Chapter One – Marco POV

“Damien!” I called frantically as I ran through the castle corridors. “Declan!” I continued running with seemingly no end in sight. Where were they? I needed to ensure they were safe.

As I ran, the castle walls began to distort and melt around me. I felt an incredible heat that caused me to stop running in exhaustion. Terrified, I called one last name. I swore she was with me. Where did she go?

“Jade?” I frantically looked around me. But I was alone; trapped as the walls from our chambers flooded down the corridor after me. I gasped and ran again, coughing and sputtering. However, I stopped suddenly as I realized more lava-like, distorted stone and wallpaper flooded toward me. I glanced behind me again as I realized my fate was sealed.

I’m the one who will die.

I felt tears fill my eyes. I never even got to say goodbye to Jade. To Kyler and Ethan. Now, with my last breath, everything we had worked so hard for would perish with me.

The walls surrounding me finally caved, fully surrounding me in scalding debris. This was it. I fell to my knees and buried my face in my hands.

“Remember me,” I whispered.

I first felt the seating burn, immediately causing me to scream in agony. I felt my skin melt with the lava, then everything underneath. It started in my legs, but quickly moved up my body, a slow and incredibly painful death. I couldn’t tell if I would first die from the pain or from drowning in the liquid.

How did this happen? How was this possible? Those thoughts repeated as I felt myself slipping away. I tried to call for help, but no one would hear me. My voice came out as a desperate whisper. I tried to hold onto a shred of consciousness, but that eventually faded, leaving me in darkness.

Yet, through it all, I still felt the pain, until there was nothing left of me to feel it.

My eyes shot open, and I quickly realized it was a terrible nightmare. Or rather, another terrible nightmare. This happened all too often, and it was always the same as I awoke. Panic, a sweat-drenched body and uncontrollable shaking and shivers. I looked over to my side and saw Jade. Relief washed over me and I held her.

She stirred a little. “Mmm.” She stretched her legs out. “Well, hello.” She spoke in a groggy tone.

I shut my eyes tightly as the inevitable tears fell. Burying my face in her neck, I wept.

She turned to face me. “Hey, hey. What’s-?” She stopped. “Oh.” She sighed. “Another one?”

I nodded as more tears fell. “I can’t anymore. I just can’t take it. Make it stop.”

“If I could, I would.” She stroked my hair. “But I’m here. I’m always here.”

I shook my head. “It’s me. I’m the one who has to die. It’s in the legend. If it’s going to happen, just let it fucking happen. I can’t take this.”

She held me close as I cried harder, stroking my back softly. “Shh, shh. You won’t die. I’ll make sure of it.”

“We have no control over it,” I disputed. “You don’t have a choice, I don’t have a choice. Someone needs to die to save the realm. That’s what it said. My nightmares are telling me all I need to know; it’s me.”

She shook her head. “Or it could be your growing anxieties of not knowing.”

I sighed and sat up, putting my head in my hands and taking deep breaths as my tears faded. “Distract me.”

She also sat up and wrapped her arms around me, resting her chin on my shoulder. “I’m here.”

I turned my head toward hers. “Distract me,” I repeated in a whisper.

She gazed into my eyes, knowing what I was desiring. “Marco, I don’t think now is the t-“

“I need a distraction,” I said, turning to face her and rising to my knees, letting the blanket slide down my body, revealing all of me. I took her hand and pulled her up toward me. Caressing her cheek, I whispered again, “so, distract me. Please.”

Sex was a very regular occurance between us. We couldn’t stop. The darkness that surrounded us sent our lust levels through the roof. Every night, sometimes during the day, usually every time I woke up like this…it never failed. We weren’t complaining though. We enjoyed it every time, and it never got old. If anything, each time was better and more wild than the last.

Finally, she leaned in and kissed me. “I’ll always be your distraction,” she whispered against my lips, intoxicating me immediately.

“And I’ll always be yours.”

