Kiara’s POVI let my thoughts pace around before my gaze flickered to the mirror, and I stopped dead. I rushed to it to confirm what I saw.A pimple.What in the hell…My fingers moved to my face instinctively, and I pressed down on the stubborn blemish with all the force I could muster. A sharp sting burned across my skin, but I didn’t stop until it was gone—until it bled.I hissed in annoyance, grabbing a tissue to dab the spot. My reflection stared back at me, and I frowned harder.“It’s nothing,” I muttered, spinning toward my vanity. I grabbed my makeup and began to smear powder and foundation over my face in thick layers, covering every imperfection. My hand trembled slightly as I blended it out.“Y-You’re be-beautiful,” I stammered to my reflection, forcing a smile. “This is just temporary. Everything happening now is temporary. I’ll strike when the time comes.”I leaned closer, staring deep into my own eyes, my smile sharpening into something sly. “I’ll make sure they regret
Emily's POVI lay on the bed, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above me, Kiara’s harsh words still ringing faintly in my ears.“Fuck off.”But oddly enough, I didn’t take her words to heart. I was used to her bitterness by now. I could handle her hatred; it wasn’t what bothered me. What I couldn’t ignore was Jackson.His behavior had been eating away at me all day. The flashes of anger, the blood… and the way his vampire side clawed at the surface, barely restrained. I had seen him gritting his teeth as if he were fighting himself, as if being near me was both his salvation and his curse.I turned to the side, burying my face in the pillow with a frustrated sigh. Exhaustion tugged at me, but my mind was relentless. Eventually, though, the weight of my thoughts lulled me into a restless sleep.I turned my head, but found myself in a darkened hall lit only by streaks of moonlight breaking through shattered windows. I jerked up immediately, I wasn't laying on the bed but on the floo
Emily's POV "Why?!" I screamed desperately, my heart hammering in my chest with my lips trembling as tears smeared on my pale cheeks. "All I've ever done is to love you and accept all your fvck up attitudes towards me. Yet, I never rebuke you but without knowing the depth of this. You chose to believe I was the one that poisoned your food. Isn't that cruel, Jackson?!" I yelled angrily. He stood there, gawking at me with an expressionless face. "You know what? I'm tired! I've tried but I'm tired! Reject me if you want to. I don't give a damn anymore!" I ranted, turning on my heels and walked away, harshly wiping my tears. "Guards!" His loud growl made me stopped involuntarily. I turned around and still found his eyes on me. The guards came running and then he pointed at me. "I will reject you. After the truth of this matter is solved. But before that-" he glanced at the guards. "Bundle her to the dungeon," he ordered coldly and my face shone in terror. Kiara, who stood b
Jackson's POVThe Previous Day.I stormed to my room angrily, slamming the door behind me. I breathed heavily with my back resting on the door, and my eyes closed. The image of her crying, walking towards the entrance of the dungeon flashed through my mind. I fought with my heart and mind to stop thinking about her.I fvcking hate this bond!Being a mixed-breed of werewolf and vampire, I never expected this mate bond to be this effective and strong.My werewolf side has dominated my vampire side ever since Emily came into my life. The mate bond has always tried to make me go soft around her. She has betrayed me in the past, and I would never fall for it again.I didn't pay attention to the rumored prophecies around me. Some said that I was cursed because of my mistakes before I became an immortal. And my mate will be the end of me. Even though I was an immortal, someone must bring me to my death.Not that I'm scared of death, but scared of loving her again. Or maybe I've developed p
Emily's POV“I reject you as my mate, Jack…..” he didn't allow me to finish my statement and covered my mouth. The spark I've always longed for filled our bodies, his intoxicating scent I've always wanted to inhale filled my nose, pleading for his hazel eyes to look down at me with admiration just like now.I got everything at once, and that got me overwhelmed.“As your King, I bind you from uttering those words,” he commanded, his eyes widened as thick saucers. He was looking scared to accept my rejection.I should be happy, right?Ten years of trying to prove my worth has finally paid off. Why do I feel this way? His face alone was driving me insane, and I wanted nothing but for him to hold me in his arms.I don't want them anymore.My vision blurred with tears, making my heart ache. I should be happy but I don't feel happy. His hands cupped my face tenderly. “Give me this chance to set things right,” he whispered. Hee was saying some words but my mind was too far away to process
Emily's POVMy heart pounded in anticipation of what was going to happen. Jack looked upset and I was equally embarrassed and upset about what happened.Our hands were intertwined together, the spark filling our bodies with its warmth and desires. The bond: it's always making me go against my words but now must be an exception. Arriving at the west wing, I removed my hands from his hold and stopped walking. He turned around with a confused expression.“You don't have to hold me,” I said without meeting his gaze. He sighed when he heard me before turning around to face me. I really don't like this. If he was this close to me, I won't be able to resist the temptation that comes after it.Shutting my eyes, “Please, don't make this hard for me. I still need to think about what happened. Just go away and leave me alone,” I pleaded.“I thought we were on the same page,”“Huh?” I opened my eyes.“You heard me,” he prompted.“We aren't on the same page, Jack. How on earth do you expect me t
Emily's POV “I want to relay a message to you,” Kiara responded and what she did next shocked me. She bent down to pick something off the floor, her movements casual and unaware. As she leaned forward, the fabric of her trousers shifted slightly, revealing a small, round bottle nestled in the back pocket. Bending down was a pretense before pulling out the bottle. The dim light caught its shape just enough for me to spot it. Before she had a chance to straighten up, I acted. With a swift motion, I pushed her backward, just enough to unbalance her, and reached for the bottle. My hand was quick, pulling it free from her pocket in one smooth motion. Her eyes widened in surprise, but there was no time for words, only the tension in the air as I held the object in my grasp. “Give it back!” She barked. I frowned, wanted to shut the door but she stood in between. I opened the bottle cover and smelt it, my frown deepened while she had this smug expression. “Are you out of your mind?!
