Ashley searched for days for anything related to Empire or Bryan but she couldn't get any. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months in her search, she was devastated the whole time during these months and her parents were worried.She cries every time, she barely eats, she leaves home early in the morning and returns by twilight, and the worst part of it that freaked out her parents is that she stopped watching television.They talked to her about seeing a doctor or a therapist but she declined the offer and told them she was fine. She wanted to explain to them what was going on but they don't seem to remember and besides, she can't tell her parents she is an ancient demon’s mate, they won't believe her, they will think she has finally gone crazy.Her nightmares are now worse and she keeps seeing herself stabbing Hayden and laughing happily. Each time she wakes up from her nightmares, she feels guilty and cries, she wished she had listened to Hayden back then and don't talk
“What?” She whispered and he held her shoulders.“We need to go now,” Bryan said and Ashley pulled away from him, she slapped him and he held his cheek.“Okay, I deserve that.” He muttered and she hit his chest angrily.“Calm down.” He said and held her hands.“How could toy do this to me? I trusted you Bryan and you lied to me.” She yelled in tears and Bryan sighed.“Am sorry.”“You are not sorry, you are so selfish. Did you ask my opinion about becoming an ancient demon’s mate? Did you?”“Hayden needed a mate urgently or he will perish, you were the only one available, am sorry.”“And the best thing you could do was erase my memories and made everything back to normal? Did I ask you to do that?”“You wouldn't be able to bear the pain, I am really sorry Ashley but I really need your help right now. Hayden needs your help.”“No, I am happy he is alive, I am so relieved but I am not helping any of you.” “Come on, please Ashley. I can read your mind and I know you really want to follow
“Journey?” Ashley asked confused.“Yes, trust me. It's going to be fun here.” “Okay, is Hayden in there?” “Yes.”“Then let's go save him.” She said and was about to rush in but Hayden pulled her back.“Will you take a chill pill? Hayden is fine.”“What? Then why did you tell me he needs my help?” She asked and he sighed.“Come on.” He muttered and held her hand and they both teleported, they appeared in a room and Ashley looked around it.“Where are we? And weren't we just in outside the castle now?”“Yeah, we are inside already. This will be your new room.” “What? This old and tiny room will be my new room?” She screamed looking around the room, the room was a little bit dark and it looked ancient.“It's supposed to be small, you are in the maid’s quarters.” “Why am I in the maid’s quarters and what exactly is going on, can you just explain what the fuck is going on?” She yelled and Bryan flinched. “Can we sit?” Bryan asked and she glared at him before sitting, he sat beside her
Ashley bit her lip as she fought her tears, they waited for a while and a lady dressed in a tight-fitting shown walked out and bowed at Bryan before rushing away.“Are you ready?” Bryan asked and she nodded.“No you are not, I am sure everyone around here can hear your heart racing,” Bryan said as he could feel the tension from her.“It's fine, let's just go.” She said and Bryan walked into the chamber, Ashley froze as she was about to walk in, she felt terrified and nervous. She hasn't seen him in a while and he doesn't even remember her when she finally has a chance to see him.She took in a feel breath and walked in, she hid behind Bryan immediately after he got to where Hayden is.“Hey man.” Bryan called and Hayden gave him a questioning look.He put on his robe and sat on the bed.“What again?” “I brought someone to see you.”“Who?” “What do you mean by who? Can't you see her?” Bryan asked and turned to see Ashley hiding behind him.“Am scared.” She whispered with tears in her
Ashley played alongside the maids as they prepared for the feast they were having, they were done preparing meals and Ashley was exhausted.She has never felt so worn out before, she sighed in relief as they were done setting the huge table. She walked away from the room with the rest of the maids, they all assembled and she groaned silently as she wondered what was about to happen again.The woman she met earlier in the hallways showed up before them and they all bowed. She was right about her being the head maid.“If you are to serve dinner please step forward.” She said and Ashley sighed, she really had to pick it.She stepped forwards alongside a few maids and the woman glanced at Ashley.“Hurry up and go to the dining room, it's about to begin.” She ordered and they all walked back to the room, each maid stood around the table as they waited for the royal family.After waiting for a while, Ashley was starting to get weak and her knees were shaking, they suddenly heard footsteps
She took in deep breaths and tried to calm herself, she finally did and she rushed to the kitchen, joined the other maids, and sighed.“Hey.” She heard and she turned to see Evelyn.“Oh, hey Evelyn.”“Are you okay? I heard you passed out last night during the royal feast.”“Yeah, am okay. I was just kind of exhausted.” “Oh, you have to be careful, you were lucky the King was in a good mood yesterday, things could have gone worse.”“Yeah, thanks.”“Gather around.” The head maid yelled and they all did.“If you are personally assigned to clean chambers you should be there now, while others will prepare lunch for the royal family.”“Yes ma’am.” They chorused and everyone set to work, Ashley and Evelyn carried each cleaning materials and head towards the stairs.“Whose chambers were you assigned to clean?” Evelyn asked as they walked.“Hayden’s.”“What?”“Yeah.”“How come? No one gets to enter his chambers.”“I don't know.” She shrugged.“Just be careful, he hurt people a lot at any slig