We kissed again, holding each other close, our bodies pressed hard against each other’s, our skin quickly making us crave each other madly. She raised herself a little, kissing my neck seductively as she ran her nails up my sides. She moved them to the sides of my neck and up to my cheeks, pulling me in for a deeper, more fierce kiss. I pushed her down, my hand caressing all over her body and moving lower until I began to tease her. The sound of her breaths speeding up and her soft moans made me even more crazy. I kissed her neck this time, prompting more of these noises, and she reached to tease me as well.

We couldn’t get enough and couldn’t stop. Ever. Not that we wanted to. And we never stopped until we brought each other to climax. Like clockwork, after our first release, we waited a little while, having “pillow talk” before our lovemaking would begin. We always started slow, our romantic selves wanting to satisfy every craving in the most tender way possible. However, once that intense lust grabbed hold, we both lost control, going wild for each other for hours, over and over, release after release until we couldn’t take it anymore. It was exhilarating.

Tonight was no different. I kissed her neck fiercely from behind, caressing her body and holding her close to mine as we gradually became more rough. The way we craved. The way we loved. The way our lust guided us. We fed off of each other’s desires. Her moans and breathless whimpers made me move faster, which in turn got us both closer. We were never fully satisfied, as we drove each other so crazy, each of our sessions consumed us and ended quickly. This is why we found ourselves having multiple encounters almost every time.

And again, we still couldn’t stop.

Much like that nightmare, I felt things around me melting, but this time, it was a good feeling. My stress was melting away with every passing moment.

I grinned and kissed along her shoulder, trailing my fingertips down her side as we continued.

“You’re the best distraction.”

She giggled breathlessly. “So are you.”

Our session ended shortly after that, with both of us reaching out final releases and collapsing onto the bed.

I breathed softly against her skin as we laid in silence for a few moments. The nightmare flooded back into my mind.

“These need to stop,” I said with a sigh. “I’m going insane. I hate it. I’m starting to dread going to sleep.”

She pulled me close. “Shhh. Just lay with me.” She stroked my hair softly as I closed my eyes. “I’d never let anything happen to you, my love.”

I smiled a little as I drifted off to sleep again. She was perfect. How was I so lucky?

Our time alone may have made us seem good, but we were far from it. At least now. The son she shared with Caleb, Orion, was, as legend stated, the destroyer of the realm. We were his aides in that.

Another thing the legend stated was that we were quite literally the king and queen of this realm. It shifted into our kingdom, making us the most powerful spellcasters, even higher than the sages of the council. This world was ours.

And so, as the realm began to brighten with the light of the day, we awoke and got ready. Today was a big day.

It was the day we set our plan in motion.

I stepped down to the main floor, surveying the area Declan and Damien. They were my fellow dark sages long ago, and now served as advisors for Jade and I.

Declan was, to say the least, problematic. He always had been, really. It was inevitably his downfall. However, he was insanely jealous. I couldn’t tell if it was power, status or Jade he wanted, but we regularly got into heated arguments over very small matters, simply because he made it very clear he felt he was better than me.

Damien and I had been very close many, many years ago. We actually took over this very realm together, fighting against Jade and the other sages, along with Caleb and Lilith. They eventually won, killing both Damien and I. However, now, Damien was different. Quieter. He didn’t try to plan things with me. He stayed out of my way. Yet, I would feel his stares any time I was near.

I shook my head, looking at the floor. Clearly it was about trust. I became someone completely different when Jade and I fell in love. However, I had attempted twice before to pretend I was the same. I guess I just wasn’t a good actor.

I grinned. I wasn’t pretending now, was I?

Morgyn approached me. He looked angry, as usual. I had come to expect that.

“Your son is outside.”

I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Instead, his own stare intensified.

“Well?” I demanded. “Have him come….in?”

“He refuses. Says he won’t step foot in this wretched place as long as it’s harnessed by evil.” He narrowed his eyes. “Frankly, I wouldn’t either, if I had a choice.”

I rolled my eyes. “So dramatic. You know you have a choice, Morgyn. Unlike last time, I’m keeping no one here.” I smirked. “You’re the one who keeps coming back.”

