chapter 38 Bound by blood, Broken by fate

Calista's eyes widened in horror, " Oh my gosh" Heat surged to her face as she buried herself under Alexander, her hands gripping the blanket like a lifeline.

 The trembling servant stumbled back, her face drained of color" I…I am sorry" Her voice wavered, her knees threatening to buckle under her.

Alexander lets out a hiss of disapproval " Come closer" his gaze darkened..

Before the blink of an eye, he has already worn his clothes. Calista, who was left speechless by his action, burrowed into her blanket, occasionally peeking from under it.

The servant took hesitant steps towards Alexander, who was now casually sitting on the bed.

She immediately fell on her knees " My king" she greeted, her voice came out like a whisper, a cold bead of sweat formed on her.

Alexander's stare was unyielding, razor sharp" What are you doing here?" His words carried a chilling weight.

" I.. i came to check on Calista" she risked a glance toward Calista, who remained half hidden behind the blanket, watching in silence.

The air thickened.

Alexander raised his hand, motioning for her to come closer.

The servant hesitated but obeyed, her body trembling like a leaf in a storm.

" My Ki….."

Alexander's hand plunged through her chest.

 A choked gasp escaped her lips as flames consumed her from inside out. Ash scattered to the floor where she once knelt.

Calista's breath caught in her throat, her entire body frozen in shock. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs as tears welled in her eyes.

He hasn't changed.

The realization struck her like a blade to the gut.

The Demon king was still a ruthless monster.

She needed to escape.

Before she could move, Alexander was already in front of her.

His fingers brushed away a stray tear from her cheek " she ruined our beautiful moment" he murmured, studying her face.

Sadness, pity, hatred and.. Fear swirled in her eyes. Displeasure flickered across his face.

He relished fear. Thrived on it.

But not hers.

" You are afraid of me?"

" Who wouldn't be?" Calista swallowed hard, gripping the sheets tighter.

" You are my mate, you should not be afraid of me" his breath brushing against her skin, his jaw tensed.

" You just took a life, without a second thought" she scoffed, eyes flashing.

" She didn't commit a crime" tears rolled down her face.

Alexander felt his anger rising, if it wasn´t the mate bond, he would have already snapped her neck.

" Don't lecture me" he growled at her, his fangs bared.

Calista's heart skipped a beat, her eyes avoiding his angry gaze.

Alexander climbed down the bed " It is a crime if I deemed it so" he said as he strode out of the room.

" You are nothing but a monster," Calista muttered under her breath.

Alexander steps came to a halt, he heard what she said perfectly clear. His dead heart felt a sting of pain, "A monster?" he muttered.

He had heard that word thousands of times, but none has hurt him this much. He took a deep breath before walking out of the room.

Calista tugged her hair " why me?" she muttered, as a feeling of frustration washed over her. Her eyes got a glimpse of the tattoo forming on her chest. She could not tell what was forming on it, as it was still incomplete.

" It is time for me to leave this hell hole" her eyes shone as she began to pack the things she needed.

When she was done. She gently packed the servant's ash in a jar, " I will set your ash free with the wind and sea" she muttered as she put it in her bag.

"Now i need to find Ethan" she muttered, she hid her bag before walking out of her room.

...…

Alexander walked back into his room, his heart becoming more heartless " monster?, i will be one for you" he muttered.

Alexander entered his chambers, his mind a storm of emotions he refused to name. He strode toward the balcony , only to be met with a sharp gaze of a crow perched on a railing.

A smirk tugged on his lips. " What message does Malphas bring?" his tone was bored, but his eyes glinted with curiosity.

The crow tilted its head before speaking. " Malphas says…. Your answer lies in the warlock realm" its eerie voice echoed through the room " Find the warlocks, and you'll find what you seek."

A slow, irritated breath left Alexander's lips.

" Is that all?"

The crow cackled. " Malphas will contact you with the next task"

Alexander's hands caught him by his neck.

The crow squawked in protest, its wings flailing.

 " Malphas, F**king listen to me, don´t play games with me" his eyes turned pitch black " you don't want to mess with me" he warned.

A laugh gurgled frow the crow's throat. " You are so hot headed Alexander" the crow's voice became eerie " take it or leave it, it is up to you".

Alexander took a deep breath " Now let go of me" the crow said.

" Sure" he smirk tugged Alexander's lips, as evil glinted through his eyes. He let go of the crow, who happily flew to the air.

But before the blink and eyes, Alexander burns him with his hellfire flame, leaving him with nothing but ash.

Alexander sighed, brushing stray embers from his sleeve " annoying crows". 

A smirk curled at his lip.

" Time for a little adventure, Calista".

....

Calista who has been searching for Ethan finally got a hold of him " I thought you had disappeared" Calista voice sharp, laced with urgency.

Ethan didn´t glance at her, his eyes fixed on the eerie landscape beyond. " So you think it is time?".

" yes, i need to leave now" her voice sounded confident and sure.

Ethan turned, his brown eyes boring into hers " But you are his mate now" he reminded her of the bitter truth.

" I know but that doesn't matter right now" her voice was steady " i need my freedom".

" You don't feel the mate bond, do you?" Ethan asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Calista hesitated. " …No"

" Come with me, we have to make it quick before your mate finds us" Ethan hastily walked towards a garden.

" My bag," she remembered.

An annoying hiss escaped from Ethan´s lips " Wait for me here, don´t go anymore" he warned before blurring towards her room.