From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135

The faces of my family stare back at me from behind my closed eyelids. They smile. I press my fist to my chest, silently begging my heart to stop beating if that would make the pain go away. Isn’t my freedom and my life enough loss? My heart begs to stop, to surrender to the cold so it can freeze and stop hurting–hot my mind screams for revenge and warms my veins.

I open my eyes when the tears stop and find myself face to face with my reflection in the window glass. Maybe my langs aren’t there now, but the two whitish–gray strands remain on each side of my head. I twirl one around my finger to make sure it’s real.

I remember who I am and I’ll make my enemies remember too.

Dinner has been served in bed. On the tray is a broth that smells wonderfully delicious. I bring a spoonful to my mouth under Ciro’s watchful gaze I try to pretend I don’t see him in the corner of my eye, watching me, but it’s impossible. I set the spoon on the edge of the plate, sigh, and meet his

gaze.

“Why?”

“Why what, dear?

Without looking away from me, he picks up the glass resting on the nightstand. He brings the rim to his lips and takes a long sip. The glass is crystal clear–1 can see the dark red liquid sliding into his mouth, and even if my mind tries to fool me, the thickness as it drips from the comer of his mouth leaves no doubt. It’s blood–and what horrifies me most is that I’m not repulsed by it. I’m eager. I turn away, focusing again on my broth and avoiding the liquid he drinks

“Why me? Why didn’t you just let things be?”

“I was entitled to compensation”

He leans back, getting comfortable.

“I think it’s more than fair to hurt him the same way

“Cassian told me what happened. I understand that being in love is a powerful feeling and can blind us, but she didn’t love you, Ciro. She wanted to uncover your weaknesses by getting close to you.”

I expect him to contradict me or get angry at my words, not laugh as if I’ve just told the best joke in history, Ciro’s laughter fills the air, and the sound is warm and harmonious. He brings a hand to his chest and little by little, his laughter subsides,

“Is that what he told you?”

He shakes his head, still with a smile on his lips.

“I suppose e the coward didn’t have the guts to tell you he wanted her as much as I did.”

1 don’t want to think about the bile rising in my throat or the snakes twisting in my stomach. Nor the sense of betrayal shaking my chest, 1 blink a few times, hiding any reaction, I tell myself that feeling anything resembling love is foolish–especially if the object of that feeling is Cassian Graven. My jailer. My enemy. My fate.

“Cassian hates humans.”

“I don’t see how that hatred stopped him from taking you to his bed,”

He raises an eyebrow as he sees the color drain from my face.

Tcan smell it on you I’m not stupid”

“So this is about your jealousy,” I snap through clenched teeth,

“All because he desired the human you loved”

“He didn’t just despre her.”

His voice bites into my skin.

“He took her, and once he’d tainted our love, he killed her.”

“Then what? Do you plan to do the same to me?”

I don’t let see the fear I really

ally feel. The mere thought of Caro abusing me, all for a thirst for vengeance that’s been simmering for longer than I can imagine, paralyzes me. Have I escaped one limbo only to end up in a worse late? A sluver tiptoes down iny spine. Giro’s expression is serious now—no trace of his smile or the jovial air that usually surrounds him. No, what stands before me now is his true self. A vampire. A Pureblood One

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Chapter 135

who’s fed on resentment for many, many years.

“No. Elara. I’m not going to do the same to you.”

He exhales slowly and drums his fingers against his knee.

“It might be hard to believe right n but there’s more than revenge behind why you’re here”

“You’re right. I don’t believe you.

He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes…

“I’d be disappointed if you did.”

He clicks his tongue.

“The truth is, I’m fascinated by you. I’m used to everyone falling at my feet because of my gift. Imagine my surprise when a human–seemingly weak and insignificant at first glance–doesn’t fall under the spell of my looks,”

“And”

I want someone to see me for who I am,” he admits.

“And you’re the only one capable of seeing me.”

“How do you expect me to see you as anything other than my new captor?” I ask, my voice heavy with reproach.

“I’m your prisoner, Ciro. I can’t look at you any other way”

Ciro rises from his seat, leans toward me, and places his hands on either side of my head. His breath carries a faint metallic scent that at another time would’ve turned my stomach–but now I find it delicious, tempting,

“That didn’t stop you from feeling something for Cassian, he counters.

“Sull, I don’t plan to be your captor. You can come and go from my villa as you wish. I don’t want you to be my feeder, I won’t feed from you, and 1 won’t force you to do anything you don’t want. In return, I ask only one thing.”

“What is it?”

My voice sounds like a thread, so thin I’m not sure he even heard my question. His pink eyes are close to mine, and as I look closer, his irises seem to ripple as if they hold the tides of the sea.

“One month. Try to get to know me. See me for who I am Give me a chance.”

“And what if after a month I still see you the same?”

His lips are so close to mine that I can almost feel the smile forming on them.

“171 set you free

“Just like that?”

“Just like that”

His breath brushes my lips once more and then he steps back, giving me space I didn’t realize I needed to breathe.

“I don’t plan to be the villain in your story. Elara. I think there are others who manage that–quite well. I want to show you the good side of How fun and satisfying we can be.”

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