Chapter One

Chapter One.

               Natasha

Loud music poured out from the speakers placed at specific positions around the bar.

“A glass of Black Martini, please,” I said to the bartender with a flirtatious smile. He smiled back, his gaze slipping down my face and to my cleavage.

“This one's on me,” he said with a wink. 

I faked a smile, grabbed the glass and turned away with a “thank you.”

Barcon wasn't as noisy as it usually was on other days. I gulped down the content of my glass, and glanced around the bar. My gaze finally landed on a guy seated a few tables from mine. He nursed his glance of wine, while scrolling through his phone.

Although he wasn't so handsome, he wasn't bad looking either. He'd serve my purpose just fine.

I approached him, already feeling tipsy. 

“Hey handsome, care for a dance?” I asked coquettishly.

“I'm afraid not...” He began saying as he lifted his head up. A dazed look crossed his face, before his eyes lit up almost immediately.

“Of course.” He said, rising to his feet.

He grabbed my arm, and led me over to the dance floor.

I discovered almost immediately that my choice was the wrong one. Soon enough, he began filling my ears with tales of his family's wealth.

I rolled my eyes, completely bored. “Wanna get down on me?” I wrapped my arms around his neck, and whispered close to his ears.

He nodded. 

I turned to leave, when I felt the hairs on my neck stand on end. His scent permeated around me, before I saw him.

“I didn't think I'd stumble into the Princess of Gavemorth at a bar. And dancing with a human too.” He said.

I whirled around, my eyes blazing. 

“Go fuck yourself, Kai.” I hissed.

Kai.

Prince of the Shadowers Kai. My enemy Kai. 

With my mood ruined, I decided to call it a night, and return back to Gavemorth. I flashed the human guy an apologetic look, and made to leave.

“You don't have to inconvenience yourself for my sake, you know.” Kai drawled. 

I looked at him more closely. Button down black shirt, and black jeans. Tousled hair.

“You think so highly of yourself, Kai. Get out of my way.” I ordered, crossing my arms.

“There are many exits out of this bar, Pest. Except of course,” he moved closer. “You want me to accompany you.”

A sound that came close to a growl escaped my throat, as I sidestepped him. 

My heartbeat accelerated as I headed towards the bathroom. 

“Hey, I didn't think you'd leave without me.” I heard someone say, and turned to see my dance partner from earlier on.

I cursed beneath my breath, and turned to face him. 

“I'm afraid I'll have to. Maybe we'd meet again sometime.” I said, struggling to keep my hands away from strangling the fucker.

“But I want you.” He insisted.

“Which part of ‘next time’ do you not understand? Now, if you'll excuse me.” I said exasperatedly, and turned to leave.

Thankfully, he didn't stop me. Cleaning up the remains of a dead human was sure to delay my return to Gavemorth.

I pushed the door to the first restroom open, and sauntered in, only to freeze midway. 

“What.The.Fuck.Are.You.Doing.Here?” I gritted out.

”Using the restroom, what else?” Kai replied, with that signature annoying smirk of his, as he casually leaned on the wall.

“This is the female restroom. Are you really seeking a way to piss me off, Kai?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

'Cause he was doing a great job at it already.

“Piss you off?” He retorted with a scoff, as he approached me calmly.

I subconsciously took a step back with each step of his, until my back hit the wall. 

“What do you think you're doing?” I huffed.

“The door is close to you, Pest,” he gestured at the door. “Or maybe, you have another idea in mind.” He finished off with a wink.

I straightened, staring him straight in the eye. 

“I hate you, Kai. Why would I have another idea in mind?” I scoffed.

His eyes glinted, but he didn't respond. Instead, he inched closer to me. My heartbeat accelerated, as I struggled to remain calm. 

“Pest, there's a thin line between hate and passion.” He smirked.

I made a face. “You’re right. There's a very thin line between wanting to gut your stomach out, and wanting to rip your tongue out.”

His eyes darkened. “Move out of the way,” he ordered in a low voice.

And though the dominant side of me hated doing as he wished, I moved away still. That was better off than spending another minute with him in the same space.

Without another word, he left the restroom. 

I let out a hiss and walked over to the large mirror. My reflection glared back at me. I'd always hated Kai for as long as I could remember. 

Maybe it was because we were too similar in many ways, and had the same Alpha traits.

My phone dinged, and I slipped it out. It was a message from Friya, my friend.

‘Mother is searching for you.’ It read.

That was all the prompting I needed. I was planning to return anyway, thanks to a ruined night. And now I was going to return home with the sexual urge I came with.

I hissed again, making a mental note to twist Kai's neck if I encountered him again. Another look at the mirror, and I left the restroom.

                                ★★★

The night was starry and serene. Few people loitered the street. I walked easily in my heels like they were a second leg, until I rounded a corner. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I quickly ducked. A metallic ball flew over my head, and hit the wall a few meters away.

The tang of magic loitered in the air, as I whirled around with a furious look.

“Coward,” I spat, changing into my usual attire. 

I pulled my bow and arrow, and arched at a nearby tree. A dull ache hit the back of my neck, and I fell to the ground.

“No one speaks to me in an arrogant manner, Pest. Especially not a scrawny heiress who thinks she's worthy enough to be my opponent.” Kai sneered, as he stepped away from the tree.

My blood boiled over at the sound of Kai's voice. I slowly rose to my feet, and took a fighting stance.

I already wanted to let out my anger anyway. 

I threw my bow to the floor, and cocked my head. 

We closed in, and he gave a low blow, hitting me on the stomach just as I hit him on the chest. We both staggered back, the sheer force of our strength, intense.

We threw punches at each other, drawing blood, our faces set in an angry line.

I hit him on his nose, drawing blood. He staggered back with a groan.

“Now, who's scrawny?” I asked with a triumphant scoff.

Gloating in my victory, I didn't see his hand inch towards my leg, until I lost my balance and fell against his body. We both fell to the floor, with me atop.

The world seemed to slow down, as I stared at the features which were well…Kai.

I had a migraine. That'd be the only explanation to why I suddenly thought Kai was handsome. His almond eyes, well chiseled jaw, and that lips which seemed to beckon to-

Come off it, Natasha.

My lips inched down towards his. 

Close.

Closer.

I could smell the faint hint of oud on his being. My hands slowly traced the side of his neck, as I bent my head lower. A few more seconds, and we'd kiss.

His eyes burned with intensity, but he said nothing.

“Are you resorting to seducing me, since you can't defeat me?” I heard Kai suddenly ask from below me. His words snapped me back to sanity.

I pushed off his body, smoothing off my attire.

“The next time you provoke me, I can't promise it'd end with just a few punches, Natasha. Steer clear off my path.” He said, rising to his feet.

“And you could do well with some fighting lessons.” He added, disdain written over his facial features. With that, he vanished.

 I blinked once. Then twice, as what almost happened coursed through my mind.

I'd almost kissed him. 

What the hell had I been thinking?

My heart was still racing by the time I stopped at the entrance that led to Gavemorth.

Lost in thoughts, I approached the lake. I made a portal, and stepped through it.

Praying that I wouldn't run into my mother, I slipped through the castle gates, and headed straight for the trees behind the walls.

I could climb over, and slip into my room from there.

“I’m sure you wouldn't mind telling me where you're coming from, Natasha Jace.” I heard a calm voice call out, halting me in my tracks.

I took a deep breath, and turned around to an older version of myself.

Queen Belinda, queen of Gavemorth.

“Hi, Mother.” I said awkwardly, inwardly cursing Kai. If he hadn't intercepted me, I'd have been home earlier than now.

“That doesn't explain anything. Where are you coming from?”