Chapter 31 - Stars Nesrin  Apollo's lips crashed against mine. And it felt as though I was pulled into a dream. Sparks ignited from my lips and moved their way down into the pits of my stomach. Desire dulled all my senses, all my worries and pain. His hand slowly moved down my side until he reached my waist, gripping it tightly, pulling me closer.  His other hand cupped my neck and face. Every touch of his skin against mine was electric as if my body was being awakened for the first time.  I didn't know whether it was the fact that tomorrow wasn't promised in this god's forsaken place. Or if it was because of all the times I dreamed, wished, for him to touch me like this, for him to claim me. But nothing compared to this moment, not even that one time in the

Chapter 33 - AlwaysNesrin We had three days until we made it to the border of Visha. It was the outer village of the northern capital—the place where the weaker witches of the Kaltain coven resided. Once we reached the small village that bordered Visha, Vello, on the west side of the Dark realm, we had all agreed that we would sell our horses and proceed the rest of the way on foot through the forest lines. But now that we were actually here in Vello. Everything just seemed to sink in. I hadn't told Apollo about what had happened. I hadn't even told him about the original deal I had made. But now, with the weight of that secret now on my shoulders, I couldn't bear to put that burden on him. So I kept my distance. Made him think I regretted what we did, regretted baring my heart and soul to him. It hurt, but I had to protect him for as long as I could. Let him have the chance to walk away before I dragged

Chapter 35 - Summoned Nesrin   One second we were all together. The next, a thick fog rolled in, and it was as if we had been ripped into an alternate reality.  Everything was way too quiet. My scars seemed to ache more than usual, and I could help but feel like we were being watched.  "Stay close," Lir muttered under his breath.  I took a step closer to the Commander. The fog wrapped around us, cutting us off from the others. I gripped my bow and notched an arrow in preparation for whatever creature had decided to cross our path today.  "Apollo," I shouted through the thicket of the fog. But silence only answered in return

Chapter 37 - HomeNesrin I screamed until my throat was raw until my voice broke entirely. Watching Apollo collapse to the ground and begin convulsing was the most horrific thing I had ever witnessed. But the moment that broke my heart into pieces was when he stopped moving. His body, becoming unnaturally still, his skin paling, and the presence of his magic slowly started fading away."Stop it. Stop it, please, "I begged, the magic that held onto me let up enough for me to watch the horror unfold."I'm begging you to stop. Let him go. I'll stay. I'll do whatever you want. Just stop," I cried out. One of the witches grabbed me, their hands squeezing my arm enough to make it hurt. "No use begging, mutt," Their voice was masculine, and when I looked over at the head witch, she was laughing. "Apollo," I screamed out again as I was dragged up to the dais. The male grabbed a fist full of my h

Chapter 39 - Awakened ApolloI never understood why people believed that death was peaceful. That once you were gone, your soul was at peace. How could they know? Why were they always so quick to think that you didn't suffer once you ascended into the afterlife?I had always been a skeptic, especially after watching Ilaria die in my arms. The screams of her pain were still so clear, as if she was still screaming as if I was still living in that moment. How could anyone find peace after enduring so much pain? How could the mothers allow us such luxuries after what we had done?I wondered if that was all Nesrin would remember of me, if she could even remember me after whatever that witch had promised to do to her. I wished I could have killed them. I owed Nesrin that much after everything she had sacrificed for me. Gods, I failed her. I swore to protect her, and I wasn't strong enough to stay true to my word. But what was