“I’m a sage.”

“I can appoint another.”

“Then you’ve won, haven’t you?”

I laughed, stepping closer. “Wouldn’t be the first thing you’re unhappy that I won, eh?”

He growled, getting in my face. “I made mistakes, Marco! Jade ran to you because I pushed her away! You didn’t steal her from me by any means.”

“Call it what you want, Ember. You seem to still be pretty bent out of shape about it.”

“Wouldn’t you be?” He shook his head. “She wouldn’t have left if I hadn’t made her feel like she had to.”

I opened my mouth to say something when I felt her gentle hands on my shoulders, instantly calming me.

“What’s today’s argument about, boys?” She asked, poking her head out from behind me.

Morgyn growled and walked away.

Jade shrugged. “Was it something I said?”

I laughed softly. “Morgyn is just being dramatic, as always.” I turned toward her. “Our son is here.”

“Which one?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “Morgyn didn’t say.” I took her hand. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” She smiled.

We stepped out and were immediately met by Kyler.

He stepped toward us. “So you’re doing this whole song and dance, eh?”

I froze. Everything that had made me how I was had been against my will. I had stopped trying to fight it. But when Kyler was around, he awakened something in me, and I felt different.

Jade didn’t have that issue. “What song and dance? This was meant to be! You know that.”

Kyler glanced at me, but I said nothing. I held his gaze for a moment before looking away shamefully.

“Well, mother, you know I can’t stand for this.”

“Then why are you here?” She asked with a shrug.

“What you two are doing is wrong! You fell into Orion’s trap after fighting it for so long!” He glared at me. “Look at you! I can see it! You don’t even want this!”

I glanced at Jade before looking back at Kyler. “Of course I want this!” I growled. “It’s exactly what’s supposed to happen.”

“Then you know what happens next,” he said, stepping closer to me. “You know we need to fight. And you both know I’ll have far more people on my side than you have on yours.”

Jade folded her arms. “You wouldn’t dare fight your own blood.”

“Wouldn’t I?” He snapped at her. “And right now, blood means nothing if it’s to hold me back from doing what I’m meant to do.” He looked at me again. “Restoring this realm from your power, father!”

I put my hands up. “Kyler, this isn’t just my power.”

“Right, you share said power with your queen,” he retorted, crossing his arms as well. “But it doesn’t matter who holds the power. What matters is that power is being held by people who don’t deserve it.”

Something snapped within me. “What did you say?!” I snarled.

“Ah, there it is,” Kyler smirked. “I was wondering if you’d finally show it to me.” He stepped closer. “I came here for information, and now I got it.”

And with a snap of his fingers, he was gone.

I immediately went back inside, angrily pacing in the foyer.

“What the hell was he on about?” I growled. “What did that mean? Information? What information could he possibly need?”

“Maaaarcoooo,” Jade grinned at me mischievously. She came over and put her arms around me. “Need another distraction?”

I sighed. “As tempting as that is, I need to gather some information of my own.” I kissed her forehead. “But later, I’m all yours.”

She twirled a strand of my hair around her finger, making me shiver. “Awww, can’t it wait?”

I tilted my head, giving her an exasperated smile. “No, my dear, it can’t. Today is a big day, and I need everything I can to aid us in this.”

She pulled me into a kiss, further tempting me. “Well if you insist on saying no, then I can’t stop you.” She started to pull away, but I pulled her closer again, our lips almost touching.

“You’re cruel,” I said quietly.

She laughed and stepped away, waving her hand dramatically. “So are you.”

She wasn’t wrong. We both were. Of course, not only to each other.

“Ah, mother and my better father!” I heard. I turned around to find Orion approaching us. “Let’s take a walk. We need to speak privately about today’s plan.”

I sighed. I would never be able to do what I needed to, would I? Jade and I followed Orion outside, where he began talking.

“I need you to summon all of the spellcasters here, in this building and I will destroy the portal.” He started. “It will ensure our plan affects everyone.”

