Chapter 22: The Fishbone in my Throat Tonight, Apollo and Shahida will leave the mansion. After persuading him successfully into coming there, he finally decided to reconsider his grandpa. But, one thing does not change in him. “Are you sure you are not going with me? I promise I will not let you be an outcast there.” He was still adamant to bring me with him. From what I know, his grandparents reside at Eagle Hill, the private farm of the Valencourt outside Northcrest. I know it’s still against his will to pay them a visit but Apollo needs a good alliance and not being on their side is a huge disadvantage for him. And he was aware of it. I was fixing his tie but he teased me by tipping his toes, making me unable to reach it. I thought it’s just because he’s taller than me, but when I saw him grinning at me, I pulled his tie slightly and slapped his elbow. “Aw!” he exclaimed, rubbing it with his other hand. “You are really mean. When are you going to treat me like… I am yours?”

Chapter 24: The Wreck Shahida “Who says I need breakfast in bed, you punk?” Evangeline, one of the kitchen staff runs off crying from my brother’s chamber. She was kicked out again after serving breakfast for him. It has been a two hell weeks since Elias left the mansion and didn’t even bade his goodbye. All that I recalled at grandma’s death anniversary was Apollo getting criticized by the elders of our family, and the councils who payed their visit. Rejecting and voided the marriage was the best of the night but it was soon exchanged with horror. I was forced to stay there unaware. Grandpa has never been disappointed in his life not until my brother defended Elias in front of everyone and announced that Isabelle and him was nothing but a contractual marriage, which drew a conclusion about his feelings for Elias. He also announced his love for him which was so romantic. After he received Elias’ betrayal, I understood his anger and frustration on everything. I really want to pu

Chapter 26: The I Missed You Trigger warning: Sexual scenes are present. Read at your own risk. Elias Having no idea how many days I was caged in the same cell, I have never seen Samael since then. On the day we arrived, I was forced to stay in this rusty cage cell and was brought food for my meals. Other than that, he has never laid a hand on me, did not even touch a strand of my hair which I was glad he did. There were no days that Apollo didn’t cross my mind. All I think about everyday is how to get away from this place without getting caught. But it seems that Samael knows it will be my plan, he makes sure that the corners I am in is fully locked. There’s no way I could escape. I remember the first time I met Apollo here. Back then, he was so reckless and nosy of someone else’s life. He saved me without permission and rule my life as if he owns it. But looking back, I was regretting any decision I made. If I persists on taking my life, I would not be able to meet

Chapter 28: The Dungeon Survivors were escorted to the hall for their physical check up and a lot of physicians were summoned to be at the mansion. The moment when Apollo left us, he had never come back since. I also saw other councils arriving at the conference room, walking quickly, so I guess there would be a forum about the new plans for the survivors. Refusing to get a treatment from them because I wasn’t feeling bad, I reached for my pad where my things were. While I was heading to my destination, I bumped into Lady Isabelle who was at her usual stance—pretty, fair, and a prominent woman. But one thing I caught in her was she’s unfocused and unsteady. Seemed like her mind was somewhere else. However, she was shocked when she saw me when I leaned on her. I blinked for how many times, confused as to why she looked like she had met a ghost. I tried reaching her from her foot when she fell earlier but she crawled back. I was expecting her to nag at me but instead of doing that,

Chapter 30: The Senior Council “Elias!” Apollo snapped his fingers at me, looking so worried. I turned my gaze towards Aunt Isadora and Shahida who were also waiting for me to speak. I swallowed my own spit and forced a smile. “You’re spacing out. Is there something bothering you?” Apollo asked, holding my hand which I pulled away. He was shocked. Instead of getting mad, he looked at Elias worriedly. “Nothing. I’m sorry,” was all I said. But curiousity really kills me. Did Isabelle come here? Did she talk to me? “What’s the matter, Eli?” Aunt Isadora asked this time. But I just shook my head. After that, Shahida confirmed what I was thinking. “What happened between you and Isabelle? You looked flustered when she talked to you earlier.” So I wasn’t dreaming. That was real. But, why it felt like an illusion? “Don’t ask him too much. He must be adjusting. Just continue eating.” All of them didn’t ask after that. Even Apollo himself stopped but I could still sense his worried st