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Diana sat in the lounge chair, hugging her knees close to her chest. A small, hitching sigh wracked throughout her. She inspected her hand for the thousandth time, peering at those crescent-shaped marks that Hecate's touch had left on her skin. They looked like tiny tattoos, drawn with black lines and resembling little moons. She had one on the inside of her wrist, another on that soft part beneath her thumb, and another right in the middle of her palm.
Her gaze flittered to where Ares lay sprawled in Nicholas' bed, his fingers working fast as he played on his console. Hours had passed since their little stroll in Hecate's garden, and yet he hadn't left her.
He hadn't uttered a single word to her, either. He'd been lounging there like a bored teenager, switching positions from time to time as he played incessantly. And now he was lying on his back, holding the console a little higher above his face, offering her a view of his screen. He was crushing candies. Cartoonised and colourful candies. The tiniest snort escaped her. Her eyes immediately widened, slapping a hand over her mouth. It would seem that lately, she was at odds with herself. Because whilst she still felt somewhat unnerved by his presence, the thought of his absence was what scared her the most. She dreaded being left alone between these walls again.
He rolled onto his stomach with a swift move, his gaze finding hers. She cursed herself inwardly, preparing herself to apologize. Even beg. Anything to save her from solitude.
"Done wallowing?"
She stared back at him, finding herself at a momentary loss for words. He threw away the console and rose from the bed. Diana's gaze followed him, carefully watching his movement. He rose to his full height, his posture imposing. Intimidating. She remained still, fighting that impulse to cower away. It was faint, but it was still there.
"You're going to die anyway, sooner or later," He shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. Diana's lips parted, staring up at him incredulously. What an insensitive thing to say! He'd spent hours keeping her company without uttering a single word, and this is what comes out of his mouth the minute he decides to speak?!?
"That's-"
"Have you decided yet?" He interrupted her, his head tilting to the side. He gave her a look of intrigue. Interest.
She blinked, staring up at him with curiosity.
"On what?"
He smiled, "Whether you wish to return the favor and sacrifice yourself for the greater good, or remain here, trapped between these walls for the rest of your boring and insignificant life whilst your lover spends eternity shackled to that wretched creature,"
At that, she grew bitter and sad again, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she started to explain, "He would never-"
"Oh, he definitely would, dulcet," he assured, his tone soft. Deceivingly sensual, with just a hint of derision.
"One whiff of your blood at the right time, and he would hunt you like a starved beast," She couldn't help but flinch at the sound of that, her features contorting with repulsion. Disbelief. No. That was not true. Nicholas would never—
"I take it he has not told you about the Blood Moon."
Her brows drew together. She'd heard those two words before. She couldn't remember where or from whom.
"The what?"
"The Blood Moon. A celestial event that happens in the mortal realm every year, affecting those weaker creatures bound to it. Werewolves and vampires alike. And given that Nyktos is now one of those, he will inevitably fall prey to his nature. He will be unable to stop, not even for you," he smirked, a little more wicked after having offered her that snippet of information.
"It will give you the perfect opportunity to offer your blood to him and help him break free from his pact with the demon," he added with a shrug. Diana's eyes grew round with curiosity. Even a hint of fear. Was this real? Was this actually a possibility?
"Are you willing to do it, Diana?" She watched him approach her, his strides slow. Purposeful.
"Are you willing to sacrifice yourself, in the name of the love you say that you bear for him?" He stood before her. She let out a hitching breath, having to raise her chin so that she could look him in the eyes. Those eyes that were now regarding her with unbidden curiosity. Rapt attention. It would seem that he was eager to receive her answer. Why? She had absolutely no idea. She couldn't understand why he would even care. She'd witnessed enough to understand that there was a certain animosity shared between him and Nicholas.
Even so, she could not deny that it made her think. If what he'd just told her was true, she would have a chance to make everything right. Even if it meant that she would have to die for it.
"Yes. I am," she said it so softly, so quietly. The god's features twisted with visible fascination. Her gaze cast aside, and she swallowed that lump that formed in her throat as tears started to pool in her eyes. She'd known that it would inevitably come to this, from the moment that she'd first laid eyes on Nicholas. She'd known that she was bound to die for him. For his freedom.
It was bound to happen, one way or another. It was written in the stars.
She watched Ares seat himself right next to her on the lounge, his large frame taking up so much space that she had to hug her legs closer. She sniffled, using one hand to wipe away her tears.
"Bind yourself to me, Diana."
She blinked, giving him a bewildered look. What?
"You will become immortal. My grace will keep you alive," he said. She peered between his eyes, still failing to understand what was going on. What was he trying to say?
"You will die either way, Diana. You are mortal. Feeble," He reached out and touched her cheek, letting his fingers glide over her wet skin. His gaze followed the action.
He met her eyes again. "At least like this you can save him, and keep your precious life for as long as you wish," he expressed a small shrug.
"I cannot die, and neither will you if you accept to bind yourself to me," he said, his eyes starting to glow like fluorescent jewels. She gasped a little, looking between his unnatural eyes.
"W-why would you do this?" She was thoroughly confused. Why would he even offer her such a thing?
He smiled, showing her those dimples in his cheeks. His eyes returned to normal, and he let them roam over her features.
"I am bored, and you made me curious. I merely wish to discover what it feels like to be inside of you. And oddly enough, your soul is very pure," he frowned a little.
At that, Diana's eyes widened, growing evidently embarrassed.
"Wait. W-what do you mean by "inside of me"?" she stuttered with alarm, her arms wrapping tighter around herself as if trying to shield herself away from him.
He gave her an unimpressed look,
"I could get access to your feelings, your emotions. Even your thoughts."
She stared between his eyes, still not quite sure what he meant by that. She watched him rise back to his feet in one fluid motion, turning to face her again.
"I'll give you time to think about it. You have three days," He offered her a slight pat on the knee, and then he turned to leave.
"Why three?" she questioned, staring at his retreating back. He paused, turning to look over his shoulder at her.
"Because there are only three days left until the Blood Moon. After that, your chance will be gone."