It wasn't the cool breeze billowing in from the open windows or the gentle kiss of moonlight that awakened Naomi. Rather, it was the silken voice of Victoria."Naomi, we're going to miss our reservation if you don't get up this minute!"She opened her eyes to see the familiar walls of her apartment. Blinking in confusion, she turned toward the direction of Victoria's voice.'What reservation? I thought...''Was this a dream? Did I imagine everything?'"Where's Nezetta? And Daegal? I'm supposed to..." She trailed off, glancing around in confusion."What are you mumbling about? We're late. Go take a shower, you stink," Victoria scrunched up her nose and giggled playfully.Naomi's eyes landed on the skin of her hands. They were the chocolate brown color she was born with and spent a lot of money on skincare to maintain and not the milky white she had slowly become accustomed to.She wasn't Nerina anymore. There was no continent.'No Nezetta,' She thought mournfully. 'No Daegal either.'S
Daegal didn't know what to do with the woman weeping and holding onto him like he was her lifeline. His hands hung over her quaking shoulders uncertainly. An emotion akin to sympathy and care filled his chest as Naomi burrowed her face into the curve of his neck. His eyes flitted about the room in contemplation. Finally, he sighed deeply and let his hands grasp her shoulders gently. "She's dead and it's all my fault. It's my fault. It's mine..." Naomi mumbled repeatedly. "Who do you speak of, Lolo Nerina? Who is dead?" Daegal asked, keeping his tone as soft as possible. "It's my fault. It's my fault. It's my fault." Naomi’s sobs had died down but all she could do was repeat those words over and over again. Against his better judgment, Daegal’s arms wrapped around her fully, holding her tight against him while his fingers caressed her long, dark hair. "It's okay, you're safe now," He whispered into her ears. 'What in the Creator's name are you doing, Daegal? You cannot trust h
"I do not like this style. Do it again," Naomi instructed after gazing into the large mirror to inspect the elaborate braids piled on her head."Forgive me, my Lolo!" The buxom maid who had introduced herself as Amani fell to her knees and bowed her head in a bid to avoid the wrath she was sure to visit her."Er... You do not have to kneel before me. Just do a simpler style. Nothing too fancy."Shock registered on Amani's face. Slowly, she rose to her feet. "My Lolo, you are not going to punish me for displeasing you?" Her voice was low and shaky.Naomi rolled her eyes. "Now, why would I punish you for a mistake that is not even your fault?" She turned to face Delia who was busying herself with picking at her fingertips till they bled and studying the patterns on the stone floor. "Why would she think that?"Delia's head snapped up at the question. "Well..." She exchanged a nervous glance with Amani. "You... She... It's simply the way we were trained to serve, my Lolo."Naomi scrunched
"... With the power vested in me by the Creator, I hereby pronounce you: husband and wife. You may seal your union with a kiss," The priest declared, clasping his hands together happily. Daegal closed his eyes as if he were in pain and slowly turned to meet Nerina's complacent smile. Taking a deep breath to keep himself from throwing up, he clutched her hand in his and made to kiss her on the cheek. However, Nerina moved her face at the last second and connected her lips to his. Her fingers trailed up the length of his tense arm muscles to wrap around his neck, burying them in the thickness of his hair, and deepening the kiss. Daegal remained stoic; unmoving even while her lips worked on his and her body pressed so tight against his that he could feel the soft mounds of her breasts through the armored bodice of her bridal gown. He couldn't push her away in front of their many guests but he'd rather be damned than return her kiss. After a long, excruciating thirty seconds that he
The heavy drapes were drawn and the only candle in the room had burned low and rested on her dressing table. The candlelight was too weak to reach the dark corners of the room where the huge wardrobes and the mirror over her dressing table, were located. She pushed the heavy duvet off her body and swung her legs over the side of the bed, sinking her toes into the plush carpet. "What are you talking about?" Daegal asked in a hushed tone, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Psht!" Naomi shushed. She tried to convince herself that she was imagining things but from the sinking feeling in her chest, she knew that it was real. She had ceased to use pure logic to explain events after spending quality time on the continent. There was nothing logical about Aesos, Nebulos, or Volcaris. Her heart was racing but she didn't make a sound when she stepped forward. She didn't even realize Daegal had moved till she perceived his presence by her side. Naomi glanced down and saw that his hand was t
Los Angeles, California. The dry but cozy evenings had given way to chilly nights that should freeze out the bones of people if they don't wear appropriate clothing but Master Faizar much preferred this to any other Los Angeles weather. He exhaled a calming breath and in turn, released a puff of smoke into the cool night air. It was a full moon night—just perfect for what he had in mind—and there was a heaviness in the air. Maybe the Creator had come to terms with the knowledge that an almighty entity like herself couldn't keep him away from his home forever. A smirk formed on his face as he recounted his objective. It was perfect. He had waited many years for this. Careful scheming and plotting had finally gotten him to this point and there wasn't a moment to waste. Sure, that tactless fool, Adryan, had almost ruined his plan by kidnapping Naomi Walker's lover but it had been to his advantage anyway. Otherwise, he would never have discovered the Vincula— the easiest way to access
Daegal did not utter a word. Instead, he grabbed onto the reins of his horse and led it outside. A moment later, Naomi heard him galloping away. She raised her head to meet the curious stare of a blonde-haired stable boy. "What?" She snapped at him causing him to bow repeatedly before leaving the stables like his shoes were on fire. Naomi huffed and slapped her forehead. 'Why did I have to open my big mouth? What's Daegal going to think now?' When she half-turned to look for a mount amongst the many horses lounging in their stalls, her eyes caught those of another stable boy, this one dark-haired. He didn't run away though but instead nodded his head to a spotted grey mare two stalls to her right. Naomi let out a small smile in appreciation which the stable boy did not return but went back to his work of cleaning out an empty stall. She shrugged, dismissing his coldness, and approached the mare who eyed her suspiciously. After a few comforting pats on the nose and a helping
Naomi remembered flying...then hurtling toward the ground. After that, there was nothing.The fog around her cleared and she blinked, getting accustomed to the vicinity. Nezetta lay face-up on the sand with Daegal’s lifeless body next to her. There was no weapon in sight but his clothes were covered in blood.Naomi screamed at the sight before her but no sound came out. Her pulse thrummed frantically beneath her skin as she ran toward Nezetta and Daegal.Her shaking hands hovered above Daegal’s body, tears flowing down her cheeks. "How did this happen?" She thought. Nezetta moved slightly and Naomi noticed the blood staining her chest. She crawled to her. "My love..." She sniveled, pulling Nezetta to lay on her lap. Naomi rocked back and forth, cradling her head in her hands. Droplets of blood bubbled from Nezetta’s lips when she opened her mouth to speak. Her fingers caressed Naomi’s cheek gently and then, clutched her chin tight. Naomi's eyes widened as Nezetta’s obsidian eyes tur