Chapter 167

Ximena

I stood under the moonlight with blood dripping from my face as I stared down at Aruka’s lifeless body scattered all over the place. I’d made sure I gave her the most painful type of death and the worst possible burial anyone could ever have for everything she's done.

With all of this, I still didn't think it was enough. I guess I was a bit hesitant to do this at first because I thought my mother was back to be with me forever; I forgot she's not been rebirthed, and her death made me realize who killed her in the first place, it thought.

“Well, I'm glad she's finally off the table,” Talia said with a sigh of relief.

“I should have listened to our Talia; I was so stupid,” I muttered softly.

“No, you weren’t. You were only following your heart,” she replied.

“That's the thing, my heart is never right,” I retorted.

“It's okay, she's gone now… at least you don't have to worry about that anymore,” she said, her voice calm and soothing.

“How do you feel now?” a hoarse voice asked from behind, followed by a soft feeling of warmth on my shoulders.

I slowly shifted my gaze in its direction and locked eyes with Carmine, staring down at me with a smile.

I exhaled deeply before moving my gaze away from him. “I still wish I could do that all over again and hear those screams one more time,” I replied through gritted teeth.

He chuckled lightly, circling his hands around me and placing a light kiss on my forehead. “You really should get some rest now, my love; you've been through too much already,” he mumbled softly.

“Yeah… but we're still heading to the pack by tomorrow; nothing’s changing that,” I said, my voice matter-of-fact.

“Are you sure about that? If you want, we can stay a few days longer if you don't feel okay yet,” he replied.

“I'm fine, Carmine!” I replied with a stern voice.

“Ximena, I don't want it to look like I'm rushing anything, alright? If you want, I can go alone and take a few soldiers from here with me together with Rogan…” he said, but before he could finish, I interrupted.

“I said I'm good, Carmine… It's my uncle. We're talking about him, you know. If we spend a few more days here, I doubt you’d meet a single soul left in your pack.” I said, pausing for a while, but he just stared at me with a worried expression on his face. I heaved a deep sigh before I continued. “Look, I know you are worried about me and how I’m taking this, alright… but you also have to understand that everything I’m doing right now is because of my mom. I got the opportunity to rip Aruka apart; I want to do the same to that bastard for killing my father… so when I say I'm fine, believe every word of it,” I said reassuringly.

“Okay, fine,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I believe you, so can we go in and have that rest now? You need to wash this blood off you before you stink,” he asked, making my lips curl in a smile.

“Sure,” I said as we both walked back into the castle.

We got to the room that was specially designed for us both and went straight to the shower to freshen up when the door suddenly swung open, revealing Carmine as he walked in with just his towel tied around his waist.

“What are you doing?” I asked with creased brows.

“You know, I also saw on that bucket list how you've always dreamed of just seeing me shirtless in the shower.” He began, making me close my eyes in embarrassment.

“Oh no,” I muttered under my breath, slamming my hands against my face.

“Oh yes…” he shot back at me, walking towards me, wrapping his hands around my waist, staring into my eyes. “How about we modify that and make it our first bath together? That way, you'll have to experience the water flowing down my whole body firsthand, huh?” he said with a smirk on his face as his hands trailed softly on my skin, making me close my eyes, savoring the moment, biting down on my lower lip.

“I'll make sure to checkmate every single thing on that list if that's what it’s going to take for you to love me again,” he said, turning on the shower as the water met my face.

The cold feeling of the water on my skin, combined with the shivers his touch sent down my spine, made my head swirl with pleasure as I closed my eyes, tilting my head backward, allowing him to do his thing, dropping every heavy weight I was feeling right there. My head and shoulders became lighter as we had another make-out session for the night.

When we were done, we headed back to the bed as I lay in his arms, his broad chest enveloping my whole body. I felt peace; I felt calm after a long while as the rest of the world faded away and the night faded out.

Next day

I woke up to the feeling of a light kiss on my lips, squinting my eyes as the bright rays of the morning sun shone into my eyes.

“Hey beautiful, it's morning,” a husky voice echoed in my ears. My eyes adjusted to the sunlight, making me lock eyes with Carmine's smiley face as he stared down at me.

“Hey,” I greeted back.

I got out of bed, had my bath, as time went by so quickly. Carmine and I got ready, preparing a few soldiers and giving out orders and instructions as we got prepared to head out.

“Hey there, Ximena, how are you?” Rogan’s voice echoed in my ears from a distance.

“Good morning, your majesty,” Carly greeted with a smile.

“Please, call me Ximena; you're part of the family now,” I shot back at her, making her chuckle lightly. “I'm fine, Rogan,” I replied with a smile. “How's Aunt Ava doing?” I asked, concern etched on my voice.

He exhaled deeply, wearing the look of sadness on his face. “She’s refused to come out of her room,” he replied with a calm voice.

“Ah,” I let out an audible sigh. “It's a lot to take in - and I can relate. That feeling of never being able to see your best friend again,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Can I see her myself?” I asked.

“Sure, her room is just down the hallway,” he said.

“Thanks,” I replied with a smile.

I walked down the hallway after checking every room until I got to the very last one left. I placed a light knock on it as I turned the doorknob, but it was locked. “This must be it,” I muttered softly.

“Aunt Ava?” I called out softly.

“Go away,” she yelled from the other side with a trembling voice.

“Aunt Ava, please open up; it's Ximena,” I retorted, and after a few minutes, the doorknob clicked before it finally swung open, revealing her with messy hair, puffy lips, and teary eyes followed by how messy the room looked when she opened the door widely.

“Ximena,” she called with a trembling voice, making me stare at her with glassy eyes. “Aunt Ava,” I called out softly, pulling her in for a hug.

“I wanted her here, my child; I wanted her to stay. Why did she leave?” she kept mumbling these words, but I just stood there speechless, patting her slightly while fighting back my own tears.

“I didn't want her to go either, Auntie; I didn't - but she just had to,” I replied with a trembling voice.

“Ximena, the soldiers and everything are ready,” Carmine's voice echoed from behind, making me pull out of the hug as I stared back into her eyes.

“Aunt Ava, I have to go now, alright? We are going to take down Uncle Vicenzo,” I said, holding her cheeks firmly to meet my eyes.

“That bastard, he caused all this,” she spat out sternly. “I want to come with,” she said.

“I know, Auntie; we all know that. But I'm sorry, I can’t let you come with us,” I replied with a firm voice.

“What? Why?” she asked with furrowed brows.

“Because while I'm gone, we'll need someone here in Sylphrena to handle things over here. And I want you to be that person; you're the only person I can trust right now,” I explained.

“But…” she tried to speak.

“Come on, Auntie, please don't argue with this. She'll be back as soon as my uncle is down, which is definitely not going to take a long time with Rogan and Carmine by my side, and that's why I need someone here to take care of my people until I return, please..” I begged.

“Okay then, I won't come with you… but make sure you bring that bastard’s head to me,” she sneered, her voice laced with venom as she spoke.

“Consider it done!!” I replied, my voice. firm and strong.