The Awakening Of The Shadows - Chapter 16: Lena’s Hellish Training

In this fantasy world, music and aether rules all. However, there is constant threat of demons and natural catastrophes. The most powerful men are musicians who use music, alchemy, and spells to safeguard their homes. A young man who just wants to find his father and know why his family was exiled, starts his journey of becoming musician – a journey that leads him to the crown of justice and glory.We are born of aether, grow under aether and die as aether. Awe of Aether! – Holy Code.

Apollo was a genius who was talented enough to achieve big things in his life, but because of a rare genetic disorder, everything came to an abrupt end.But when he thought everything was done, he again opened his eyes to another world as the baby of a noble family. Knowing that this might be his second chance, he decided to do everything he could to create a good and free life for himself.But surprisingly, this world is not simple, as there are beings with extraordinary power who can control the lives and deaths of others, giants who can crush mountains, dragons who can burn the seas, and many more. So now, to truly achieve his goals, Apollo needs to learn and adapt to this new world where life and death can be matters of thought.

[COMPLETE] Can a royal Romeo and Juliet find their happy ending?

Ayleth, Princess of Zenithra, is secretly trained in hand-to-hand combat, and collects swear words she doesn't know how to use. During the Festival of Peace, in which every royal son on the continent will be at the castle for a month, she is instructed by her parents to find a husband. Yet, Ayleth has never even been kissed—until the very first ball, when she meets the man in the Lion mask.

Etan is a seasoned warrior, and the Prince of Summitras. He attends the Festival hoping to find a powerful wife who will help him conquer the dark sorcery of their bloodsworn enemies, the Kingdom of Zenithra. But at the very first ball, he discovers the masked woman who captures his heart is the Heir to the evil empire.

Ayleth and Etan face an impossible battle. Will their love survive? Or will their parents' dark dealings keep them apart forever?

[Mature content. No sexual violence.]

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“You…” She stepped back. Then back again, her mouth dropped open. “You… You cannot be…”

“I am,” Etan said, and his hair raked back as he pushed his mask off his handsome face. So handsome her heart raced.

His hair was ebony black, his skin a warm brown that threatened to fade in in the winter months. He stared at her with glittering green eyes, over high cheekbones and a noble nose, his jaw tight and shadowed this late in the day. His chin was high over the pillar of his neck that she’d just touched with its hard lines and steel strength, so different to her own. And his chest... She gasped and covered her eyes. She’d humiliated herself revealing her stupid, childish curiosity.

“No, Ayleth. This changes nothing.”

“How can you say that? It changes everything!” She was horrified to realize she was crying.

“Ayleth, please.” His voice cracked on the plea and she stared at him, shoving her mask up and off, despite how it would pull her hair out of the beautiful twist the maid had managed for her.

His eyes locked on hers and she couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe.

She had met her One. And he was the son of her bloodsworn enemy.

She stared at him as he stepped forward again, offering both hands, palm up. “Touch me,” he whispered. “Hold my hands. This is real, Ayleth. I don’t know how it happened, but this is real. Please don’t deny it.”

She couldn’t resist. She raised a trembling hand to his cheek, letting her palm catch on the scruff of his jaw. He blew out a breath and put his hand over hers, and that jolt that happened whenever they touched shivered through her again.

“Please, Ayleth.”

“I cannot deny it,” she whispered.

“I'll do it. I'll do anything you want”Raiden clicked his tongue in a disapproving tone then raised Hiro's head once more.“That's not what I want to hear, Hiro” He said. “I want to hear you say it with your lips. I want to hear you acknowledge what you will be to me and your status from this day henceforth.”He stared deep into Hiro's beautiful brown eyes as he spoke; “Say that from this very second, you belong to me. Your body, your soul, your mind, every part of you belongs to me. You will be my pet and remain by my side. You will do whatever I ask you to do. Tell me that I own you, Hiro.”Raiden's voice was frighteningly deep and Hiro felt shivers run down his spine. There was nothing he could see but Raiden's smokey grey eyes, his handsome face and that devilish smile that gave him goosebumps and made his heart tremble with fear.With tears running down his cheeks, he balled his fists and spoke softly; “I promise, Raiden, from this very second, I belong to you. Every part of me is yours. My body, my mind, my soul, everything is yours. I will be your pet. I will do anything you ask of me. I will give you everything that I am. You own me, Raiden.”Watanabe Hiro used to be very rich. As the last child of the Watanabe family, he was pampered and spoilt by everyone but he was a good kid. He was obedient and friendly. Nice and very caring. He never did anything to worry others. He also had a lot of friends. Some were with him because they genuinely liked him while others were with him because of his wealth. That is, until a calamity befell his family and everyone he considered a friend abandoned him.Hiro was forced to live a wretched life for 4 years until he met a former senior who was ready to save him but under one condition.Hiro had to become his for a year.