I shook my head. “That doesn’t matter. In fact, it may just make things worse.”

“Nah,” he glanced at the portal. “It’s been done before and was successful.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I was the one who did it. Trust me, it didn’t work.”

“It did, though,” Jade spoke up. “It only failed because I tricked you into fixing it.”

I felt my palms get sweaty. I was hoping she didn’t remember that. The truth was, I still had a shred of decency in me and didn’t want to do that again. Trapping people, mind control. I was done with that. Never again.

“I’d prefer to not follow through with that plan,” I said hoarsely. I cleared my throat nervously.

“Hmm,” Orion stepped closer, studying my face. “Is that remorse?”

I clenched my teeth. “No. Never.”

“Hesitation.” He glared at me. “Perhaps you aren’t as committed as you say you are.”

I felt Jade’s eyes on me as well.

“You know what?” I growled, “I don’t have time for this.” I crossed my arms. “What’s your plan B?”

“I don’t have one, because this is what I’m doing, with or without you.”

“I believe my failed mission would deter you from following in my footsteps of poor decision making.”

He grinned. “I won’t give into someone I attempted to make queen.”

I furrowed my brow. “I said, poor decisions.”

“Clearly,” he scoffed.

I felt myself getting angrier. “I have things I need to do. Let me know how that works for you.”

I started to walk away, but was stopped very quickly by him darting in front of me. “I don’t know exactly who you think you are, Marco Lew, but I assure you, walking away from me is a mistake.”

I grabbed his shirt collar, pulling him toward me. “I am your king, and you have no right to speak to me that way. Don’t start your antics, Orion, or I’ll remind you who truly has the power here.”

“Marco!” Jade roared, grabbing my arm, protective of her son.

He shoved me, breaking free of my grip. “You’d be nothing if it weren’t for me. This has always been my plan. I should be in your position. You’re a softy! You abandoned your claimed role as a dark sage when mother revived you. You could have been so much more. I had to cast a dark spell on you just to bend you to my will!”

“How’s that working for ya?” I snarled. “Clearly you need some practice if you feel I’m not ‘evil enough’.” I spoke in a mocking tone, making him crazed with anger. He grabbed my shirt, getting in my face.

“Mocking me now?”

“Oh Jesus Christ, Orion!” Jade grabbed him, pushing him away from me. She put her arms out, standing between us. “Both of you, stop! Now! You’re fighting like children.”

I laughed, mocking him again. “Oooh, but mommy, he started it!”

Orion roared, running toward me and tackling me onto the ground. “You bastard!”

I laughed some more, highly amused by his so-called ‘attacks’. Squirming out of his grasp, I stood up. “Are you done now? Because I, as the actual leader here, have things I need to do.”

I walked away, and Jade held Orion back as he started to follow. Before I was out of earshot, I heard her say she would talk to me. I rolled my eyes. No. She would lecture me, protecting him, and not actually getting onto the important things, like our actual plan.

Truth be told, that was nothing new. We had tried to execute this plan several times; each with nothing actually being done. Orion and I clashed too much.

As I stepped into the building, I was stopped by Damien and Declan. Of course I was.

“We were supposed to set something in motion today, but we’ve been standing around with our thumbs up our asses.” Declan rolled his eyes. “Been too busy with your plaything again?”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” I said quietly. “You know things are tense with Orion. You’ll know when I know.” I started to walk away.

“I wasn’t done.”

I tilted my head up, exasperated. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to stop myself from snapping at him. Then I turned around. “Then what is it?”

“I don’t like to wait, Marco. If you can’t do your job properly, then maybe you shouldn’t have this job.”

“It’s not like you can take it from me,” I scowled. “The legend s-“

“The legend this, the legend that.” Declan stepped closer. “How about you stop letting that damn thing navigate you and do what Marco would do? Or, have you lost that dark untamed touch? Do you just reserve it for the bedroom?”

“God dammit Declan!” I shouted. “You know, you’re really sounding like a jealous schoolboy right now, aren’t you? You want her? Is that what you’re driving at?”

