86

This Pain

EVANGELINE.

I gasp, as Zed is thrown to the ground so unexpectedly that he doesn't have time to protect himself. His head slams into the rocks behind him and I cry out in panic and fear.

What have I done?!

I attempt to rush towards him, my heart thundering violently, guilt and agony tearing through me. To my horror, my body refuses to move. That darkness and unease that has been circling me, strengthens immensely.

What is going on?

Why did I react so cruelly towards him?

Almost as if I have no control of my body. Isa had just explained everything to me so why am I hurting him?

I try to move, try to explain, but I'm unable to.

He's hurting!

"Evangeline." He says as he sits up, and it breaks me to see there is only worry and regret in those eyes of his, despite the blood that is dripping down the back of his neck.

Zed…

"Baby girl, are you ok?" He approaches me, uncaring of his own injury.

I hurt him… how could I hurt him…

He raises his hand, reaching for me, when I feel as if I'm being pulled away.

No, be angry at me….

But there's no anger, just worry, love and sadness.

No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have run away, I shouldn't have let it get to me…

I feel even more hurt.

'Luna, what's happening? Why did I hurt him?' I sob as everything around me seems to darken until I can no longer see Zed.

"We are cursed to be doomed… it is… out of our hands…' Her faint voice comes.

1

The curse?

I know it isn't Evelyn, but whatever I had felt had been powerful…

'Luna! What do I do?!"

There's no reply, and fear squeezes at my heart.

'Zed!' I shout fruitlessly, but I'm met by a block.

A sinister chuckle makes my blood run cold and I can almost hear the echoing of her footsteps within my mind.

Evelyn…

I have never felt her so strongly in my mind as I do now…

'Oh, dear sister… Your jealousy, self-doubt, pain, and bitterness have weakened the barrier… it's time I claim that throne.' She chuckles darkly.

'No. Evelyn, I promise you I will save you. Just give me some time!' I beg, trying to look around.

'The thing is, I don't need saving anymore. The throne will be mine… Zerachiel and Zedkiel will be mine too. I don't need you to save me anymore…'

'No… please, wait!'

This can't be happening!

This is my fault! Why did I get so angry?!

She chuckles. 'Even now you don't realise that you weren't even in control of your own body earlier… There's far more at play dear sister than just you and I…'

'Zed will figure it out! Or Zerachiel will!' I scream as I feel as if my soul is leaving my body.

I can feel Luna's anguish, but she's so far….

No… no! What have I done?

'You mean, what have I done?' Evelyn chuckles as I feel the shadows close down on me.

I am the goddess… nothing can hold me!

'But the curse of the Eternal God is far stronger. She chuckles sinisterly. 'As for Zerachiel and Zedkiel, I will handle them.'

That's the last I hear, before she throws me into the abyss of my own mind. A prison with no light or escape.

Suddenly I feel an excruciating strain in my chest, it's so painful I can't breathe, it's as if something is being ripped right out of me.

What is going on?

I whimper in agony, and it's like I am being continuously stabbed in the chest. I double over, feeling myself falling…

'Zed!' I scream.

He can't hear me…

I… She's taking control of me… I need him to know that I love him…

'Zed, I'm sorry… I love you! I… love you…'

But he can't hear me…

'Luna…' I choke, trying to look around, but as far as I can see, the shadows are consuming me. Weighing down on me, like beasts of darkness.

I…

The pain is unbearable and soon I succumb to the pain; the darkness claiming me entirely…

ZEDKIEL.

Pain rips through me, as she throws me back with such force, I can't fight it. I struggle to my feet as she stands there unmoving, glaring at me with such hatred that it makes it hard to

breathe.

Evangeline…

No, she can't hate me. She has to hear me out.

I try to approach her. The river is rippling violently, hitting the rocks, and the sky has become cloudy.

"Little Mouse, listen to me, I'm sorry… I fucked up! I should never have hidden it from you! But it just didn't cross my mind. I swear it." I'm pleading.

For the first time in my life, I'm begging to be heard.

"You're the only one for me." I whisper hoarsely. 1

'Something is wrong…' I hear Zerachiel's pained voice from inside.

Why does he sound so weak?

'What do you-'

That's when I feel it, the intense painful pull that tears through me and I fall to my knees.

Fear envelops me as I realise what this is…

The mate bond.

My eyes snap up, my heart thundering as I watch her standing there. She's unmoving, her head hanging, but there's nothing.

No sign of a struggle, or her aura…

"Evangeline!" I force myself to my feet as I stagger over to her and grab her by the arms, shaking her. "Look at me, baby girl!"

I cup her face, forcing her to look up at me.

Come on… snap out of it!

She doesn't respond, her eyes still glazed. My heart is thundering like a galloping horse, yet hers is steady and rhythmically calm…

The bond… what's happening? I feel the intense sparks diminishing beneath my fingers as I look at her frantically.

It's fading…

No, god no!

"Evangeline… fuck…"

Is Evelyn taking over?

What have I done…

This is my fault!

She gasps, her eyes flying open, and I look down at her. Her beautiful face is the same as ever and there's no sign of pain or panic.

Thank fuck…

I pull her into my arms, kissing the top of her head in relief.

"Fuck, you scared me." I murmur, relief flooding through me.

My heart is thundering, but she's content and calm. She's ok, that's the only thing that I can think of.

I run my hands along her arms. The sparks are there but they are faint…

My heart squeezes.

Did she reject me? Even if she didn't say it out loud fully… Because she's the goddess, what if, in her anger, she destroyed the bond?

'Fool!…' Zerachiel growls just as Evangeline tugs away, her eyes glinting coldly, and I feel my stomach drop.

It's not her.

A small smile crosses her lips, and she raises a hand to my face, a sad expression replacing the smile as she caresses my jaw.

"To think I didn't even have to fight, she indeed no longer wants you…" She says looking into my eyes before she removes her hands and looks down at them.

"What do you mean? Where is Evangeline!" I ask, trying to control my anger.

She shakes her head. "She rejected you; didn't you feel it?" She asks with a glimmer of concern in her eyes.

I tense, feeling the hollowness inside.

No, this can't be possible.

"She wouldn't reject me." I snarl dangerously.

"Then explain why you feel so empty inside… you do, don't you? Don't be so foolish Zedkiel…

I mean, she never really cared for you, anyway."

"And you would know that because?" I hiss.

Zerachiel's rage is barely controllable and the pain of betrayal is eating up at me.

I did this; I made a mistake, and she so easily rejected me?

She sighs, "You may not like me Zedkiel, but I too am your mate… Zerachiel's mate… I wouldn't lie to you."

She frowns as she stares at the river that has once again calmed before she turns to me and raises an eyebrow.

"Tell me, Zedkiel, if I'm lying, why is the bond so weak between you two? You felt it break,

right? She whispers sorrowfully