Chapter 23: Bewitched?

**RIVER**

Everything River had expected to see and find in Lillit's coven fell apart right in front of his eyes. He felt as if his emotions and senses had died, forcing him to become absolutely numb. The deadly sin was tired of being pressured by everyone, pretending to be someone he wasn't, or trying to live up to unrealistic expectations. River was just another man who wanted to move mountains for the woman he would love until the end of his days, the girl he'd met at the castle and hadn't been able to stay away from since their eyes met. The girl he had killed for and would kill more for if she asked him to. His body was nothing but a weapon that only Bea could control or stop when necessary. His whole being boiled with rage, but he did not allow himself to turn and go back. Lillith was not worth his time now; they had eternity to settle their differences. Only one of them would walk away alive, but even if it cost his life, River was willing to stand against the Vampiress. The woman deserved to rot in Hell along with her relatives, and he wouldn't forgive himself if anyone but him showed her the direction.

Despite the hatred and anger still boiling up, River couldn't get Lillith's granddaughter out of his mind. She wasn't Bea, she didn't look like her, or smell like her, but there was something in her eyes that caught his attention and took his breath away. Any other human, even a vampire, would freak out if a stranger touched them, but this young woman welcomed his touch. The deadly sin knew that a spark had to go through his hand when he touched Bea, so despite the ungodly attraction and interest in the woman, she wasn't the one he was looking for.

His mate was still a child when he promised her that he would never lie to her, that she would be his only one, and he would rather die than break that promise.

Sloth stopped in the middle of the forest and looked up at the dark sky, hoping the rain would come pouring down and wash away his misery. It was easy to stay away and focus on the goal, working restless hours to build paradise for the woman he would take home, but the illusion faded as soon as he returned. River wouldn't return on time unless he didn't feel like breaking down. All he had to do was call his friend and admit that he would collapse without her by his side, or at least nearby. The thoughts assailed his mind at the most inopportune moment imaginable. River wondered if the pain would subside or if more would come his way. Though he couldn't control how his mind worked, the deadly sin couldn't stop blaming himself for the thoughts that ran back and forth. His main focus had to be on Bea, and yet there he stood alone, begging for the rain to somehow make him feel alive. Wherever she was, all he could do was hope she was okay, because no matter where he went, River didn't feel like he belonged when she wasn't there. Bea became the only home he knew, and he needed her more than ever. She did too, she needed him around to keep her safe, because other than River, not a single person had ever proven that they would protect her.

"God damn it!" River roared simultaneously with the thunder as it made its way through the dark clouds. Nature answered his call, forcing raw rage and sorrow upon the living. If there were still Gods, they would show him the way to the one person he had always searched for. For years River searched for something that didn't exist, but when she finally appeared, he lost her without putting up a battle. The deadly sin collapsed, his knees and palms hitting the forest floor. He didn't cry even when he was human; his birth mother used to talk about how tough her son was - the boy didn't make a sound when he was born. But now, on the verge of despair, rivers of tears streamed down his cheeks. Sloth clenched his hands into fists and forced them against the ground again and again, ignoring the stinging sensation and blood gushing from his wounds as he screamed and cursed the whole world for what it had taken from him.

He hid himself under the ruins of something beautiful that he had destroyed. As much as he wanted to blame the whole world, deep down he knew it was his fault, if not entirely, at least partially. If he didn't bow to the Queen and submit to her command, he could stay close and watch over his mate.

"To Hell with the Royals!" River growled, forcing the words through clenched teeth. As if nothing had happened, he rose from the forest floor, his knuckles bloodied, leaving a trail of it. His right fist slammed into a nearby tree, splitting it in half. River felt a wave of energy run through his body, forcing him to move forward and burn the bridges others were trying to build. But first he had someone to deal with.

"Get out of your hideout, you filthy whore! Seelie, you coward, face me before I burn down your damn forest! Don't think I won't follow you, you hybrid abnormality!" River yelled, ramming his fist into another tree. If the woman cared about her home, she would come out and face him before the deadly sin destroyed everything she held dear.

"Everyone has a dark side; aren't you ashamed to show yours? Calm yourself, you slow-minded imbecile. Your heart races for miles; you frighten my children. Besides, you promised to keep my secret!" A woman whispered near River's ear. She might seem calm to others, but the deadly sin caught the aggression that resonated in her words.

River paused, took a deep breath, and turned to look at her. Seelie was as beautiful as ever, her skin glowing and her eyes burning with furious passion. Her fiery red hair reached her waist, braided with flowers and a few metallic details. The woman's eyes reminded him of the greenest grass and the wildest summer adventures. No doubt, despite her despicable nature, Seelie was a beautiful woman - wandering the woods like a siren, looking for her next victim.

River chortled at her words. "Just like my dear brother, I pride myself on showing the truth behind my nature. Good, your children should know that I am not afraid to hunt down those who hide in the darkness; there is enough fire in this heart to show me the way. Your little secret is as irrelevant to me as the damned stones beneath my feet, don't pretend you matter, Seelie." The deadly sin didn't have time to waste, certainly not with any of the woodland creatures under his brother's rule. In a way, they were all the same, gladly taking on a sin that their master represented.

"Sloth, are you not afraid of death?" The woman challenged him, a sly grin spreading across her lips.

"I've never been afraid of dying; everyone dies eventually, and I've had plenty of time to enjoy life. How about you, Seelie? Are you afraid of death? Would you like to meet the Grim Reaper?" In seconds, his hand closed around the woman's neck, forcing her back against the nearest tree. Seelie clawed at his hand, panic rising in her as River's eye colour changed from bright and inviting to pure azure. The woman knew that once the colour took over the iris of his eyes, the games with the deadly sin brothers ended. "You brought this misfortune upon yourself, Seelie. You shouldn't have slept with Greed, huh?" No one really knew what was hiding in the seven brothers. It was rumored that each of them had a certain beast inside of them, but no matter how many times the sins appeared, no one had a chance of seeing the rebirth of these beasts. Well, at least no living person. Seelie had always thought that those were just legends, but when she noticed his teeth enlarging, the woman dropped her act of courage.

"I - I will speak," the woman struggled to speak, certain that Sloth would snap her neck in seconds. She did not fear death, but once she was gone, there would be no one to protect her children. Perhaps some thought Sloth was the kindest of brothers, but in reality he was one of the meanest - he wouldn't stop until he found every drop of her bloodline. One moment of borderline bravery could cause the extinction of an entire species.

Grinning, the deadly sin let go of her and watched her petite frame crash to the forest floor. River gave her a moment to cough and grab onto her neck before forcing the woman back to her feet. The deadly sin would no longer remind her of what she had to do; he would just stand near her and remind Seelie that she needed to celebrate her life - for now.

"That beast inside you must be why you were bewitched; keep it in cheque and know your limits! Not everyone will take kindly to your short temper, especially the blood witches," Seelie explained, avoiding looking at River again. If his eyes were still azure, whatever was inside him would take her action as a challenge. She sensed from a distance that something was wrong with the man. River had lost his sense of direction and could not control his emotions, while his face remained emotionless. Her children noticed his arrival before Sloth called out to her, so Seelie knew he had been screaming, yelling, and attacking the trees around him. The behavior was very unlikely of him, so she decided to get closer and see him for herself. Perhaps the small threat of him was the extra encouragement she needed, but that was just a side issue.

"Bewitched?"