Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Eden
The note sits on the vanity like it’s daring me to ignore it.
Dinner. One hour. Wear something beautiful. –A
A dinner invitation from my corrupted mate.
M
Should be fun… or terrifying. I can’t decide. I just stare at the elegant handwriting while brushing my red hair. Slow and methodical, like I’m brushing knots out of my thoughts.
Why is Azriel acting like this is normal?
Is the corrupted part of him really so afraid of losing me that he thinks imprisoning me is better than letting me breathe in the real world?
An image of Azriel’s white, glowing eyes hits me and I shiver. He still looks as beautiful as he did before he ate Mara’s heart. My heart still races when I look at him, but there’s also a deep–rooted fear in me now.
I think it’s because, deep inside, I know that I’m not safe with him. He isn’t himself, and if I give him the slightest reason to throw me away, he will. Because his brain isn’t healthy. The mate bond won’t save me. And my appearance?
It does not matter.
Yet I keep brushing my hair as if a pretty face would save me from the monster that my mate has become.
Maybe it will buy me time.
My red hair gleams in the candlelight like fire–wine. I gather it into my hands, and with a small breath, I let my magic flow through my fingertips. My hair lifts, weaving into soft waves, a few pieces braiding themselves with eerie grace.
The gown I picked clings in all the right places. Midnight silk, embroidered with silver vines. The neckline dares you to stare. The skirt flows like smoke. I apply a soft layer of lipstick and stare into the mirror.
One brown eye. One green.
A mismatched stare that makes even me pause.
The fox in the mirror looks afraid.
But she also looks dangerous.
“He won’t notice,” I whisper. “Be pretty. Be quiet. Be clever.”
I smile. Not a sweet smile. The kind that means war.
The dining hall doors open before I can touch them.
Azriel is already seated. He rises when I step in.
“You look radiant,” he says.
“Thank you.” My voice is soft. Careful. Polished.
“You wear obedience well tonight,” he adds.
“Only when it’s fashionable,” I reply smoothly.
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Chapter 87
He chuckles and gestures for me to sit. I walk slowly, heels clicking.
The meal begins in silence. The food is rich, decadent, almost mocking. I eat in measured bites, aware of his gaze.
“So,” he finally says, “did the library answer your questions?”
I smile lightly. “It answered some.”
“Only some?”
“You left out the chapter on how to break free from a magical prison.”
Azriel smirks. “That one’s classified.”
I sip my wine, lifting a brow. “I figured.”
His voice lowers, “What did you think of the fox chapters?”
“They were illuminating,” I say. “Strange, but familiar. Like remembering something I never learned.”
He hums in approval. “You always had more magic than you realized. Even when you thought you were just a mere Omega.”
“You mean before or after you caged me in this palace? Because let’s be real, this place is suffocating me slowly.”
Azriel doesn’t flinch. “You misunderstand. I didn’t cage you. I saved you.”
I tilt my head, not believing his lying ass for a second. “From what?”
He leans in. “From the world that wanted to use you.”
“You got rid of the one wanting to eat me!”
“Mara was only the beginning,” he says, sipping his wine. “You’re powerful and others will come for you, Eden. Your power is what draws them in. They want your flesh. Your blood. Your fox is growing stronger. Dangerous. You need guidance.”
“Funny,” I murmur. “Dangerous is my description for you.”
“You think I’m dangerous.”
“I don’t have to think when I know.”
He smiles again, and it’s not unkind. “You remind me of her, you know.”
My eyes narrow. “Who?”
“Of my sister.”
“Mara?!”
“The person she was before her magic corrupted her. If you aren’t careful and if you don’t let me guide you, your magic could easily corrupt you, Eden. You shouldn’t thank me for bringing you here.”
I swallow. “I’m not anything like Mara.”
“I hope so,” he says. “Because she lost it.”
“And you devoured her”
“I did,” he says. “And I liked it.”
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Chapter 87
He swirls his wine again. “She thought she could control me with my true name. Thought she was clever”
His eyes meet mine. “But when you eat someone’s heart, you learn all their secrets. Every memory. Every lie. And guess what? How I’m the one who knows her true name.”
He says it.
Just like that.
In a teasing, cruel voice.
The shadows hiss.
I pretend to sip my wine.
“Now,” he says, “no one controls me.”
“Not even me?” I ask, coy.
“You?” Azriel leans forward. “You’ve always had my attention.”
The dinner ends. He offers his hand. I take it.
He kisses it, lips on my knuckles.
“You are everything I hoped you would be,” he whispers. “I just wish you would see what I see and realize you need to be here.”
I want to scream at him. To tell him he’s wrong. That this place is a cage and I’m not more than a a fucking pet.
But I smile instead.
Because he’s watching too closely. Because I’m afraid he might lose his control and hurt me if I anger him.
“I’ll try,” I whisper, and his eyes darken with satisfaction.
He walks me back to my room. Doesn’t follow me inside. The moment the door closes behind me, I lean against it, shaking.
Azriel is scary.
I want to leave.
I want to save Axel.
…if I can.
I have to go back to the libary tomorrow. Learn about my magic and then…leave this place far behind.
O
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