CHAPTER 4
1289 Words
Threatening Promises
Aria’s POV
"You told me lies."
My voice shook and echoed down the silent corridor. Varian stood in front of me with stiff shoulders and a straight back. He turned around. Not even flounced.
My chest constricted, my heart hammered. "You claimed not to love me and not to care. But I am aware that is a falsehood.
His hands closed, and his body stiffened. "Go home, Aria," he said. His voice came out as chilly, far away. But I heard the fracture underneath, the agony he was attempting to conceal.
I remarked, getting closer and not leaving. Not until you speak the truth.
He turned to face the window, shadows on his sharp features created by the moon. The truth is not going to save you. It will just cause you pain.
"Stop trying to protect me," I said, my fury mounting. I am not some delicate bloom. The truth is something I can manage.
He laughed; the sound was harsh. "You believe you can manage my inner darkness? The curse destroys whatever it comes into contact with.
I moved to another step, heart throbbing. "The curse is not of concern to me. You matter to me.
His head bowed, and his shoulders drooped. "You don't understand..."
Then help me to comprehend, I begged. Give up trying to distance myself. Cut off your lying to me.
Finally, he turned, pain ablaze in his eyes. Aria, I am trying to save you. You see that? You will die if you remain loving me.
I stammered, his remarks piercing right through. You are not aware of this.
"I do indeed." His hands shook, and his voice cracked. "I have seen this happen in the past. Everyone I adore passes away. My sister, my parents—all thanks to me.
I shook my head, not sure if I could accept it. "You have nothing to blame."
Once more, he chuckled, his eyes deepening. Is it not? Aria, the shadows trailed after me. They feed on my affection, on my suffering. They snatched everything from me, and right now they want you.
I moved nearer, my voice softening. "Then we'll battle them." Taken together.
Fearful eyes glazed over him as he stared at me. You don't grasp. They are more than just shadows. They are demons. They are cursed ghosts who won't rest until they have consumed what I value.
I stretched out, fingertips brushing his arm. I'm not terrified.
"You should be," he said, eyes begging. "I cannot let go of you." Not yourself.
Then, to avoid pushing me away, I replied, my voice faltering. "Allow me inside. Come help me.
His face collapsed; his eyes softened. "I am not deserving of you."
"Let me decide that," I said, getting even closer. "You are not carrying this by yourself."
He fixed me with his eyes, darting over me, his suffering raw and naked. "Why won't you abandon me?"
My voice quivering, I answered, "Because I love you." "Curses and shadows don't concern me. Varian, you adore me.
Closing his eyes, his body shook. "You shouldn't."
But I do, I said insistently. And I am nowhere at all.
He opened his eyes and fixed a sharp look. "Your life, your future, everything you are risking for me."
"You're worth it," I said, heart thumping.
He turned aside, his jaw tight. You're a fool.
Maybe, I murmured, reaching for his hand. But I would much sooner be a fool than live without you.
His fingers closed over mine, his body slanted towards me. "You are obstinate."
"I learned from the best," I said, a little smile starting.
Glancing at me, his eyes softened. "You deserve better than this... better than me."
I muttered, "Stop deciding what I deserve," and stepped even closer. "I want you. All. Curses.
His eyes fixed on me, his breath stopped. "I can't lose you, Aria... I can't."
Then don't, I said, lips barely apart from his. "Fight for me." Campaign for us.
His will broke, his arms encircling me to get near. Desperate, greedy, his lips smacked against mine. My heart was flying, and I sank into him.
I could feel his affection as much as his suffering and anxiety. A love so strong, so deep, it rendered my breath difficult.
He backed off, his forehead resting on mine. "I am unable to lose you..."
"Then stop pushing me away," I said, fingers entwined in his hair. "Let me remain."
His body shook as he closed his eyes. "I have no idea how to guard you against them..."
"We'll find a way," I said, voice steady. "Together..."
My skin grew chilly as a frigid breeze blew over the room. I shuddered; my heart dropped.
Varian widened his eyes and stiffened his body. They are here.
Red eyes gleamed in the darkness as the shadows coiled about us. Their tones were icy and nasty whispers. She belongs to us.
Varian dragged me after him, his body stiff. "Stay back."
The shadows chuckled; their forms changed and expanded. Varian, you cannot save her. She is ours, the same as others.
"No!" he screamed, his strength explosive. From him, darkness radiated, crashing into the shadows and driving them back.
The shadows twisted, and their faces formed, smirking, and I gazed in dread. "Varian... what are they??"
"Cursed spirits," he said with a trembling voice. "Demons eat on love and pain."
His shadows snarled, staring right at me. We taste it; she loves you.
Heart pounding, I reached for Varian's arm. "What would they like?"
Fearful eyes glazed over him as he stared at me. "You."
The shadows sprang ahead, their claws grabbing for me. Varian threw his arms, his power flickering about us like a shield.
The shadows screamed as they banged into it. She will be ours; you cannot shield her indefinitely.
The barrier split, and darkness crept in. Varian bit his teeth while his body shook. "I won't let them take you."
His might surged, driving them backward. Still, they remained unrelenting, their shapes changing to become more robust.
My heart thumping, I grabbed at him. "Varian, what do we do?"
His eyes sparkled with force; his face stiffened. "We fight."
The shadows laughed with echoing voices. You will fail, same as always.
Varian tightened, agony blazing over his features. "Not this time."
His strength exploding, blackness whirled about him as he moved forward. I won't lose her... I am not going to lose you.
The shadows twisted and shrank, screamed. They didn't withdraw, though. Their eyes sparkling, they observed us. Her mark is ours.
I shuddered; their words froze me. "Vary... what do they mean?"
His face became black, and his body stiffened. "They mark you; they are coming for you."
I fixed my gaze on him, my heart falling. "What are we supposed to do?
His jaw contracted, and his eyes clouded. We escape from them or fight them.
With a tense chest, I glanced at him. "Where are we going?"
His eye was sharp, his hold strengthening. "The distance is as far away as one could desire." Nevertheless, they would follow.
The shadows giggled, their figures whirling. You cannot flee us...
My blood ran cold, terror coiling in my chest. Then what are our next steps?
His eyes glowed with determination. "We shall face them together."
The shadows surged, their laughter ringing as their claws sought us.
My pulse pounding, my anxiety strangling me, I grabbed onto Varian. I wouldn't desert him, though. Not right now. Never often.
Regardless of what the shadows want.
The shadows surged, hunger shining in their fiery eyes. Varian might have blazed, his scream resounding throughout the evening. Still, the darkness was closing in, and there was nowhere to
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