Chapter 82
He still believed he loved the girl, but unbeknownst to her, she was merely a pawn in my carefully crafted game. A cover story, if you will, woven into the tapestry of my ambitions. No one was meant to uncover the true depths of my tendencies - not yet, anyway. Not until I claimed my throne.
I had to protect Mateo at all costs. If that meant spinning a web of lies about my true identity, then so be it. Every secret I kept, every heart I misled, was a step closer to the power I craved. The girl thought she was the star of my story, but in reality, she was just a chapter in my rise to the top. The stakes had never been higher; I was playing for everything and wasn't about to let anything or anyone derail my plans.
I had complete faith that Mateo would be okay in this forest. He didn’t need me hovering over him, coddling him like a child. Time and again, he had proven his mettle, especially when you looked at the victims of battle scattered around the woods, their necks completely torn out, as he quenched an insatiable thirst. They were a reminder of how unforgiving this battle was proving to be, yet Mateo clearly navigated it with a confidence that was hard to ignore. He embraced the wild, and I knew he would be just fine.
Refocusing on my true mission, I directed my gaze once more toward the grand Palace looming in the distance. With its romantic atmosphere and many distractions, this palace felt like a futile diversion. I realised that my efforts down here in the dark forest were unproductive — every moment spent was a moment squandered. The urgency of my task weighed heavily on my mind, compelling me to leave behind the noise and uncertainty and concentrate on what truly mattered.
As I began to slink off into the shadows of the night, a sudden and intense wave of pain surged through my body. It was as if every nerve had ignited at once, sending me sprawling to the ground in a blind panic. My mind raced with confusion. What was happening? Why was I feeling this agonizing sensation? Just as I instinctively curled up to protect myself, another jolt - more powerful and ferocious than the last - ripped through me. I couldn't help but gasp, a loud, desperate sound that echoed in the stillness of my surroundings. The pain was overwhelming, incapacitating me and forcing me to the floor, where I lay trembling and whimpering, trying to make sense of the chaos engulfing my mind and body. I had never felt pain like this before, even when my own father had beaten me black and blue, to toughen me up.
I felt as if I had been thrust into a storm of terror, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I knew I wasn't being physically attacked. There was nothing around me that threatened my safety. There was no one brave enough around that dared challenge me. Yet, the visceral pain coursing through me was real and relentless. Panic clawed at my insides as I struggled to comprehend the source of my agony. Then, amidst the confusion, a familiar voice pierced through the haze. It resonated in a way that transcended words, connecting to me through the mindlink we shared. I could feel the urgency and the fear in that voice as it screamed my name: Carlton! Carlton! I need help! Im outnumbered!
Mateo! My Mateo! Suddenly, the pieces clicked into place.
My heart raced as I realized what was happening - Mateo was in trouble, and he needed me! We were soulmates after all and we shared a bond no one could ever break or understand. His pain was my pain and my pain was his pain, The realization snapped me out of my paralysis. I couldn’t just lie there, consumed by fear and pain. I had to find him and discover what was wrong. A surge of determination flooded my veins, even as the pain throbbed relentlessly in the background. Whatever was happening, I knew I had to act quickly. Mateo was counting on me, and I wouldn't let him down.
Elena would have to wait!