~AspenKastriv stands at the threshold of the apartment, drinking in the bizarre sight.The most confusing aspect of all this must be Oliver, who stares at Kastriv with widened eyes. Kastriv would have guessed that I went with Keo, considering that was our last topic of conversation.But why Oliver is here is probably impossible to decipher.“I’m not willing to play one of your foolish games, Keo," Kastriv says carefully, not moving an inch, as if to not to both provoke him, and scare him off.It dawns on me that Kastriv has tried to hunt Keo down for a long time. Now, they are standing in the same room, and my mate has no way of attacking him. Not when he is walking into Keo's territory, completely surprised by this entire situation.“You’re all in too much of a bleak attitude for me. Shall we do something to perk you all up?” Keo asks, clapping his hands together.The sound rings in my ears as I flinch, knowing this is going nowhere positive. “I’d rather just leave.”Keo raises his

~Aspen"This is a terrible idea," I mutter.I don't even know where we are. This morning, Kastriv came to me with an offer that I couldn't exactly refuse. And now, I'm standing in an unknown Territory, walking through a park toward a Noble who tried to kill me."He needs to be spoken to," Kastriv reminds me. Even if he is right, I'm not sure how I feel about having to see Ellard's face again."Why?"Kastriv looks down at me, a cold rage behind his eyes. "Because he may continue to pursue you otherwise."I shudder. There are too many people in my life who I am afraid of, who I am running from. At some point I'm going to have to stand up to them, and I suppose now is the time to start, even if it's not going to be easy."If he kills me now, it's your fault," I tell him bluntly, staring out over the green pond before me.Kastriv threads his fingers through mine. "He won't kill you. Not with me around.""Comforting," I mumble.We stop, facing the pond. To my left, I see a figure tentative

~Aspen Pacing back and forth, I chew on my nails. This isn’t right. There is no chance I’m getting any sleep tonight, not when I’m thinking up a million different situations that could be going on in Kastriv’s room with Daisy there. He wouldn’t do anything…right? I shake my head. Of course not. As usual, I’m overthinking. A soft knock suddenly sounds from the door. I open it immediately, seeing Kastriv standing there meekly. "What is going on?" "Daisy is asleep. I managed to sneak out,” he says, striding in past me. He looks unnerved, his shoulders taut, his expression tense. I wonder if I look that way too, concerned my mate has decided he wants someone else only weeks since finding out about the bond. "Who is the woman? And why does she feel like she can demand you around?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest. I can’t tell if I’m upset at him or not. I shouldn’t be, if he hasn’t done anything wrong, but I can’t help myself. Kastriv sweeps his hands through his ha

~AspenI wipe the back of my hand over my forehead, breathing out slowly."I don't think I've sweat this much in my life," I mutter, looking over to my left, where Kastriv is finishing up the planting.It's been a nice, calm afternoon. For once.I want this. I want this everyday, with Kastriv here. We have settled into a comfortable silence often. It's mostly because I'm scared of what I might safe if I do stop and talk to him deeply.Sometimes our fingers brush, our stares linger. It would be easy to turn and kiss him, to tell him I want him.I don't think I'm going to have much luck holding off any longer. Kastriv has been patient, which isn't a surprise. He's gentle, sweet and kind.Even if recently I've felt something else going on inside his head, that he is yet to let me see."You should be proud of what you've done," he says, gesturing over the plot that we have planted in. He is right, we worked hard on this and it seems to have paid off."Part of me wishes I didn't have to le

~AspenPanic sets into the deepest parts of me, as I take in the Demon who has suddenly appeared.Kastriv freezes, taking in the new arrival as well. Boldly, Keo continues to hold out his hand, only looking at me.I nod for Kastriv to go sit down. This isn't exactly and offer I'm allowed to refuse, unless I want to risk him making a scene, which in itself, would expose me."I'll kill you," Kastriv mutters as he brushes him.Keo merely waves his hand dismissively. "Yeah, I'm sure you will."My throat tightens as he takes my hand in his, cold skin brushing against mine. Resting his palm on the small of my back, he presses me against him, my entire body going stiff as a result."What are you doing here?" I hiss lowly as we sway gently to the beat.Keo smiles at me, a single dimple appearing on his left cheek. In another universe I may have found him attractive, since objectively he is.But I know better than anyone here that what darkness festers in his soul makes him vile beyond compreh