Sweat dripped down her back, matting her hair to her forehead and the fabric of her shirt sticking to her back.

Red bruises covered her shoulders and knuckles, sore and recent as her fist collided with the inflated punch bag once again, sweat running down the bridge of her nose.

Despite the blood rushing to her ears and her throat tightening with the slick feeling of blood choking off air, she inhaled a breath, her lungs straining as she did so before exhaling.

After her morning encounter with Lucien and sparring with Venix, the BloodBone had abandoned her to help Alesandria with her training, patting her on her shoulder with a promise of the night. Not wanting to be a burden, the Siphon had simply encouraged her to go, leaving her alone and aching.

Since everyone else was busy setting up since Draco arrived and was dragged away by Rheynoak, there weren't many people in the training room, leaving the Siphon with her anger, thoughts, and a punching bag to calm her.

Her chest was sore and aching, her fists hitting the punching bag over and over again until her muscles snapped inside of her and her bones cracked under pressure.

But nothing but fog and anger and confusion crossed those gold, emerald ringed eyes that twinkled like day stars, her strength outweighing everything that surrounded her.

A wind brushed past the Siphon's face, cold and unwanted. She stopped in her tracks, casting a side glance over her shoulder but not an outline of a shadow met her eyes. Choosing to ignore the slither that went down her spine, she turned back to the punching bag.

Caught in her own mind and the bag that stood before her, the Siphon was blatantly unaware of the footsteps that crept up on her, silent and deadly as its tall silhouette towered over hers. A warm hand was placed on her shoulders, calloused but undeniably soft hands squeezing her hands.

"I'm okay, Venix. No need to check up on me" Onyx uttered, furrowing her brows. An amused chuckle fell out of his lips, placing another hand on her shoulder. This one was cold and unwanted, snapping the Siphon out of her thoughts and turning her around to meet ruby-ringed light eyes.

"Draco" was all she said, lowering her fists down to her sides. "In the flesh" he replied back, smiling down at her.

"Why are you here?" she asked suddenly, raising her brow. He frowned down at her, flicking her nose. She growled back, rolling her eyes. "I believe I told Rheynoak I would be dropping by soon but obviously his tiny mind couldn't comprehend my words."

His eyes drifted over to the necklace around her neck, a small smile tweaking his lips. "I see you have taken every good care of my present."

Despite the pain that was crunching her insides and the blood boiling under her skin, the Siphon mustered a smile, relaxing a finger against the ruby locket. "It belonged to your mother and you entrusted me with it" she pointed out, shrugging. "That's more of a compliment if anything."

"Technically, I gave it to you because of your glorious intruigment with art and I always appreciate a woman with a taste for the finer, more luxurious things" the Emperor corrected her, taking his eyes of the locket to briefly make eye contact with her. A glint of light twinkled in his gold eyes and he smiled. "But your reasons aren't too bad either."

Taking a breath, he let his hands fall from Onyx's shoulders and watched with careful eyes as she unwrapped the bloody bandages she had wrapped around her knuckles. The thin bandages did nothing to protect her, her skin raw and bleeding. "I thought you would be checking up on Alesandria," Onyx said to him, discarding the bandages in a nearby garbage bin.

"I thought she would be in here training but I stumbled upon you as you can see" he responded back. The Siphon laughed, shaking her as she took a towel from a nearby rack and wiped her hands clean of any dry blood. "She is still training with Venix. I believe they are out by the sand dunes."

"They couldn't have chosen anywhere more shady, huh?" Draco said, rushing his fingers through his hair. "How is she doing since the oath?"

"She's doing okay. We still don't know exactly what she is since she is demonstrating several different strengths and powers and her marks seem to be changing every day but it's definitely an improvement."

This time the Emperor frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "I would have guessed your mate would have figured it out by himself with that seemingly intelligent mind of his," he said, sarcasm intertwined in his words. The Siphon smiled once again, draping the bloody towel on the floor before sitting down herself.

