After having lunch, I relaxed on the bed with Jennifer beside me. She was so eager to hear the story of how I encountered Russell. I sighed and began. “It all began on my birthday when I jumped into the river to commit suicide,” my voice trailed off as I did a flashback to the scene.
***I regained consciousness in a room. Not seen anything like it before. My head was throbbing like two metals clacking each other. I held my head as I slowly sat up on the bed, a comfy royal-like or maybe, a royal bed. I slowly stood up from the bed, looking around the room. I was intrigued by its décor. A bedroom fit for a king or queen. The room was vast, with high ceilings that seemed to reach for the heavens, adorned with intricate moldings and decorative plasterwork, making the space feel even more regal. The color scheme exuded richness and grandeur, as deep hues of crimson and gold dominated the walls, drapes, and bedding, creating an atmosphere of opulence. In one corner of tRussell didn’t return throughout the day. A maid brought me dinner at dinnertime. I was wondering where he went. I rested on the bed, facing the ceiling that was pulling me to heaven.“What did I say wrong?” I thought to myself. “Was it Mateo and Emery that made him abandon me here all day?” Just then, the door opened with Emery dashing in. She walked with anger and derision. Her footsteps echoed around the room like a mighty warrior stomping. I sprang up from the bed.“Hey, you!” she snarled, moving closer to me. “Where is that fu*king bloodsucker mate less Russell?” she questioned with her eyes searching across the room.“Why are you looking for him with such a badmouth?” I asked calmly.“Who the hell are you to question me? People like you are nothing but cheap tramp, you got no right to talk back at me, Emery Thomas. What gave you the guts?” Emery snapped, burning down with fume. I crossed my arms and smirked.“That made you
***“You mean Russell killed the demon king?” Jennifer interrupted eagerly.“I didn’t say that. He only defended himself from the king’s attack but he didn’t die with that,” I responded.“That means Russell is more powerful than the demon king. But why was Emery calling him mate less?” Jennifer queried.“Hmm!” my voice trailed off.***We returned to Russell’s room. He dropped on the bed sadly. I sat down beside him. “Russell?” I called, touching him on the shoulder. He looked at me with dull, frustrated eyes. “I’m sorry the king attacked you because of me,” I apologized.“Come on, Muriel, it’s not about you, it’s not your fault,” Russell assured me.“But I was the one that slapped Emery before all this happened,” I let out guiltily. He cupped my face in his hands.“You only defended yourself. And the king attacking me has nothing to do with you, it’s how my life is,” he declared and looked away.
~Muriel~I woke up on the bed. I sat up and yawned, stretching my arms. I looked at the couch where me and Russell were seated last night, he wasn’t there.“W… wait…what?!” I exclaimed suddenly as the event of last night struck me. “What did Russell do to me? I remember I wasn’t done cleaning his wound and I dozed off,” I thought to myself. Russell soon walked in with two maids holding trays of food. The maids placed the food on the table and went off. Russell turned to me.“Good morning, come on, let’s eat,” he said to me with a smile. I stood up and walked to him with a scowl. “Oh-oh! What happened now?” he queried.“What did you do to me last night?” I questioned, staring him in the eyes. He scratched the back of his head.“What are you talking about?” he asked in pretense. I raised my eyebrows at him. “Fine, I had to make you sleep. You needed rest but you were acting stubborn,” he confessed.“Was that why you cast a spell on
Russell returned to the room later on. I was seated on the bed, looking gloomy. He moved closer and sat beside me.“Why?” I queried, looking at him. “Why were you reacting like that?”“It’s nothing. So, can I answer all your questions now?” he asked, diverting from the main topic. But I was even more interested in finding out more about him so, the diversion didn’t bother me much.“Okay, why did you say the king isn’t your father?” I asked.“Because he isn’t,” he replied. “He is my uncle, my father’s brother.”“Oh. Was that why you overpowered him?” I queried and he smiled. “It seems your demon people are afraid of you.”“Who shouldn’t? They should because I’m the only demon with a witch spell.”“I don’t understand,” I expressed and he sighed.“Okay, let me explain,” he commented. “Thousands of years ago in the witches' coven. My great-grandma, the powerful queen of all witches planned to hand over her throne to
