOQ8jRj
Eviana957Please respect copyright.PENANAdIuaWcLLKp
Crysthera Kingdom, a small yet powerful kingdom, had never been fuller of life, even for those who were in the palace, with the bakery opening up for the air to give in to the sweet smell of loaf, the open markets with sunlit smiles, the bustling noise of Crystherean people helping and greeting each other, and the free laughter of young children.957Please respect copyright.PENANAL68Vjh79Ij
By this, it was clear Crysthereans loved the nature and didn’t want to ruin it by pollution—no cars or gadgets used. Plus, what would be the fun in life if they had those? They were fine being old souls—like they always were.957Please respect copyright.PENANA9lalmjen6f
It was any ordinary morning day for the civilians. However, it was a dreary day in the palace. Queen Catalina had just been in labor. Any typical one would have made everyone happy, but this was a crunch. It was ascertained she was in labor to one of the outlawed races in the entire Ediamin, also feared due to its compelling ability; a dragon shifter.957Please respect copyright.PENANAbaaekpFwfg
King Thorin was in her room looking at her with irritant painted on his face, while Catalina had her usual gentle blue eyes trained on the supposed outlawed infant. She was sitting in her bed, leaning against the large pillow that was comfortably settled against the headboard, the innocent sleeping little one cradled in her arms.957Please respect copyright.PENANAzAveMNqV8b
They were in an argument, and with her calmer character, the queen was winning.957Please respect copyright.PENANALqKtxdVdMh
“I tried avoiding your engagement with me, dear Thorin, but you were very stupid, selfish—despicable. You wanted nothing more than a beautiful, wealthy wife; it didn’t matter to you what she actually is, even for the hint that she was a neglected, royal child.” Although harsh, Catalina’s voice was as sweet as syrup as she said this. “So it isn’t my fault you didn’t know I am a shifter—a half shifter to be precise. You have no right to eliminate this little one, or me.” Her tone became softer in the last statement.957Please respect copyright.PENANAci5TSxqDUp
Thorin’s face became tomato red. “Ca—”957Please respect copyright.PENANAMmfaOQupWo
The queen held up a hand toward him. “Nuh-uh. No shouting. You don’t want to wake her.” Thorin looked at the infant who looked innocent in her sleep, as though she would never be a danger to anyone.957Please respect copyright.PENANAQxyG7Ne9Ky
He turned his attention back to Catalina, letting out an exasperated sigh. His tone was softer but near to a growl as he said, “I’m sorry for forcing you to marry me, Catalina, and for being…despicable. Sorry for making your life upsetting to you. Sorry for not being good enough for you.” Catalina raised an eyebrow at that. She applauded the child in her arms for not waking up by their ludicrous argument. “But I know you can control your powers better because you’re just a half shifter, whereas she—”957Please respect copyright.PENANAJdIhCPn4a3
“—can. She can, Thorin. She can. She can control her elements. She just needs training.” The queen sighed, her mood faltering. She muttered, “Really. It’s just strength. There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s not like we’re looking for a battle.” Catalina gazed at the infant dolefully, her scarlet hair falling over her shoulder.957Please respect copyright.PENANAP9XpStfxD3
Hearing that, the king couldn’t help but felt a pang of guilt at what he said before, and what he did years before. He felt the need to be amiable.957Please respect copyright.PENANANmtOv8ME7x
Funny. After years being with her, he just felt that now. But he knew that he loved her, although he wasn’t sure of her feeling toward him. But perhaps she indeed hated him. Oh, well.957Please respect copyright.PENANAidXhd8csia
“It’s because your race is practically invincible, Cat.” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it.957Please respect copyright.PENANAnaGcRebtdG
“For years you haven’t given me any nickname, and now that you’ve given me—it’s very lovely.”957Please respect copyright.PENANAujJZJas5gi
Thorin rolled his eyes. He should just stay the way he was. At least the tensed atmosphere between them had almost dissipated.957Please respect copyright.PENANAZr81QWV3XB
Suddenly, the doors burst open. Their eyes travelled to Alicea, their second child, and Jason, their eldest child, who followed after her, closing the doors.957Please respect copyright.PENANAWbmzEFYE1G
Alicea ran toward the side of her mother’s bed. Her big, violet eyes sparkled when she saw the child in her arms. “She’s my sister? She’s so cute!” She turned toward her father expectantly. “She’s going to be my sister, right? Right?”957Please respect copyright.PENANAhMYU4Snv8d
From the corner of his eye, Thorin saw Catalina giving him a smile that seemed to be a knowing smirk. Thorin groaned. “Yes. She’s going to be your sister. Just as long as she won’t be a danger to any of us.”957Please respect copyright.PENANA5bF6BqPK9c
His daughter’s face lit up and she hugged him, much to the king’s surprise. Hesitatingly, he returned it. At his red face, Catalina grinned.957Please respect copyright.PENANAy6ud2C2NFo
Thorin cleared his throat. “What would be her name?”957Please respect copyright.PENANAMAFmbsqg0C
A smile curved on the queen’s lips. “Eviana.”957Please respect copyright.PENANATei70ZRu1l