CHAPTER NINETY SIX

Rory's POV

6 Months Ago

She made me leave. She didn't want me there.

And she asked him to save her.

How could she do that to me? I know I frightened her, but it's not like I meant to. I only wanted to know if what Luna said was true.

I honestly thought we were better, that she forgave me for leaving like I did. She was so eager to put her hands on me. She said that she missed me. She wanted me.

So what changed?

Why am I alone once again?

"Mr. Bennet, sir. I didn't expect a visit from you."

I tried my best to appear cordial. It wasn't the guard's fault that I was in a bad mood.

"I'm here to see the Princess." I stated patiently, waiting for him find the proper key and take me to Luna's holding cell.

The whole place gave off a dungeon vibe, all of the cells being silver barred and ancient looking. The musky smell made it almost sickening to walk through. I couldn't imagine a wolf having to endure it.

The man led me down a private passage in which the floor was freshly poured concrete and the cages had beds. I guessed he couldn't have his daughter sleeping on a cold floor.

I guessed right.

Her cell, located at the end of the hall, was easily three times larger than the others. It even had a rug, a curtained-off toilet, and a full-size bed with clean sheets. She paced it as we approached, glaring before I even said a word to her, as if hoping I would combust from her expressed hatred.

At least they managed to find her something to wear, though it looked more like a hospital gown than a proper outfit. She didn't look nearly as glorious anymore, more like a caged beast.

"Princess, you know what to do," the guard said sternly.

"Hell no. I'm not letting him in here!" she objected, scowling.

The guard sighed, lifting his hand and forming an intricate gesture, causing the beads on her neck to radiate a black cloud of dark magic. She howled in pain, dropping to her knees in agony.

So the guards here are mages. That must be how they can keep prisoners in line with such lousy housing.

He rested his hand, thus easing her suffering.

"Do as you're told." He spoke again, this time earning him a deep growl and obedience.

She crossed to the back corner of the cell where a set of silver cuffs were set into the wall. Then, she kneeled, inserting both hands into the contraption until they locked onto her, trapping her in place.

Once she was in place, he unlocked the heavy door, allowing it to creak open before gesturing for me to step inside. I did so hesitantly, unsure if it was safe. She was a clever god, from what I'd been told. I didn't want to get my head ripped off.

But I needed to speak to her. She had lied to me, and I wouldn't have that.

"What the fuck do you want, Rory?" she barked, keeping her back to me.

I crossed to her bed, sitting gracefully with my hands clasped between my knees.

"I went to see Aria," I confessed, the defeat in my voice evident.

"Yeah, and where is she? Right, not here. She's not a traitor like you, asshole."

"Enough. I came to tell you that I don't like being lied to," I snapped. She turned to me, furrowing her brows.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I asked Aria if she was fucking your brother. She said no, and her heart rate implied that she was telling the truth. You lied to me." My voice was cold and threatening, but she once again showed her fearlessness by staying entirely still.

"I didn't lie to you," she stated plainly.

I shot to my feet, clenching my hands into tight fists.

"You obviously did. My Aria would never do that, and she would certainly never lie to me!" I shouted, defending my royal's honor. How could her god think so lowly of her as to spread such vulgar lies? Wasn't she her Queen?

"I said I wasn't lying, and I won't repeat myself again, prick. If you want to live in denial, go right ahead. It's clear you've already made yourself a good home there."

I ignored her insult so I could ponder her claims.

She sounded so sure, so confident, which only increased the bad feeling in my stomach. When I first asked Aria, she didn't immediately say no. Call it paranoia, but it made me suspicious. Why would she hesitate on such a simple question? Was she actually capable of lying to me so openly?

I needed to know, so I answered with a challenge.

"Prove it."

The Moon Goddess looked at me incredulously, waiting for me to say something more, but I didn't. I just crossed my arms, inviting her to back her words. Once she realized how determined I was, her face flashed with pity.

"Rory, I don't think you want me to do that. I shouldn't have even told you in the first place."

Shouldn't have told me? Why? Because it was a lie?

Of course, that was why. She just wasn't willing to admit it.

But I remained insistent.

