The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

23. Thoughts

- KATALEYA -

I look in the mirror, staring at my reflection.

His Luna.

No matter how much I denied it or told myself we could never be, it never took away these emotions that I have no control over. But it isn't meant to be like this.

Even if those words feel like a dream, they are not. Maybe the beginning of a nightmare, maybe not. Especially when I witnessed the look in his eyes, that dangerous glint that told me he was planning something.

Something that promised pain and havoc.

He's trying to hurt me, using my confession that I blurted out against me and I... I will let him because I am here to help him. Not to gain his love, nor to win him over, but to lift the darkness that shrouds his very being.

And I can't help him if I'm locked up in the cells. I'm not sure how much as a Luna he will treat me, but I will take what I can and use everything in my power to make the most of this situation.

In fact, this is a better-case scenario in many ways. I just wish it wasn't at the expense of using my confession.

But I'm here to help him, and by being his so-called Luna, it will give me a far better chance than I hoped for... but how do I tell Dad about this? Must I tell him? Maybe it's better I don't... but he'll be upset if I don't.

Sighing, I decide I'll speak to the girls when I get a chance. I wish I had my phone.

I undress and step into the shower, sucking in a breath as I switch on the icy water. Yelping when it sprays on me, although I am not under the powerful stream yet.

Closing my eyes, I bravely step under the downpour, wrapping my arms around myself as the water gushes down, making me whimper.

"It isn't cold, it isn't cold. Not cold... no, not cold, I'm not cold." I whimper as the ice-cold water makes my teeth chatter. I take a deep breath slowly getting used to the cold after a few moments.

If you believe it... it's real.

How can he be so stingy with warm water? It's freezing, even for a warm day. No one wants to bathe in this ice-cold water. With the heat, the water should at least be lukewarm, but it's icy!

I wash my hair, enjoying the shower far more than I should be despite the freezing temperatures.

Why the sudden change in his persona? What did he realise that he switched tune like that, anyway?

And his eyes, once again, were orange.

And the Crawler... how was it possible?

Is the darkness growing? Because it's clear that it's coming for me too. How was he able to get close to me?

I am still unable to comprehend that.

I brush my wet hair back and lean against the wall behind me, closing my eyes.

Dante said as long as there is no darkness around me, I'll be safe.

That they'll never be able to touch me in my visions...

Maybe I should talk to him! I-

My eyes snap open as his words replay in my head. 'As long as there is no darkness around you, you will be untouchable, My Cherry Blossom. Always remember that.'

Darkness... around me...

Around me.

Enrique?Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

A frown etches onto my forehead, and I shake my head.

No, he is not that kind of darkness, just- it doesn't matter! I am not abandoning him even if he is!

Dante said that, but he doesn't know all. I have already foreseen my death by then, so it doesn't matter.

I finish washing quickly, switch the shower off, and pick up a towel to dry my hair. The dark thoughts made me feel rather glum.

I walk to the mirror and look down at my body. The bruises are fading, the thin cuts Enrique had made have healed already.

He did save me, proving there is plenty of good in him, just as he delivered justice for me when it came to those men.

There is more good in him. There always has been and I will find it.

I put on the black robe that is hanging on the hook, and sniff it. It smells of him... My cheeks flush as I wrap it tighter around me, suddenly remembering the way his hand had roamed my body.

It makes sense... what Skyla and Azura say about it... there's something about being touched by a man, or in Skyla's case, by someone.

My heart is racing as I silently step out of the bathroom. He's lying on the bed, his eyes closed, his hands behind his head in nothing but those pants. I swallow hard as my gaze lingers on the obvious bulge in his pants.

I look away quickly and scan the room. Like the guest room, it doesn't have much character, but it is better to some extent. I wonder if being Luna means I can change the décor.

“What are you staring at? Get in bed or is my Luna-to-be a prude?" he mocks.

"I am a little concerned since my Alpha-to-be has wandering hands." I counter slyly.

His eyes narrow and he grumbles

something incoherent. "Then it's your loss. I just hope you aren't scared of any poisonous snakes and spiders We are in a rather woody area...it's common to get those inside with the amount of time people leave the doors open.” He remarks, making me instinctively look around.

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"Oh, you don't need to worry about those. I've seen snakes far more dangerous than anything I'll face this island." I say confidently, remembering Apophis's serpents. Besides, there is not even one snake in the cells.

I go over to the sofa and curl up on it, it's small but at least it's not as hard as the plain hard floor.

"Goodnight," I call softly.

He doesn't respond and I close my eyes, wondering what exactly he's planning.

But it's safe to say neither of us were able to sleep tonight.

"Get up. We're going to the shops."

"Shops?" I ask, rubbing my eyes as I slowly sit up to find I'm on the bed.

How did I even-

He frowns. “Before you assume that I carried you to the bed, you were the one who came yourself.” He says coldly.

"Oh..."

Did I?

Hmm... I haven't sleepwalked in years...

He tosses me some pants and an oversized top, and I glance up at him.

"Which shops are we going to?" I ask.

"For clothes. If you are to become my Luna, you need appropriate clothing, not to mention I don't want your precious father to think I'm not treating his little girl right." A cold smirk crosses his face, one that makes me feel uneasy.

“D-dad?” I say as I quickly pick up the clothes.

He cocks a brow. "Of course..." he walks towards me, placing a finger under my chin. "Won't you share the good news with him? Wouldn't he want to know who his precious daughter chose as a mate?"

My stomach churns with unease.

Is... Is Dad his target? My heart thunders at the thought of him using me to hurt Dad.

“Of course, I will," I reply smoothly. "But there's nothing to tell him right now. I am not Luna yet."

“Then we should change that soon..." His eyes darken menacingly, and a chill runs down my spine. "My Luna... the daughter of the man who killed my father. That's a story indeed..."

"Enrique... by any chance... you aren't doing this to hurt my father, are you?" I ask, smiling gently.

His face doesn't change, but there's a predatorial glint in those dreamy yet cunning hazel eyes before he cocks a brow.

"Now, why would you even think that?"