Novels by Godwin J

CHAPTER 9: COUNCIL OF BARONS. The atmosphere at the Sovereign's hold was quite tense. Events of the previous night caused the Sovereign to tighten security at the hold. Although activities went on as usual, there was a renewed sense of alertness by everyone, especially the guards. Along the massive hallways, footsteps could be heard as Lord Julius made his way to the hall of council. The Sovereign had called for a council meeting with the Barons earlier that day at dawn. As he got to the door, the sovereign guards bowed, and the steel red doors slid into the wall to the left and the right automatically, sensing his presence. He didn't as much as nod in acknowledgement to the salutation of the guards. He ignored them and walked in.Up ahead at the round table, he saw lord Castor and lord Kole chit-chatting. They seemed rather at ease. "What are you two so engrossedly talking about?" lord Julius asked, pulling out a seat among the four empty seats at the majestically crafted table.

CHAPTER 8: NEW LIFE AWAITS.MAX'S POV.I sat on the chair in Quin's and Chloe's shared apartment, placing ice on my slightly swollen face. The front door electronically beeped open, and the girls walked in, engaged in an exuberant chit-chat, laughing. They walked in, each carrying grocery bags. It had been over three hours since they left the house."Max, you won't believe the obnoxious thing Quin was imagi- The hell!" Chloe exclaimed, furrowing her brow. "What happened?" Quin asked as they quickly set the grocery bags down and walked toward me. Chloe took off the ice bag and looked at my face."Who did this?" she asked."The Morton brothers," I replied, sighing. "Those assholes! I swear to God, I'll-" "It's okay, Quin. I took care of it. There's no need for the violence," I interrupted, trying not to let things get out of hand, knowing how hot-tempered Quin was, especially when it came to people she cared about."They came to get their cut from the heist we pulled," I added."The

CHAPTER 7: INCIDENT AT THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY.RAIKA'S POV.Standing close to Percy, we waltzed to a soft ballad that the band played. It was so beautifully played that I'd have rather sat and listened to it, but I was obligated to do otherwise.I was impressed at how good Percy had gotten since the last time I ever witnessed him dancing, but it wasn't with me, though. It was with that cheeky, self-absorbed Megan. I was glad she and the other kids of the Barons weren't here. But there was escaping her as long as we were all expected to resume training at the academy the next day. What a grueling task it would be to deal with her crap. But what the hell.As we danced, speaking no words to each other, I caught sight of a couple of unfriendly faces I recognized. I couldn't help but stare anytime I had the opportunity to, as I waltzed, furrowing my brow."Is everything okay?" Percy asked. "Yeah. Everything is okay," I replied, cracking a mild smile, trying to hide my concern. It felt li

CHAPTER 6: ENCOUNTER AT THE CREEKS. RAIKA'S POV.***Earlier That Day***"So, how do you feel about today, Raika? I hope you're not nervous?"I honestly didn't know that anyone was speaking to me. I was absent-minded, staring down at my food, which I had only eaten halfway."Earth to Raika!" "Mm," I gasped, looking up. "Were you saying something, Mother?""I'm surprised to see that you are nervous," Mother said, furrowing her brow slightly as she looked intently at me."Nervous? Me?" I scoffed. "Why the heck would I be nervous?" "Well, it's just unusual seeing you this way. You've never seemed nervous. But it's okay to be nervous. Just so you know, I was a nervous wreck when it was my Betrothal Ceremony to your father. You're handling way better than I did," she said, then she gulped some wine."Thank you for the encouragement, Mother, but I'm not nervous." "Then what's weighing on your mind?" Mother inquired. I munched a little bit of the grilled steak we were served for lunch. H

CHAPTER 5: AT THE BETROTHAL CEREMONY.A man accompanied by a Sovereign guard walked hastily through the hallways of the Sovereign's hold. He nodded, greeting some of the officials who were standing and those who were up and about at the hold. It was a busy day at the hold.He got to a section of the palace and walked to a twelve-foot door. On each side of the door stood a soldier, dressed in navy blue uniforms and armed, looking well-groomed. He went ahead to knock on the door. "My Lady? It is time." After a short while of getting no response, he knocked again. "Lady Raika. It's time." Once again, there was no response. Lord Keefe went ahead to push open the door and walk into the Princess's chamber. He met her absence. "Where is she? Where is the Princess?" he asked the soldiers who stood guard by her door. They looked confusedly at Lord Keefe. "After she returned from lunch, she hasn't left her chambers, my lord," one of the soldiers said. "Well, she isn't in her chambers, is

CHAPTER 4: REASONABLE DOUBT.MAX'S POV.Stepping out of the door I entered, I found myself in the middle of the road, in what seemed like a war-torn area. Turning back, I saw that Quin and Chloe were nowhere to be found. I was gripped with a little bit of fear.There were buildings destroyed, vehicles on fire, as though a bomb had gone off. There was carnage all around me as far as the eye could see. The sky was red as though the heavens bled.Smoke and dust filled the air, making visibility a bit challenging. I was also covered in dust, I guess as a result of the rubble all around me. Before me, there were dead bodies and injured folks wailing. Terrified at the sight before me, I reflexively took a few steps backward and stumbled, falling onto a body with a first-degree burn. Gasping in fear, I quickly stood to my feet. "Where am I? What's going on?" I muttered. Up ahead, I saw a mound of rubble as though something heavy had landed in the middle of the road. So, I walked over to i