“I still believe you will find her soon,” I reassured.“If you say so. Are you ready to explore my kingdom now?” he asked.“Of course, but before then, I want to have breakfast first,” I commented and my stomach growled.“Your stubbornness is making you have breakfast late.”“Stop staying in my head and I will be cool,” I declared and stood up, walking to the table to have breakfast.“Whatever,” his voice trailed off.After some minutes, we were outside the compound. Wow. The yard loosens up before me, a huge scope of fastidiously manicured gardens and cobblestone pathways. The air is buzzing with the fragrance of blossoming blossoms, and the delicate sound of water streaming from wellsprings makes a calming tune. I stood suspended for the moment, taking in the magnificence that encompasses me. I couldn’t resist the urge to feel the feeling of freedom as it washed over me. Russell stood beside me, watching me with a smile on his face.“You like the palace?” he finally spoke. I looked
He disengaged the hug, gazing into my eyes. My heart skipped a beat. He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. The feeling of desire came rushing back into me. His lips were super soft on mine, blending into the world of each other. I snaked my hands to the back of his hair, tilting my head to space more comfort. Then he began trembling again. His kiss intensified, sucking hungrily on my lips. His hands roamed my body like he wanted to feast on me.“No!” he shook his head instantly, pulling away from me. He held his head with his eyes closed, moving back from me.“Russell, are you okay?” I queried fearfully, moving to him.“Don’t, Muriel, don’t come close,” he warned. “Argh!” he groaned and dashed off. Why does he always behave like that?***“Why did you stop?” Jennifer whined in a baby-like voice. I sat up.“I’m hungry, Jenny,” I declared. It was dinnertime already. My stomach growled.“Fine, but you will continue after dinner, okay?”“Okay,” I accepted and relaxed back on the
***“You know the rest of the story, Jenny,” I told Jennifer.“Yeah, such a pity,” Jennifer sounded sleepy. She yawned. “Let me go to bed, Muriel, see you tomorrow,” Jennifer bade, sitting up.“Why don’t you sleep here?” I asked and she looked at me abruptly. “Yes, stay with me, Jenny. The bed is big for both of us.”“Are you sure?” Jennifer asked. I nodded. She smiled and lay back down. Sleep was far from my eyes. The memory of my last life came rushing into my head. How can I forget what happened after I passed out?***I regained consciousness, squinting. Everything was still blurry. I grunted as I sat up on the bed. Where was I?“Is anyone there?” I uttered faintly.“Just a nightmare,” I heard Lucian’s voice from the corner of the room. I looked in the direction and saw him seated with crossed legs, holding a glass of red wine.“Where am I?” I asked, pissed off. He stood up and walked closer to me w
By the time Lucian was done with his callous act, I was already tired. Sweat seeped from every pore in my body, intensifying the hotness I was in. The painful lines were still vivid, fresh, and agonizing. I couldn’t gather myself to go take a shower, I just lay there like a wounded cat. I felt Niamh whimpering sadly. Her mate was cheating on her. Lucian was hurting the both of us.“Muriel?” Russell’s voice caught my ears. Not again. He appeared in front and crouched to my level, staring at me. I could see the pain in his eyes. He was hurting because of me. “Why?” his tender voice pulled my heart into my stomach. “Why would you allow anyone to hurt you badly? Why don’t you want me to help you?” he queried. I sniffed and wiped off my tears. I stared bloodshot at him.“Why don’t you leave me alone, Russell?” I uttered with a broken and shaky voice.“How can I?” he expressed, lifting his hand and stroking my cheek. “I love you, Muriel. It hurt me to see you in pain like this.”I stared un
