The Elemental
img img The Elemental img Chapter 1 The Lost Princess of Aeternum
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Chapter 6 The Untouchable's Mate img
Chapter 7 Whispers of Water img
Chapter 8 Awakening Water img
Chapter 9 Serena's Awakening img
Chapter 10 Sparks of power img
Chapter 11 The Golem's Hunt img
Chapter 12 Shadows of the Golem img
Chapter 13 A New Reality img
Chapter 14 Unleashing the tide img
Chapter 15 Silent Promises img
Chapter 16 A Dress, A Date, and A Dream img
Chapter 17 A Night of Magic and Mayhem img
Chapter 18 Training of the Mind img
Chapter 19 A Taste of Ecstasy img
Chapter 20 The Mating Ceremony. img
Chapter 21 Blood Oaths and Betrayals img
Chapter 22 The Night of Shattered Vows img
Chapter 23 The Truth in Chains img
Chapter 24 Web of Lies and Hidden Truths img
Chapter 25 Terms of freedom img
Chapter 26 Whispers of Secrets and Lies img
Chapter 27 Whispers Beneath the Water img
Chapter 28 Echoes beneath the moon img
Chapter 29 The Forgotten Powers img
Chapter 30 Secrets in the Shadows img
Chapter 31 Hidden Doubts img
Chapter 32 The Lost Princess Returns img
Chapter 33 The Ultimatum img
Chapter 34 Secrets, Sacrifices, and Betrayals img
Chapter 35 Shadows of Regret img
Chapter 36 Whispers Beneath the Surface img
Chapter 37 Seduction and Schemes img
Chapter 38 Secrets Behind Locked Doors img
Chapter 39 Dominance and Deception img
Chapter 40 The Time is Near img
Chapter 41 Whispers of Destiny img
Chapter 42 Unmasking the Illusion img
Chapter 43 Hidden Paths img
Chapter 44 Unveiled Secrets img
Chapter 45 Shattered Truths img
Chapter 46 Plans in Motion img
Chapter 47 The Potion's Secret img
Chapter 48 A Race Against Fate img
Chapter 49 Cornered by Betrayal img
Chapter 50 Into the Wolf's Den img
Chapter 51 The Witch's Refuge img
Chapter 52 Sanctuary Among Strangers img
Chapter 53 Inferno of Truth img
Chapter 54 The Unseen Power img
Chapter 55 Unraveling Bonds img
Chapter 56 A Broken Bond img
Chapter 57 The Hidden Agenda img
Chapter 58 Shattered Bonds img
Chapter 59 Shadows of the Past img
Chapter 60 Unspoken Tensions img
Chapter 61 A New Path Forward img
Chapter 62 A Choice of Family img
Chapter 63 The Breaking Point img
Chapter 64 Healing Waters img
Chapter 65 Bonds of Power and Family img
Chapter 66 The Spark of Destiny img
Chapter 67 The Claim of Fate img
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The Elemental

Silver Queen
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Chapter 1 The Lost Princess of Aeternum

Eight-Year-Old Serena's POV

Eight-year-old Serena was being put to bed by her mother. As usual, she requested a bedtime story.

"Mommy, can you tell me a story?" she asked with a yawn.

"Of course, baby, you know I always will. Which one do you want to hear?" her mother asked.

"The one about the lost princess."

Her mother laughed softly. "Why do you love listening to that one so much?"

"I don't know, I just love it," Serena replied, her voice tired.

"Okay, let's get into it."

Once upon a time, in the Golden Palace of Aeternum, preparations for the birth of the newborn princess were in full swing. The king and queen wanted this celebration to be remembered as the grandest in history. Staff members hurried about, tying up last-minute preparations. Meanwhile, the beautiful princess cooed happily in her nursery, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle.

But the peace was short-lived. As the celebrations began and aristocratic families filled the great hall, all eager to catch a glimpse of the royal heir, disaster struck. The music slowed to signal the princess's grand entrance-but instead of the princess, her hysterical governess burst into the hall, her dress drenched in blood.

"Your Royal Highnesses, she's gone!" she wailed, collapsing to her knees, staining the marble floors with her bloody palms.

"What are you talking about?" the queen demanded, as guards rushed to restrain the trembling woman.

"The princess... she's gone," the governess choked out. "I stained my dress and went to change, leaving the other nurses in charge. When I returned, the princess was gone-and the maids were dead."

