Chapter 23

{I Love You And Heaven Is Aware}

"Why is Guinevere not in class Mrs Harper?" Luna asked. "She isn't feeling well.. the emperor asked her to stay in her room for awhile" Mrs Harper replied.

"Why does she get to be treated specially? Why does he favour her more than the rest of us?" Trisha asked. "The emperor has a reason for his actions. I suggest you ask him yourselves if you need clarifications" Gabriella said.

"Isn't this supposed to be cheating? She is forcing herself on the emperor just to win his favour" Luna said. "I bet she's pretending about everything" Jasmine said.

"That is enough.... I do not care what your theory is but the emperor is not the type of man that does things with a reason. Now get back to class!!" Mrs Harper ordered.

Anastasia woke up, she had a terrible dream. A woman was covered in blood, the emperor held her in his arms. The woman doesn't look like someone she knew but in that dream the emperor murdered an entire village and burned it to the ground.

"My lady, the emperor request your presence" Hannah said. Anastasia followed Hannah to the dining room. Hannah left her the moment she got to the door.

Anastasia sat on the table, she met a lot of girls present. "How are you feeling?" Rose asked. "Good" Anastasia said with a smile. Everyone began eating the moment the emperor picked up his spoon.

Anastasia observed everyone present before her. She doesn't remember any one seated here. Anastasia held her head.

"Theodore..." Anastasia said in a whisper. "What?" Rose asked in surprise. "Who is he? He has caused you pain" Anastasia said looking at Rose.

Azriel watched everything unfold before him. "How do you know Theodore?" Charles asked. "He isn't dead... He is alive somewhere" Anastasia said. Rose held Anastasia's arm.

"Where is he? Where is he Guinevere?" Rose asked. Anastasia had a vision, a field was covered with blood, bodies scattered everywhere.

A man with blonde hair was being dragged like a sack of potatoes by another man. The enemy cuts of the blonde mans head before saying. "You had to be stubborn Theodore.. why? We could have been partners"

But Theodore's bodies was brought back to life by witches as their soldier. Theodore grabbed his sword and charged towards Anastasia, she lets go of Rose and jumps out of her chair.

"Guinevere" Luke called. "I.... He... I need to leave now" Anastasia said trying to leave the room. "Where is he?" Rose said holding Anastasia back. "Don't try to look for him... He.... Don't look for him, it's better you think he's dead" Anastasia said.

"What do you mean? How can I not search for him now I know he's alive?" Rose asked.

"If you search for him, you will be disappointed to find out that the husband you knew is dead. The person you'll find is just a walking corpse" Anastasia said.

"No, no, no, what you ask is impossible" Rose said. "Who is Aurora?" Anastasia asked. The room fell silent. "It's better you go and rest in your room" Charles said.

"Alright but I saw a lady dying. The emperor was holding her, calling her Aurora. She asked me to tell his grace that she is fine and that he shouldn't beat himself up because of her. Anyway I need to sleep... I'll be in my room if you need me"

"She always has to ruin everything... Now she has ruined a perfect dinner" Luna said. Rose left the he room, Charles left after her. Azriel left the room leaving the girls.

Few days later. The ladies were taken to the outskirts of town. "You are expected to use your power against each other. The last lady standing get to spend the whole day with the emperor" Mr Henry said.

"You want us to fight each other just to be with the emperor for the entire day?" Anastasia asked. "Yes" Mrs Harper simply stated.

"Alright ladies pick a weapon and begin" Miss Sunshine said. Everyone picked up different weapons but Anastasia stood, not understanding what was happening.

Everyone was paired with their opponents. Anastasia was paired with a girl named Elenore. She has the power to control the earth.

Anastasia didn't fight, she had to avoid Elenore's attack. "How am I expected to win this?" Anastasia asked herself.

Everything happened so fast, Anastasia was on the ground, Elenore was on top of her with a sword close to her neck.

Anastasia had to block the knife from moving further. Elenore didn't back down, she tried so hard to stab her neck.

Anastasia knew that this was an assassination in the middle of class. "That is enough Eleanor" Anastasia said trying to stop the knife from landing on her neck. Elenore on the other hand didn't have plans of quitting.

"Help!!" Anastasia yells but the only thing she could remember was something warm dripping down her neck. Someone pulls Elenore to the ground. "Guinevere!!!" Miss Sunshine yells.

Anastasia slowly stood up, she placed her hand on her neck. "You see your one mistake is trying to kill me in broad daylight. I will gladly return the favor" Anastasia said.

Anastasia's entire body began to glow a bright light. A sword with blue flames appeared in her hand. "I am not the old Guinevere, I won't hesitate to kill you and hang your head in the market square as my trophy" Anastasia charged towards Elenore.

Mrs Harper used her wind power to push Anastasia far away but she still came back. Miss Sunshine used her powers to reflect the sunlight, temporarily blinding Anastasia.