"You won't do it because you can't." I sneered, focusing my pinning gaze on her black eyes. She growled at my attitude, her sympathies long gone.

"Fine. You want proof? I'll give you proof, asshole. On one condition."

She must be joking. A condition? She was determined to carry this until the end.

"Fine, what is it?"

Her lips formed a devious smirk, taunting me.

"If I can prove that what I said was true, you'll stay away from her. I mean no contact, not even a phone call. Leave her alone, for good."

What the hell?

"That's bullshit, I'd never agree to that." I hissed, appalled at her deal.

She only shrugged.

"I guess you aren't as confident in your 'bride' as you claim to be."

She was fucking with my mind, trying to get me to say that I didn't trust Aria.

But I did.

I knew deep down that she would never betray me that way. I loved her, and she loved me. It was against her nature to have an affair, especially with that cocky bastard.

I had to call her bluff. I had to prove to her that I truly trusted Aria, even at the risk of losing her forever.

I would take that bet.

I squared my shoulders, smiling confidently.

"Alright, deal. If you can prove it, I'll never speak to her again. But how, pray tell, do you plan on proving it?"

Her eyes widened for a brief flash before turning aggressive once again. She didn't expect me to agree, but she looked determined to stick to our bargain.

"Come closer." She demanded.

I obeyed, approaching her with long strides until I was beside her.

"Remove my necklace."

I scoffed.

"You can't be serious!"

"Do you want proof or not? I can't show you if I can't use my abilities."

"And how do I know you won't contact your brother as soon as I get it off?" I inquired, but she only smiled, a sarcastically sweet smile.

"You don't. But if you want the truth, you'll do as I say."

Was this another one of her tests?

I glanced back, looking for the guard that accompanied me. He was long gone. I couldn't even pick up on his heartbeat.

"Fine. But I'll only leave it off for a second, so do it quick."

"Yes, sir." She snapped.

I reached behind her lean neck, fumbling with the fastener of the beaded choker. I knew she was incapable of touching it herself, but I could without complication.

Please, Aria. I trust you, I thought to myself as the clasp came undone.

But as soon as it left her neck, I dropped to my knees.

I was struck blind, and my vision was replaced with Lysander's crystal-clear recollection of him and Aria on a beach. I could tell it was him based on the power that surged throughout my body.

When he laid eyes on my girl, my heart clenched. I felt it all. His passion, his adoration, his love. He wanted her. Badly. That fucking prick.

Quickly, the scene progressed. He kissed her. He fucking kissed her. It was almost unbearable to watch, but it only got worse from there.

Another flash forward and she was panting above his prone body, begging him to satisfy her. He tried to stop her, but she was so damn insistent. That's when I heard it, the words that broke me, that left me to feel like an absolute fool for putting my trust in her.

"I love you, Lysander."

No.

Hearing those words, the same words I heard at the ARIA the night we met, being spoken to that asshole, crushed me in despair.

She loves him? She fucking loves him?

I thought my heart couldn't possibly ache any more than it already was, until I saw her spreading her legs. I couldn't stop the images from coming. They were controlling my body and mind, and I just had to wait for all of it to end. I was slipping further into darkness with each stroke of his tongue on her body.

She cried his name. She begged him. She said she needed him.

She doesn't need you.

That's when I finally realized, Bastion was right. She didn't need me anymore. I was gone for a week, and that's all it took to have her surrendering to another man.

No wonder she called for him when I tried bringing her with me. She loved him more than she loved me.

The weight of my betrayal was more than I could bear. Even after my vision returned, I kept my eyes shut and my head down.

My love. My Aria.

She wasn't mine anymore. She was his.

"I expect you to hold to your promise, Rory." Luna spoke sternly, as if my whole world hadn't just been smashed to pieces.

I stood, feeling more dead than alive, reattaching her necklace and calling the guard to take my leave.

As I exited the cell, I stopped, not bothering to turn around.

"I will keep my promise, Princess."

I would at least try.

I did try.

But six months later, I found myself on a flight to Pittsburgh, making a liar of myself.

I would not give her up like that. Lysander may have taken her from me that night, but he wouldn't get eternity with her.

She was mine.

And I knew just how to convince her to come along willingly.