Falling for my Murderer

Chapter two: The Prince's Prisoner

Evelyn couldn't breathe.

The ballroom had gone completely silent.

Every face around her was frozen in shock, but she barely noticed them.

She could only see Jasper.

The man standing before her.

The man who had just claimed that he had killed her.

Three hundred years ago.

Her mind refused to accept it.

It was impossible.

She hadn't even been alive three hundred years ago.

"You're lying."

Her voice came out weaker than she intended.

Jasper didn't respond.

"You're lying," she repeated, louder this time.

His expression remained unreadable.

"I wish I were."

Evelyn stared at him.

"Then explain it."

"I can't."

Her eyes widened.

"You can't?"

"Not here."

"Then where?"

His gaze moved across the ballroom.

The nobles were pretending not to listen, but every single one of them was watching.

Some looked terrified.

Others looked fascinated.

A few were whispering behind gloved hands.

Jasper's jaw tightened.

"Come with me."

Evelyn immediately shook her head.

"No."

His eyes narrowed.

"That wasn't a request."

"And I'm not your prisoner."

"Not yet."

The words sent a chill through her.

Before she could respond, Jasper reached for her wrist.

Evelyn pulled away.

"Don't touch me."

Something flashed across his face.

Hurt.

It disappeared so quickly she almost convinced herself she had imagined it.

"Fine."

He stepped back.

Then he looked at the guards.

"Escort Lady Vale to the east wing."

Evelyn stared at him.

"You can't be serious."

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because someone just tried to kill you."

"That doesn't mean you get to lock me away."

Jasper walked closer.

His voice dropped.

"If I wanted you locked away, Evelyn, you wouldn't be standing here arguing with me."

The way he said her name made something strange flutter inside her chest.

She hated that.

She hated that her body reacted to him when her mind was screaming that he was dangerous.

"Why do you keep saying my name like you know me?"

His expression softened.

Only slightly.

"Because I do."

"From three hundred years ago?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me who I was."

Jasper went silent.

Evelyn stepped closer.

"Who was I?"

He looked directly into her eyes.

"You were my wife."

The world seemed to stop.

Evelyn stared at him.

"What?"

Jasper's face remained calm.

But his eyes weren't.

"You were my wife."

She laughed.

A short, nervous laugh.

"That's ridiculous."

"I know."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"No."

"Good."

"I expect you to remember."

Her smile disappeared.

"I don't remember you."

"I know."

"Then why do I feel like I do?"

Jasper's eyes darkened.

"Because some things survive death."

Before Evelyn could ask what he meant, a sharp pain suddenly pierced her chest.

She gasped.

Jasper immediately caught her.

"Evelyn?"

She clutched his coat.

"I ...."

The pain intensified.

Something burned beneath her skin.

Jasper looked down.

The crescent necklace around her neck had begun glowing.

Black light pulsed from the stone.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

Jasper's expression changed.

"Take it off."

"What?"

"Take off the necklace."

Evelyn grabbed it.

It was burning hot.

"I can't."

"Let me."

Jasper reached for it.

The moment his fingers touched the pendant, the ballroom disappeared.

Evelyn saw fire.

A castle.

Blood covering white marble.

A woman screaming.

A crown lying on the floor.

And Jasper.

He was younger.

His face was twisted with agony.

He was holding a sword.

There was blood on it.

Then Evelyn saw herself.

Not as she was now.

She was wearing a golden crown.

Her hair was longer.

Her eyes were darker.

And she was standing directly in front of Jasper.

Crying.

"No, Jasper."

The memory shifted.

Jasper raised his sword.

Evelyn reached for him.

"I trusted you."

The sword went through her chest.

Evelyn screamed.

And suddenly she was back in the ballroom.

She collapsed.

Jasper caught her before she hit the floor.

His arms wrapped tightly around her.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Evelyn's breathing was uneven.

Her hands were trembling.

"You..."

She looked at him.

"You really did it."

Jasper closed his eyes.

"Yes."

"Why?"

His arms tightened around her.

"Because you asked me to."

Evelyn froze.

"What?"

"You asked me to kill you."

She stared at him.

"I would never ask someone to kill me."

"You did."

"Why?"

Jasper looked away.

"I don't remember everything."

"You just told me you do."

"I remember you."

His voice became quieter.

"But I don't remember why I obeyed you."

That answer frightened her more than anything else.

A prince who remembered killing his wife but couldn't remember why.

A necklace that belonged to his mother.

A strange magical connection between them.

An assassin who claimed Evelyn had another life.

And a kingdom that seemed to recognize her.

None of it made sense.

Then Jasper lifted her into his arms.

Evelyn gasped.

"What are you doing?"

"You're coming with me."

"I can walk."

"I know."

"Then put me down."

"No."

"Jasper."

He looked down at her.

"You almost collapsed."

"I'm fine."

