CHAPTER 42: SHE IS STRONG

(Rigel)

It feels like an eternity since I have been imprisoned in this forsaken place. After the murder of my mother, I was captured, cursed and thrown into this cell.

The horrors I have faced, the abuse and torture I have gone through broke me, took away my humanity.

I killed aimlessly, did what was asked just to ease the constant pain I am kept in.

All hopes of ever being free, all hopes of anyone ever finding me were lost until she appeared semi-naked. Glistening with sweat and holding a lantern like the beacon of my solace.

She is wearing a necklace with a crystal that somehow feels familiar.

Her scent hits me like an avalanche of sensory overload. Not like the metallic scent of other humans and species, but more potent than life itself, so savoury that my mouth watered, so warm and sweet that words can’t even describe it. Her blood doesn’t roar under her veins like normal humans, it hums and sings for me.

My shadows and magic became agitated. Trapped for so long, they wish for a release and go to her, cling to our mate but the curse prevents them.

And then to my utmost surprise, she speaks to me. She can see me, she can feel me.

In a very very long time, I finally feel warm. That feral hunger inside me, those primal desires to just kill and maim dial down the more she speaks and the closer she gets.

Brave and beautiful, that’s the first impression I get from her. Unlike any other female, she isn’t afraid of me. She doesn’t find the shadows crawling on my body ugly. Not once does she flinch but listens to me. Getting closer and closer, she kneels in front of me. Her scent intensifies, and my hunger becomes insatiable. It has been so many days since I tasted blood, and hers is nothing like I have ever scented.

There is something magical about her, with long dark hair and soft but toned skin, she watches me as if I am the most intriguing being she has ever laid eyes on.

Truths come tumbling out of me, at least the ones I can speak.

And then she breaks all barriers and grabs my face in her hands. They are not as soft as I had expected, it shows she trains and is not some fragile girl.

She is strong in both mind and body. No one weak will ever come near let alone hold my face.

She renders me speechless when she offers me her blood again and promises to be there for me no matter what.

She can’t even feel the mate bond and yet she can sense something. I can see it in her eyes, the tenderness she holds, the promises she makes.

Lovingly my hands go around her bare waist. The first touch fills me with a warmth I have never experienced. Some of it seeps into my frozen heart. I want to peel everything off her skin and feel.

Feel that rapidly beating heart.

Feel the softness of her body.

Feel the flowing blood in her veins.

Feel the very breaths she inhales and exhales.

Grabbing her wrist I press my lips onto her skin. Her pulse thumps so wildly that every reality ebbs away. My fangs shot out and pierced her tender skin.

Her intoxicating nectar hits my system and I am a goner.

Only the ticking sound of her heart, the sweet humming and calling of her blood and ragged intakes of her breath remain.

I drink like a madman and she pants in my hold, never resisting but only offering.

It’s only when a woman appears that I let her go but hold her close, showing her that I have been telling her the truth.

No one other than her can see me. Others only see a dirty rotten cell not used in ages. But it’s all an illusion of the powerful magic my captor has placed on this place.

In reality, my cell is kept immaculately clean.

The woman leaves her food and calls her "Amaia!"

So that’s her name, as sweet and tender as she is. I want to whisper it against her skin and watch her reactions.

Will her cheeks blush? I don’t know. But I don’t want to frighten her. She doesn’t know my gory story, she doesn’t know the horrors I have been made to commit.

It is possible that she will run in the opposite direction and wants nothing to do with me.

I know I can’t even have her for long. What if my captor finds out? That will be a death sentence for my newly found mate.

I will have to protect her, keep her away.

She asks my name and I tell her without hesitation.

"Rigel?" She asks, watching me over her shoulder, her lips are only a breath away. Her scent swirls around me, making me dizzy. I desire to taste more of her. Now that I have her blood, no other blood will sate me. But it will keep me grounded too. That bloodlust will simmer down.

"Yes!" My nose traces the side of her neck. "Why are you here, Amaia? Why did they lock you up?"

And for the first time, she stiffens in my hold. My shadows collect around my hands, trying to feel our mate.

She sighs, her body leaning against mine, ending the distance between us. A relief like the warm water on the coldest day rushes over me. Such peace, her presence brings.

Is that what it feels like to have a mate?

"Existed, just like you." The pain her voice holds has both my hands wrapping around her waist.

There is much deeper meaning to her words but I can’t push her. She will open up to me if she wishes. I just hold her close to me. My lips rest in the valley between her neck and shoulder. Her scent I inhale deeply.

Living in the moment, I am not sure how long I have with her before she leaves or is snatched away from me but I don’t want to let her go.

"Forget the world for tonight. Just stay with me. Can you?" I desperately ask.