Aniya stood up from the bed slowly, her gaze fixed on the door.
Her mind went to Syon and she silently wished that he would have one of his night terrors that would wake him up so that he would wander through the hallways and come and save her like he has done the last time.
It was a selfish wish but right now wasn't the time to be considerate.
She tried to tiptoe her way to the door, but Ikrus turned to her at that moment, his eyes still red and he shifted into more wolf than man.
She opened her mouth to speak, to beg for her life but she could say nothing.
In a flash, he was in front of her, his hand around her neck, his claws digging slightly into her skin.
She gasped from the fear and pain, but the true terror took over her heart when he buried his face into her neck.
A silent scream died on her tongue as she froze in fear.
Then she noticed something, his sharp claws on her nape were gone, replaced by warm flesh and nails.
It was only then she realized that he had now shifted back into Ikrus.
Maybe those herbs were working after all.
She had the Priest to thank for this.
Ikrus stepped away from her, and when he saw how terrified she was of him, he took another step back, disheartened.
“I am sorry. I suddenly lost control; that is not something I always do; I just… I’m sorry.”
“I am tired of this.”
“It won't happen again.”
She scoffed. “You sound so certain.”
He cleared his throat. “Never speak of or see that friend of yours again.”
“Why not?”
He turned his back to her as if telling her the reason would lead to him admitting something he didn't want to admit.
“Are you jealous?”
“No.”
“He is a mere servant and owes me nothing but he treats me better than you do. If you were half like him, I wouldn't despise you so much. I shall remain his friend and he must remain alive.”
“You will not see him again,” he turned to her sharply.
“I asked for a reason, and it is not jealousy, so what is it?!”
“Because I’m going to kill him if you do!”
The room fell into silence.
“You are jealous.”
“No, You don't understand; it is not me; it is the bond. The bond is angered by this “friend” interference, his closeness to you bothers my wolf.”
“Are we talking about the same wolf that is always trying to kill me?” She pressed a pointed finger against his chest. “Tell that thing to set his priorities straight and stop interfering with my last days.” She huffed, walking away from him as she slipped her fingers into her hair in frustration. “By Ignas! This is why I asked for anybody but you, even your Priest friend would have been better. I hate you.”
Ikrus frowned, his gaze following her. “You are not going anywhere, not seeing that friend again, not going to any Pleasure House.” He sucked in a rough breath as if he didn't like the images his mind was providing for him. “No.” His eyes were glimmering red again.
She hurried over to him, her fingers quickly slipped into his hair, pressing his face into the crook of her neck, ignoring the sparks that sizzled between her skin at their place of contact.
She waited till he relaxed in her arms before pulling away just enough for her to look at him.
“You are never leaving this room,” he said quietly in a husky whisper.
“There is no door, how will you make that possible?” She whispered back.
He looked back at the door he had damaged then back at her.
“I’m taking you to my room. You are never going to leave, not until it is time.”
She pulled her hand away from him immediately, taking a step back.
By Ignas, she wanted to kill this man! Lycan! Whatever he was. She wanted him dead.
“Have you gone mad?!”
“It is for your safety, everyone's safety.”
“You liar! It is for you, you! It is to comfort your wolf, to be at peace, to have everything you want while you deprive me of the things I want just because they would hurt you. You won't give me the happiness I want, yet you won't let me seek it elsewhere, all this while you unwavering stand on the ground of delivering my death to me.” She paused, wiping away a tear that ran down her cheek. “You are just like my mother, worse even. I hate you!”
“Aniya, I—,” he paused. “You hate your mother? How did she hurt you? Was she the one that gave you that scar?”
“Was your father the one that gave you your cruel heart?”
A look flashed in his eyes like he was about to tell a painful story.
“My father—”
“I don't care.” She snapped. “I’ll die soon. These attachments are unnecessary, they are no fun. So, I will just focus on fun. My fun. As you have requested many times and promised that you will not deny me of them.”
That was a taste of his own medicine, although she was really curious, she hurried her curiosity.
“Along with the bags of coins, I will need a guard to point me in the direction of the Pleasure House and one to help me throughout the festival. Pick one that doesn't scare easily or behave like the rest of your kind when it comes to my scars.”
He said nothing but grabbed her in his arms and before she knew it, she was in this room. Every damage that had been done here before was now fixed.
Before she could blink, she heard the door being slammed behind her, then the clinking of keys.
Had he just locked her alone here?!
She raced to the door and slammed her fists against it over and over again, screaming to be let out.
“IKRUS!”
“I’m sorry,” she heard him, then she heard him no more.
He was gone.
“IKRUS! I HATE YOU!”