CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: A GODDESS IN A LION’S DEN.

Far beyond the mortal kingdoms, past several worlds bigger and larger than any other, lay a realm hidden from the naked eyes.

A place untouched by time and unreachable by those born of earth. The air shimmered faintly with silver particles, swirling like floating embers from an invisible fire.

Columns sculpted from black gems spiraled toward a sky that reflected no stars but only a sprawling darkness broken by occasional streaks of violet lightning.

And inside the tallest structure, within a room crafted with an architect’s madness and an artist’s devotion stood a towering figure: Xavriel.

The room was exquisite almost too exquisite for someone like him. Violet curtains draped in deep maroon brushed against crystalline floors that mirrored everything above. A massive chandelier, made of constellations, hovered, illuminating the space in a dim, golden haze. A fire pit crackled silently at the center real flames, yet soundless, as though the room itself refused to disturb the quiet.

Xavriel leaned against the open balcony, his tall form silhouetted against the edge of a gigantic building that looked as though it had been sliced cleanly into the sky. He wore a tight, red shirt that clung to every line of his torso, firm against the solid, carved muscles beneath.

The fabric stretched over his broad, large shoulders and tapered perfectly along the powerful column of his back. His sleeves rolled halfway revealed ink that spiraled down his right arm.

A cigarette rested between his long, tapered fingers. He brought it to his lips and inhaled deeply. The quiet crackle of the ember was the only sound, and the air around him trembled gently as smoke left his mouth in slow, controlled streams.

He looked completely bored. He simply looked deep in thought.

His expression, usually laced with mischief or cold calculation, held a staunch, straight look. Xavriel was always known for having a mature face right frim childhood in contrast to his brother with slightly less features.

No wonder he stood out more...in a negative way.

His eyes were fixed on the horizon. A small, dangerous smile lit up his face at the sudden appearence of someone. He remained in his position, the smile fixed to his face as he continued with his cigarette.

After a long moment, the corner of his lips lifted a little higher.

"You finally decided to pay me a visit, I see," he said softly in a deep, masculine voice, with that calm, unhurried cadence. His entire aura rippled through the air like ink dipped in darkness.

He didn’t turn around.

Behind him, a figure had silently appeared. The figure materialized as though woven from silver threads that had been pulled from starlight itself.

Her presence dispelled the dark, suffocating aura that had enveloped the entire room. So much so that it didn’t go unnoticed by the man radiating such energy.

The atmosphere shifted; growing warmer, softer, charged with a divine shimmer.

The figure remained still, watching his broad back. Her gentle eyes, personality and figure shone quietly from where she stood, giving the room more light than necessary.

When she eventually spoke, her smooth, gentle voice reverberated like sugar wrapped in honey.

"Someone has to put you on a leash."

The corners of Xavriel’s lips twitched upward.

He chuckled with a dangerous amusement that vibrated low in his chest. Then he finally turned. The dark chuckle was enough to send any one falling at his feet. But not her.

She had seen this man too much of this man to waver. Or so she thought.

Xavriel pivoted slowly, tapping the butt of his cigarette lightly. A huge, grey suit was draped around his shoulders as he walks towards her with one hand in his pockets.

Ash fell like grey snowflakes to the gleaming floor. He faced her,his smirk widening into something playful yet predatory.

He began walking toward her, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other holding the cigarette loosely between his fingers.

"Too bad," he said, drawing in another long drag.

The ember glowed. His chest expanded, then he leaned his head slightly to the side as he exhaled. Smoke curled around him like serpents, soft and swirling.

He let the silence stretch as he approached her.

Seraphine, goddess of creation and celestial harmony though she rarely used her titles anymore.

Her silver hair shiny and long enough that it brushed her waist glowed faintly even in the dim room. She wore a simple, flowing white gown that contrasted violently with the shadow-drenched monster in front her.

Her eyes were fixed on him in a mixture of irritation and something she didn’t want to acknowledge.

Xavriel reached her and stopped only a breath away.

He lifted his hand.

His fingers,cool, calloused, and ink-stained slipped beneath her chin. He tilted her face upward gently but firmly.

"You’ve gotten feistier, Sera," he murmured. His voice deepened on her nickname.

"You used to be so gentle." His eyes gleamed with teasing affection. "What happened? Hmm?"

He leaned in slowly...too slowly, his gaze dropping from her eyes to her lips, lingering there in shameless interest.

Seraphine’s breath hitched.

Her heart gave a traitorous jump. One she immediately despised.

His smirk grew. "I see you still react to my touches."

He saw it. He always saw everything.

Her pupils trembled slightly, her lips parted in a soft, involuntary intake of breath. His presence overwhelmed her senses: the heat of his closeness, the faint scent of smoke mixed with something darker and intoxicating.

Xavriel always had this effect on her. Great. Just when she thought she was completely immune to this.

It was infuriating and was dangerous. She remembered her promise to herself. No. I can’t fall for this scheming man again.

She slapped his hand away sharply.

Xavriel blinked, amused. His slapped hand hung in the air a few inches from her face.

With his body bent to her height, his sharp jaw worked while his Adam’s apple bobbled up and down.

