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I pressed my thighs together, refusing to let him see the effects his dirty mouth had on me.

“You are fucking delusional.”

“And your breathing is heavy, and your eyes are turning black, Thea. You like when I say things like this to you.”

I snapped my mouth shut. He stepped forward again, so he was only about a foot from me.

“Do you really think you can stay away from me?” he demanded an answer. He leaned down so we were eye level, his arms caging me against the wall. “If you want me, you can have me,” his voice dripped like honey in my ears.

My eyes bounced between his. All the words he spoke in the clearing that day crashed down around me, and I burst into tears. He was tricking me again, or was he? My overwhelmed mind and heart couldn’t tell the difference anymore. My heart thought he might mean these words, but my brain told me he didn’t.

“My love…” Cassius tilted my chin up to meet his eyes.

I tore my face from his grasp, crying out, “I know you enchanted me into believing that you actually loved me, and I know that is what you are doing now. I know why you want the bloodstone, and I will never give it to you. I would rather die with no memories than remember what you did to me.”

Cassius stumbled back, as if my words slapped him.

“Why do you think I want your bloodstone?”

My bloodstone? It belonged to my father.

“To free you from your curse.”

Cassius’ eyes widened.

“My curse,” he muttered. “Who told you that?” His brows furrowed.

“My father.”

“I see.” He looked at me again, although now with no emotion. “And you believe everything the King of Cerithia tells you?”

“I believe him more than I believe you.”

Cassius stared at me for a long moment before he turned and left the room without a word. I waited for him to come back, but he didn’t. Hours went by, and I lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Late into the night, I turned to my side, trying to stay awake. I let out a startled scream, jumping up from the bed. The woman with star-colored eyes was standing in the room, watching me. Her dress was a dark crimson red this time. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

“You aren’t real,” I whispered. “What is wrong with me?”

"Well, for starters, you talk to yourself a lot.” The woman’s voice was soft, like a melody. My eyes snapped open, and I looked at her.

“You’ve been watching me; why?” I looked at the woman closely. “If Cassius sent you, then you can fuck off.”

She smiled. Gods, she was beautiful. Her black hair was in loose waves, and her star-colored eyes shone brightly against her dark skin.

“Cassius doesn’t know I’m here.”

“So, he knows who you are?” I questioned.

“Yes,” she sighed.

“What do you want?” I stood straight to show her I wasn’t scared of her. Her eyes took in my new stance, and she gave me a small smile.

“I want you to break your curse, so I’m here.”

“Do I know you? Why would you care about me?”

The woman watched me carefully before taking a hesitant step away from me. I couldn’t sense fear from her, but I was wearing magic-binding cuffs, so I couldn't tell. After studying her face for a moment, though, I realized that she looked... scared of me.