~AspenI am not ready for this.I've met Noble's before, and yet there is something different about stepping into the Territory One manor they all oversee.It's likely because Ellard may be here, but in reality, it's the cause of this special person Kastriv has told me I'm meeting today.He didn't need to tell me I need to make a good impression tonight, but I get the feeling that nothing else will suffice. Whoever this is, they are important to Kastriv in some bizarre way.I know she practically runs all the Noble's lives, but Kastriv was cagey on telling me why."It was a mistake bringing her here, you know," someone says as we walk through the door, making me jump.It's Larsen, one of the only Noble's I haven't had the chance to meet.Not that it's a bad thing I haven't met him. In fact, it was by design. Oliver cannot stand him, wary of Larsen's poisonous touch and sardonic attitude."Larsen," Kastriv sighs, not seeming pleased to be reunited with his brother either. "I had no ide
~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
~Aspen Kastriv keeps his promise, and the next morning, we went to Territory Five. It’s a nice place, with mild temperatures and wide open spaces, which at this point, I really appreciate. Kastriv has brought me to quaint home he claims no one will visit, especially no Noble’s. It’s pretty, and will do for the meantime while we figure out or next move, and hope Atari doesn’t learn that we are still together. A few days pass with no disruptions. In fact, it’s quite eerie that nothing has happened. This morning I’ve opted for sitting in the window nook, staring out across the far meadow and to a small woodland area. I’ll explore soon enough, when Kastriv is certain we are safe. The sound of his footsteps approaching from behind have me glancing over my shoulder. “Come on,” Kastriv prompts, shrugging a jacket over his broad shoulders. “Hmm?” “We are going out to a nearby village.” I sit up straighter. “Isn’t that dangerous?” All I’ve heard from him these past few days
~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
~AspenI stare at Kastriv's face as he gazes out the window of our transport.He looks handsome, with his hair swept back, making the strong lines of his face more prominent. He's dressed in a black suit, matching his eyes.He looks...intimidating.He can be so sweet to me that at times I forget he is a Noble, that he is powerful in his own right. But considering we are going to a ball that Oliver has told us to attend, I can tell he isn't going to be his usual self.“This is absolutely ridiculous," I mutter, smoothing my hands down my dress. It's simple, but pretty. I just want to blend in and get this over with.Kastriv looks over me. My skin flushes under his scrutiny, as if he is undressing me with his eyes.“If it’s any consolation you look incredible.”I smile tightly, wishing his compliments were enough to put me at ease. “He’s doing this to save his reputation. He’s been made a fool of and he wants to take control again.”Making me out to be Kastriv's pet is yet another sick w
~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
~AspenKastriv didn't get his wish in getting us as far from the ball as possible.We need to stay close, in case anything changes with Oliver. So instead of returning to our sweet, flower surrounding cabin, we are stuck on the ground floor of an old motel in Territory One.I haven't wasted any time telling Kastriv about the agreement I've come to with Keo.I figured I shouldn't keep anything from him, and he's going to find out eventually...He stares at me. “This is a terrible idea.”“It’s all I have.” I rub the back of my neck, trying to avoid sitting down on the unstable double bed in the centre of the room.I've seen the state of those sheets, and it's disturbing.“I know you think you can trust him, but what benefit does he get from this?” Kastriv questions, trying to make sense of Keo's motivations.“He’s going to train me to get a firmer hold on my magic." Kastriv knows this by now, he just doesn't want to admit it.Were it anyone else, he wouldn't mind. I know that. It's Keo
~AspenI stare at the large wooden door, a dark feeling of dread curling up in my stomach.I've stepped through this door many times in my life. I've been dragged through it, I've been pushed through it...and it was never home for me, even if Oliver swore I would never leave here again, after I married him.I can feel Kastriv looking down at me, monitoring my expression as rain dribbles down my face."I really didn't think I was ever going to be back here again," I murmur.We have come here first thing in the morning. I didn't sleep last night, plagued by new reality. I can never exist in this society again. People hate Demon's so deeply, they won't stop until they have hunted me down and killed me.There is no going back for me. And it's all because Oliver decided he hated me enough to tell the whole city.Kastriv's gaze softens. "I can do this alone, if you need me to.""I know...I should be here," I say, more so to assure myself than him. If I allow him to confront Oliver alone, wh