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Word Count: 1989

~Zayla

The moment I could feel ground under my feet, I fell.

Polished wood floor caught me, my nose knocking straight into it. Squeezing my eyes shut, I roll over, my hands covering my face while pain lances right up to the front of my head. That was not the most intelligent thing I have ever done.

"Are you alright?"

I dismiss the hands trying to help me up, deciding I can sit up on my own merit. It takes a few moments of blinking and breathing for me to properly sit up and look around the place where I landed so ungracefully.

Fate crouches in front of me, holding his hand out as if it's even an option for me to get near him. Completely ignoring him, I look over his shoulder to the room he has taken me to. This is it. This is his home that I'm in, in the immortal lands, that I have no hope of escaping until he's dead.

There are no windows, at least not in this room. The walls seem to be made of natural stone, that's a light grey colour. Clearly we are underground, and as if to distract from this idea, there are many beautiful decorations hung and placed around this small room. I'm not even sure what to call it.

"I'm fine," I growl, pushing up onto my feet. Fate joins me, straightening the lapels of his jacket. Vertigo hits me straight in the head, but when Fate offers me help, I take a shuddering step away from him.

"I do want to apologise," he says coolly, tucking his hands behind his back. "To be a part of a deal you didn't have a say in can't be easy."

I stiffen. "Don't expect me to fall for your manipulation."

"You already have. You see, you summoned me. You let me get in your head, which is your first mistake," he tells me, raising an eyebrow. My teeth grind together, as I scramble for a response. He did get in my head, and it was a mistake. Both him and I know that for a fact, no matter how much I don't want to admit it.

I brush past him, before I realise I have no idea where I am. This room is only small, with two large wooden doors that are safely closed. What's beyond them, I'm not sure I want to know. Whatever it is, it belongs to Fate, which makes it something I hate.

"You summoning me gives me full access to many things. It gives me a view of your future three seconds from now. With this ability, although it's misty and can only be used at times, gives me an idea of your next move. It also allows me to see your emotions, although..."

He draws off, and I know exactly why. Anna's rock is working.

"In the immortal lands, you must be careful of everyone," he informs me, as if my mother wasn't murdered first hand by one. "That starts with understanding the meaning behind their words. No immortal says something unless it is completely necessary. You must learn to understand that."

His words sound condescending, no matter how warm his tone is attempting to be. I hope he understands how much hatred is trapped in my gaze.

When I stare at his fresh face and interesting coloured hair, it's impossible to see an immortal who has been alive for millions of years. Perhaps it's how well he conceals his true emotions, and conveys the ones he wants me to see. And he doesn't think I understand. I suddenly hate that word.

"Just tell me why you struck this deal in the first place," I demand, retreating a few steps back to the door.

"That's for tomorrow. It's late here, and the transition through realms will take effect soon. You should probably rest," Fate tells me, keeping his arms tucked neatly behind him, as if to show me he's open, and trustworthy.

Not falling for it.

"That's it?" I ask, trying to seem unimpressed although I'm immensely relieved. "No tricks or ultimatums?"

Fate shakes his head, not looking surprised that I would say that, but not so happy about it either. "No, just rest."

He brushes past me, and for a moment, I assume it's a dismissal. In one swift movement, he produces a key from his pocket, which is clearly intended for the door. I can't help but watch, curious to see what is behind it. If it's a mean of escape, then I'll have to keep it in the back of my mind.

"Only one other has been in my home," Fate murmurs, sliding the key in the lock. "It's a secret I prefer to keep from the other nosy immortals."

Now I'm too curious to stop my fidgeting. Once I hear the lock click, Fate turns around to look at me. His eyes are wary, as if he's having second thoughts about letting me see what's behind the door. I'm not sure I blame him.

"I suggest leaving all your assumptions about me at the door. It might make your experience here a little easier," he says smoothly, although I can hear the firmness.

I don't say anything.

He continues to watch me in silence, debating whether to argue with me on it. Instead, he exhales slowly, before finally pushing the door open. Seeing what lay on the other side is the last thing I expected. Maybe a dark pit of burning hell where innocent mortals are trapped. Not this.

