*************The Duke stormed into Eros’s chambers, his anger barely contained; Vivienne trailed behind with a smug expression plastered on her face.“Where is she?” he barked. His sharp eyes scanned the room.Eros leaned casually against the wall, crossing his arms as if unfazed. “Who exactly are you looking for, brother?”“Don’t play dumb with me.” The duke snarled and stepped closer. His gaze fell on the bed, where a faint smudge of blood stained the crisp, white, pristine sheets.The Duke’s lips curled into a sneer. “You expect me to believe she’s not here?”Eros’s eyes followed his brother’s line of sight but remained composed. “Believe what you want, but I assure you that whoever you’re looking for wouldn’t hide in my room without my knowledge.”The Duke turned sharply, gesturing to the guards standing at the door.“Search the room!”Eros pushed off the wall, his green eyes darkened.““I’d rethink that order if I were you.”The guards hesitated, their gazes flickering between
FLASHBACK: FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER Nia sat at the edge of the bed, her breath uneven and shallow as her mind raced. “I’m dying?” she whispered, her voice trembled. Eros draped a blanket over her naked body ,while he threw on his tunic . His green eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and regret. “Rosettta,” he said softly, “You’re suffering from crimson veil disease.” Her brows furrowed in confusion, “Crimson veil? What does that even mean? How is that even some sickness?” “It’s an inherited disease,” Eros continued, his voice was heavy. “Your mother had it. it’s why you’ve been coughing blood, why your body feels weak.” She never saw these in Rosetta’s memories, the moon goddess never said she’d live Rosetta’s life only to die of some stranger sickness she never even knew existed. Selene had just be doing her dirty, keeping the information she was supposed to know from her. How was she supposed to live life, feel love and passion, if her insides were betra
Nia stumbled out from her hiding place, her knees weak as she clutched the necklace at her throat. Her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps as the adrenaline that coursed through her veins slowly began to subside.“What just happened?” Eros turned her, his piercing green eyes wide with disbelief. She hesitated, her hands tightened around the necklace. “Ho-how did you do that?” he pressed, as he took a step closer. “you-you changed.”Nia’s heart pounded in her chest, her pulse was loud in her ears. There was no going back now, she had to tell him something, anything , or maybe even the truth.“Eros,” she whispered, her voice trembled, “This is my second life too.”His eyes narrowed slightly, his confusion deepened. “Your second life?”She nodded, and swallowed hard. “My fate…it’s far worse than yours,” she said, her voice was steady despite how hard her chest ached. “This necklace is my anchor. It’s for me to give up if I can’t go through with this life anymore…and return to the afte
Her breath got caught in her lungs, her heart pounded in her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, his lips crashed onto hers.The kiss was intense, hungry and it stole the air left in her lungs. His tongue plunged into her mouth, claiming her with an urgency that left her dizzy. Their wet bodies pressed together, the friction sent sparks through both of them.“Hmmm…” He groaned in her mouth, his hands roamed over her body, exploring every inch of her through the soaked fabric. He pulled her closer, his hips grinded against hers, letting her feel just how much he wanted her, how much his cock was ready to dive into her. Breaking the kiss, he leaned back slightly, his eyes gleamed dark with desire. “Beg me, Rosetta” he said, his voice rough with need. Nia’s lips parted, her breath came in short gasps. “Don’t stop,” she whispered, her voice shook with need. “Please, don’t stop.” A wicked grin spread across Eros’s face. His hand slid under her gow
He smirked, and grabbed the bottle again. With one hand still gripping her hip, he tilted the bottle, letting the deep dark liquid spill over her breasts. The coolness of the wine against her heated skin made her nipples harden instantly,“Ah! Yes!” she gasped , “Spit it in my mouth…”But he wasn’t done…Bringing the bottle to his lips, he took a long sip, his eyes never left hers. Then leaning down, he captured her mouth with his, pouring wine into her as he continued to thrust into her with unrelenting force. She drank greedily, the taste of the wine mingled with the taste of him on her tongue.When he pulled away, he trailed the bottle down her body, letting the wine trickle over her nipples before closing his mouth around one, sucking hard.“Arghhhhh!” she screamed, but the heavy downpour of the rain made it difficult for anyone passing to hear her, her fingers tangled in his hair as he switched between licking her nipples, to sucking and biting which drove her closer to the e
“Bang! Bang! Bang!” the sound of someone hitting the cellar door increased, Nia and Eros scrambled to put on their clothes, their soaked garments clung to their bodies again as the door to the cellar shook violently.The sound of heavy fists pounding against it echoed eerily.“Wh-who could it be?” Nia whispered, her voice trembled as she fastened the last button on her dress.Eros’s jaw clenched. “Stay behind me,” he instructed, pulling on his shirt hastily.Suddenly, the door flung open with a deafening crash, slamming against the stone wall. The dim lantern light flickered wildly, casting shadows over the figures that riushe din.Vivienne stood in the doorway, her lips twisted into a triumphant smirk. Behind her stood the Duke, his face shadowed by the flicker of lighting outside, the guards whose sword gleamed menacingly stood gallantly behind him.“I knew you were playing smart, Eros,” Vivienne sneered, her eyes narrowed “But I’m way smarter.”The Duke stepped forward, his boots e