Mr Henry used his powers, thick vines rapped around Anastasia. Elenore touched the ground causing it to swallow Anastasia but not completely, only her face was visible.

Luna made ice from her hands, she froze Anastasia completely. Someone made an iron cage on Anastasia. "That should hold her for now. Someone go get the emperor. NOW!!" Miss Sunshine yells.

Anastasia grins menacingly, everything around them began to crack. "You think your little tricks would stop me?" Everything scattered to piece, Anastasia lands softly on her feet.

"How about we play a game, I won't make it hurt if you surrender but if you don't....." Anastasia smiles like a maniac. "Then I am going to enjoy hearing you beg for mercy"

Mr Henry used the vines to grab Anastasia's legs but it decayed the moment it touched her skin. "Pathetic old man... Your level one tricks has no effect on me" Anastasia said.

Luna used her ice power to block Anastasia causing Mr Henry to fall to the ground. "I see... The traitor wants to play hero" Anastasia said.

"NARI!! Let the girl go, NOW!!!" Azriel yelled. "Just in time great emperor. Which one" Anastasia said. "Let her down" Luke said.

"Why? I have tried my best to stay invisible.. trying so hard to not draw attention.. yet they never seem to let me be. No matter how hard we try, you will always be a thorn in my flesh Luna" Anastasia said.

"Guinevere I know you're in there" Azriel said as he slowly approached her. Anastasia scoffs. "There is no Guinevere... There was never one who existed... Infact the person standing in front of you is...."

"NARI!! That is enough damage for one day. End this blood shed and let peace rain" Luke said. "I might be a goddess of peace but I am also the goddess of war. I am glad to see other people suffer"

"It doesn't have to be this way... You have to be the bigger person" Rose reasoned.

"Bigger person? They poisoned her, killed her maid, they try to kill her in broad daylight. Now you ask me to be the bigger person? She might be weak but I'm not. All who has ever wronged her shall die by my blade"

Azriel slowly walked up to her. "Stay away from me. Don't come close or I'll kill you" Anastasia said. "I know deep down the Guinevere I know is in there, I know she can hear me" Azriel said.

"You claim to know her but when she had her memories you ignored her like a plague. If it wasn't for the dragon taking her memories would you have paid more attention to her Azriel?"

Azriel flinched but it wasn't noticeable only Anastasia noticed how tensed his shoulders became.

"As expected of a demon.... Fucking heartless piece of actual shit. To think she trusts her safety in the hands of man who only notice her when he need her for something. Pathetic.. You are just like her father"

"What?" Azriel whispers. "No wonder she asked the dragon to take her memories. Her past is filled with dark and disturbing events. You pretend to care... you pretend to be there for her but that night when her father beat her to death in your own castle what did you do?!!!"

The question hung in the air, for a spilt moment they forgot Luna who was being strangled.

"You walked pass her with this bitch... She is a fool for thinking someone would come rescue her.... Dear emperor would you protect this Luna if you knew what she has done?"

The question made Azriel remember Luna who he was fighting for. "You are a fool if you think you're doing the right thing by saving her" Anastasia let's go of Luna.

"You know, your Guinevere requested for one thing when she was with the dragon. I am willing to grant her wish" Anastasia raised the sword and was about to stab herself but Azriel kicked it away from her hand.

"I don't want her dead" Azriel said. "Why? Are you worried because of your bonding? You don't care about her, you only care about yourself" Anastasia said.

"I don't care about the bond. I fucking care for this human and it scares the hell out of me. She is the only thing presently that is keeping me grounded, both mentally and spiritually. I must have missed the signs of her been treated badly but I promise you with my life and my kingdoms both in hell and on earth, I will not allow a human or a demon or even an angel lay a single finger on her..... Please bring her to me" Azriel said.

"Very well great emperor but if I notice anything out of the ordinary then I shall return and have your head" Anastasia said.

Anastasia's body became normal. "Everyone leave now and arrest the culprit" Azriel said. Everyone left without hesitation and Eleanore was dragged with them.

Anastasia slowly opens her eyes, she hissed in pain as she touched her neck. Azriel held her in his arms as she collapsed to the ground.

"What happened? Why am I bleeding?" Anastasia asked weakly. "Let me help you clean your wound" Azriel said. Without hesitation he placed his tongue on her neck causing her to grunt in pain. His tongue is like a hot flame stitching her back.

Anastasia could only bite her lips from the pain. Azriel pulls away, he looks at her in worry. "I'm sorry, I know it must hurt" Azriel whispered as he gently wipe her tears.

He looks at her lips that is stained with blood. "May I?" Azriel asked. Anastasia nods slowly. With that Azriel kissed her slowly, savouring every taste, every movement.

They broke apart. "I love you and heaven knows it scares the hell out of me" Azriel said as he rested his head on hers.