The king and queen paled visibly before racing from the hall, presumably toward the nursery. Murmurs erupted among the guests, but the queen's piercing screams silenced them all.

"Where is my baby? Where is my baby?" she cried over and over. In the background, the king barked rapid orders at the guards.

"Dispatch every available soldier! Lock down the castle! Search the forest! The princess must be found!"

The guards' hurried footsteps echoed throughout the palace as they moved into action. Meanwhile, the doors to the great hall were sealed, preventing anyone from leaving.

Hours later, the guests were finally released, but the princess remained missing. Though her parents clung to hope, the princess of Aeternum was never found.

Serena wiped at her watery eyes. "Mommy, I pray they find their baby."

Her mother leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Okay, baby. But remember, it's just a story. Time to sleep."

She turned off the light, leaving Serena to dream of lost princesses and broken hearts.

---

Twelve Years Later

"Argh," I groaned as the force of their blows connected again and again with my body. Sharp cracks echoed with every hit to my ribs, and the metallic tang of blood coated my mouth.

"This is my problem with you," a voice sneered, almost unrecognizable through my haze of pain. "You never beg. You're too proud. But I'll break you."

The hits kept coming, but I refused to utter a sound. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. I refused to lose my self-respect by begging these vile, heartless humans.

Eventually, they tired of their cruelty and left. Summoning all the strength I had, I forced myself to my feet and staggered home.

Every step was brutal. The exhaustion clung to me like chains, and it was a miracle I even made it back. Once there, I slipped into the warm water of the bathtub. The stinging pain from my bruises was sharp, but the water's embrace felt almost like comfort.

I couldn't help but feel relieved. Thoughts of my impending move filled my mind.

"Haven College... you might really become my haven."

From childhood to adulthood in this godforsaken town, I had known nothing but bullying, pain, and abandonment. Finally, a door to escape had opened.

Food was the last thing on my mind; the pain was too overwhelming. Thankfully, my mother wouldn't be home tonight to see the sorry state I was in.

I remembered the day I almost ended it all. I'd filled the bathtub and tried to drown myself. But I couldn't do it. Some stubborn flicker inside refused to give up. That same night, when I emerged, shivering and defeated, I checked my phone-and there it was. A notification from Haven College: Scholarship Accepted.

It became my reason to hold on.

---

Departure Day

A few weeks later, after successfully avoiding everyone, the day I'd been waiting for finally arrived.

I carried my last box to the car, the bright, clear sky mirroring my emotions perfectly. I had never felt so much hope.

Pushing the box into the trunk, I moved to the porch to grab my bag. I turned once to stare at the miserable house that had been my prison for years.

"Good riddance."

"Serena, what are you waiting for?" my mother called.

"Nothing, Ma. Just grabbing my bag," I said, quickly moving towards the car.

We drove off with the radio cranked up. I couldn't help but wonder why I, Serena Stone-the girl cursed with misfortune-had been given a scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

My mother assured me it was fate. She had even found a job at Haven College, paying far better than her last. Things, for once, were looking up.

I slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep as Haven Town grew closer.

---

Arrival at Haven

A few hours later, we drove into Haven. My heart thudded with a mix of excitement and nerves.

When we passed the "Welcome to Haven Town" sign, I couldn't help but gape at everything.

"Honey, calm down," my mother laughed. "You'll have plenty of time to explore."

"I know, Mum. I just can't help it," I said.

"Well, we're nearing a diner. Why don't we stop for dinner?"

At the mention of food, my stomach loudly agreed.

We entered the diner and were immediately assaulted by the mouthwatering smell of food.

As Mum placed our order, I felt eyes boring into my back. I turned to find a group of teens my age staring at me.

My first thought wasn't annoyance or fear-it was: They're beautiful.

I turned back to my mum and asked, "Is the water in Haven different?"

She looked at me like I had lost my mind. "What are you talking about?"

"Look around you," I whispered. "Everyone here is ridiculously beautiful."

She finally looked and her eyes widened.

"Well," she said, smiling, "seems like the people of Haven have been blessed with both looks and money. Now stop staring and order your food."

I grinned and placed my order: chicken nuggets and fries.

We chose to wait for our food at the counter instead of sitting. Once it was ready, we paid and headed off to what would be our new home.

All thoughts of the unnaturally beautiful people faded as excitement for the life ahead consumed me.

            
            

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