03

03

“Asger."

My eyes snap open, hands holding my side as I struggle for breath. Beads of sweat coats my forehead, but I feel warm.

I lay there, staring at the stone carved ceiling and enjoying the comfort I haven't had for days. Is this what death feels like? I wonder in my mind after a few minutes.

“No, that's what my bed feels like, now stop breathing too loud. It's irritating." I shriek when a familiar rough voice mumbles close to me, making me look to my left.

The moment my gaze meets with black pools, I squeak, almost jumping off the large bed at his closeness.

“Fuck woman! Told you to keep it down." He hisses, burying his head into my neck.

I can only clamp my hand over my mouth, trying not to think of how he is laying beside me, with his shirts off and his dark hair ruffled from sleep.

Steady breath.

Steady breath.

I tell myself, breathing in his cinnamon scent that makes my pulse race . I try to keep my thoughts in check. That's when the thought occurs to me.

Aren't I supposed to be dead? Why am I still alive?

My eyes wander over my body where I feel no pain or discomfort. My brows pinch, I remember breaking my spine, that should have killed me, then how am i still alive?

“Because I fucking saved you." Asger grumbles, hot breath fanning my neck, sending jolts of electricity through my skin.

“But how? I was sure I was going to die."

“Well, surprise, you are not. Now stop thinking, you are making my head hurt." He drapes his large arm around me, pulling me closer to him and I almost snuggle into his chest.

“How long have I been asleep?“

“Five days."

Wow, I've been out for that long?

I stay quiet, wondering how he saved me, and why he even helped me in the first place. I thought he was going to let me die and I sure was prepared for it.

My eyes wanders to his face, sharp jawline littered with stubbles that tickles my jaw, I can barely see past that and his thick eyebrows.

As I study him, a question rises in my heart.

Why did he save me?

“Even I wonder why I did that, because I am starting to regret it."

Did I say that out loud?

My heart clenches at his words and I wish he had never said that. Taking my gaze away from him, I let my eyes wander.

The room looks like a lair of some sorts, the walls are made of rocky stones, the floor is covered in animal fur.

Different kinds of boxes and papers litter on the ground, leaving the room messy, a red door is by the end of the room, then there's another black one at the other side.

There is a large wardrobe that looks like it can fit Asger if he walks in there, there's a desk by the side that has papers piled on it, begging for attention.

The room looks almost normal, and I can't help but wonder if we are still in the undead lands.

“Yes we are."

Before I can wonder how he heard that, my stomach rumbles and my cheek heats up. I almost cover my face with my palm in an attempt to disappear.

Asger chuckles.

“There's food in the kitchen, take the red door.“ he says, removing his arms from me, almost making me whimper at the loss of his warmth.

I notice a small, red string on his wrist, it looks too feminine, which makes me wonder if he has a mate or partner.

" Thank you," I reply, pushing myself up the bed. I almost fall when my feet touches the ground.

Though my body doesn't hurt, I still feel weak. I try to not step on anything as I maneuver through the messy room.

It is only when I spot my bloody and dirty dress that I realize that Asger had changed me into a t-shirt that reaches my knees. It smells like cinnamon. Is this his?

Did he change me?

I blush at the thought of him seeing me naked.

Pushing the thought out of my head, I reach out to pick up my cloth, unwilling to inconvenience him any further, however before I can do that, a familiar, shiny box catches my eyes.

I pick up the pink box, examining the golden engravings on it. The lock is shaped like a petunia, and when I turn it upside down, the word. 'mine.' is written in a very childish handwriting.

Though I can't remember where I had seen it, the sight makes me smile. I intend to put it back to where I had found it, but when my hand accidentally brushes against the lock, it clicks open.

Brows puckered, I try to drown in my curiosity, but the content in the box keeps calling me.

My body urges me to move, to find out what is inside. Even Reyna who had been quiet all along stirs inside me.

Giving in to my curiosity, open the box, only to gasp at the vaguely familiar yet beautiful red and gold string inside it.

Without thinking, I gently pick it up, feeling the urge to test it on. My eyes stray to the bed where Anger is asleep.

'It might be me for his mate, it's best if I don't touch this.' I try reasoning with myself, but the urge is too strong.

Ignoring the warning bells in my head, I place down the box and slowly tie the string around my wrist.

The moment I do so, the gold on the silk suddenly transforms into a slithering worm and before I know it, it pierces into my skin.

“Ah!"

I cry out in alarm, watching as it slithers straight to my heart. “What?!" Asger's voice cuts through the room. I turn slowly towards him.

“S—something just entered me!" I gasp, eyes wide.

“Ugh, for once, woman- will you stop- what the fuck!" his words freezes mid sentence then explodes, his eyes snap open, wide and black.

He looks from my hand to the box, and before I can blink, he's on his feet, grabbing my wrist so hard, it hurts.

His nose flares, his face tightens with rage.

And when his pitch black eyes meet my hazel ones, I shudder.

“What have you done?!"

Veins bulge in his throat, voice thunderous enough to make the walls tremble.

goddess!

He's going to kill me.

~P-Lia~