Word Count: 2154

~Aspen

Kastriv helped me tend to Kaia wounds, before allowing her to rest upstairs while we came down to talk.

I barely get to sit down before Kastriv starts speaking. "You can't go back."

"I don't want to make this difficult for everyone...What if he seriously pursues this?" I question.

Would Oliver kill me? Absolutely, and he would get away with it as well, once he exposed me for being a Demon.

Or worse, he could hurt Kaia again...

Kastriv settles into the couch next to me. "He likely will, but that doesn't mean you can go back to him. He was abusive."

"I don't want to go back. But what about Kaia?" I sigh, trying to press down the fear rolling around my stomach, although it's impossible. I have to face this, not run away.

"I'll protect her," Kastriv assures me. "Just like I'll protect you."

I turn toward him, feeling the power flowing off him, a consequence of his risking anger. How many spirits are around us now, whispering in his ear? I wonder how they feel about me, if they are telling him I am nothing but a burden, and protecting me is pointless.

"Who should I be more scared of, Keo, or Oliver?" I ask, shifting uncomfortably. It's easier to keep talking instead of maintaining eye contact with him, considering how easily it is for my thoughts to stop making sense when we do.

Kastriv laughs, like I just asked a ridiculous question. "Keo. Oliver is no threat. I'll kill him if I have to."

"Kastriv..." I growl.

"What? My word as a Noble trumps his," he notes. I narrow my eyes, watching that smile play along his lips.

I don't even want to ask how murder sits so well with him...

"But a Noble doesn't have a right to take people's wives. And both parties must agree to a divorce," I remind him, tucking my legs up onto the couch, wishing I could relax.

I'm only just starting to feel like I'm not about to implode in Kastriv's presence. This is an unwelcome addition to my worries.

Kastriv's expression sobers, and once again, he has that irritated look about him. "Whatever happens, I'm not letting you leave this house to return to Oliver. I refuse."

I chew on the edge of my nail. Going back to Oliver makes me feel so sick, to step back into that dark, horrifying place.

"I won't go back. I'll fight it," I concede.

Kastriv doesn't bother hiding his relief. Would he have locked me in here like some sad Princess to stop me crawling back to my husband?

It would make quite the scandalous story, were the public to find out...

A highly political man's wife being stolen away from him by a Noble. The wicked, erotic rumours that would arise to make sense of such an event. Most of it would be true, too, if my rampant fantasies went beyond that...being a fantasy.

I open my mouth to mention something about it, perhaps to make a joke, but Kastriv continues to speak.

"We should talk about Keo..."

"He won't hurt me though, because I'm a Demon," I say, even though I'm not entirely convinced of that. I just hope Demon's have some kind of comradery.

"True enough, but I had hoped the band of Demon's weren't related to him. I don't want you to get mixed up in that group," Kastriv mutters, shaking his head hopelessly.

I watch him tentatively. "So my job is over?"

"No. I want you to keep looking. There are more out there, I'm sure of it," he says.

I nod promptly, turning my head away so he can't see how relieved I am. Without purpose here, I have purpose nowhere, and in finding that site, I finally felt like I was doing something right.

"What should I do for now?"

"I'm thinking of sending you far from here. Somewhere Oliver won't find you." Kastriv watches me carefully, gauging my reaction.

I blink. "You want me to go into hiding?"

"Kaia can go with you, and I'll protect you also. Keo can still get to you, but there is no hiding from him." Kastriv gets to his feet, settled in his plan. I hug my knees, wondering how far I have to go, and where.

It's daunting, but thrilling. To be far away from Oliver, from this Territory, is a fantasy I've indulged in many times over the past few years.

"I hate that I'm scared of him. Of Keo," I murmur.

Those eyes, dark and terrifying, flash through my mind. How has he evaded the Noble's for so long? To hide, you need people you trust...who would ever trust a monster like that?

Kastriv disappears for a moment, before returning, holding something in his hand.

"Here, have this," he offers, holding it out to me.

I flinch, seeing the fine, silver blade glint threateningly under the light. The hilt is sleek and black, looking so beautiful I'm unsure if I should touch it.

"A dagger?"

"It's old, made for me by my father when I was a boy," he explains, resting it on my awaiting palms. I turn it over, examining it carefully. So much history in one item, that feels forbidden to hold.

"Your father gave a child a weapon like this?" It looks sharp enough to take my fingers off if I'm not careful.

"He knew about my strong Angel-blood. He knew someone would come for me, to make me a ruler, and he didn't want that for me," he explains.

I shudder. I forget that Noble's didn't choose their position in power, but were encouraged into it, due to their powerful magic.

I hate to think about those who refused.

"He wanted you to fight back?" I ask, feeling the weight of the dagger, of what it must have felt like for Kastriv to have been handed this to defend himself when he was so young.

No child should have to feel that pressure, including one with powerful magic.

Kastriv crouches down in front of me, running his finger over the hilt of the dagger. "When you don't want something, you fight back. Which is why I'm entrusting this with you...I just hope it does its job, this time."

