Retribution

She jumped up and whirled around punching him straight in the jaw, clearly, he could have stopped it, but he always let her get at least one hit in.

I quickly moved away as they began shouting at one another, knowing it would blow over quickly, without any real conflict. It always puzzled me how they could act that way, but never make any move to join together.

I may not have been an expert in love, after Nya and Kat but it was clear to see how these two felt. I just hoped they didn’t wait until it was too late, knowing death could be waiting right around the corner for any one of us.

15

Unya

I was standing in front of a full body mirror in a black gown, it had a corset top that cinched in at the waist and a full-length skirt with layer after layer of lace falling to the ground.

There was a three-foot train falling behind me and spread out on the floor, with a black netted veil covering my pale face. I pulled it back and saw a hollow look within my eyes, knowing today I would be married and then there would be no escape.

My soon to be husband entered the room and came to stand behind me, our eyes locked in the mirror and his were filled with a predatory look. I had no idea what waited for us after this day, but I knew it would destroy me. He laid his hands upon my waist, squeezing tight enough to leave individual bruises where his fingers were and all that left my lips was his name “Troy.”

I had awoken from yet another dream about this damn wedding, why was the groom always Troy, did my subconscious know something that I didn’t.

If that wasn’t bad enough Yana decided she would take on the task of helping me to pick out my wedding dress, I would pick the colour and she would get it made. Whether I liked it or not, I would have to wear it.

“I’ve decided I want a different dress depending on who I marry, I don’t know why but something tells me that if Troy should win, then the colour has to be black.”

“Ooh how unconventional, I love it good choice, black like his soul,” said Yana in a sing song voice.

“If its Malachi then I want it ivory and cobalt blue, just like his eyes.”

“That’s almost romantic Unya, let’s hope for your sake he wins then, clearly he is the one you would prefer.”

I didn’t bother to respond instead I left her sitting in my room, as I escaped with no destination in mind.

I prowled the empty hallway, that never seemed to have an end in sight, when I came across a door that was ajar. Curiosity got the better of me as I moved closer and pushed it open a little bit more.

My eyes grew wider as I witnessed Troy in the act of sex with the other Nymph who had tried to stake claim to Malachi.

Her head was thrown back in pleasure, as he pounded her hard, pulling her hair so tight I’m surprised it didn’t disengage from her scalp. I could hear flesh slapping together joined by grunting coming from Troy.

He lifted his head up, his eyes locking onto my own and a sly smile formed on his lips. She continued to cry out, and then he was biting down on her shoulder, while still looking straight at me. It was in that moment I realised her screams were no longer of pleasure as he drained the life force right out of her, only stopping and disengaging himself when she fell to the floor resembling nothing more than a lifeless husk.

I chose that moment to close the door and hurry back to my room, knowing I could not let that monster win. Even if he called to the darker side of me, I somehow knew I would never know an ounce of happiness if I spent my life with him.

It was the next day when I saw Malachi again but instead of his usual aloofness, where he tried to pretend he wanted to be around me but thinking of a quick escape plan instead, this time he swept me up in his arms and kissed me as though his life depended on it.

I couldn’t help but wrap my legs around his waist as he trailed kisses down the side of my neck and across my collarbone, and I couldn’t help the heady moan that escaped my mouth.

He pulled away, but not before capturing my

mouth once more with his, then he lowered me to the ground and refused to let go.

“That’sa hello I can get behind,” I stated, with an exaggerated wink, which made him laugh and filled me with thrills at the sound.

“I’m going to be doing something very stupid soon, I guess I just needed a little bit of happiness before I did.”

“What are you doing Malachi?”

“I’m going to confront Hades, it’s a shame you can’t be there, but he would never answer my questions if he knew you were.”

He said this with a strange look in his eyes, almost as though he was trying to get me to find a way to be there without Hades knowing.

“Will it be dangerous for you?”