~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
*Mature Content Warning!*~AspenI stare out the window, watching the rain as it soaks into the forest floor.Kastriv hasn't told me where he has taken me. From what I know, it looks like Territory Ten, but I can't be certain. All I really know is this place only has one bedroom, and it's small.But out here, there is truly no one for miles. Kastriv assured me of that.We are completely alone out here.I turn around, leaning against the sill. Kastriv has managed to light the fire, dousing the small space in golden light. It feels comfortable and warm, and most importantly, far away from those who know what I am.What people choose to say about me doesn't matter out here."How are you feeling?" Kastriv asks, straightening as he wipes his ashy hands together.I shrug, loosening a breath. "I don't know. I'm scared my life will always feel like this."Kastriv rinses his hands in the sink, frowning slightly. "Like what?""Unsettled. Like nothing is grounded and sure. Everything is so uncer
~AspenKastriv's hand squeezes mine as we face the towering entrance of the Noble's manor."I'm not going to leave until she affirms this mate bond," he assures me gently. I nod numbly, overcome with the desire to turn and run for my life.I never want to see Atari again."Or she agrees to back out of our lives," I mutter. I couldn't care less about whether she accepts us as mates, I just want her to stop trying to ruin my life.Kastriv breathes in deeply, pushing the door open. "Exactly."There are no Noble's around today, which is a relief. Last time having eyes on us, even if they were trying to help, only makes this more difficult.And none of them will truly stick up for me. Not when I'm a Demon, and not when Atari has something over all of them.I'm hoping today that whatever she is using to manipulate Kastriv is revealed.I hear her approach before I see her."Ah, I was wondering when you two would visit again," she exclaims, clasping her hands together.I've forgotten how beau
AspenI'm forced to walk all the way across the city to the only place I know I'll have refuge.I keep my head down and my hood up as I weave past people, trying not to draw any attention. If one person recgonises me from the alert Atari put out, I'll probably be killed in the middle of the street.Eventually I make it to the apartment building in question. I've been here only once, when Oliver was out of town.Stalking up the stairs, I look for the hidden key. This place belongs to Kaia, who should be out of this Territory with her family, safe and away from my monstrous husband.Finding the key, I make my way inside, tensing as I hear voices floating from the kitchen.Frowning I listen closer. It's Kaia, she's home, accompanied by the silken voice of a man.Opening the door, I still. Keo is leaning back against the kitchen counter, dripping with seduction as speaks softly to Kaia, whose back is to me."I just don't get why you think people hate you," I hear her say, pushing at his s