The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

~ KATALEYA ~

There are certain defining moments in life when you question every decision you have made, leading to a specific moment. For me, this is one of them. Every single thing we were trying to avoid has happened. We weren't able to prevent or stop it. The entire place is plunged into darkness as turmoil breaks out. The man standing above me is as handsome and sexy as he has always been. From those beautiful, sexy hazel eyes, straight nose, and kissable lips that are equally charming as they can be mocking. But it is not my Enrique whose mind is there.

Yet despite that sickening truth, and through the shrieks of the crawlers, and those fighting against them, I remember one thing that Azarakh had said. That he could take on any form.

Yet here he is, channelling the darkness within Enrique to be here. No matter what he said, it's obvious he needs Enrique as some kind of tether to be on this earth, and that is something I won't allow. g

Around me I see everyone who can fight, battling the crawlers. Royce has created a barrier of dazzling lightning, allowing the pack members to leave as the crawlers are kept away from the bright light.

Skyla, Carlos, and Savio are fighting crawlers as they try to stop them from breaking through and attacking the innocent people who are trying to leave.

Jose, Dalton, Marie and a few warriors are fighting the crawlers that have managed to break past the first line of defence, and attacking the people trying to leave.

More warriors join, but the crawlers are also growing in numbers.

Meanwhile, Uncle Liam is close to me, his powerful aura surrounding him as he attacks other crawlers. I see him glance at Enrique, or should I say Azarakh, who is still standing there motionlessly watching me.

Antonio and Benigno both watch Enrique with uncertainty. Their eyes flit from Enrique to me, but neither moves.

"He's mine," I say quietly to Uncle Liam and cast the guardsmen a warning look. Uncle nods. "Benigno, Antonio, can you both cover me?"

They nod in unison, and I realise, just like Rhea, they are not so robotic as they first appeared, that they cannot make any decisions for themselves.

I place Rhea's head on the ground, she's alive but unconscious. I then stand up.

"Azarakh," I say, now looking at Enrique. He wants me. I have to use that to stop him. Somehow. "What are you doing?" He smiles and raises an eyebrow. "What am I doing?" he asks as blinding light fills the room and many crawlers hiss as they disappear, but they aren't dead. I see Royce land on the ground to the left, his powerful aura swirling around him, lightning flashing around him, making the crawlers run from the bright light.

I look back at the man before me. "You know what I mean," I answer quietly.

"Making my entrance," Azarakh says motioning to the room. He then pauses looking at his hand, flexing it slowly.

He steps closer to me, and I hold my ground, my eyes now blazing pink as I call forth my aura, allowing it to fill the room. I see his face contort slightly with pain before he chuckles.

"You are meant for me, My Queen. Don't make this harder than it already is." He reaches out for me, as if waiting for me to lower my aura. But I don't, keeping it up and he retracts his hand, irritation and anger flashing across his face. "Stop this foolishness."

More crawlers are joining the fight. I can see everyone doing their best, but their number is simply growing. He throws his head back and lets out an ear-deafening cry and I hear several respond. Feeling the darkness growing as more approach. 1 "I will never be yours, and that body is not yours either," I say icily, feeling a surge of determination. Enrique has been through enough in life, and so has the Escarra line. But this is the last time. I'm putting an end to this. Now.

His eyes glimmer orange as I hear a low menacing hiss escape him, one that no human could possibly create. A cruel smile crosses his lips, and he only hisses as more crawlers pour into the room. We are greatly outnumbered.

"Join me or they die."

Everyone is an excellent fighter, but we have not discovered the way to kill crawlers. The only one able to do so is Enrique. I blast a few back with my own powers. The light makes them hiss and shrivel before they disappear, no doubt hiding from the bright light of my aura. The smell of blood is getting stronger, and they are only growing in number.

I send a few blasts of light at crawlers who are attacking warriors, only for Azarakh to step forward.

"Enough." He tries to command me. "You are on my side. Look at this body."

I will never be on your side.

I glance at Uncle Liam, and silently I know he's asking me what I am planning. I don't really know if it'll work, but I have to try. Enrique was ready to take any risk for me, and I will do the same for him.

"Let me do this. No one interfere," I command softly, knowing they can all hear me. Uncle nods, as he kneels down and lifts Rhea's body, placing her out of harm's way.

I now turn back to Azarakh and step forward. I don't know if this will work, but if for even a moment I can connect to Enrique, it might help.

"Remember, if you try anything, this body will feel it, not I," he hisses.

Oh?

That would only benefit the plan I'm making at this very moment.

"But you were able to mark her through him. So, you are connected, aren't you?" I ask, reigning in my aura. "I don't want to hurt him," I whisper.

He smiles, a chilling cold smile that only puts me on edge.

"He has darkness within him. I used that to my advantage, but he is still my vessel. If you want him to remain safe and unharmed, you will do as I say." He sneers as he grabs hold of my chin. "You will be mine, Asheton Queen. One way or another, with you by my side, we will rule this island as we break open parts of the veil across the lands. So all of our family can come through!" he hisses.

My stomach twists, open cracks in the veil to allow more of these things through?

Goddess, no.

Ok, Kat, you need to play this carefully... I take a deep breath and look around, my heart clenching when I see we've lost a man, most of these people are not equipped to fight these monsters that cannot be killed. I have to make sure to aim for convincing because if this plan, that I don't even know will work or not, has a chance, I need to get close to him.

"O-Ok, I will stand by your side if you promise that none of these people will be hurt. I promise!" I break into tears as I look at one of the torn-up bodies on the floor as blood spreads like paint across the ground. He's watching me intently, keenly, as if uncertain if he should believe me.

"I will not be yours. I can't. But I will o-obey! I promise that." I whimper, those words make him relax a little, but it's only a little.

He releases my chin, flicking his fingers, and a tendril of darkness appears, wrapping around me tightly before he yanks me closer. I stare into his eyes as I pray that Enrique can feel my closeness.

"I do not trust you yet, My Queen. Do forgive me," Azarakh murmurs. I nod.

"I understand, but as long as you don't hurt them, I won't fight," I say softly, not sure if my innocent expression or promising words would work on a creature who is not like us.

I gaze at him with the best doe eyes I can muster in a situation where people are being attacked all around me. I want to help them, but at the same time, I need to win the trust of the monster before me.

He seems to analyse me before the black tendril wraps around me even tighter, painfully tight, but I don't react. "Very well then, as you wish," he remarks as he suddenly grabs my arm and pulls me closer, his lips meeting mine. Painful cold bites into me, and my heart beats irregularly before pain rips through me. My eyes sting but I don't move, forcing myself not to pull away.

Enrique...

Are you in there?

My heart thunders as I move my lips against his, trying not to be repulsed as I try to think of Enrique only.

Enrique, if you're in there...

My mind spins at all the potential chances of what I'm about to do, failing. But it is the only thing that is coming to my mind right now.

I move back slowly.

"Enrique... if you can hear me, fight it, My Love," I whisper. Azarakh's eyes widen before his face contorts in rage as he realises what I said and meant, but it's too late for him.

My eyes close for a fraction of a second before I open them. They blaze brilliantly as I allow my aura to spread, pink glowing cherry blossoms wrap around us as I look Azarakh dead in the eye, breaking free from my bindings. "You..."

"I will never allow anyone to hurt my Enrique."