He laughed. “Getting awfully defensive.”

“Wouldn’t you? I’m tired of people undermining and doubting me! I’m working on it. But with people like you just going out of your way to rile me up, working on it becomes quite difficult!” I lowered my voice. “Now, if you’d kindly shut up and let me do my job, maybe you wouldn’t complain so much about it.”

“If you keep fighting with yourself, you will lose her,” he smirked.

I brought my hands up to my head. “Declan, this is your last warning. Stop. Please.”

“He’s not wrong,” I heard. I looked up and saw Jade standing in the doorway. Her arms were folded and she glared at me with a scowl.

“Looks like someone is in the doghouse,” Declan teased.

I had heard enough from his big mouth. I walked away, despite Declan’s jeers and Jade telling me to wait.

“Follow me,” I said to her as I continued walking.

“Marco Lew!” She shouted angrily.

I turned around. “I said follow me, Jade! Let’s not do this out in the open.”

We made our way to our room, and I shut the door. When I turned around, she was glaring at me, her eyes glowing with a fury I had never seen.

“I…um…so…” I stopped myself from stammering by clearing my throat. Brushing past her, I continued. “Let’s sit.”

She followed me without a word, but as I sat, she stood in front of me. I looked up at her, feeling genuinely terrified.

“I’m sorry for the things Declan was saying about you, mi reina. I hope you know I don’t actually see you that way. I-“

“What the hell was that?” She shouted, pointing toward the door.

“What are you-“

“Attacking my son?”

“Jade, I…” I stopped. Ugh, she wasn’t wrong. “I’m sorry.”

“What the hell are we supposed to do if you two can’t even coexist?” She pulled me up. “And what’s gotten into you? It’s like you have this internal struggle going on. Why? Do you not want this?”

I tried my best to push away the rage that was rising within me. “What I want is for people to stop undermining, doubting and mocking me.” I glared at her. “But since you’re on board with it, it looks like that won’t happen. I’m doing the best I can, given the circumstances.”

“Circumstances?” She asked, crossing her arms. “And what circumstances are those?”

“We need a plan, and we never have one.”

“Because you don’t trust Orion.”

“No, because Orion thinks he’s running the show here, and he’s not.”

“Then who is?” She challenged. “Because it certainly doesn’t look like you!”

“I told you, I’m doing the best I can with everyone getting in my way!”

“Jesus,” she rolled her eyes. “When you and Damien took over, I thought you two were dumb, disorganized, attempting to leverage power without actually knowing how. You’ve grown since then, yet here you are, being just as stupid as you were then.” She grabbed my face in her hands. “Snap out of it! This isn’t just the realm. It’s our kingdom, and you are it’s incompetent king. So, what’s your plan?”

I was speechless and seeing red. I grabbed her hands and took them away from my face. There were so many things I wanted to say, but all of them were hurtful things I knew I would regret. So, I stayed silent.

“Well?” She provoked.

“I have work to do.”

“I’m not done.”

“Well, I am, Jade!” I barked. “This is ridiculous, all of it! You want to know my plan so bad? Destroy this damn place and everyone in it! Is that what everyone wants? Death? Pain? Suffering? Why are we even doing this? It doesn’t make sense!”

“The legend-“

“Shut up about the legend!” I shouted, putting my hands up to my head. “The same as Declan told me. If we are just doing this because of some stupid legend, then forget it. There’s no logical reason, and we can find other things to do that aren’t so pointless.”

“My son wants it.”

“So we are doing this for a moody vampire/spellcaster hybrid? Is that what you’re saying? What’s his reason? Why does he want this?”

“Because of the-“

“Legend! Exactly!” I stepped closer. “Listen to yourself, Jade. There’s absolutely no reason. This place isn’t posing a threat to anything or anyone. He’s just trying to cause chaos and mayhem. You’ve said you want life to be back to normal, but here you are, helping him in something that’s the opposite of normal, for no reason at all!”

Jade narrowed her eyes. “What side are you on?”

I froze. Whose side was I on? “I have to go.”