Emily's POVThe Next Day.It was morning already and a maid was sent to my room, to call me out for breakfast. I haven't had the privilege to sit in the royal dining room before. My first experience was the last time I got accused of poisoning Jack, this made me a bit skeptical but I have to go. In my own way, I was trying to push everything that happened yesterday to the farthest corner of my mind.The more I think about it, the more I would hurt myself with my negative thoughts. The demolishment of the throne room, right after the throne rejecting me, makes me feel as if I'm jinxed.Perhaps my instincts of believing Jackson needs me were wrong. I might be the person he needs to stay away from.I was still deep in my thoughts as I walked through the corridors to the royal dining room. Some maids were whispering words to their ears with their eyes on me. It was obvious that they were talking about me.Their words:"She climbed too high for someone with no roots. This is fate putting h
Emily's POVI lay on the bed, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling above me, Kiara’s harsh words still ringing faintly in my ears.“Fuck off.”But oddly enough, I didn’t take her words to heart. I was used to her bitterness by now. I could handle her hatred; it wasn’t what bothered me. What I couldn’t ignore was Jackson.His behavior had been eating away at me all day. The flashes of anger, the blood… and the way his vampire side clawed at the surface, barely restrained. I had seen him gritting his teeth as if he were fighting himself, as if being near me was both his salvation and his curse.I turned to the side, burying my face in the pillow with a frustrated sigh. Exhaustion tugged at me, but my mind was relentless. Eventually, though, the weight of my thoughts lulled me into a restless sleep.I turned my head, but found myself in a darkened hall lit only by streaks of moonlight breaking through shattered windows. I jerked up immediately, I wasn't laying on the bed but on the floo
Kiara’s POVI let my thoughts pace around before my gaze flickered to the mirror, and I stopped dead. I rushed to it to confirm what I saw.A pimple.What in the hell…My fingers moved to my face instinctively, and I pressed down on the stubborn blemish with all the force I could muster. A sharp sting burned across my skin, but I didn’t stop until it was gone—until it bled.I hissed in annoyance, grabbing a tissue to dab the spot. My reflection stared back at me, and I frowned harder.“It’s nothing,” I muttered, spinning toward my vanity. I grabbed my makeup and began to smear powder and foundation over my face in thick layers, covering every imperfection. My hand trembled slightly as I blended it out.“Y-You’re be-beautiful,” I stammered to my reflection, forcing a smile. “This is just temporary. Everything happening now is temporary. I’ll strike when the time comes.”I leaned closer, staring deep into my own eyes, my smile sharpening into something sly. “I’ll make sure they regret
Kiara’s POVThe Next Morning.The paintbrush glided across the canvas in my hand, a streak of deep crimson smearing like fresh blood. My lips curled into a bitter smile as I traced the outline of Emily’s figure, every inch of her covered in what looked like dripping blood.“Perfect,” I muttered to myself, the satisfaction short-lived as anger clawed its way back into my chest.I clenched my jaw, thinking about yesterday. I had asked her nicely—nicely, for the first time in forever. All I did was ask if she was fine. A simple, kind gesture. And what did she do? She just nodded. Nodded! Like I didn’t deserve an answer.My grip on the brush tightened until my knuckles turned white.“That b!tch,” I spat under my breath. “All high and mighty now, isn’t she?”I sat back, glaring at the image of her I had painted, rage bubbling inside me like poison. Emily. Everything went downhill the moment she came into the picture. The pack no longer cared about me, Kiara. Me, who had always been by
Emily’s POV“When the heart turns cold…”The phrase echoed in my mind as I walked back into the tent, each word settling heavily on my chest. I had been trying to understand it, but the answer seemed clearer now. To sever this bond—truly sever it—I would need to upset Jackson, to do something so unbearable that it would make him turn away.Without true love, the bond between us was meaningless. That was what the throne was trying to tell us.We were tied by fate, but he couldn’t admit how he felt without something pulling him. I entered the tent, then my eyes fell on the pearl the little girl gave me. I picked it up, running my thumb over its smooth surface, a faint smile tugging at my lips. My mind raced back to the dream, the words, and Gianna. I froze mid-thought, realization dawning like a cold wave.Gianna.My eyes narrowed, suspicion burning in my chest. I didn't remember that she introduced herself to me. I hadn’t thought much of it, but now… If not for that dream, I wouldn’
Emily’s POVI groaned as the sound of chirping birds yanked me out of sleep. My muscles ached, my back was stiff, and the scratchy blanket felt heavier than usual. The chill of the morning air seeped through the tent, and for a moment, I debated just pulling the blanket over my head.But the dream...I blinked my eyes open, staring at the tent’s fabric ceiling. Why was I dreaming about my resurrection? It had felt so real, like I was reliving that moment. I could still hear the voices, feel the weight of everything that day had meant.Events of the last few years flooded my mind, I found myself empathizing with myself for all the years of heartbreak I've endured. All because I wanted him to accept me as his mate.I shook my head, trying not to dwell deeper. I might have had the dream out of exhaustion, playing tricks on my mind. Pushing the thoughts aside, I sat up, stretching my arms. My back ached from sleeping on the makeshift bedroll Jack had insisted we use during this journey.
