Chapter 3 Chapter 3.

"Argar, what are you doing here?" I questioned, looking around frantically to make sure no one saw us even though this was my bedroom and I had locked the door.

He stepped closer to me, and then his eyes widened in horror. He touched my arms. "Why are you so wet?" He asked, confused.

"I went out for a swim," I lied.

"You and I know you can't swim so why are you lying to me, Allyssa?" He closed the gap between us, his voice softening. "Why are you hurting me, Allyssa?"

"Hurt?" I scoffed. "Who's hurting who, Argar?"

Silence fell between us, my heart pounding in both fear, and pain.

He looked downwards, and took my hands in his. "I'm sorry," his voice was a whisper.

I felt it in my heart, that gash that made my eyes burn with tears.

"You know, Allyssa... you know that I'll never hurt you. You know that I don't have a choice... I—"

"Enough," I cut him off, stepping backwards. "That's the more reason we should stay away from each other... because you don't have a choice."

"Allyssa..."

"Please."

He ran a hand through his hair, his hand balling into a fist. "Allyssa, I can't live without you," he confessed.

For a moment, my heart stopped, because I felt the same way too. But he was going to be Aria's husband soon.

"You should," I replied. "You're going to be someone's husband soon."

"I'll call off the engagement," he said with desperation in his voice. "It'll be just me and you. I'll be your husband, Allyssa."

My lips curled into a bitter smile. "Like you ever can."

He stepped closer to me, "I can, Allyssa. I would. I don't care the consequences."

"Actually you do," I responded. "You do, Argar, because if you didn't, then you wouldn't have consented to the engagement in the first place."

"I don't have a choice, Allyssa!" He bursted in frustration.

I chuckled bitterly. "You did. You simply chose your duty over me."

I turned away from him to go to my closet and change my clothes but he grabbed my hand, and pulled me to himself, pressing his lips down on mine instantly.

I should resist him, I should push him away, instead I melted into his embrace.

He wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me closer, flush against himself as he dove deeper into my mouth.

For a few reckless seconds, I forgot everything. I forgot the palace, Aria, the pain... the impossible future waiting for us. I kissed him back with every feeling I had spent years trying to bury.

Argar deepened the kiss desperately, like he was terrified I would disappear if he let me go. His hand tightened around my waist while the other cradled my face gently, completely opposite to the storm raging inside him. Then reality crashed into me, and I pulled away from him sharply, breathing hard.

"Stop," I whispered.

Argar stared at me, equally breathless. "Allyssa..."

"No." I shook my head quickly, stepping away from him again. "We can’t keep doing this."

Pain flashed through his eyes. "Why?" he demanded softly. "Why must you always push me away?"

"Because I know how this ends," I answered bitterly. "You’ll marry Aria, the clans will celebrate, and I..." My voice cracked slightly. "I’ll become nothing but a shameful memory you hide from your wife."

"That’s not true," he said, his voice pleading.

"It is," I negated, and silence filled the room for a few seconds.

Argar stepped toward me again carefully this time, like approaching something fragile. "I love you," he said. "Not Aria. Never Aria."

My chest tightened painfully. Why did he have to say the exact words I wanted to hear?

Before I could respond, a sudden sharp pain exploded inside my head. I gasped, stumbling backwards. Images flashed before my eyes: Blood, fire, a man screaming, silver chains and that voice again in my head calling my name.

My knees buckled, and I fell to the floor.

"Allyssa!" Argar caught me quickly.

"What’s wrong?" He asked, but I barely heard him because for a split second,

I could have sworn another presence was standing inside the room with us.

"Allyssa," he touched my face, and I came back.

"I'm fine," I answered but it did nothing to ease his worry.

"You're not fine," he countered.

"I am," I forced myself upright even though my head still hurt. "It's just the cold, I need to keep myself warm," I lied.

He didn't buy my lie. He still looked at me with so much fear and worry in his eyes.

"Really, Argar, you can go," I forced a smile to convince him. "You can go now."

Though not fully convinced, he nodded. "Fine, take good care of yourself."

I nodded in response. Pressing a soft kiss on my lips, he left.

As soon as the doors clicked shut, I exhaled heavily. This was getting out of hand. The voice no longer stayed in my dreams alone, it invaded my physical space now. But who do I tell?

Heaving a deep sigh, I walked into my closet, changing my wet clothes into something simple yet warm, and cozy. I dried my hair with a towel until it was dry enough.

Stepping out of the closet, I froze in my steps at the strange figure just a few meters from my bed.

He was clad in a black robe, his dark hair blending with his robe.

My heart pounded heavily in my ears as I took a careful step forward, squinting my eyes for a clearer view in the dim-lit room.

"Who..." I trailed off, trying to be careful. "Who are you?" I finally completed my statement.

He stayed still for a few seconds, and without a word, he turned to face me.

My blood ran cold, my face paled, and my heartbeat spiked up unevenly.

The same crimson eyes identical to the only crimson eyes in history books.

Vaelric, the Demon Lord... God of Destruction and Death.

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