“i was never” is a personal project
created by someone who has always
been under another’s skin
these stories and fantasy worlds were once my escape of the surroundings that made me grow too fast.
now, after facing my fears face to face, i return to them not with shame but with pride.
just like my scars.
By Hatred Bound Series - Part One
Two realms. Two fates. One prophecy that could either save or destroy them all.
STORY 01
By
Hatred
Bound
Two realms. Two fates.
One prophecy that could save or destroy them all.
PART ONE
In Estella, the Ashbane Kingdom and the Silver Kingdom have been at war for centuries, ever since a marriage meant to unite their bloodlines ended in betrayal and murder, turning an ancient prophecy into a curse. Since then, the Ashbane dragons and Silver storm-wielders have sworn never to bind their lines again.
But fate is not so easily denied.
Beyond Estella lies the Earth Realm, a world without magic, ruled by men, where power is taken and women are silenced. Here Lena lives in the shadows of her crumbling estate, unaware of the power locked inside her... Nor the realm she was never meant to leave.
When the ruthless and widely feared King Ash arrives with a marriage proposal, Lena must accept his offer to save her people, and finds herself in a dangerous game of mistrust, fire, and desire, unaware of the secrets she’s marrying into... Nor the man behind them.
She never wanted to remember.
He was never meant to care.
But fate is not so easily denied.
CHAPTER 01
“Delicate Nature” from Lena’s point of view
“Lena!” Joe’s voice cuts through the field, his shout sharp as he rides hard towards me. Strange. “Lena!” he calls again, urgency clear.
I drop the pitchfork I’ve been working with and start walking toward him, worry quickening my steps. What on earth is going on? By the time I reach him, he’s pulled the horse to a stop, his eyes wide.
“King Ash is here,” he blurts out, still catching his breath.
“What?” My heart skips. King Ash?
“Yes, and he wishes to see you.”
“Whatever for?”
Joe shakes his head. “I don’t know the details, Lena. He said, ‘fetch her at once,’ so I did.”
“Fuck.” My stomach twists.
“Yeah. Fuck.” Joe stretches his hand out to help me onto the horse, but I wave him off, clicking my tongue in annoyance.
“I can manage, Joe,” I say, the edge in my voice makes it clear I’m not in the mood for chivalry. I head toward my horse, where Patty waits with the reins, her expression anxious.
“What does the King want? Why is he here?” she whispers, her worry mirroring mine.
“The fuck if I know,” I mutter, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.
“I’ll come too,” she says, moving to join Joe.
“No.” I mount Storm, feeling the nervous energy in my hands as I grip the reins, even the horse is agitated. “You two go ahead. Prep everything for when I get there. I’ll take the long way and hope he doesn’t see me like this.” Dirty and an utter mess for a lady, is what I don’t say out loud. But one look at me, they nod and make their way back to the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
King Ash, ruler for two winters now. Known far and wide for his ruthlessnes, the man who burned his way to the throne, slicing the previous King’s head right off his shoulders in an afternoon.
No one mourns the old King, he was a proper motherfucker. Still, might have been an angel compared to this one, and why, in all places, he has come here?
To this estate that was left to me after my father’s death, his only heir. Even before his passing, the land was crumbling, and for the last two years, I’ve been fighting tooth and nail to keep it from falling apart entirely. I moved here after my late husband died, thank the gods for that mercy. My life has not been an easy one, but it is has definitely improved since I left the hells of Pines behind.
There’s only one thing that should interest a King, the safety advantages of it, a peninsula with only three kilometres of border with the main land, everything around, deadly cliffs and dark waters. But why would he need the safety from his own kingdom?
Unless…
My thoughts are interrupted once I’m at the manor. I take the side entrance through the stables, making sure to avoid the main halls, and ascend the narrow staff stairs to my room. Patty’s already there, looking every bit the perfect lady’s maid, holding a wet towel. Marina, the oldest girl of the village still single, stands beside her with a brush, and Joe leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed looking anxious.
“Did he say anything else?” I ask Joe, kicking off my boots.
“No,” he replies, shaking his head. “He’s just waiting in the main room, looking out the window with two guards. I didn’t catch what they were discussing before when I told him you’d join him in a few minutes.”
“Does he look pissed?” I’m down to my undergarments now, with Patty helping me into the only decent piece of clothing I have left, a dark brown leather dress embroidered with delicate flowers at the shoulders. It’s slit on the sides for ease in movement and riding. That paired with a chemise it gives it a decorative flair on the sleeves and neck line.
“No.”
“Mad?”
“No.”
“What then?”
Joe hesitates, struggling to find the words.
I hiss as Patty tightens the laces at the back of my dress. “Hells,” I mutter, exhaling sharply.
“Sorry,” Patty says without a hint of remorse as she keeps pulling the strings tight.
“I can’t read him,” Joe finally says. “He’s like a statue. Intimidating, for sure.”
“Is his face burned like the rumours say?” I ask.
“No.”
“Any idea why he’s here?”
“Maybe he needs a place to stay for the night. There’s a storm coming in from the south, they might have been ridding ahead of it”
“And ride all the way north for a storm?” I ask, that makes no sense.
