Cursed

Chapter 3 - Cursed

"Is he here yet?" I asked Imelda for the fifth time. She rolled her emerald eyes, shaking her head, a smile on her face as she did the last of the buttons on my dress.

She wore a white dress with intricate lace details on the bodice. It hugged every curve perfectly. She looked absolutely stunning and looked the exact opposite of me. If she was day, I was the night. The dress I wore was as black as the night sky. My dresses were altered not to reveal too much skin anymore. I couldn't stand the look on everyone's face when they looked at me, looked at my scars. The pity and grief in their eyes were already too much to handle as they stared at the scars on my face.

The laced sleeves allowed for airflow, and the dress's bodice hugged my breasts perfectly. The skirt was light and flowy as it fanned out to brush the floor.

"You weren't honestly expecting him to show up early, were you?" She laughed, and I couldn't help but crack a smile too. The nerves for tonight's events were eating away at me.

"You're right. If he's anything like before, he won't show up on time either." I teased, and we both started laughing again.

"That laughter I hear?" Balthazar mused as he stood in the doorway to my room. I turned to him, my smile widening. Of all the people I thought I would consider a friend. Balthazar was the last person I would have ever expected. He stepped up when it counted, and not only did he prove his love and loyalty to my sister but also my family.

He helped me when no one else could, and I would forever be grateful for him.

"Of course it is. We aren't all dead inside." Imelda teased, and I forced myself not to flinch at her words. But I knew Balthazar saw it. He saw everything. Knew everything, so keeping this secret from him had only been that more challenging.

"Ahh, is that it. Or perhaps it's just that you aren't as funny as you believe yourself to be, darling." He teased, giving me a wink, which earned him a swat from Imelda.

"You wouldn't know funny if it smacked you in the face." She scoffed. I bit back a laugh, turning towards the mirror once again. My onyx hair was done up in a bun. My hair was now streaked with white; more of it seemed to appear these days.

The scar across my left eye was still red and angry, despite the makeup I had applied to it; even glamour couldn't hide it.

"We should get to the dining hall; I'm sure everyone is waiting." I blurted out before Imelda and Balthazar could get into it.

Imelda clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes at him before grabbing my arm and dragging me down the hall.

"Not funny. Can you believe it? I'm funny you think so, right?" She asked, and I just nodded in response, not wanting to offend her further because Balthazar wasn't entirely wrong. Imelda was horrible at telling jokes.

***

The party was in full swing. After Balor had arrived late and we all welcomed him home and introduced ourselves to his mate. We had dinner. Everything felt right, whole, again.

Reyna was a perfect match for Balor, and I was so happy for them both. The tension between him and Imelda had vanished entirely too, and he even was getting along with Balthazar.

My parents were thrilled to see him too. Everyone was happy, and I hated that I would be the one who ruined it.

The anxiety of everything took over, and I suddenly needed to catch my breath. Imelda, our mother, and Audra had dragged Reyna around the palace. They asked if I wanted to join, but I knew if I did, I wouldn't be able to do what I needed to.

I headed out to the hallway and down to the library. The garden was easier to access from there, and the moonflowers glowed beautifully at this time of year.

The warmth of the night air wrapped around me, and I felt my magic try to reach out in response but was too weak to do so. A shiver ran up my spine, and I pulled my arms tightly around me.

"Darkness is coming," a voice whispered in my ear, and I jumped, spinning around—my heart racing in my chest.

"Not if I can help it," I muttered under my breath. A dark faded laugh sounded from behind me. I spun around again, cursing myself for falling for the shadow's tricks.

"There is nothing you can do." The shades hissed.

"Nothing," A voice shouted in my ear, and I muffled my scream with my hand. Then, a cold hand gripped my shoulder, and I spun around in fear. My eyes looked around frantically. Fear consumed me, and I screamed before being pulled into a hard chest, warmth wrapping around me once again.

"I am here; you are safe. I will never let them hurt you." My senses came back, and I inhaled the familiar scent of strawberries.

"I thought you were them." I cried out, and he only held me tighter.

"You know you shouldn't be out in the dark alone. That's when they're at their strongest, Nes." He warned, and I nodded.

"I know, but I needed to clear my head before I go back in there," I pulled away and looked up at my mate.

"Why are you out here?"

"I knew you needed me." He placed a kiss on my forehead, and I sighed.

"Please stay in the room; I don't want anything to happen to you." I could see the reluctance in his face, but he knew why I needed to do this alone. So instead of arguing with me, he nodded.

"At least let me walk you back to the hall." I could hear the plea in his voice, and I knew he needed to know I got inside safely.

"Okay, but after that, straight to the room until I return."

"Of course, my love." He gave me a wide smile, one that revealed his dimples and took my breath away. my heart skip a beat.