Nia’s blood boiled at Vivienne’s words. Despite the fear gripping her, she raised her chin, her voice steady. “You think you’re better than me, Vivienne? You’re just as involved in his games. A pawn, just like the rest of us.”Vivienne’s eyes blazed with anger, and stepped towards Nia, but the Duke raised a hand to stop her.“No,” the Duke said coldly, his gaze fixed on Nia. “Rosetta belongs to me. I will decide her fate.” He turned to the guards. “Take her to the dungeon. She need to learn her place.”Nia’s heart sank as the guards approached her, their rough hands pulled her to her feet. “No!” she shouted, as she struggled against their grip.“Eros!”Eros’s eyes were bloodshot red as blood oozed from his lips, he watched her being dragged away, and he wrestled against the cuffs. They sank further into his skin as he tried to fight his way out“I’ll come for you, Rosetta. I swear it.”The Duke sneered, ‘Empty promises, brother. You won’t be able to save her this time, cause you’ll
“Get it together, Nia” Nia’s murmured to herself, her chest rose and fell as she stepped into the Duke’s chambers, the scary weight of the encounter she had last time she was here pressed down on her.Her eyes instinctively darted to the desk, where his fountain pen laid in plain view, a reminder that she had one put herself under his mercy, begging for his death, and now she was walking in willingly into his traps.Goosebumps spread over her skin as she remembered his anger, the cold steel of the pen pressed against her neck, and his breath was so raw and menacing. “You’re late…” The Duke’s voice cut through her thoughts, low and almost predatory. Her head snapped up just in time to see him step out of the bathroom, naked. Water dripped from his muscular frame, his dark hair slicked back. Her breath seized as her eyes involuntarily raked over his body—the sharp angles of his jaw, the broad expense of his chest, the hard lines of his abdomen, and lower still, where his erected cock
“The Elysian Art event” The moment Nia stepped into the grand, dimly lit venue, she felt the weight of every eye on her. The gallery echoed with soft conversations, champagne glasses clinking, and the quiet admiration of art. Paintings and sculptures were arranged elegantly , their creators stood proudly beside them, eager to secure a wealthy buyer when the event starts. Her gaze moved across the room, taking in the familiar environment . From Sera’s scattered memories, she could recall this was Julien’s guilty pleasure—an exclusive art pop-up event that only the elite had access to. It was held every three months, always in a big secretive location, a gathering where art was not just admired but treated like a weapon—bought, claimed, and manipulated. And Julien thrived in it. He didn’t just collect art. He consumed it. Bought pieces from struggling or promising artists only to repaint them, to reshape them, to strip them of their identity but not to make them his own
“The Elysian Art event” The moment Nia stepped into the grand, dimly lit venue, she felt the weight of every eye on her. The gallery echoed with soft conversations, champagne glasses clinking, and the quiet admiration of art. Paintings and sculptures were arranged elegantly , their creators stood proudly beside them, eager to secure a wealthy buyer when the event starts. Her gaze moved across the room, taking in the familiar environment . From Sera’s scattered memories, she could recall this was Julien’s guilty pleasure—an exclusive art pop-up event that only the elite had access to. It was held every three months, always in a big secretive location, a gathering where art was not just admired but treated like a weapon—bought, claimed, and manipulated. And Julien thrived in it. He didn’t just collect art. He consumed it. Bought pieces from struggling or promising artists only to repaint them, to reshape them, to strip them of their identity but not to make them his own
“The Elysian Art event” The moment Nia stepped into the grand, dimly lit venue, she felt the weight of every eye on her. The gallery echoed with soft conversations, champagne glasses clinking, and the quiet admiration of art. Paintings and sculptures were arranged elegantly , their creators stood proudly beside them, eager to secure a wealthy buyer when the event starts. Her gaze moved across the room, taking in the familiar environment . From Sera’s scattered memories, she could recall this was Julien’s guilty pleasure—an exclusive art pop-up event that only the elite had access to. It was held every three months, always in a big secretive location, a gathering where art was not just admired but treated like a weapon—bought, claimed, and manipulated. And Julien thrived in it. He didn’t just collect art. He consumed it. Bought pieces from struggling or promising artists only to repaint them, to reshape them, to strip them of their identity but not to make them his own He want