I'm struck straight in the eyes first by bright light from the outside world. When everything begins to register in my vision, I'm caught up in the most beautiful scene ever. Jewel-blue water that fades into a shore of liquid gold, that glitters so brightly, I almost cringe. It's a small cove, with enough beach to explore, but not to lead anywhere.

The same stone that made up the room inside stretches out into large natural pillars, sheltering the small bay that has gentle ripples lapping at its feet. This is impossible...

"This place is drenched in magic," Fate tells me, stepping outside onto the wooden deck that slopes down to the sand. "The rest of the immortal lands live in night, as they are ruled by the Moon. I prefer the sun, if I'm honest."

I follow Fate, the breeze that blows off the sea unexpectedly sweet.

How much magic does Fate actually have?

"I don't understand," I breathe, looking around the small cove. A table sits in the middle of the beach, with two wicker chairs pushed up to it. It's the only major set of furniture that I see, other than a few softer chairs leaning against the pillars. The sand around the area is buttery soft and light, although, due to some kind of magic, doesn't look as if it's going to move with any kind of wind.

Fate pads his way down to the sand, kicking off his shoes while he's at it. Slowly, I do the same, wondering if I'll need these again if I'm staying here.

"Don't understand what?"

"Is this real? Like, how much of this is just fake?" I question. I expect to wander down to the shore and see something glitch and he's used it to lure me into a cell. In saying that, the breeze feels awfully real, and that sweet, almost citrus scent shouldn't be giving me such shivers if it wasn't.

He twists around. "This is as real as it gets. I alter a few things, like the addition of sunlight, and the temperature of the air and water."

I exhale, wondering if I can trust him. Of course not, but I'm not sure why he would fake something like this. It's his home, his personal residence. When I look at him, he doesn't strike me as the kind of person to enjoy the beach, however, from this sheltered, comfortable cove, it seems so obvious.

"This is the last thing I thought you would like," I admit, stepping down onto the sand. Despite the stone above us completely sheltering everything, the sand has a pleasant warmth, as it slips between my toes. I've never seen or felt something so unique in my entire life.

Fate's gaze weighs heavily on me. "That's why I told you to leave your assumptions at the door. Believe it or not, not everything someone says is true."

I'm tempted to bring up why I'm so wary. My parents, and their death. I stop myself.

"You're right about the rest thing," I tell him, hoping he won't notice my hesitation on the subject. "I could really do with some sleep, if that's okay."

He seems relieved that I'm not still resisting. There's no real point. I'm not escaping, and by the looks of this place, I'm not yet tempted to. Fate seems civil, for now, and until I get my bearings, I won't be making any move to complete my mission.

"Your room is this way," Fate tells me, walking toward the shore.

I follow warily, not seeing any sense of a room anywhere around here. HIs feet touch the edge of the shore, as he continues walking. At that moment, the light seems to glint upon something in the water - a path, which I hadn't noticed, just under the surface. Fate walks casually across it, and with a slight glance over his shoulder, he beckons me to do so too.

The water is cool to the touch, but as my entire foot submerges, warmth consumes it. It's a startling feeling that has me wanting to drive straight into the crystal clear water around us.

"So, where's the room?" I ask, balancing on the path while Fate walks across casually.

He pauses, placing his hand against something I can't see. A ripple effect shudders from his hand, and suddenly, I could see a small room right in front of me, in less than a blink.

"I've decided I hate magic," I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief.

A chuckle is Fate's only response.

Fate cracks the door open, standing aside to let me walk in. The room is average size, with everything I could possibly need, and a little more. I'm curious to go through the dresser and see if Fate actually supplied me with anything like he promised.

It's airy and light in here, the bed carpet a light grey, with the bed pushed against the far wall dressed in satin white. I'm tempted to jump straight onto it, but refrain with Fate right behind me.

"Thank you," I murmur, turning around to look at him. He leans against the doorframe, dark eyes assessing me. "For not killing me and stuff."

He smiles slightly. "I'm glad to have you here, Zayla. It might not make sense yet, but it will."

I don't reply, as he closes the door after him, and walks away.

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What do you guys think of Fate's residence? Expect something like that?

I'm hoping this book will bring out more of who Fate really is.

It's fun playing around with his backstory, letting it come in when I please. Very enjoyable.

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~Midika 💜🐼