Page 10 of His to Break
KARA
I wake in a cold sweat, the remnants of a vivid dream clinging to me like shadows.
Azrael’s face swims in my mind, his hands exploring every inch of my body, his voice whispering dark promises in my ear.
The memory sends a shiver down my spine, desire mixing with confusion as I shake my head, trying to clear the fog.
Something’s different.
I stand and shuffle toward the small, cracked mirror hanging on the wall.
My heart races as I peer into it. The reflection staring back seems foreign yet familiar.
My skin glows with an unusual smoothness, fairer than before.
I reach up, running my fingers through my hair—thicker and more vibrant than I remember.
It cascades down my shoulders like a dark waterfall, catching the light in a way that makes me gasp.
“What’s happening to me?” I whisper, the question lingering in the air like a spell.
Throughout the day, I can’t shake the feeling that something inside me has shifted.
As I move through the mine, lifting heavy stones feels effortless.
My muscles strain against their usual fatigue but not from exertion—rather from power awakening within me.
Each task is easier than it should be; even breathing feels different, charged with energy.
I notice how colors seem brighter today—the deep gray of the rocks more vivid, the flickering torchlight casting dancing shadows that almost feel alive.
Sounds sharpen around me—the distant drip of water echoes off the stone walls, and conversations from other slaves filter into focus as if I’m attuned to them for the first time.
As I pass a group of dark elves clustered together, one sneers at me, contempt dripping from his voice. “Look at her—like a pretty little bird trapped in a cage,” he mocks.
Something stirs inside me—a flicker of defiance igniting into flames. Without thinking, I turn and meet his gaze head-on. For an instant, surprise flashes across his face as he falters; confusion clouds his features when he realizes he’s not looking at a cowering slave.
I feel it—a strange and exhilarating satisfaction blooms within me as I watch him retreat slowly, his eyes wide with uncertainty and disbelief.
My heart races, pounding in my chest with an intensity I’ve never experienced before.
Power thrums beneath my skin like a heartbeat of its own, pulsating in rhythm with the newfound energy coursing through every fiber of my being.
What is this? What am I tapping into? I can hardly wrap my mind around the sensation, and yet it feels so undeniably right.
I can barely contain the thrill bubbling within me as I walk away from him; each step feels remarkably lighter, buoyed by a strength I had long thought lost—confidence surging up from a place buried deep inside, a place long overshadowed by years of servitude and fear.
It’s as if a weight has been lifted, and I can finally breathe freely for the first time in what feels like forever.
As I approach a pile of rocks near one of the shafts, I spot a heavy boulder resting among the rubble.
Without a moment's hesitation, I bend my knees and lift it effortlessly above my head—a feat that would have left me breathless and trembling just yesterday.
The boulder tumbles aside with little effort on my part, crashing against another stone with a satisfying thud that reverberates through the air like a triumph.
Gasping for breath only now because of exhilaration rather than fatigue, I step back and stare in awe at what I've accomplished. Could this be real? Could this power be mine?
I step into Azrael’s chamber, my heart pounding in my chest. The moment I cross the threshold, the air thickens with tension, a palpable energy swirling around us.
My eyes lock onto him, and every instinct within me ignites like wildfire.
He sits casually on his cot, his dark figure silhouetted against the dim light, those glowing red eyes boring into me with an intensity that makes my breath hitch.
“What did you do to me?” I ask quietly, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound steady. The heat pooling in my core catches me off guard; it’s an all-consuming desire that I can’t seem to shake.
Azrael’s smile unfurls slowly, almost predatory, and something inside me quivers at the sight. “You’re just starting to realize your potential,” he replies smoothly, leaning forward as if the distance between us is unbearable. “Stay close to me, and you’ll become even more powerful.”
His words seep into my mind like honey—sweet yet dangerous. A thrill runs through me, mixing with the heat swelling in my chest. Could it be true? Could I really become something more than this pathetic slave?
I stand straighter, a newfound confidence coursing through me like an electric current. With each step I take toward him, I feel different—stronger. No longer am I the weak trembling girl who cowered under their lashings; now I carry an edge of defiance.
“Azrael,” I say softly as I approach him, lingering just out of reach. “What does that mean? What kind of power?”
He leans back slightly, observing me with a smirk that sends shivers racing down my spine. “You’ve tapped into something deep within you—a darkness waiting to be unleashed.”
The words resonate within me like a drumbeat of rebellion. Darkness? A part of me craves it—the thrill of it calls to something primal inside.
I can feel it—a bond forming between us like a thread pulling taut in the fabric of fate. The more time I spend near him, the stronger that pull becomes until it's all-consuming. Every glance from him sends ripples across my skin; every moment shared amplifies that connection.
“I want this,” I whisper before I can think better of it.
He raises an eyebrow at my admission, intrigued. “Want what?”
“To be powerful,” I admit again—this time louder and with more conviction. “To not be afraid anymore.”
A glimmer sparks in his eyes as he rises from his cot and takes a step closer. My breath catches as his presence envelops me—his warmth radiates off him like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
“You’ll have power beyond your wildest dreams,” he murmurs, his voice low and rich with promise.
My heart races as he closes the gap between us until there’s barely any space left—so close that I can feel the heat radiating from his body washing over mine like waves crashing against rocks.
“Trust yourself,” he says softly as he brushes a finger along my jawline. My skin ignites under his touch—a jolt of electricity that sends tremors through me.
In this moment, everything else fades away: the darkness of the fortress and the oppressive weight of servitude lift like mist in morning light. It’s just Azrael and me—two souls intertwined by fate's cruel design—and for once, I'm not afraid to embrace what lies ahead.
I nod slowly but firmly, determination blossoming inside me as our eyes lock once more. In this dark world filled with fear and despair, perhaps together we could forge our own destiny—a future where we wield our powers instead of being controlled by them.
“Let’s do this,” I say firmly, taking a step forward into whatever awaits us next—the uncertainty no longer paralyzing but electrifying instead.