“Maybe he is just looking? Plans of a port to explore what’s beyond.”
I nod thoughtfully. It’s not impossible. This region has always been called the end of the world, but that never stopped me from wondering why no one has verified that fact, there are no stories about it ever happening. It seems like no one has had the nerve to explore the Deadly Waters.
“Or…” I begin, the thought creeping in like a dark shadow, my heartbeat quickening with panic.
“That’s impossible,” Joe cuts in, his voice firm with absolute conviction. “We are water tight. And I already sent word to hide and wait.” I glance at him, searching his face, hoping he’s right. But why else would the King be here? Why now? It makes no sense…
Unless...
“He’d burn the place down before stoping by.” Patty chimes in, her voice low and tense. Her words send a chill down my spine. She’s right. If the King knew, he wouldn’t be here talking. But I can’t shake the thought, the sense that there’s more to his visit than just a royal formality.
I glance between them, hoping they are both right. I breathe in and out nodding and start thinking ahead.
“Marina,” I call, “Head back to the fields and fetch two more girls to help ready three rooms in the guest wing in case they do stay. And stop by the kitchen, tell Leonardo to be ready to prepare dinner for the King’s men, in case they expect it. If he needs extra hands, get him some.”
“Yes, my lady,” Marina replies quickly, exiting the way I came. I close my eyes for a moment, steadying my breath as Patty finishes lacing the gown. It’s tight, moulding to my body like a second skin.
“Alright, I think you’re ready,” Patty says, giving my hair one final touch.
“You think?” I say, eyes still closed, trying to calm my nerves.
“There’s not much more I can do. The rest is up to you,” she says, stepping back, her usual supportive tone laced with practicality
I open my eyes and catch my reflection in the mirror. It’s been two long years since I’ve dressed like this. Between working the fields and tending to the sick, I’ve spent most of my days in my father’s old trousers and shirts. But now, staring back at me is the lady my father raised, a noblewoman. But underneath, a warrior. ‘Never let a man change your nature,’ my mother’s words echo in my mind, as if she’s standing beside me.
With a deep breath, I walk over to the table and pick up my daggers, securing one on each thigh beneath the skirts. Joe and Patty chuckle behind me.
“Just in case?” Joe asks.
“Just in case,” I nod, straightening. “Let’s go.”
The walk from my rooms to the throne room is exactly two minutes. And I feel like my nerves have pumped all the blood flow reserved for one day. Just before I give the sign for Joe to open the doors, I close my eyes, breathe in and out, and say to myself, ‘It cannot get any worse.’ Then nod once.
“Your Majesty,” says Joe, entering the room first.
A tall, broad figure stands straight across from me, looking out the window.
First thing I notice, his big hands behind his back, long fingers relaxedly intertwined. Stay away from those. They can grip easily.
Second thing to keep in mind, his rich, wavy, very dark brown hair, at the perfect length to fist it and drive his nose to my knee, if need be.
Third, he’s wearing very casual clothes for a monarch. A dark loose shirt over black, equally loose pants. It’s difficult to tell if he’s carrying weapons.
“Lady Helena,” Joe adds.
He slowly turns and faces me. I look up to his face.
Good, Gods. His fucking face.
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“Delicate Nature” from Lena’s point of view
“Lena!” Joe’s voice cuts through the field, his shout sharp as he rides hard towards me. Strange. “Lena!” he calls again, urgency clear.
I drop the pitchfork I’ve been working with and start walking toward him, worry quickening my steps. What on earth is going on? By the time I reach him, he’s pulled the horse to a stop, his eyes wide.
“King Ash is here,” he blurts out, still catching his breath.
“What?” My heart skips. King Ash?
“Yes, and he wishes to see you.”
“Whatever for?”
Joe shakes his head. “I don’t know the details, Lena. He said, ‘fetch her at once,’ so I did.”
“Fuck.” My stomach twists.
“Yeah. Fuck.” Joe stretches his hand out to help me onto the horse, but I wave him off, clicking my tongue in annoyance.
“I can manage, Joe,” I say, the edge in my voice makes it clear I’m not in the mood for chivalry. I head toward my horse, where Patty waits with the reins, her expression anxious.
“What does the King want? Why is he here?” she whispers, her worry mirroring mine.
“The fuck if I know,” I mutter, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.
“I’ll come too,” she says, moving to join Joe.
“No.” I mount Storm, feeling the nervous energy in my hands as I grip the reins, even the horse is agitated. “You two go ahead. Prep everything for when I get there. I’ll take the long way and hope he doesn’t see me like this.” Dirty and an utter mess for a lady, is what I don’t say out loud. But one look at me, they nod and make their way back to the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
King Ash, ruler for two winters now. Known far and wide for his ruthlessnes, the man who burned his way to the throne, slicing the previous King’s head right off his shoulders in an afternoon.
No one mourns the old King, he was a proper motherfucker. Still, might have been an angel compared to this one, and why, in all places, he has come here?
To this estate that was left to me after my father’s death, his only heir. Even before his passing, the land was crumbling, and for the last two years, I’ve been fighting tooth and nail to keep it from falling apart entirely. I moved here after my late husband died, thank the gods for that mercy. My life has not been an easy one, but it is has definitely improved since I left the hells of Pines behind.