"You are not."

His voice was firm.

Evelyn should have argued.

Instead, she became painfully aware of how close they were.

His arm was beneath her knees.

The other supported her back.

Her cheek was against his chest.

She could hear his heartbeat.

Slow.

Strong.

Steady.

And yet she could feel something beneath his calm exterior.

Tension.

He was affected by her.

That realization made her heart beat faster.

Jasper glanced down.

Their eyes met.

For several seconds, neither looked away.

His gaze dropped to her lips.

Evelyn noticed.

So did he.

Something changed in the air.

His face moved slightly closer.

Her breath caught.

Then Jasper stopped.

He looked almost angry with himself.

He carried her through the ballroom without another word.

---

The east wing of Blackwood Palace was nothing like Evelyn expected.

It wasn't a prison.

It was beautiful.

Massive windows overlooked the moonlit gardens.

Dark velvet curtains covered the walls.

A fireplace burned quietly in the corner.

There was even a balcony overlooking the entire kingdom.

Jasper placed her carefully on the edge of the bed.

Then he stepped away.

Evelyn looked around.

"You call this a prison?"

"No."

"Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because it's the safest room in the palace."

"From whom?"

"Everyone."

She stared at him.

"That's comforting."

He ignored her sarcasm.

"You aren't leaving this room tonight."

"You can't order me around."

"I can."

"You really enjoy that, don't you?"

His lips curved slightly.

"You have no idea."

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

He turned toward the door.

"Wait."

He stopped.

She touched the necklace.

"What is this?"

"I don't know."

"You said it belonged to your mother."

"It did."

"How did she get it?"

"I don't know."

"Who gave it to her?"

"I don't know."

Evelyn frowned.

"You seem to know very little for someone who has lived for three hundred years."

Jasper looked back at her.

"I've spent three centuries trying to forget."

Her expression softened.

"Forget what?"

"You."

Silence.

Evelyn's heart skipped.

"Why?"

"Because remembering you hurts."

He left before she could respond.

The door shut.

Evelyn sat completely still.

She couldn't explain why those words affected her.

She barely knew him.

Yet they felt strangely familiar.

As if some part of her had been waiting to hear them.

She stood and walked toward the mirror.

Her reflection stared back.

Same face.

Same brown eyes.

Same long dark hair.

Nothing unusual.

Except the mark beneath her collarbone.

She hadn't noticed it before.

A small black symbol.

A crown surrounded by thorns.

Evelyn touched it.

Pain shot through her body.

She pulled her hand away.

The mark disappeared.

"What the heck"

A knock sounded at the door.

Evelyn turned.

"Who is it?"

A woman's voice answered.

"Lady Charlotte."

Evelyn rushed toward the door.

She opened it.

Charlotte stood outside, pale and breathless.

"Evelyn."

"What happened?"

"We need to leave."

"Why?"

Charlotte stepped inside and closed the door.

"Because the prince is lying to you."

Evelyn frowned.

"About what?"

"Everything."

Charlotte reached into her dress and pulled out a folded piece of parchment.

"I found this in the royal archives."

Evelyn opened it.

Her eyes widened.

It was an old painting.

Three figures stood inside a royal hall.

Jasper.

Evelyn.

And another woman.

The woman had silver hair and wore a crown.

Beneath the painting were three names.

JASPER BLACKWOOD

EVANGELINE VALE

SERAPHINA BLACKWOOD

Evelyn stared.

"Who is Seraphina?"

Charlotte shook her head.

"I don't know."

Evelyn looked closer.

There was something strange about the painting.

The woman named Evangeline was holding the same necklace Evelyn wore.

And standing behind her...

was Charlotte.

Evelyn's blood turned cold.

"That's impossible."

Charlotte's face went blank.

"What?"

Evelyn pointed at the painting.

"That's you."

Charlotte stared at it.

Then she slowly smiled.

Not nervously.

Not fearfully.

Almost knowingly.

Evelyn stepped backward.

"Charlotte?"

Her friend looked at her.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Charlotte's eyes began glowing gold.

Evelyn couldn't move.

Charlotte whispered:

"I wasn't supposed to let you remember this soon."

The bedroom door suddenly exploded open.

Jasper stood there.

His sword was drawn.

His expression was murderous.

"Step away from her."

Charlotte turned.

"You're too late."

Jasper's eyes flashed silver.

"Who sent you?"

Charlotte smiled.

"The same person who sent the assassin."

Evelyn looked between them.

"You know her?"

Jasper's voice was cold.

"She's not Charlotte."

Evelyn's stomach dropped.

"What?"

The woman beside her laughed.

Her face began changing.

Her hair turned silver.

Her features shifted.

And within seconds, the woman Evelyn had known as her closest friend was gone.

Standing before her was the woman from the painting.

Seraphina.

Jasper's dead mother.

