The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness
Chapter 88

- KATALEYA ~

"I love you too. You are my world, Enrique."

He breaks our eye contact, his gaze falling to my lips as he slowly leans down, and tugging my head up, presses his lips against mine.

Soft, sweet, seductive... that's how he tastes.

Slow... deep... intense..., that's how this feels.

Sparks waltz through me, and my heart feels as if it will explode. He doesn't move his lips, as if trying to imprint the feel of my lips into his memory.

His heart still drums wildly, and I feel the slight tremble in his lips as he takes a shuddering breath and he slowly pulls away leaving me feeling lightheaded. "And you are my life, but perhaps in another situation... if I was not who I am... perhaps we could be."

Huh?

He takes a small step back, his eyes hardening despite the emotions I see in them.

"Do it now," he commands in English and my gaze snaps to our surroundings, and just then a witch who I know by face steps forward from the shadows. She's quite powerful and in a position in the coven here in America. She advances, her eyes glimmering. "Yes, My King," she responds and I gasp, realising he must have commanded her as the Crimson King.

"Make her forget all that I have just said to her."

Those words make my heart stop and my gaze snaps to him, suddenly replaceing it hard to breathe. My wolf whimpers in my mind and I look around, feeling dizzy.

He's going to make me forget his confession... or try to.

The witch begins to chant a spell and I stare at Enrique as his expression begins to harden and he crosses his arms.

It won't work on me... but I feel even if it did, I wouldn't have been able to move. I simply stand there as the powerful spell swirls around me. Magic can affect me if it is on things around me... light this ground on fire and I will burn... but a direct spell on me won't. Was this his plan?

Why did he confess if he simply wanted to wipe it all away?

"Why?" I ask as the witch continues to chant. "Why confess if you will have me forget?" I ask in a broken whisper.

"The repercussions of my actions have caught up with me... This is goodbye, Mi Amor..." He looks at the witch, who continues to chant, and I feel the strong power flittering through my mind, the pain in my chest rising. I place a hand on my heart. Oh, it hurts.

I can't breathe...

My world is spinning, it's crashing down...

The witch finally stops and steps back.

"It is done," she murmurs.

Enrique nods, motioning for her to leave, and I turn to him as he approaches me, his eyes cold.

Were you always hiding the emotions that you do possess, behind those cold, hard eyes?

"I accepted this hand, and you promised me one wish in return for doing so. And I now call upon that promise. I wish for you to back the fuck out of my life. Understood, Princesa?" he asks coldly.

I stare into his eyes, trying to understand why he's doing this as my crumbling heart shatters into a million pieces.

Where are those emotions, Enrique?

I open my mouth, but he places his hand over it, shaking his head.

"I don't want to hear shit. You have brought nothing but trouble into my life

... I have... chosen a luna. And once we go back to Puerto Rico, we will mark one another and complete the union," he says, making my heart clench agonisingly. His words are harsh, but his touch isn't. His gaze flicks to something behind me and I turn my head, my lips

brushing his fingers as I look at the same beautiful redhead from the bathroom.

"Rey Carmesi, shall we go?" she asks.

Enrique nods as he steps back from me, fixing his jacket as he walks over to her, offering her his hand.

I am strong.

I am brave.

I am resilient.

But I am unable to move as she takes his hand and they both walk through the archway and towards the main garden.

I have never felt this much pain before as I have in this moment.

All I want to know is why am I not enough?

Why?

I clutch my chest as I gasp for air, yet not once does he look back. And as they reach the other side, through my blurred vision I see a red flame spread around them and then they both disappear from view just as the first teardrop falls from my eye. I gasp as it splashes to the ground, a sound loud in my ears. My legs give way and I fall to my knees, feeling the pain of his loss tear through me.

My eyes blaze, despite the tears that splash onto my thighs.

Why...

An anguished sob leaves me, as I place my hand on the ground, my claws digging into the stone as one word leaves my lips.

"Why!" I scream like I have never screamed before. A voice that I do not recognise.

One moment I can't breathe, and then it feels as if something within me breaks and I scream again. Scream with everything I have. My power blazes around me, and dazzling pink spreads around me like a hurricane, reaching to the skies. Petal-like embers of my aura swirl within the violent storm of my powers that surrounds me. Continuing to grow.

He left me.

I feel my hair spread around me, defying gravity. The hot pink glow deepens around my body as my powers grow brighter and stronger.

I've never felt so much power in my life. My wolf surges forward and I look down at my thigh, sensing a strange sensation. I stare down at my thigh as I feel something beneath my palm.

A blinding light appears and suddenly, right beneath my hand, a sword appears. An intricate gold handle with glowing symbols dances along the hilt and blade, but somehow, I can read them.

"I swear to uphold the laws and beliefs of my Goddess Selene. The Goddess of our people. To fight in her name and to protect in her name..." I whisper as the power around me intensifies, and another blinding light later, a golden shield appears on my other arm. It is like a long hexagon shape. A moon, a sword and a crown with blue jewels are carved upon it surrounded by a cherry blossom branch and petals.

I can feel the energy radiating off them. "I swear to uphold the truth and to show compassion. I forsake greed for power willingly and replace it with generosity and kindness. Visit J o b n i b.com to read the complete chapters for free. If you are not reading this novel on Job ni b .com, some sentences are incomplete. When the end is upon us, I will stand as a shield for the people..." I whisper, the words leaving my lips as if I've practised them a thousand times.

An intense, glittering light swirls around my thigh, and I look to the moon above, feeling as if something within me has been reborn. Moments ago what felt like despair is now replaced with strength beyond measure.

I get up on one knee, my brows furrowing as I feel a weight upon my head.

"And I shall ride behind the Adonai, to protect all who shall need it and bow to the Goddess who has blessed me. I swear it!"

Power jolts through me and the items in my hands, my blazing eyes full of power like never before, and I look down at my leg. The glowing light spreads across my thigh, forming a symbol upon it.

The mark of a ruler...

I think someone calls my name, but they are far, far away. It is just me and the oath I have taken. One that tells me I must live, for I have sworn to do so....

The glow begins to fade, and his parting words return to me.

Take a Luna... the redheaded woman... the way he took her hand...

I shake my head.

No.

He is mine.

The pain I felt as he turned away has eased, as if the strength I have awakened is not only physical but mental.

Or perhaps it is because I know he is mine.

I slowly get to my feet, a fire like never before lifting me with newfound strength. I look down, seeing the glowing pink symbol that now covers my right thigh before it begins to fade.

I tilt my head up feeling a wave of tranquillity flow through me. And even as people begin encircling me, I am unable to pay attention, gazing into the darkness above.

I know who I am, as clear as the moon belongs in the sky.

And I know what I must do, as clear as the power vested within me dances through my veins.

I am the Asheton Queen.

And I have a love to claim.

End of Part 1