CHAPTER 43: BE CAREFUL

(Amaia)

Rigel exudes danger. I know nothing about him, and yet I can relate so much to him. This all could be a test set up by Alnilam and I am going to fail miserably.

Since, Alnilam refused to believe my story and branded me immoral. Maybe I should prove him right and stay the night with Rigel.

"I won’t harm you, Amaia. You are now the only person I can never hurt." Rigel’s words are bone-chilling and I can only imagine the resentment he holds. The blood lust he carries.

I let his arms curl around him, let his body spoon me. It’s refreshing and that constant ache in my heart has diminished.

"I am not afraid of you," I whisper back.

He places his nose in the dip between my neck and shoulder and inhales slowly as if savouring my scent. His cold body keeps the heat away and yet it’s not coldness I feel from him.

A warmth births in me.

"I know, but you can’t tell anyone about me or us being mates. Wrong people learning this information can hurt you and that is the last thing I want," he says ruefully. His hand slowly traces my bare arm, sending a scintillating shiver running through me.

"I understand. Can that person come here today?" I question, suddenly afraid that someone could hurt or punish him.

"No. Only come every fourth day. Was here yesterday, so not expected to arrive for the next three days," he explains, but his voice is more raspy, almost sleepy. A yawn leaves him.

"Right."

But I am already making up my mind. Whatever spell has been cast on him and whoever has cast that spell, I am going to get him out of here and set him free.

My magic is never wrong about anyone, and it has never tried to reach someone as desperately as it has for Rigel. I might not have a very strong grip on my magic because I haven’t learnt how to control or use it fully but I trust it completely.

And then I hear his slow breathing against my neck and his arms slacken their hold. He seems to have drifted off to sleep.

Slowly, I turn in his hold so I can face him. His gorgeous eyes are closed, obscured by his dark tresses. Carefully, I slide them away from his face using the tips of my fingers.

Such sharpness his face possesses, like carved with precision but there is also innocence and peace. He doesn’t appear to be more than 23-24 years of age, but then again, vampires age differently.

My hand rests on his cheek and all those mysterious shadows which move across his body gather around the skin of his face as if trying to touch me.

A smile spread on my lips seeing this. My magic and his shadows both seem desperate to reach each other.

I don’t know but there is a similarity about him, something I cannot place.

My hands shift to the bloody chains holding him hostage and I notice the bruises on his wrist. They must constantly be healing and appearing again and again.

I do wonder if these chains are a part of his curse and if I set him free, breaking these chains, will the curse be broken?

Watching him, my eyes begin to droop too. Even though my stomach is empty and food lies just outside the cell, I don’t want to leave his arms.

Soon, I drift off to sleep too, with hopes I won’t have to experience the pains of betrayal again.

"Hey!" His deep and gravelly voice wakes me up. The knuckles are gently caressing my injured cheek.

With difficulty, I open my eyes and meet his concerned ones.

"What happened here?" He touches the small cut left by Alnilam’s sword.

"Sword practice session with Alnilam, my grumpy mentor," I answer with a small yawn.

He continues to caress it as if wishing he could heal me with his touch.

"Be careful," he possessively says. If only he knew I have three other mates, I wonder what his reaction would be.

"You are magic, Amaia. I haven’t slept so peacefully since my imprisonment, except for when I am rendered unconscious. But with you in my arms, I think we slept till late in the morning."

Down here, there is no concept of time but I can guess it’s way past morning.

"Do these chains hurt?" I ask, touching the one around his thick wrist.

"They inhibit my abilities and drain my strength. The more I struggle the more pain they cause, especially at night." His explanation reminds me of the mark on my thigh which constantly keeps me in pain because my mates are always around.

It seems like he and I are strung in the same thread by fate.

"I will set you free, Rigel. I promise."

His hand slowly traces the skin of my arm. The chains clink together with every movement. There is no lust in his actions but a certain possessiveness. He hasn’t even tried to kiss me. Vampires are known for their sexual lust and insatiable hunger. They bond with their mates by instantly having sex just like werewolves so why is he different? They don’t care about morality especially after the apocalypse, people had stopped caring.

"I know. Even if I am never set free I will die a happy vampire because I found you, Amaia." His hand now explores the skin of my back, making me ticklish.

After that we just lie there, staring into each other’s gazes when he reminds me. "You should eat, you must be hungry and food will go bad." His words remind me why I am here and I need to get back to work.

I sigh at his words, wishing to remain there. Slowly I leave his arms and rise.

"I need to get back to cleaning otherwise my strict teacher will extend my detention," I murmur.

"Come, lie with me when you get tired. I will take away your tiredness." Rigel slowly sits up. I nod at him with a smile while standing up and adjusting my bra.

"You are beautiful. I can watch you all day," he speaks again like a man in a trance. There is this craziness in his eyes that screams he can do anything for me. His long hooded lashes slowly lift. I can only imagine the bond getting stronger for him because he can actually feel it.

"And yet you didn’t even touch me inappropriately. Not even once. Or tried to bond with me. Why?" I cannot help but ask.

That beautiful smile on his lips instantly drops, almost making me regret my question. But he doesn’t appear mad, only hurt.

And I just stand there desperately waiting for his answer.