Nightmare.

Selene~

The running blood in my veins was now turned into ice. His eyes were burning in rage, his jaw clenched.

His question, Did somebody hit you? Rang in my mind. "No..no, why would you say that?" I tried to avoid his gaze. His hand came near my face making me flinch...again. He stopped for a moment, as his fingers gently came in contact with my skin. As I felt his rugged skin texture against my skin, my heart hammered in my rib cage. My eyes widened as he lifted my face, forcing me to look at him. His eyes bore into mine, "I don't like to repeat myself, Selene," the warning in his voice was clear as water, "Speak."

I gulped down the lump formed in my throat when I tried to make an excuse, "I..I had...a dream."

His eyes got narrower as he scrutinize for truth in my eyes. Not able to face the intensity of his gaze held, I looked down, as I continued, "It was a nightmare. Someone was trying to hurt me that's why..."My voice faltered when he shot another question, "Who?"

"Devil," I answered as the face of Lucian flashed in front of my eyes. He pulled his hand as I sighed in relief.

I have to be careful now. I can't let anyone discover my past.

Making it clear in my mind, I glanced at Damien who was still in a daze. His sour expression, his clenched fists making his knuckles turning white, and those red eyes of his carrying confusion. The scene was more recognizable. He was at war with himself, just like I had been.

The endless debate within the mind, the burden of unspoken feelings—it's a silent battle no one sees. This was something which was way more familiar for me than I liked it to be. And seeing him in a similar situation made me feel something for him.

Pity?

Or sympathy? I cannot put a name on it but my mind was clear about helping him. I slowly reached out toward him, but he didn't notice until our skin finally touched. I bit my lips not meeting his gaze, and asked, "What are you thinking?"

His head snapped in my direction making me almost jump but I stay stilled, not moving a bit. Slowly metting his gaze, I again asked, "Is something bothering you?"

The debate in his eyes was clear whether to share it with me or not, but at last he pulled himself and stood back, "It's nothing you should be concerned about." His words hit hard as he pulled himself from me. "You should rest for now. The doctor will see you tomorrow." As he spoke those words, he walked out of the room. The room again fell into a deep silence.

Of course, why would he share his thoughts with me?

I sighed at my thoughts. I was his wife but I cannot deny the fact that we were still strangers. I laid again on the bed, but as my head hit the pillow, a tear escaped from the corner of my eye.

Why does it still hurt?

The feeling of dejected was not foreign to me. In these past years, it had hit me multiple times, yet the wound stung like the first one. Getting on the other side, my gaze hit with the blank wall. Will this ever change? Do I really have to face it my entire life?

A sob escaped my mouth as these thoughts started to cloud my mind. Mother's words were still ringing in my head.

You are your father's brave daughter.

"No, Mother, I am not brave like my father," I whispered. I felt myself drowned in those thoughts engulfing me as whole. There was no one who could save me from it...not even the Moon Goddess. As time went by, my mind started to get slow and my eyelids again started to get heavy. Before I could realize it, I fell into the pit of sleep with only one thought ringing in my mind.

I hope the life ahead won't be as empty as the past four years.

________

The continuous knock on the door woke me up. "Luna, are you awake?" A female voice came from the other side. I did not have any intention to answer them when the realization hit. I was in Silver Night.

The thought was a slap for me, as I sat back on the bed. Passing my hands through my hair, I tried to make it more presentable. After double-checking everything, I finally answered, "You may come in." The voice came out weaker than I liked it to be.

The door slowly opened as a head peeked in. "Luna, you are awake!" She announced it like it was some good news. Getting a tray of food and another girl with her, she entered the room. After setting the tray in front of the bed, both of them came forward. As they bowed, the first one introduced herself, "Good morning Luna, I am Kira and this is Mira," she pointed towards the other girl who also bowed.

Bowing back to them, I too greeted them, "Good morning to both of you, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Kira came forward and signaled towards the tray, she asked," Luna, would you like to have some breakfast or will you have a bath first?"

Recalling that it had been almost a day since I put something in my stomach, I first prioritized the food. As I spoke out my thoughts, both of them started to arrange the food. Since they both were busy, I scrutinized both of them. They seemed similar to each other like twins but had prominent differences. Kira had red hair, on the other hand, Mira had brown one. Even their eyes matched with their hair colour and it somewhat suited them.

Kira at first sight seemed to be an outgoing girl while Mira who hadn't spoken a word seemed to be a conserved one.

After they were done, I dug into the food. It was not the same as per my palate yet I cannot deny that it to be fullfiling and delicious. After filling my belly with all the food, I felt a little better.

"Luna, now would you like to have a bath?" I froze at the question.

I cannot let them see the marks on my body.

Though they both behaved well to me until now they were still strangers. Also, the fact they were Damien's people, I cannot entrust them with my secrets.

"I would like to bath without any of your assistance." I tried to keep my voice steady.

They exchanged glances, as if silently debating whether to grant my request. After a brief pause, Kira nodded, a polite smile plastered on her lips, "Of course, Luna. As you wish." Once I had bathed and wrapped myself in a soft undergown that reached my toes, I stepped out.

The two girls wasted no time helping me get ready. They dressed me in a light blue gown that matched my eyes and styled my hair—tying the upper portion into a delicate bun while letting the rest cascade down my back. As my eyes fell on the reflection, the memories of that day flashed back. My marriage.

Drawing a sharp breath, I jerked all the thoughts away when I heard a commotion from outside. "Let me go in!" A sharp voice peirced through the silence.