Emily’s POV “Thank you so much for helping,” I acknowledged, smiling at Gianna’s reflection in the mirror as she brushed my hair. She returned the smile, though her dark eyes never left my hair. “You’re welcome. But don’t mistake this for charity,” she said, her voice soft but unnerving. Our eyes met in the mirror, and I blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?” “You’ll pay for my help. Not with money, of course.” She smiled faintly, a small tilt of her head that made her look almost amused. “I’ll be taking the bead from your locket. The pearl inside is... powerful. If someone with an impure heart touches it, they go blind temporarily until they confess their crimes. And if they don’t...” She paused, her lips curling slightly. “Well, they lose their sight forever.” My mouth went dry, and I instinctively looked down at the locket resting against my chest. The thought of giving it away made my stomach twist, but I nodded. “O-Okay,” I stammered. She didn’t say anything, just
Emily’s POVMy eyes fluttered open groggily, my head was banging. What I saw was a long wooden stool in front of me. I tried to stand up but my stomach hurts. And my legs. Together with my arms.In fact, my whole body hurts.But carefully, I managed to sit upright. I brought my hair to my shoulder, it was really dirty. I couldn't understand the color. And my clothes… my eyes looked down at my dress. It looks to be a white gown, it's original color but it was soaked with a red dried liquid. My eyes widened in shock when I thought of the possibilities that it could be my blood.My lips trembled as I glanced around. ‘Am I dead? Is this afterlife?’ I thought, my eyes scanning through the surroundings.It was a building, some parts filled with growing grasses and spirogyra. The floor was cold and cemented, I stood up carefully.Why don't I have any memories of myself?All I knew was that I just woke up from a deep slumber. Given how my body was aching this badly. “H-Hello….” I stuttered,
Emily’s POVThe ride was quiet, the air thick with unspoken words. I sat behind Jack on his horse, my arms loosely wrapped around his waist. His broad back was straight, his posture as rigid as always. The rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves against the ground provided a strange kind of comfort. I rested my chin lightly on his shoulder, my gaze lingering on the back of his neck. His scent filled my nose, and I found myself in a deep comfort.My thoughts wandered to what I had pieced together so far—about Harper’s mother and the role she played in Jack’s immortality. The idea of someone willingly binding him to this endless existence both fascinated and horrified me. And I found myself wondering what kind of man he was before he became an immortal.Was he always this guarded? This distant? Or was it the centuries of loneliness and betrayal that shaped him into what he was now?I sighed softly, my breath ghosting against his neck. He didn’t turn or acknowledge it. His aloofness was
Author’s POVJackson clenched his fist, his eyes on the witch. Wondering what she could be doing here. Then Josh's words echoed in his mind.“She’s digging into the past. She’ll find the truth. She’ll leave.”“Who is she?” Emily whispered behind him, interrupting his thoughts. She was still confused as to why this old lady had called him Adams.Jackson turned my head, without seeing Emily's face and glanced back at Harper again.She was just a child then, her mother was the greatest sorcerer when Hawja Shawna was still flourishing. Her mother, Salma, was the one who made Jackson become immortal. Her death was natural, out of old age.But Harper was alive when it all happened, she might be a little kid then but she remembers. Every little detail which wasn't settled well with Jackson.Harper maintained the blissful smile that was playing on her lips. Then her smile began to falter when her gaze shifted to Emily's, who was peeping through Jack's shoulder.She was disappointed because sh