“Please, I can’t. it’s too much—” Julien’s response was a low, possessive growl, his pace quickened as if her plea only fueled him further. “You can take it,” he snarled, as he leaned over her, his lips brushed against her ear as he spoke. “You’ll take everything I give you, Sera. Because you’re mine. You belong to me.” His hips snapped forward, as he drove into her with a force that made her cry out, her nails dug into the edges of the counter. But it wasn’t enough for him. Not tonight. He needed to see her, to look into her eyes as he claimed her. With a swift, almost violent motion, he flipped her onto her back, her legs instinctively wrapped around his torso as he carried her with him, and pinned her against the wall. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, but before she could even gasp, his cock buried inside her again, thrusting into her with an intensity that left her clawing at the wall for support. “Look at me,” Julien commanded, his voice dark and demandin
Nia’s breath seized as his fingers teased her, circling her clit with a slow, maddening control. She moaned, the sound escaping her lips in a low, desperate whimper. Her hands clung to his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as if she were afraid he might pull away. “Please,” she begged, her voice trembling. “Don’t stop.” Julien’s eyes darkened, his gaze locked on hers as he continued to toy with her. “I won’t,” he murmured, his voice a low, possessive growl. I’ll never stop, Sera. You’re mine. His words sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. She knew she should be scared, should push him away, but her body betrayed her, arching into his touch, craving more. Julien’s other hand moved to her waist, his fingers tightening around her as he leaned in, his lips brushing against her neck. “You’re so beautiful, he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. “I can’t get enough of you. Nia’s heart raced as he began to kiss her
Julien took a slow step forward, his right hand up in front of the gun in surrender as his voice dropped to a low whisper, “What if I make you a deal?” Miguel’s brow arched, and his grip on the gun shook. Eventually the sleek barrel dipped slightly, no longer aimed at Julien’s head. “I’m listening.” Julien exhaled, and stole a quick glance at Nia. “Let someone else replace her at the pop-up. I’ll double whatever you make.” A low chuckle rumbled from Miguel’s chest. “It seems your man here has money to squander,.” His eyes slid to Nia, his lips curled into a smirk. “But I’m not cheap, Julien.” Julien heaved, trying to gather his composure before his gaze landed on Miguel again . “What more do you want?” Miguel tapped the barrel of the gun against his temple pretending to think , his lips twitched then, his smile widened. “She shows up for the next one.” Julien’s hands instinctively balled into fists, Nia fingers dig into her palm, she could sense that it was taking every
“J-julien” Nia’s breath came in ragged gasps as she rocked back and forth over the balcony railing, her spine bent at an unnatural angle. The pressure of Julien’s grip around her throat was unbearably, possessive, terrifyingly familiar.But she just got here, she couldn’t just die immediately? She knew she was failing her mission woefully, and if died right now then it makes things worse.She had only collected one energy so far, how would she bring Ares back if all she was doing is get carried away? Images flashed in her mind, Her head slammed against the stone —Seraphine’s laughter, her whispered confessions, her body pressed against Julien’s in love and war. She could see herself living all of Seraphine’s moments, And then the memory of falling—arms flailing, air rushing past her, the brutal snap of her skull against pavement.If she couldn’t get herself out of this mess, then it would happen again.But this time, she wasn’t Seraphine.She was Nia.And she was going to feel the
Her vision blurred, her body felt weightless, free. Distantly, she heard the sharp crack of another gunshot, the bullet lodge in her chest again. “No!!!” Massimo shouted, in anger he brought out his gun and started shooting towards where the shot came from randomly, impulsively, in pain. His front door busted open and his men rushed in, they froze instinctively at the sight in front of them. His gaze darted back to her, with shaky hands pressing against her wound, warm blood pooled between his fingers as he tried to hold her together. “Bambina,” Massimo rasped, his voice breaking. “Stay with me.” Her lips parted, but no sound came. Instead blood spluttered from her mouth, her chest heaved slowly, her pulse was getting weaker and weaker. So this was how their story ends? She had thought they’d be more of Bonnie and Clyde, but the Romeo and Juliet ending wasn’t something she quite expected. “Stay with me, bambina,” he pleaded, his gaze held hers, pressing his forehead to
Massimo’s voice was raw, His knees hit the floor with a dull thud, and for the first time, he looked… breakable. The predator, the monster, the man who ruled with an iron grip—he was kneeling before her like a sinner at the altar. “I owe you, bambina,” he rasped, his breath uneven. “I owe you for the life I stole, for the hatred you carry.” Nia’s hands trembled at her sides, she had never seen this side of him, wait why? Why all of a sudden, what did he owe? Was he actually feeling guilty for killing isabel’s parents. Her heart pounded like violent storm against her chest. This was the closest thing to remorse she had ever seen in his cold, ruthless eyes. But it confused her , one minute he wanted to blow her head off for her supposed betrayal, and now…. Her chest heaved as she took in his vulnerable state, tears hung at the corner of her eyes as she slowly knelt in front of him. She wanted to comfort him, but right now she had to be Isabel, Not Nia. “You didn’t just steal my