I didn't move, I barely breathed. I had spent the last few days trying to forget Aedric, trying to rip his name from my soul like a weed that refused to die. But now, here it was, bl

s. "I'm not discussing this with you. I'm so tired for the night already." "I don't belong to anyone," I snapped, turning to him. He didn't stop me. He just smiled. "Keep telling yourself that, Morwenna." I hated how easily he unraveled me, how quickly he found every weak spot I tried to hide. It felt as though we had known each other for years. For a moment, I felt something strange flicker in my chest. And worst of all? I hated that a part of me wanted him to keep going, to keep teasing, and take Aedric out of my head. He was a past I'd rather not remember. "I'm going to bed." My voice was cold, so was my face. "Don't test me, Morwenna. You won't like the consequences." Though his voice was cold, my body trembled with excitement. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of a response and I walked away. A few blocks away from the Breeder's Chamber, I recalled the cold shoulders I was given earlier that day. "I better find somewhere else to stay until they fall asleep." I thought to myself. After some minutes of wandering around, I found a small, fascinating garden where I sat on a bench, staring at the stars. Suddenly, my nose picked a familiar scent. I thought it was just rumors spread by those who were fascinated by the King's new plaything. "Morwenna?" The voice came softly. I tilted my head, my eyes wide open in shock to see Aedric standing across the garden. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, standing to my feet. He took a step forward, hesitant, as if afraid I'd vanish. "I had to see you." I crossed my arms, my body taut as a bowstring. "Why?" My voice cracked despite myself. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Because I made a mistake. I should have stayed with you." Rage flared in my chest, hot and uncontrollable. I stalked toward him, shoving at his chest with both hands. "A mistake?" My voice trembled. "You call what you did to me a mistake?" "Morwenna, please..." "You rejected me, Aedric! I thought you really loved me, I thought all my pain would end with you. I thought I had found the one to hold my hands when I'm down." My vision blurred with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall. "You humiliated me. Broke me. Stood still when I was being auctioned as a plaything to different men who looked at me with lust filled eyes. And now you regret it?" I let out a bitter laugh. "How convenient." Pain flashed across his face. "I was wrong and scared." "It's b