Chapter 2
Jia sobbed. She knew, logically, that this wasn’t her fault, yet guilt stabbed at her heart. She wanted to die. But she couldn’t.
Why can’t I even control my own life?
A wave of uncontrollable rage surged through her. She hated the god who brought her here, and she hated the Emperor who tormented her.
Lethal, holy power erupted from Jia, tearing at the Emperor’s flesh.
While he recoiled, she scrambled away, her feet splashing through something wet and unknown.
The Emperor smirked, watching her flee. Jia, desperate to escape, ran without looking back.
As she descended the stairs, she saw a familiar face.
Cassis Straduvan. The head of the Straduvan family, Tristan and Ethan’s eldest brother. Jia rushed towards him.
“Lord Cassis!”
Cassis, also covered in blood, stared down at her with a terrifyingly blank expression.
Only then did Jia sense something was wrong.
“My Lord, why…”
“It’s all your fault, you wicked witch. Did you come from the demon realm to cloud His Majesty’s judgment?”
“Lord Cassis, I…I didn’t do anything…”
“You’ve ruined the Straduvans, you vile sorceress! I’ll kill you!”
Jia’s eyes widened.
The Straduvans…ruined?
The words pierced her like a spear, leaving her speechless. Only a choked sob escaped her lips.
Guilt crushed her again. If it was the Straduvans… she deserved to die. She knelt, bowing her head to make it easier for him to strike. She heard the unsheathing of a sword and a battle cry.
Her body was immortal, but she knew her head would be severed nonetheless. As she closed her eyes, she heard a short gasp and the thud of a heavy body hitting the floor. Jia slowly opened her eyes and looked up.
Red blood seeped into the hem of her dress. Her lips trembled.
“Foolish to the very end.”
Jia’s mind went blank.
I want to kill him.
No, I want to die.
She wanted them both to die. Tears streamed endlessly from her unfocused eyes. She wanted to ask the god why she had to suffer so much.
What did I do wrong?
No, why me?
It was the Emperor, once again, who lifted her limp arm and pulled her into his embrace.
“Let’s go see what you desire.”
Playfulness laced the Emperor’s voice. Jia regretted ever awakening his emotions.
I shouldn’t have shown him loneliness.
I should have pretended not to know his feelings. I should have kept them hidden. That was her mistake.
Blood and tears dripped onto the floor. Jia stared blankly at the spreading stains.
Discussion
1 CommentReactions
pickle3