Chapter 98 "You really think you can get rid of me that easily, Amarien?"
Amarien's POV
The wind from the river danced slowly to my face. The refreshing mist almost melted my hardened heart, but I quickly reminded myself of the reason I agreed to come out with Theron.
Theron stood still, his back against me. He seemed to be enjoying the cool of this night. He spread his hands to the night air, taking it in.
This was the right moment to use the knife. But Theron was a few feet away from me. He would sense me if I got any closer. I needed to ease him, get close enough so he would be at ease before I struck.
"Do you usually throw such scandalous parties here in the south?" I said, stepping slowly to him, closing the gap between us.
Theron's head turned, and his eyes showed me he was smiling. "I see my parties are quite heavy for your very bland taste in the East."
I forced a bitter smile, remembering my first day in the Emperor's banquet. I was a little girl then: naive, wide-eyed and fighting for her life. It seemed everything in the palace was out to hunt me and tear me to pieces, including the emperor.
"Trust me when I tell you we are no different when it comes to debauchery and scandals."
Theron turned around as if my boldness had taken him by surprise.
"You don't say." He said as if impressed. "Despite their sins, they love to take the high moral ground over everyone else, claiming the human race is superior."
I felt my hand linger on the steel knife. For a moment, I remembered Grandma Chichi's letters with Alpha Logan and how I questioned my identity after.
It will be nice not to identify with the race that has done nothing but bring mystery and pain into my life.
Theron studied me for a moment as if reading my mind. He leaned in. "The only superior race is one with the power of the full moon. The East should mourn its loss for ages for letting such a precious gift as you go." His hands brushed my cheeks softly.
I'm curious if he was being sarcastic as usual. But his eyes bore on me with an intensity that was both endearing and unnerving. I lowered my eyes, blinking tears off.
"You could feel their loss when they all gather to whip me to my death."
Theron's lips curved into a wicked smirk, and he began pacing me round me. His eyes ran through every length and breadth of my body. His eyes were so palpable against my skin that it was almost as good as touch. I forced myself not to give in to the nervous gasp in my mouth.
"Alicia won't be pleased to see me alone with you in the dark." I pursed my lips, wishing I hadn't jumped to that.
But who am I kidding?
Theron had his effects.
His silence was like an unspoken command to me, my skin, the bloody universe itself! It's like he has them all wrapped around his fingers and only muses when they act.
"I see you've met one of my women," Theron smirked.
"You have many more like her?" I said, almost in dismay.
"An harem." He corrected. "Alicia seems to be the most passionate of them all."
So he was just like Darian?! The thought jolted out of my head, and I could have sworn Theron heard it.
"Thankfully, the gods didn't curse me with longings for children like my father. My women choose me as much as I choose them."
I eyed him carefully and knew he was true to his word. With Alicia passionately crying in my ear to stay away from Theron, I could tell she is deeply in love with him and possessive of him. No concubine ever did that to Darian except out of duty.
"If Alicia is ready to slit my throat because her imaginations run wide about our acquaintance. I wonder how she treats your other women."
Theron chuckled. "Believe me when I tell you my women are more threatened by your presence than she is."
Theron leaned in, his face buried in my neck, taking in my scent, bringing back memories.
I blinked, feeling warmth I hadn't felt in months.
He leaned in and softly whispered in my ear.
"Only cowards wield weapons with no intention to use them." His words blazed through the wind, startling me.
Then, slowly, he turned, his blue eyes lightening in the darkness, matching mine with a calm intensity.
"Go ahead and do it? Swing that little knife of yourself and take your revenge," he smiled, a wide predatory smile that rattled my bones.
My hands tightened on the knife, and despite common sense telling me it was a bad idea, grief accumulated over months, crying and yearning to hold my baby for just a moment or know where he was buried gnawed at my heartstrings.
There was no room for debate, no room for civility or doubt. I hated this beast right in front of me. I've hated him for months, brooding and wishing for the moment I'd stab into his heart as he did mine when he took my child from me.
I won't let it slide this time.
In a flash, I swung the knife high and sharp, stabbing it into Theron's chest with an aggrieved cry that shocked me.
My hands trembled as I clung to the knife that sank into his chest. Theron's eyes lowered to the knife, shock in his eyes.
He did underestimate me.
His icily blue eyes softened as his fist clenched, holding the knife so tightly.
My heart split that second. I had never killed a soul. What have I done?
And just when I thought he'd crumble to his knees and be gagged to death, his fist tightened on mine, sinking the knife further into his chest.
And then, that wicked smirk resumed. His blue eyes lightened up with an eerie glow that rattled my bones, making me shake off his grip.
"You really think you can get rid of me that easily, Amarien?" He said with a soft growl.