Word Count: 1586

~Millicent

I'm not sure how I'm meant to react.

My mind isn't playing tricks on me. Sinful, my mate, is standing right in front of me, hands shoved in his pant pockets, watching me. Those lavender eyes strike me into silence for a moment, as I come to terms with all that comes with him being here, in this library right now, because it's not all that simple.

Does the Moon know? How did he even get in here in the first place? Who let him in? There are so many questions that Sinful isn't answering. I simply can't get the words out of my mouth to greet him.

I place my finger to my lips. Anymore that he says could be detected by the Moon, especially being so close to what might be his home behind this wall.

That is, if he can have one.

Sinful raises an eyebrow at me. How is it possible that he looks so different to how I remember him? What happened to the shaggy haired, lean immortal I knew? He seems taller, with broader shoulders, sharper features and a sense of power that seeps from him, filling this room with his presence.

There is not one place here that I'm truly safe. However, the Moon often leaves me be when I'm in my room, since Lucy is usually with me. He can trust that my little assistant would tell all if he squeezed it out of her.

Sinful follows with no words, no protest, as I lead him out of the library, throughout the halls, toward my bedroom quarters. There are no guards hanging around.

It's a small mercy.

I don't take him into my bedroom, bringing him to a stop in my personal foyer. It's small, intimidate, a fire kept blazing at all times in the corner. No one is invited in here on a normal day. Even Lucy keeps out at the best of times.

A breath of relief escapes me as I close to the door quietly behind me. Sinful wanders into the room, letting me lock us both in. When I turn around, he is looking around. Books are scattered everywhere. Sometimes, if a book intrigues me past the first few chapters, I bring it here to properly enjoy.

"I should have known you would have good taste-"

"What are you doing here?" I question, folding my arms over my chest. I'm flustered, not prepared for a visit from him. How am I meant to react to this?

"You haven't read my letter," he comments, dismissing my question. I take a moment to gain control of my wild thoughts. With Analia's visits, I'm often ready; I know how she works making it easy to control how our conversation goes. But I haven't had time, experience with speaking to him in order for this to go how I need it to.

Uneasily, I remain standing by the door, not wanting to get any closer to him. The cloying scent of jasmine has already consumed this room.

"Don't you know they say that showing up uninvited is rude?" I say smoothly. My goal is to try get him out of here quickly. I don't need to know why he is here, or what he wants. The quicker I get him out of here, the least likely I will face a punishment like today's.

Sinful shrugs. "I thought you could do with some spontaneity in your life."

"How kind of you," I retort.

Silence stretches throughout the room as Sinful watches me. I refuse to look away from him, not wanting to lose, even in the smallest battle. Sinful, being the immortal he is, can intimidate anyone who is in a room he walks into. But with me, that will not work. I refuse to be intimidated by him. Ever.

"It's good to see you, Millicent. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you," he says smoothly, looking at me earnestly. I hate the way my heart flutters at his words. My body is going to react to him, as my mate; I just need to ensure I don't let it get the best of me.

I chew on the edge of my lip, thinking. "And what spurred this, Sinful? I thought we had an agreement."

It wasn't a spoken agreement, but I know Sinful acknowledges it.

"It seems Analia isn't charming you very much anymore, so I thought my message would be best communicated from my mouth instead," he informs me. For a moment, my eyes flicker down to the mouth he speaks of. He has a graceful mouth with full lips that are so enticing that for a single moment, I can't take my eyes away. I have to force myself.

"What's your message then?" I question, watching him wander across the room, toward the cracking fire. Can immortals burn?

Sinful turns and looks at me, the reflection of the embers glowing in his eyes. It startles me for a moment, the way he looks at me. The intensity of his entire being has taken me off guard, but I would like to think I'm handling myself quite well.

"Come with me. Come home with me."

All the moisture in my mouth vanishes. It wouldn't be the first time he has offered this to me, but never once have I expected it to be given to me again. Especially since last time, I denied him and he never heard from me again.

Until now, that is.

"I have a life here Sinful. A duty to serve," I remind him. In reality, my life here is a scheduled torture that on my own, I'm planning to escape from. I'm not, however, planning to escape with Sinful. If there is anyone the Moon despises, it's Sinful, and he will find a way to punish me wherever I am on this world.

Sinful still sees me as the Goddess who lives in her temple being sung to each day. It's easier he believes that, so he doesn't interfere.

"Millicent, we both know how tight of a leash he keep on you. He did it to me once before also. You haven't felt true freedom in a long while, and I can tell you, it's amazing," he tells me. It's as if he thinks he can entice me to take his offer. He has no idea what he has just stepped into. This could cause grave problems for me.

"There are people who rely on me," I remind him.

It's not really true. People think they rely on me, but I don't have much power on offer to give them. They just like to have someone to believe in.

Sinful is relentless. This isn't something he is going to give in to without a fight, which is both the most endearing, and most painful part of him. Typical stubborn immortals. I can't tell if it's good to have someone love you or not.

"I've built a home for you," he tells me softly.

Hearing that excites me, but I don't react. A place out of here sounds amazing, but I would never admit that. Instead, I watch Sinful as intently as he watches me. He still has that boyish charm I remember, but also that regal handsomeness. I can't help but wonder what he has been doing while I've been up here. Living his life better than myself, surely.

"You should go. I'll be in contact with you later," I tell him promptly. I need him out of here, despite how all I want to do is sit here and watch him.

"He doesn't know I'm here, by the way. You don't need to worry," he assures me. I grit my teeth, cursing my weakness. He knows, that despite my facade, I fear the Moon. Sinful knows this place well, but not as well as I do.

A force a smile onto my face.

"I'm simply concerned because I have to make my appearance at the prisons. Some of them have taken quite the liking to me," I say. I'm trying to make him feel obliged to leave, rather than forced.

"Alright, I'll get out of your way, precious Moon Goddess," he says, the smirk on his face telling all. I narrow my eyes on him as he brushes past me.

"Was that letter you sent me to ask me to live within your home?" I ask him.

He pauses, turning around on his heel. "The invitation is always open, remember that."

I nod sharply, letting him know I'll consider it, when in fact, I won't. Instead, I lead him back outside, just on the border of my living quarters. I can see the way he looks around, hopefully noticing how lavish my surroundings are. He needs to believe my life here is good.

"I'll be in contact with you, at some point," I tell him, smiling at him politely. "That is, if I have time. It oftens gets the better of me."

There's a smile on Sinful's eyes, as if he sees right through me. I'm sure he has no idea, though.

"I'll get you one of these days, Millicent. I have a feeling it will be soon," he tells me surely. I don't want to believe him, as he turns and walks away.

Because the idea of him saving me is truly terrifying.

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If you're liking the story, head over to Radish, where this book is ten chapters ahead (:

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~Midika 💜🐼