Except she wasn't dead.

Evelyn stared at her.

Seraphina smiled.

"Hello, little queen."

Jasper moved between them.

"Don't touch her."

Seraphina laughed.

"Still protecting her?"

"Until I die."

"You already died for her once."

Jasper's grip tightened around his sword.

Evelyn's heart pounded.

"What does that mean?"

Seraphina looked at Evelyn.

Then at Jasper.

"Ask him what happened on the night you died."

Evelyn turned toward Jasper.

He looked away.

"Jasper."

Nothing.

"Tell me."

Seraphina smiled.

"He won't."

"Why?"

"Because the truth would make you hate him."

Evelyn stared at Jasper.

"Is that true?"

He remained silent.

Seraphina stepped closer.

"Your beloved prince didn't kill you because you asked him to."

Evelyn's breath caught.

"Then why?"

Seraphina's eyes gleamed.

"Because he was ordered to."

Jasper suddenly moved.

His sword flashed toward Seraphina.

She disappeared into a cloud of silver smoke.

Her laughter echoed through the room.

"Ask him who gave the order!"

Then she was gone.

Silence.

Evelyn slowly turned toward Jasper.

He was still holding the sword.

His knuckles were white.

"Who ordered you to kill me?"

Jasper didn't answer.

"Jasper."

His eyes met hers.

"The king."

Evelyn's heart stopped.

"Your father?"

"Yes."

"Why would your father want me dead?"

Jasper lowered his sword.

"Because you weren't just my wife."

Evelyn swallowed.

"What was I?"

He walked toward her.

Slowly.

His expression was full of something she couldn't identify.

Fear.

Regret.

Love.

"You were the heir to a kingdom."

"What kingdom?"

Jasper stopped directly in front of her.

"The kingdom my father destroyed."

Evelyn's eyes widened.

"And you?"

"I was sent to marry you."

"To spy on me?"

"Yes."

Her heart cracked.

"Did you love me?"

Jasper looked at her.

"That was the one thing I wasn't supposed to do."

Evelyn's eyes burned.

"But you did."

He didn't deny it.

"I loved you."

The words were barely a whisper.

"And I still do."

Evelyn couldn't speak.

Jasper lifted his hand and gently touched her cheek.

She should have pulled away.

She didn't.

His thumb brushed beneath her eye.

"You look exactly the same."

Her voice trembled.

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't I remember you?"

"Because I asked someone to erase your memories."

Evelyn froze.

"You did what?"

Jasper's hand fell.

"I wanted you to live."

"You erased my memories?"

"Yes."

"Without my permission?"

"You were dying."

"And you thought you could decide what happened to me?"

His expression broke.

"I was desperate."

Evelyn stepped away.

"You don't get to make that decision."

"I know."

"Do you?"

She stared at him.

"You've been controlling everything since I arrived."

"I've been trying to keep you alive."

"From what?"

Jasper looked toward the window.

The moon had disappeared behind dark clouds.

"From the people who killed you."

Evelyn's heart raced.

"You said your father ordered it."

"He did."

"Then he's dead."

"Yes."

"Then why am I still in danger?"

Jasper looked back at her.

"Because my father wasn't the one who wanted you dead."

"Then who was?"

He opened his mouth.

Before he could answer, every candle in the room went out.

A voice whispered from the darkness.

"Me."

Evelyn froze.

Jasper immediately reached for his sword.

A figure appeared on the balcony.

A man.

Tall.

Dressed in white.

Unlike Jasper's dark appearance, everything about this man looked almost angelic.

Golden hair.

Pale skin.

Blue eyes.

A smile that sent a strange chill through Evelyn.

Jasper's expression changed.

"Lucian."

The newcomer smiled.

"Brother."

Evelyn looked at Jasper.

"Brother?"

Lucian's eyes moved toward her.

He smiled wider.

"So this is her."

Jasper stepped in front of Evelyn.

"Leave."

Lucian laughed.

"You still don't understand, do you?"

"Understand what?"

Lucian looked at Evelyn.

"She wasn't reincarnated."

Evelyn's blood ran cold.

"What?"

Lucian's smile disappeared.

"She never died."

Jasper went completely still.

Evelyn stared at him.

"What is he talking about?"

Lucian stepped closer.

"Your memories weren't erased, Evelyn."

He looked at Jasper.

"They were stolen."

Jasper's face went pale.

And then Lucian said the words that shattered everything Evelyn thought she knew.

"Because the woman standing in front of us isn't Evelyn Vale."

He smiled.

"She's Evangeline Blackwood."

Jasper's sword slipped from his hand.

Evelyn couldn't breathe.

Lucian whispered:

"His wife."

The necklace around Evelyn's neck suddenly cracked.

And somewhere deep inside her mind....

a woman's voice screamed.

"RUN FROM JASPER".

TO BE CONTINUED.