Then he lifted both hands in mock surrender.

"Fiery," he said with a grin in his dark, deep voice tinged with amusement. "I’m not complaining. I love this side of you, Sera."

He reached out again but didn’t touch her face. Instead, his hand gently patted her shiny, silver hair. His fingers brushed through a strand, almost reverently, looking completely lost in its glitter.

Seraphine sighed deeply, annoyance coloring her features.

"Don’t touch me."

Xavriel though looking directly at her face, didn’t notice her annoyance. Or he chose to.

"Why not Sera? You used to love this."

Seraphine’s eyes shot up. Anger rippling in her snow-white eyes.

"Don’t call me that."

"Or else?" he asked lightly, tilting his head.

She narrowed her eyes, fighting the urge to use her powers on him. "I’m not here to play with you. I don’t know what you’re planning or what the hell it is you’re stirring but you must stop it, Xavriel."

That name...his name, spoken so firmly by her lips made something in him shift.

His smile dropped but he still continued stroking her hair. "You shouldn’t swear my little goddess. It doesn’t suit your gentle tongue."

The silence sharpened.

Before she could register the change, he moved.

In one swift, soundless motion, he closed the space between them. One moment he stood relaxed; the next, his tattooed hand had wrapped loosely but undeniably possessively around her neck. His fingers curved gently along the side of her throat, not squeezing, not threatening, just resting there with deliberate intimacy.

His face hovered inches from hers.

His breath ghosted across her lips, warm and tinged with smoke.

Seraphine froze. Xavriel wasn’t a man to be toyed with. He was a cunning fox who’d let you toy with him for a while before counterattacking in a deadlier way. She knew he was just a step away from going berserk and feral all at once.

Out of the sudden, overwhelming reminder of who he truly was, she managed to get a hold of herself. How can he still have so much effect on me after all these years...?

Their gazes locked, her pure, heavenly eyes clashing with his darker than crimson’s. Xavriel smirked mischievously. His scent and dark aura overshadowed her senses. Her pure, heavenly light shone brilliantly from her body, engaging in a silent war with his dark, majestic aura.

"You’ve always been too pure, Sera. Too..

innocent. I genuinely wonder sometimes how we even got to this point."

His voice, when he spoke, was a quiet storm. His hand remained on her throat, his lips almost reaching her pale pink ones.

No kidding, this man could suck the life out of anyone or anything.

"I’d hate to taint your purity with my dirty sins and I wouldn’t want you mixed in the crossfire," he whispered, continuing from where he left off. His thumb brushed her jaw in a slow, too-tender stroke. "So stay away, my little goddess. Okay?"

His words were soft despite his dark, seemingly heavily drunk voice.

Xavriel tapped her cheek lightly with his thumb , playful, intimate, claiming, before pulling away completely.

Seraphine felt her throat burn hot where his fingers had rested. The faintest echo of his touch lingered, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine.

She hated that.

Hated how effortlessly he affected her.

Xavriel didn’t give her time to recover.

"You can stay for a while if you like," he offered casually, strolling back toward the balcony. "I can have the chefs whip up something tasty."

Despite his casual tone, the offer carried its own weight. To her, there was silent message beneath the words. There was just always something with this man that could make anyone second guess his words even if it were true.

"Not interested," she said coolly as she recovered herself quickly from the flurry he had plunged her into. Xavriel knew what he was doing and he knew she knew what he wanted.

His steps paused.

Then, slowly, he looked over his shoulder at her.

Their eyes met for the final time.

For a brief second barely a heartbeat her breathing stopped. Looking at him fully for the first time since she appeared, she couldn’t help but admire just how drop dead gorgeous this man was.

He had this devil-like beauty that made him look like he was the Satan’s handsomely crafted masterpiece of ages. His body, his hair, everything reminded her of the past.

Their past...

Seraphine turned away first.

Before her own emotions betrayed her. Before she found herself falling for him again. She sure was hell wasn’t going to let that happen.

Seraphine couldn’t even trust her own body anymore. She knew quite well the unthinkable might happen if she stayed there a minute longer. This man was capable of things even she hadn’t fully unravelled yet.

She lifted a hand, traced a swift symbol in the air, and her form dissolved into shimmering light.

She disappeared.

Leaving Xavriel standing alone in the expensive chamber.

The silence returned.

He chuckled darkly, taking another long drag from his cigarette. Smoke curled around him like a crown made of ashes. He walked back inside, flicking the cigarette toward a gold-trimmed ashtray. He crushed the ember with a slow, deliberate grind of his thumb.

"What a feisty little goddess," he murmured, grinning darkly to himself.

The smirk returned to his lips.

His eyes glowed faintly.

And the darkness around him pulsed like something alive answering his mood. Her lingering presence was immediately quenched by his dark, overpowering one the moment she left. The entire placed returned to its dark, dreary state.

Of a truth, he didn’t want her getting involved in his plans for a reason or two.

Because no matter how far Seraphine ran, no matter how bright her divinity was...

Xavriel had always been the darkness that followed her. There were things she had ended between them that he didn’t agree with

And he sure wasn’t done yet...