***“Hey!” a voice made me shudder and I opened my eyes. I sat up and looked behind me, seeing Gamma Graves. He moved to my side and sat beside me.“Why are you here?” I queried with a frown.“I came to talk to you, Muriel,” he said softly.“If it’s about Lucian and the so-called fighting contest for me to choose bodyguards, I will imply you not to waste your time,” I set forth and stood up, turning to leave the garden.“Wait!” Gamma Graves said, halting me in my tracks, and stood up. I looked at him, the frown of displeasure never wearing off. I folded my arms across my chest. “I know you are pained for all Lucian did to you, but can’t you forgive him? He is sorry, he loves you now. What do you want him to do to prove to you that he is truly sorry for everything?” Gamma Graves stated.“You won’t understand,” I declared and turned to go again.“Then make me understand, Muriel. Why can’t you forgive him?”“Becaus

Russell didn’t return throughout the day. A maid brought me dinner at dinnertime. I was wondering where he went. I rested on the bed, facing the ceiling that was pulling me to heaven.“What did I say wrong?” I thought to myself. “Was it Mateo and Emery that made him abandon me here all day?” Just then, the door opened with Emery dashing in. She walked with anger and derision. Her footsteps echoed around the room like a mighty warrior stomping. I sprang up from the bed.“Hey, you!” she snarled, moving closer to me. “Where is that fu*king bloodsucker mate less Russell?” she questioned with her eyes searching across the room.“Why are you looking for him with such a badmouth?” I asked calmly.“Who the hell are you to question me? People like you are nothing but cheap tramp, you got no right to talk back at me, Emery Thomas. What gave you the guts?” Emery snapped, burning down with fume. I crossed my arms and smirked.“That made you

~Muriel~I woke up on the bed. I sat up and yawned, stretching my arms. I looked at the couch where me and Russell were seated last night, he wasn’t there.“W… wait…what?!” I exclaimed suddenly as the event of last night struck me. “What did Russell do to me? I remember I wasn’t done cleaning his wound and I dozed off,” I thought to myself. Russell soon walked in with two maids holding trays of food. The maids placed the food on the table and went off. Russell turned to me.“Good morning, come on, let’s eat,” he said to me with a smile. I stood up and walked to him with a scowl. “Oh-oh! What happened now?” he queried.“What did you do to me last night?” I questioned, staring him in the eyes. He scratched the back of his head.“What are you talking about?” he asked in pretense. I raised my eyebrows at him. “Fine, I had to make you sleep. You needed rest but you were acting stubborn,” he confessed.“Was that why you cast a spell on

“I still believe you will find her soon,” I reassured.“If you say so. Are you ready to explore my kingdom now?” he asked.“Of course, but before then, I want to have breakfast first,” I commented and my stomach growled.“Your stubbornness is making you have breakfast late.”“Stop staying in my head and I will be cool,” I declared and stood up, walking to the table to have breakfast.“Whatever,” his voice trailed off.After some minutes, we were outside the compound. Wow. The yard loosens up before me, a huge scope of fastidiously manicured gardens and cobblestone pathways. The air is buzzing with the fragrance of blossoming blossoms, and the delicate sound of water streaming from wellsprings makes a calming tune. I stood suspended for the moment, taking in the magnificence that encompasses me. I couldn’t resist the urge to feel the feeling of freedom as it washed over me. Russell stood beside me, watching me with a smile on his face.“You like the palace?” he finally spoke. I looked

***“You know the rest of the story, Jenny,” I told Jennifer.“Yeah, such a pity,” Jennifer sounded sleepy. She yawned. “Let me go to bed, Muriel, see you tomorrow,” Jennifer bade, sitting up.“Why don’t you sleep here?” I asked and she looked at me abruptly. “Yes, stay with me, Jenny. The bed is big for both of us.”“Are you sure?” Jennifer asked. I nodded. She smiled and lay back down. Sleep was far from my eyes. The memory of my last life came rushing into my head. How can I forget what happened after I passed out?***I regained consciousness, squinting. Everything was still blurry. I grunted as I sat up on the bed. Where was I?“Is anyone there?” I uttered faintly.“Just a nightmare,” I heard Lucian’s voice from the corner of the room. I looked in the direction and saw him seated with crossed legs, holding a glass of red wine.“Where am I?” I asked, pissed off. He stood up and walked closer to me w