He doesn't look at me, watching the way I hold the knife, but I don't miss the sadness in his eyes. I want to ask him more about his past, about his family, but I hold myself back.

"Hey, Kastriv?" I murmur.

He looks up at me, and for a moment, I'm caught in the visible beauty in the depths of his eyes. "Hmm?"

"I know what it's like to have a haunting past...Just know you don't have to hide from it." I feel like I should touch him, that I should hold his hand or something, until I quietly ground myself in reality.

Remember who you are. Then remember who he is.

Kastriv's silence cools over my skin, as his eyes trace over my face, even dancing over my lips, which I lick absently.

"I don't know how he didn't love you, Aspen," he says so quietly I almost don't hear it.

I'm not sure how to respond. Nothing I can say can quite convey how I'm feeling at this moment, and I don't want to ruin it. Not when nothing has felt this perfect in such a long time.

Kastriv suddenly stands, offering me his hand. "Come, let me take you to this place, where you will be safe."

I nod, still clutching the dagger tightly, unsure I ever want to let it go now, knowing the meaning it bears, using my other hand to slip it into his, embracing the feeling of the world dissolving around us, whisking us to another land entirely.

When I open my eyes, my vision is immediately assaulted by bright colours.

We are in a forest, except the branches are laden with thick, pale pink blooming flowers. Even the ground is covered in them, a gentle breeze having distributed them from their place, carrying them down to the forest floor.

"I...wow, this place..." I marvel, turning in a slow circle.

Nestled amongst the trees, a cabin, the roof almost entirely covered in petals. It is beautiful, yet haunting, as the moon hovers up above, casting an eerie glow over the forest.

"Territory Six. I like the leadership here, and you will be safe," Kastriv assures me, striding toward the entrance of the looming cabin.

When he cracks the door open, I'm surprised to find the temperature inside quite inviting. I step inside, leaving behind the cloying scent from those petals, and into the cosy home.

"Will you stay?"

Kastriv lingers near the doorframe. "I shouldn't."

"Why not?"

He clears his throat uncomfortably. "Because...it's my duty to look after you, and I feel as though I can do that better by remaining away once night falls."

I blink, not quite understanding why he appears so wary of being near me all of a sudden. I want him to stay, to have someone near me. I hate being alone.

"At night is when I may most likely be in danger," I remind him, motioning out the kitchen window, to the unknown forest.

Who knows what dwells out there. Not me.

A shadow passes over the Noble's face, an unfamiliar glaze settling over his eyes. "I'm not talking about that kind of danger, Aspen."

"What do you mean?"

I know what he means, but I couldn't say it.

The words he used, both erotic and frightful in nature, used to taunt my husband, come back to me. Promises of what he could do to me, were I to allow him, settle in my mind. Ones that will haunt me later tonight...

He shakes his head, as if thoughts of a similar nature plague him too. "I'll return tomorrow, with a healed Kaia. Just ensure all the doors are locked, and don't go outside for anyone.

I nod, rubbing my clammy hands together. "Got it."

And just like that, he vanishes, the door swinging softly closed in his absence.

Immediately, I ensure it's locked, before wandering around the home, becoming accustomed to it's interior.

It's small and quaint, but the lack of personality to the furnishings indicates this is a place Kastriv visits for business, or perhaps to hide, rather than live at.

I decide on the smaller bedroom, knowing that were I to take the master, I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about Kastriv and how he slept in the bed before me.

Despite how painfully quiet it is, I manage to fall asleep swiftly, plagued by the day, by seeing Kaia wounded and having Kastriv look at me like that...

Although it's not long before something rouses me from my slumber.

Sitting up, I clutch the duvet, breathing quickly, looking around the dark room. A candle I lit earlier burns magically, the golden light undulating with shadow as it flickers, making me shiver.

Sighing irritably, I slip my legs from under the covers, silently cursing myself for being foolish enough to leave a candle burning while I slept. I doubt Kastriv would be so hospitable if he found out I burnt down his cabin, and half of the pretty forest that surrounds it.

I don't know who rules here, and I don't want to find out that way...

Leaning down, I go to blow out the small flame, but pause, as a cold feeling skates over me, akin to dread.

Somebody is here.

Slowly, I stalk from the room, snatching the gifted dagger on the way out.

Please be Kastriv.

I hope he decided he was foolish for wanting to stay away from me, and that he has come back to kiss me with enough passion to knock me off my feet.

Padding through the living room, I use the light from the moon to guide me as it drenches the floorboards, illuminating the clearing outside partially.

My heart patters against my ribs as I look past petals floating from the roof and onto the ground, looking for the Noble.

Even though my senses are telling me my worst fears are about to materialise.

There is no point in avoiding him though. He is here, and hiding from him is pointless in this small cabin, in a Territory I know nothing about.

Steeling myself, I wander over to the kitchen window, knowing what is beyond. Who is beyond.

And there he stands, leaning against the trunk of a tree, picking absently at a petal. He even has the audacity to look bored, even in all his terrifying state.

I know those dark curls, that strange tattoo...

Keo is here.

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