Chapter 6

Francis was at that phase of his life where he could feel everything that he had ever worked for being threatened. He heaved a sigh and walked towards the door that led to a balcony.

It had the clearest view of the village and everytime he looked, he couldn't help but wish for a life as beautiful as the ones the young men in the village life. A life where all they had to worry about only their wives and children not every single village he could think of.

At that time, his worries were more than just the villages and being hated by the villagers. He worried that his death was near.

He never even wanted the power in the first place. The devil was so rude to have given it to him without asking him first.

As much as he tried to think about it, he didn't understand why his powers didn't have any effect on Mala. If it did, he would have just killed her that instant.

He hated women the moment he learnt that one of them would cause his death.

But then, to kill her on the crescent night, he needed to make her love him deeply…meaning he had to show her love, but it had to be fake.

How?

He had to show the curse love without actually loving her. A good kill could have just settled the whole thing, but destiny chose to be against him.

He just couldn't wait for the crescent night to come. He had always hated that night, but that day, he was desperately anticipating it.

The crescent night was the night when his human self would be completely eliminated. The devil would take over completely till the next morning, killing everything and anyone that he saw.

Francis heaved a sigh. "Mala has to die," he mouthed.

****

~Aurora's (Mala) POV

I was left in an empty room. It was dimly lit as the only source of light was the small hole in the wall. The only thing that I could smell was dust and the heat was overwhelming.

I was still dressed in the servants gown and I fearfully anticipated my death. My heart raced as I knew I was obviously going to be beheaded for something that I didn't even do.

I was known as Mala. It was what all the servants called me. But it didn't really matter, since I knew I wouldn't live much longer.

I walked towards the door and sat, resting my head when I heard voices.

"Has his majesty said anything about what we're going to do to the girl?" One of the men asked.

Sigh. "He hasn't said anything. He was with Sir. Oliver earlier. The old man came out quite sad. I tried asking, but he didn't utter a word. You know I wouldn't dare to ask his highness himself. I still want to live," The other one answered.

"His highness must have probably forgotten about her."

"But what if he expects us to do the needful? I mean…kill her?" One asked and my heart skipped a beat.

It was just what I was expecting but tell me…who wants to die?

"Kill her when he hasn't asked us to?"

"So? Remember the last time with the boy who stole in the market? We got punished because we were waiting for his highness's order before executing him. We were only lucky to still be alive."

"Let's do it then."

They agreed and the door was kicked open, hurting my back and I fell on the ground. I raised my head and their eyes were blood thirsty.

They both grabbed me by each arm and dragged me out of the room. "please….let me go. I beg you," I cried and they let go of me, dropping me on the ground in the dark corridor.

They laughed and one of them had his eyes scanning my body. "We can bargain something though," he said mockingly.

"Are you out of your mind? Bargain what? You want to die, don't you?" The other one asked. He seemed so eager to kill me.

Who would blame him? He just doesn't want to die to.

"Please. .. just let me go," I cried. "I'll go far away. His highness wouldn't know you let me go. I'll never show up again," I promised.

"Call me Smith," the cheesy one said with a smirk. "You don't expect us to let you do just like that. What's the fun part for us?" Smith asked.

"What do you mean us? Count me out of this, Smith. My name is Nathan not trouble. I want peace. My mother still needs me. Listen, get your eyes off her and let's go. Didn't you hear….that she killed her own mother? She's definitely cursed," Nathan angrily said but Smith shook off his words.

"Please. I love cursed women. They are the sweetest," he said and he storked my face. My eyes were streaming with tears and I already knew what Smith wanted.

He wanted my body so bad, he was willing to risk his life for it. I had never done it before. I had not been with a man my whole life but there I was, thinking whether or not I should give my body to him for the freedom.

But what's the use in dying a virgin?

I didn't want my virginity to be taken in a dark corridor filled with dust. But I was left with no choice.

"You can…you can have me," I said, sounding almost inaudible. I felt so embarrassed and….cheap.

Smith smirked. I turned to Nathan. "Please. I promise, I wouldn't tell a single soul about it, and I swear, I'm not cursed," I assured, still crying.

Smith smacked his teeth. "What are you waiting for, Nathan? It's been a while since we have had such beautiful women when all we do is follow his highness everywhere. Even your wife isn't this beautiful," Smith said, hitting Nathan's shoulder.

I was down on my knees prepared for the worse.

"And you, what are you waiting for? Take off the gown. Make him want you," Smith said, laughing like I'm some slut.