DAXTON “We are representatives from the Guard. We've been sent here to interrogate you on your involvement in the recent murders..." the creature in front of me spoke. I tilted my head, my gaze flickering from his pale face to his shaky legs. I could perceive the putrid smell of his fear. His partner was just as pale as he was, but he was trying to mask his own terror. They were brave, yes. But foolish enough to bring that bravery to my door. I let out a sigh, propping my cheek against the palm of my hand, my elbow resting on the armrest. "Did you really have to risk your lives like this?" I asked, and they both exchanged bewildered glances at each other. I was more than just irritated lately. It's been seven days since I announced to my officials that I was going to make Arya my Luna. My precious firecracker was constantly walking on eggshells around me, refusing to confront me about the fact that she'd seen her mother's journal in my room. I'd waited for her to speak up that
ARYA I paced back and forth outside Maya's room, gripping the strands of my hair in frustration. Skye had put my sister to sleep and had brought a strange herbal remedy, claiming it would soothe my sister's discomfort. The door to Maya's room creaked open, and Skye shut the door behind her. She was dressed in a silver jacket, a black T-shirt, pants and boots. She looked like she'd just left the set of an action movie. Her piercing blue eyes met mine. "She's stable now," she told me, and I pursed my lips, pondering on the fact that she'd shown up right on time for my sister's condition to deteriorate. What were the odds that this menacing brunette was a spy? "Banish any stupid thought in your head, right now. Sallie asked me to tell you to come to the dining room," she droned and started to walk away. I followed after her, closely watching her. When we arrived at the dining room, I was surprised to see that the rest of Daxton's major officials were gathered there. Daxton sat at t
ARYA “What's so special about this tea?" I finally had the chance to ask Sallie. We were alone in the kitchen. Sallie had just taken out the chicken from the oven, and the air was saturated with the mouthwatering smell of chicken spices. "It helps Master to tame his beast. It's not much, but it works. He used to go beast mode all the time, you see? I saw how much he hated it. I wanted to do something nice for my master. He'd saved me after all," she said, moving the kettle off the gas stove. "He saved you?" She nodded. "I was born premature and was stuck in my bird form for a while. He took care of me until I took on my human form," she replied, pouring some herbs into a cup. "How long have you stayed with him?" I asked, and she chuckled. "Two hundred years." I gaped at her. "What?" She gave me a little smirk, clearly amused by my shock. Two. Hundred. Years. Daxton had to be at least two hundred and fifty. Gods, he was old. Yet, he looked like he hadn't aged a day past twe
DAXTON She stared at me with wide eyes as though she couldn’t figure out if she was dreaming or not. “Can you not hurt me like this?” I asked, and she let out a shaky breath, reaching out to touch the side of my face with a trembling hand. “How can you still want me after everything that has happened between us?” Arya brushed my hair away from my face, her touch calming the raging storm inside of me. “I’ve lived in a shell for so long, I grew accustomed to the dark. But, since I’ve met you, I’ve gotten greedy. I can’t… I can’t breathe right without you,” I croaked, and she bent over to press a gentle, lingering kiss to my forehead. My eyes fluttered close as I savoured the feel of her lips on my skin like a starved animal. She ran her fingers through the strands of my hair, pulling away to straighten. “You deserve someone who would love you—” I cut her off. “I don’t. Not after the sins I’ve committed. All I need is you. I’ll take your hatred or your affection, but I can’t sta
ARYA My heart hammered in my chest, dread holding me captive as I awaited his response. This was the moment that would decide our future. It was the moment that would break or fix us. And as much as I was terrified, I needed to hear the truth, even if it killed me. Daxton didn't look at me. His eyes were fixed on the corner of the studio, like he was seeing ghosts I couldn't see. "That night," he began in a hoarse voice, "I came to your house... broken. The darkness inside me was eating me alive, and I didn't want to become the monster it was trying to make me. So I went to her. To beg her to end it. I begged her to kill me." My breath hitched. "What?" His eyes turned glassy. "She was powerful. She had every reason to isolate herself from me, just like everyone else had done. I thought... she would do it. But she didn't." He turned to face me, his expression hollow. "She refused. She said there was still light in me. That killing me would mean losing hope for something g
ARYA I cried like a baby. I was curled up in bed, buried under the sheets. It felt like I'd reached my limit. It was as though I'd lost my identity, my pride and everything that belonged to me. This had to be some kind of nightmare come to life. I'd kissed my mother's killer, and I'd wanted more. My mother must be turning in her grave, restless and grievous. "I'm sorry, Mum," I croaked, squeezing my swollen eyes shut. "I'm so sorry." I heard the door jerk open, but I refused to move, and the tears just wouldn't stop. "Arya?" I heard my sister say, but I ignored her. And suddenly, the sheets were pulled off my head. Maya's eyes widened when she saw me. "Oh dear," she sighed, pushing herself off her wheelchair onto my bed. Then she pulled herself up to a sitting position with my pillow propped behind her back. She held out her arms, and I let out a sigh, settling by her side with my head on her lap. At first, she said nothing, her fingers caressing my hair. "Is this because