We reached Russell’s room, having landed in the middle of the bedroom. I disengaged the hug, looking around. Everything was still in place. I can’t believe I’m back here to stay. Even if I get angry this time, I can’t say I’m going home.“I won’t let you get angry,” Russell said, walking behind me. I turned and glared at him. “Did you enter my head again?” I groaned.“Oh-oh! I already said I won’t let you get angry and you are already furious. Tsk! I didn’t intrude on your private talk,” he said with a funny head shake and I chuckled. Now I noticed.“Wait, what happened to the old dining table?” I asked, walking to the dining table.“Uh, I… I broke it,” he stuttered. I looked at him and shook my head. The new one wasn’t bad anyway. It’s a porcelain-designed table with three golden chairs rounding it. I felt the smooth tabletop with my hand and sighed. Finally, I can sleep in peace. Russell was already on the bed, relaxing with his arms forming a pillow behind his head.“Russell?” I
~Muriel~Falling off, strong arms wrapped around my body. I quickly opened my eyes and I was back on the cliff. What just happened? Was I imagining my fall?“How can you die without me, Beauty?” I heard Russell’s voice from my back and I turned to him. I stood frozen for a moment. I thought he wouldn’t ever come for me. I hurried into his arms, wrapping my arms around his torso while sobbing.“I love you, Russell,” I expressed.“I love you too. Sorry I took so long to come,” he apologized and I disengaged the hug.“Don’t be sorry, Russell,” I said. “I am sorry. I know I betrayed you. I shouldn’t have allowed another man to touch me. I regret everything, Russell. Now I learned it was my fate. I am meant to be with you, but you have to accept my child, please,” I apologized sincerely. He ran his hand through his hair and smiled.“I accept you and I accept anyone you wish me to accept. I love you, Muriel. I was just hurt. I thought
~Ruby~I took a cabby out of town. Where am I going? There are thousands of cliffs in Richmond, how do I locate that particular cliff? All I know is that the cliff has a deep forest beside it. Which forest it is, on which land, which state, I know nothing. Even when the cabby asked me where I was going, I told him to just drive. Now I’m out of the city, facing God knows where. I began walking, trailing a dirt track. If the werewolf in my dream wants me to come to him, why wasn’t he specific? I grunted when I got pierced by a thorn as I trudged my way into the woods. After forever walking, I was faced with a sea with just two boats on it. One boat was returning with passengers and the other was about to start without passengers. I rushed down to the boatman.“Hey, excuse me!” I said. He turned to me.“Hello, where are you going, Miss?” he asked, sounding polite.“Um, I… I am going. Look, I don’t know exactly where I am going. I’m looking for a clif
~Ruby~I turned uncomfortably on the bed. It was him again. I found myself taking a flight into darkness. I screamed as everything flashed across my face. Then the flight stopped and I was right behind him on the clifftop. He was close to the edge of the clifftop, more like he would fall if he took a step forward. “Hey!” I called out, taking careful steps toward him. He looked to his side but didn’t face me. I could see his lip quirking up a smile. He faced the valley again. “Who the hell are you and why are you pestering me?” I queried. He didn’t respond. “Why aren’t you saying something? Why do I keep seeing you? Don’t you talk? Who the hell are you? Are you a werewolf?” I quizzed and stopped before reaching closer to him.“If you are interested to know me, why don’t you come and find out?” he spoke out.“What do you mean?” I asked.“See you,” he said and lunged forward, falling off the cliff. I curiously hurried to the edge, looking d