“What is wrong with me?” She muttered as the images flashed in her hair as she walked down the stairs. She groaned in pain and she felt a liquid falling from her nose, she slowly lifted her hand to touch it and she screamed in fear when she discovered it was blood.“Hey.” She heard Hayden's voice and she turned to him.“What... “ She screamed in pain and she fall to the floor immediately after he touched her, all she saw were images of him crying and she could hear laughter, flames burned around him and he begged for his life.“Get away from me.” Ashley said and hit his hands off her as her nose bled.She tried standing up again but her vision felt blurry and she passes out. “Great.” Hayden muttered and rolled his eyes.“Well, someone will find her here.” He shrugged and walked away leaving her on the floor. *******Ashley heard distant voices as she slept and she groaned, she felt a pain in her head as she tried opening her eyes but she did anyway, she looked around her and tried t
“What?” Ashley muttered and moved back in fear.“Take them off.” He said sternly and moved closer to her as she moved back.“Why... Why should I take them off?” She stammered.“Because I asked you to.” There is nothing bad in Hayden seeing her naked but the Hayden in front of her is not in his right state of mind, he doesn't give a fuck about her.This Hayden looks dangerous and ruthless, he can do a lot of terrible things to her without regretting it. He was about to touch her and an idea popped into her head.“Bryan.” She called and Hayden paused.“Bryan?” He asked confused.“Yes?” Bryan replied and Hayden turned back to see him, Ashley sighed in relief and rushed to him.“What the fuck are you doing here?”“You called me.” He replied and shrugged. “Fuck you.” Hayden muttered and glared at him.”“Ashley, can I see you outside?” Bryan asked and she nodded.They both walked out and Hayden sighed before falling onto his bed.“Did you find answers?” Ashley asked immediately after the
“What?” Hayden asked and Bryan sighed.“Yes, she might not wake up.”“How many percent possibilities is that it will be successful?” Ashley asked and Hayden turned to her.“Oh, it's 50-50.”“Okay, I will do it.” “What? No.” Hayden yelled and walked to her.“Yes, I will.”“No, you are not, what if you don't wake up?”“What if I die anytime? Huh? Then we won't get to be with each other.”“But you might not wake up.”“Might Hayden, it's not certain that I won't wake up.”“I don't care, you are not doing it. I own you so I have every right over you.”“You can't tell me what to do and not do, I am not a child.” She yelled and he scoffed.“I don't think you know what being a mate is, you have to be submissive to me which means you will do everything I ask you to do.”“I am not some kind of an item or property you can control, I can do whatever I want. So what if I don't listen to you?”“I want you to listen to me.” He yelled.“Okay, this is getting worse. My bad.” Bryan muttered and watche
“Good morning beautiful.” Ashley heard in her sleep and felt soft kisses all over her face, she giggled as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw Hayden smiling at her and she chuckled before sitting up, he pecked her lips and she sighed.“Morning.” She replied and he nodded.“Go and get ready and come down for breakfast, I bet my baby is hungry already.” “Yeah, yeah.” Ashley laughed and he helped her up, she walked into the bathroom and he waited for her in the room. She walked out of the closet minutes later dressed in her clothes and Hayden smiled at her.“You aren't dressed in my clothes today.” He said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Well, that is because I am back in my room which is filled with my clothes and not yours. I can't enter your room in this mansion because you never let me.” “Oh, do you want to see it?” “Seriously?”“Yes, I mean, it's not really that bad.” “Why don't you want me to see it exactly?”“You will find out but that will be after b
Bryan stared at the Princess as she walked angrily away from the throne room, he followed her and she glanced at him as she walked.“Stop following me.” She said with her voice starting to break and he ignored her.“Slow down Ariadne.” He said and she ignored him, she got to her room and tried to close the door but he got in forcefully.“What do you want Bryan?” She asked with her eyes starting to get clouded with tears.“You don't have to cry, I get the fact that you are upset but you really don't have to cry.” He said and she rolled her eyes which made a tear roll down her eyes.“I never knew you could cry.” Bryan chuckled and she glared at him.“Yeah, sorry. My bad.”“Please leave.”“No.” He replied with a frown and moved closer to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and sighed.“Don't cry over something your selfish mother did.”“Yeah, you are right.” She muttered and wiped her tears, Bryan chuckled and creased her waist.“So, you hate me.” Bryan said and she smiled.“And yo
