(Rigel)

After leaving Orion I mostly wander through the forests and uninhabited lands of Tarathia. Never staying in one place for too long to draw attention towards myself.

I know the sentinels will be looking for me, so I keep moving.

Hunting at night, mostly wild animals. Avoiding monsters and other creatures, killing them when necessary.

Most of the time, I keep my humanity turned off. To survive this, I have to or I would keep thinking about Amaia, the bond in my chest won’t let me stay away from her and I can’t hurt her more than I already have.

The guilt is corroding me as rust does to iron.

Most haunting are the memories of the past that keep me up most nights. The horrors, the abuse, the degradation, the rape by my so-called step-mother. The one who was supposed to be a protector.

The hate she carried because I was part-vampire and the firstborn. I didn’t know a woman could stoop this low, become this cruel.

She is a sadist who hides behind a façade of fake affection and smiles. A madwoman, hyperfixated on torturing others, killing innocents, and watching forced rape she makes others carry out.

The only thing keeping me from totally spiralling is Amaia and a chance of reconnecting with my brothers again.

Will they even side with me?

Will they even accept the truth once the curse is broken and they know it’s their mother behind the whole mess and chaos?

From what I have seen so far, they are impartial, especially Alnilam. He even stands up to our father.

What about my father?

Will he even accept me back and punish his evil queen for killing his true mate and kidnapping his son?

My thoughts won’t let me rest. Leaning against the stem of the tree, I close my eyes and Amaia’s sweet face comes into view. The only person who has unconditionally loved me after my mom is Amaia. I miss her and I miss my mom.

She must have been so disappointed after I left and the way I did it. But I could no longer speak to her, could no longer be in her presence without thinking of tearing her throat, hurting her, killing her.

I wonder how long my suffering will last? How many more innocent lives will I be forced to take?

Will this even end?

I raise my head towards the heavens in a plea. Desperation clings to every cell I possess.

A night breeze suddenly picks up, spraying away the stray fallen leaves. Like a welcoming feeling, it sweeps inside my body, directly reaching my cold and dark heart.

Warmth erupts like the first bloom of spring there—a bloom of light and change.

The bliss of mellowness worms its way down to my arms and torso, towards the curse marks.

Something is happening, I sense it in every pore of my skin and every fragment of my bones.

Bewildered, I lift my shirt. Before my very eyes, the crosses, the cursed marks begin to disappear, dissolving against my skin as if they were never there.

Did they find a solution?

Did they break the curse on me?

The thought makes my heart flutter like a tiny butterfly. I can’t contain the jubilation I feel.

My fingers tremble as they graze the smooth skin of my arms and torso. They are truly gone.

I am free, finally free.

My lungs take in a large gulp of air, filling themselves with it like tasting the breath of freedom.

A surmountable amount of energy I feel rushing through me. The full potential of my powers is being unlocked.

Then the burst of memories comes, so many locked-up memories unfurl in my brain.

Amaia!!! I met her as a child, the very day I was taken and my mother was killed. We had gone to visit her family.

It’s such a beautiful memory, that tears well up in my eyes.

How could I hurt her?

The shadows on my body become restless, creating wings behind me. They wish to fly and reach Amaia. Embrace her, make love to her.

But do I even deserve that after everything I did to her?

I have been a terrible mate to her. And what’s the guarantee that the despicable woman won’t curse me again, make me hurt Amaia again?

I have to return but I will have to keep my distance from Amaia. The evil witch is always watching, her eyes, her spies are everywhere, reporting to her. I will have to act as if I am still cursed. Maybe keep myself camouflaged and watch Amaia from afar.

No one will know I am there and yet I will be.

With that thought, my shadows grow into full wings and I take flight into the night sky.

What will await me there is uncertain and yet all I want to do is see her.

Even though I am a terrible mate to her, even though I don’t deserve her or her forgiveness, I can’t stay away.

My camouflage feels stronger than before, it dulls my heart rate to non-existent. In this way, no one can detect it. It also masks my scent, so no one can trace me, not even Amaia, I hope.

I return to the Academy and the dawn is almost breaking. Easily, I pass through their barriers without the alarms blaring. Seems like my powers have evolved; they have affected my body at a molecular level to pass through these alarm systems and barriers of Orion.

Immensely strong, I feel as if something has been holding my true potential and powers back. Suddenly, it has unravelled.

Amaia’s scent hits me in abundance, more like it sings to me. For a second I close my eyes, revelling in her scent and knowing she is here.

Then I spot her. My mate, my love, my whole world.

She is entering Alnilam’s office. Both have their shoulders slouched and lips stretched.

Have they uncovered the truth?

Only one way to find out. I follow them and enter the secret space behind his office before he closes it.

And then I turn and watch her...truly watch her.