~Muriel~After much crying, I slept off. I turned over, yawned, and opened my eyes, pulling them on Russell. He was standing close to the wall with folded arms. I sat up quickly. Does he know? My heart picked a race as I stared into his emotionless eyes. “Russell?” I uttered.“It hurts, Muriel. I didn’t know you could hurt me like this,” he expressed. His words sent cold shills to my heart. “What more do you want me to do to show that I love you with all my heart? I have never loved before and I promised myself that when I do, I will love her with all my heart. And I did, Muriel. You accepted me for who I am and I was over the moon because of that. I wanted to fight the world for you, to put a smile on your face, to make you never regret loving me and to die for you. I don’t know what I left out, Muriel. Why did you have to lead me on? You should have told me you never wish to be with me, I would have let you be, I would have let you go because I want you to be hap
~Ian~I headed to Muriel’s room at sunset. I knocked severally before she opened up. “What are you doing here?” she asked, holding the door ajar.“Can we talk, please?” I requested.“No, I don’t have time for people like you. Get out,” she said and closed the door. I stopped the shutting of the door with my clenched fist.“Ouch!” I exclaimed as I succeeded in opening the door. She swiveled abruptly to me.“What did you do, Ian?” she rushed back to me.“Let it be, Muriel. I want us to talk,” I insisted.“You are just so stubborn,” she said, pulling me to the bed. She sat me down and pulled out a drawer, bringing out an ointment. “Show me your hand,” she commented and I forwarded my hand to her. She began applying the ointment to my wrist.“You do care about me, don’t you?” I asked. She glanced at me.“That’s what I’m known for, Ian. I care about those who don’t care about me no matter how painful their a
~Autumn~Ian led me down to his room. I constantly glanced at him. He wasn’t himself, just like me. Sleepless nights made my eyes dull and achy. I bet it happened to him too. He sat me down. “What should I offer you, Miss Fury Autumn?” he asked. I pulled him down on me, pressing his lips against mine. I kissed him hungrily.“Wait,” he pulled away and sat up.“I don’t need any other thing, Ian,” I sobbed, hugging him from behind. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have overreacted, I should have listened to you. I’m deeply sorry, Ian. Forgive me, please,” I apologized. He removed my hands from his neck and faced me.“I understand you, Miss Fury Autumn. I hold no grudges but the deed is already done, isn’t it? It shows you don’t trust me and there’s no love without trust,” he said.“I know and I’m sorry. I was hurt to see you with her. And I thought the pain I was in before running to you was a result of you cheating on me. Can you even blame me?” I
In the morning, I woke up as early as possible and began packing my bags ready for the journey to Newmoon pack. I dressed up and fixed my dagger into my armored jacket. I opened the door and was faced with Father and Grace, who hid behind Father’s back.“Where are you going, dear?” Father asked.“What is this stupid girl doing here?” I pointed angrily at Grace. She clutched Father’s robe.“You need to calm down, Autumn. She is still your sister, you know? She was indeed stupid but if you check her intentions, you will know she was just trying to help your relationship with Ian. It’s just her foolishness that allowed her to be used by Ken. Don’t be mad at her, please,” Father stated.“I’m sorry, Autumn. Forgive me,” Grace interjected.“You be quiet!” I groaned. “You don’t know the atom of what you have done. You made me reject Ian. I allowed him to go without trying to stop him. You don’t know what I went through in his absence. Just fast and pray to the Moon Goddess that Ian forgives
~Mateo~I was fully ready to be crowned the king of the demon kingdom now. No more troubles. After my shower earlier, I took a nap and I slept peacefully. Nothing feels like being normal again. I took a quill and was jotting my recent experience when the door slowly opened. Advisor Fort appeared through the door. I smiled boldly at him.“Hello, advisor Fort!” I greeted. He moved closer.“Hello, Mateo,” he responded and sat opposite me.“It has been a while, advisor,” I said, putting the quill down.“Exactly, Mateo. We all have been worried about you. What truly happened to you? Why did you confine yourself in your room?” he queried.“It’s nothing serious,” I smiled it off. “I just needed time to myself, that’s all.”“Good to know. Are you ready for your coronation tomorrow?” he asked.“More than ready, advisor. If there’s anything I will adore in this world, that’s to assume the throne of our great kingdom. And