There’s only one thing that should interest a King, the safety advantages of it, a peninsula with only three kilometres of border with the main land, everything around, deadly cliffs and dark waters. But why would he need the safety from his own kingdom?
Unless…
My thoughts are interrupted once I’m at the manor. I take the side entrance through the stables, making sure to avoid the main halls, and ascend the narrow staff stairs to my room. Patty’s already there, looking every bit the perfect lady’s maid, holding a wet towel. Marina, the oldest girl of the village still single, stands beside her with a brush, and Joe leans against the doorframe, his arms crossed looking anxious.
“Did he say anything else?” I ask Joe, kicking off my boots.
“No,” he replies, shaking his head. “He’s just waiting in the main room, looking out the window with two guards. I didn’t catch what they were discussing before when I told him you’d join him in a few minutes.”
“Does he look pissed?” I’m down to my undergarments now, with Patty helping me into the only decent piece of clothing I have left, a dark brown leather dress embroidered with delicate flowers at the shoulders. It’s slit on the sides for ease in movement and riding. That paired with a chemise it gives it a decorative flair on the sleeves and neck line.
“No.”
“Mad?”
“No.”
“What then?”
Joe hesitates, struggling to find the words.
I hiss as Patty tightens the laces at the back of my dress. “Hells,” I mutter, exhaling sharply.
“Sorry,” Patty says without a hint of remorse as she keeps pulling the strings tight.
“I can’t read him,” Joe finally says. “He’s like a statue. Intimidating, for sure.”
“Is his face burned like the rumours say?” I ask.
“No.”
“Any idea why he’s here?”
“Maybe he needs a place to stay for the night. There’s a storm coming in from the south, they might have been ridding ahead of it”
“And ride all the way north for a storm?” I ask, that makes no sense.
“Maybe he is just looking? Plans of a port to explore what’s beyond.”
I nod thoughtfully. It’s not impossible. This region has always been called the end of the world, but that never stopped me from wondering why no one has verified that fact, there are no stories about it ever happening. It seems like no one has had the nerve to explore the Deadly Waters.
“Or…” I begin, the thought creeping in like a dark shadow, my heartbeat quickening with panic.
“That’s impossible,” Joe cuts in, his voice firm with absolute conviction. “We are water tight. And I already sent word to hide and wait.” I glance at him, searching his face, hoping he’s right. But why else would the King be here? Why now? It makes no sense…
Unless...
“He’d burn the place down before stoping by.” Patty chimes in, her voice low and tense. Her words send a chill down my spine. She’s right. If the King knew, he wouldn’t be here talking. But I can’t shake the thought, the sense that there’s more to his visit than just a royal formality.
I glance between them, hoping they are both right. I breathe in and out nodding and start thinking ahead.
“Marina,” I call, “Head back to the fields and fetch two more girls to help ready three rooms in the guest wing in case they do stay. And stop by the kitchen, tell Leonardo to be ready to prepare dinner for the King’s men, in case they expect it. If he needs extra hands, get him some.”
“Yes, my lady,” Marina replies quickly, exiting the way I came. I close my eyes for a moment, steadying my breath as Patty finishes lacing the gown. It’s tight, moulding to my body like a second skin.
“Alright, I think you’re ready,” Patty says, giving my hair one final touch.
“You think?” I say, eyes still closed, trying to calm my nerves.
“There’s not much more I can do. The rest is up to you,” she says, stepping back, her usual supportive tone laced with practicality
I open my eyes and catch my reflection in the mirror. It’s been two long years since I’ve dressed like this. Between working the fields and tending to the sick, I’ve spent most of my days in my father’s old trousers and shirts. But now, staring back at me is the lady my father raised, a noblewoman. But underneath, a warrior. ‘Never let a man change your nature,’ my mother’s words echo in my mind, as if she’s standing beside me.
With a deep breath, I walk over to the table and pick up my daggers, securing one on each thigh beneath the skirts. Joe and Patty chuckle behind me.
“Just in case?” Joe asks.
“Just in case,” I nod, straightening. “Let’s go.”
The walk from my rooms to the throne room is exactly two minutes. And I feel like my nerves have pumped all the blood flow reserved for one day. Just before I give the sign for Joe to open the doors, I close my eyes, breathe in and out, and say to myself, ‘It cannot get any worse.’ Then nod once.
“Your Majesty,” says Joe, entering the room first.
A tall, broad figure stands straight across from me, looking out the window.
First thing I notice, his big hands behind his back, long fingers relaxedly intertwined. Stay away from those. They can grip easily.
Second thing to keep in mind, his rich, wavy, very dark brown hair, at the perfect length to fist it and drive his nose to my knee, if need be.
Third, he’s wearing very casual clothes for a monarch. A dark loose shirt over black, equally loose pants. It’s difficult to tell if he’s carrying weapons.
“Lady Helena,” Joe adds.
He slowly turns and faces me. I look up to his face.
Good, Gods. His fucking face.
Continue reading in wattpad ↗