I left before she could protest. I immediately went to Orion. I was giving in. I really didn’t have a choice.

He smiled as I approached him. “I knew you’d come around.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t even know why I’m here.”

“The look of shame on your face tells me all I need to know.”

I sighed. “Destroy the portal. No one goes in or out.”

“Ah, ah,” he said, lifting his finger, “we need all spellcasters here first. Summon every caster using an invitation to a magical ball. Once they are all here, we will execute the plan.”

I nodded solemnly and walked away, immediately heading toward my private office to get to work. I felt myself becoming incredibly angry. I felt backed into a corner. No one was listening. Not even Jade. I felt alone and frustrated.

What happened then? Well, if the past dictated, this anger would make me destructive. But would it now?

There was a knock on the door and I put my head down on the desk. “Yes?”

Morgyn stepped in. “Marco, we need to talk.”

“Not now.”

“Yes, now!” He snarled.

I glared at him, standing up angrily. “What is it, Morgyn?” I roared. “Whatever this is couldn’t have waited until I was able to calm down from every other thing going wrong right now?” I stepped closer to his intimidated body. “Or maybe all of you are trying to drive me insane! Is that it?”

Morgyn took a step back. “No, Marco.” He sighed. “I guess I’ll come back later.”

I also sighed. “What is it?”

“Some spellcasters are having trouble with today’s lesson. Since you also specialize in untamed magic, I thought maybe you could talk to them. Perhaps gearing from their king might help them understand.”

I sensed sarcasm in the way he said king and felt my anger rising again. “Are you saying you can’t properly teach your students, Morgyn?” I glared at him, antagonizing him. I really had nothing to lose.

Morgyn growled. “No, I’m not. But hear what you want, your majesty.”

He stormed out, and I slammed my hand on the desk. I got back to work on my summons for the spellcasters. I worked for the rest of the day, finally sitting back in my chair and gazing outside. It was dark.

I hid the invites in a locked drawer and left, heading to the bedroom. Jade was lying down, and I walked straight into the bathroom without a word. I turned on the hot water from the shower, breathing in the steam before I got in. I needed to calm down. It was hard to do. No matter where I went, I was ridiculed and berated.

‘I’m going to snap,’ I thought. It was only a matter of time. I sighed and stepped into the hot water, trying to take my mind off of it. I couldn’t, and I only got more angry, my thoughts swirling around my head. I felt like I was going insane. I rested my hand on the wall, putting my head down and closing my eyes.

I felt hands on my back. “So that’s how it is? Not even a hello?”

I opened my eyes, but kept them narrow. “Not now..I’ve had enough today.”

Jade stepped in behind me. “Maybe I’m not here for that.” She wrapped her arms around me and I shook my head, looking down at the floor. For once, her seduction wasn’t doing anything to me. I was too mentally exhausted. I turned around and gazed at her.

“I’m done in here. I just want to sleep.”

She tilted her head and grinned. “No you’re not. That would be the shortest shower ever.”

She pulled me into a kiss, and I didn’t stop her at first, trying to feel it. I pulled her closer, but still nothing. I just wanted to be alone.

I broke the kiss. “I’m sorry, Jade. Not now.” I turned back around.

“What?” She demanded. “Not now? Wow! You must be really angry with me!”

I stepped out and grabbed a towel. “Don’t start.”

I left the bathroom and quickly put on a pair of shorts. She came back out as I was brushing my hair. Her stare could frighten even the strongest of men.

I glared at her. “Can you not?”

“You never say no to me.”

“Well maybe I should more often,” I growled, lying down.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Please stop.”

“No!” She roared. “What do you mean?”

I clenched my fists, trying my hardest not to shout. “Just let me sleep.”

“Answer me!”

I sat up straight. “Stop!” I barked. “Please, just stop! Every single one of you have done nothing but make me feel inadequate!” I laid back down after she said nothing and closed my eyes. My head spun with angry thoughts, but I managed to fall asleep after awhile, much to my amazement.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Chapter Two (click here)