"He's not my mate" she confirmed, shaking her head. The emperor raised a brow at her but said nothing more.

Onyx shrugged once again, resting a hand on her stomach, a bead of sweat dripping down her face. "How is her family doing in Elsavior?" she asked through gritted teeth. The Emperor took one at her fatigued body and her shaky fingers.

"They're fine but you are obviously not." Draco took a seat on the floor next to her, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Your skin feels like someone lit you on fire in the middle of the desert, Onyx. What the hell is going on?"

Onyx sighed, shaking her head once again. "It's not worth discussing it" she simply replied, grimacing in pain at the itch that burned her throat. Her fingers dug into her skin, sweat slicking her nails.

"Onyx, I-"

She cut him off before he could continue. "Forget it" she growled, her gold eyes seething with fire. She shrugged his hand off her shoulder, frowning deeply at him.

An ache burned in his chest, his light eyes taking in the pain she was going through. Despite her vicious ways, something about her eyes sparked something warm within him, something that tugged him closer to her. Maybe it was the way they burned with fire or ached for someone to save a broken soul but his heart wretched underneath his chest seeing the pain she was caged in.

The determine emperor furrowed his brows, uncrossing his arms. Gently, he set his hand on her knee, capturing her attention.

"You being in pain is something worth talking about, Onyx" he uttered to her, using his other hand to cup the side of her face. "Look at you, your suffering and deep down, I think you know something is wrong. You don't have to tell me what your thoughts are exactly but still, at least tell me what's wrong?"

The Siphon took a sharp breath in, seeing the intensity that rose past his ocean eyes that seem to mix with the soft hues of a forest. A dark sky twinkled behind those light colors, a magnetic feeling tugging at her heart.

Frowning once again, she lowered her gaze to the hand on her knee, smiling a bit. "I haven't been feeling well the past month. Ever since the oath, my body feels like it's been held underwater and I have been drowning constantly without an end. Terrifying nightmares plague my mind, my body is weak and my powers seem to be dwindling. I've been terribly ill."

Onyx sighed once again, shaking her head. "I just don't know what to do."

"And you haven't told Rheynoak or Venix or anyone about this?" Draco asked, rubbing her knee lovingly. The Siphon only shook her head, covering her mouth as another violent cough fell from her lips. "N-No" she managed to say in between coughs.

When she removed her hand, spots of blood dotted her palm and lips, pitch black. "I don't want them to worry," she said, shaking her head. "Besides, my body is still adjusting to the effects the oath had on me. sure it will blow over."

"I'm not so sure about that" Draco muttered under his breath, taking his hand off her knee. A scuff left the Siphon's lips, her eyes rolling. "Well, what is your theory?" Onyx asked, turning her gaze over to him.

For a minute, the Emperor froze underneath her emerald ringed stare, losing his breath underneath the curiosity that lingered in between her gaze. Light eyes sparkled once more, a vein around his neck twitching in response. His eyes seemed glassy, his hands clammy for a split second.

"I don't know" he fibbed, placing his palms on the floor. "I just don't know."

Her taunting laughter rang in the air, her head shaking. "Well," she said, wiping her hand on her black pants. "That makes two of us."

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Six!

Double update! YAYYYY!

Hopefully, that makes up for my absence....hopefully

Like I said, Draco is a sexy beast and I absolutely love his character but can we talk about this chapter for a moment! Are you guys feeling the tension, the extreme tension between them?

It's magnetic, strange, even...possible. I don't know. I don't want to predict anything...yet but come on guys, you felt it right?

Anyway, what do you think is wrong with Onyx? It's still strange huh? I'm getting worried for her. Don't cough up too much blood, Onyx.

...Okay, I need some sleep XD

Thank you guys for all your constant support. It means so much to me that you enjoy this book. I enjoy writing it and to hear your feedback always makes my day!

So tell me what your thoughts are on this chapter and don't forget to comment down below and vote if you liked it.

Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May