“Oh my God, you guys pulled it off really well, I never expected it.” Ashley said as Hayden held her tightly from behind. They were still in the garden and everyone was still celebrating the successful proposal.“Yeah, we did. All thanks to Ariande.” Hayden said and the Princess smiled happily.“I played my role right.” She said proudly and Ashley nodded.“Yes, you did. Thank you so much.” Ashley said and pulled away from Hayden, she walked to the Princess and hugged her.“I want a hug now.” Bryan said walking to her as she pulled away from the Princess. Ashley chuckled and hugged.“Now I get the reason why you don't want me to hug you, you don't want me to read your memories.” “Yeah.” He chuckled and hugged her again.“Hey, that’s enough.” Hayden said and pulled her to himself, Ashley laughed and hugged him.“I am so happy.” She giggled and he smiled at her.“Yeah, me too.” Hayden replied and kissed her.“Yes! Let's celebrate this!” The Princess yelled and the maids around smiled ha
After they both got their hair treated and styled, they did their nails and they both walked out of the saloon. They entered the chariot and Princess Ariande heard Ashley’s stomach grumble.“Hey, are you hungry?” She asked and Ashley nodded in response. “Okay, there is a restaurant close to this place, let’s head there.” The Princess said and she nodded. They got to the restaurant and Ashley smiled knowing it was familiar.“What's with the smile?” The Princess asked as they walked in.“Oh, Hayden has brought me here before but it was like a month ago.”“That's nice.” She replied and smiled, the people in the restaurant bowed as usual and the waiter and waitress treated Ashley and the Princess well. People left the restaurant for them and Ashley turned to the Princess and she shrugged with a smile.They both sat down and ordered for what they wanted, Ashley ordered a lot of things which surprised the princess.“Are you sure you want to eat all of these?” The Princess asked as they st
Ashley slowly opened her eyes and sighed, she frowned when she couldn't find Hayden beside her and she slowly sat up.“Great, you are finally awake.” She heard a familiar voice and she flinched when she saw the Princess walking out of her closet.“Princess Ariadne.” She called surprised and stood up immediately, she bowed and the Princess smiled.“Oh, please. Stop that.” She said and Ashley looked up at her.“Hmm, is... Is everything okay? Why are you here?” Ashley asked nervously and the Princess smiled at her.“Yes, dear. Come on, hurry into the bathroom, we have to get ready and why are you up so late?” She asked and Ashley stared at her surprised, she has never been this confused in her life.‘What the hell is going on? And where the fuck is Hayden?’ She thought and the Princess smiled.“I know you are confused but don't worry, am not going to hurt you. See? No claws, no fangs, just me in my human form.”“Okay. Am sorry, please where is Hayden?” She asked.“Oh, he put me in charge
“Open up.” Hayden said to Ashley and she slowly opened her mouth, he fed her brown soup and she frowned.“I don't want this Hayden, I really don't want it.” Ashley said and made an irritated expression.“But Lucas said you have to take it that it will help.” Hayden replied as he fed her another spoonful of the soup.“It's just brown soup, it's not helping.” She argued and he smiled at her.“Relax baby, as long as Lucas said it will help, I believe it will and besides, you were the one that wanted Lucas’s meal.”“Ugh, I thought he would prepare his normal delicious meals, I didn't know he was going to give me this recommendation.” She scoffed and he chuckled.The sorcerer walked to them and smiled at them, Ashley smiled back at him.“How are you feeling madam Ashley?”“Am feeling good, thanks.” She replied and he nodded.“Are you feeling any pain anywhere?” He asked and she shook her head in response.“Okay then, you are free to go to your room but if you feel any pain or you need anyt
“The Queen?” Bryan asked and she nodded.“Why the hell does the Queen wants you?” Bryan asked and she sighed.“Can you help me up?” She asked Hayden who remained quiet but kept staring at her.“Yeah.” He muttered and helped her up, she leaned on him and sighed.“She is mad at me because I am with her daughter’s supposed mate to and I also caught her son’s attention and much other stuff.” She explained and Hayden sighed.“Why aren't you saying anything?” Ashley asked Hayden and he turned to her, he stared at her for a while before wrapping his arms around her. “I really have nothing to say, I am just glad you are okay.” He said and kissed her. “So you are just going to let the Queen go?”“Hell no.” Hayden replied and pulled away from Ashley.“She is going to pay for making my beautiful babies go through hell.” He said and kissed Ashley’s forehead. “Oh, that reminds me. She knows am pregnant and she was planning on using my baby as a sacrifice by midnight.” “What? How did she know t
“Hayden, we have been searching for hours, the guards are starting to get tired, we need to go back.” Bryan said but Hayden ignored him and kept walking deeper into the woods.“The guards can go back, you are with me.” Hayden ordered and Bryan turned to the exhausted guards.“You can go back now.” He said and they all bowed.“Thank you, Sir Bryan.” They chorused and they all walked away, Bryan sighed and ran to Hayden.They kept walking but Hayden stopped when he saw an old house from a distance.“Hey, did you know there is a house in the deepest part of the woods?” Hayden asked and Bryan looked at it.“Yeah, kind of but only a few people know about it.”“Who does it belong to?” Hayden asked as they walked towards it.“It is abandoned now, it belonged to a poor family but they got moved into the city and that happened hundreds of years ago.” “Does the Royal family know about this place?”“I don't know but they should.” Bryan replied with a shrug.“Let's take a closer look.” Hayden sa