Page 30 of Where the Dark Knelt (Worshipped by Darkness #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Eveline

Today was Sunday, and we had a special reception at the monastery for all those who came to visit us for the weekend.

We poured wine for the parishioners and served them sweet, fresh fruits from our garden.

Today it was peaches and strawberries. The fruits were unbelievably delicious, their sweetness almost unreal.

They grew high up in the mountains, and their taste held something deeper, something almost otherworldly.

Or perhaps, after all these years, my palate had simply changed so much that even simple fruits like these felt… orgasmic.

Ah… yes… orgasmic.

I snorted irritably at myself, the memory of yesterday flashing in my mind, the handsome blond man with the bike helmet. Black leather clothes clung to his body perfectly. He was so handsome it hurt to look at him, glowing with that masculine confidence and raw sexuality.

“Get it together, for God’s sake, Eveline,” I hissed through my teeth, shaking my head as if it would fling the thoughts away.

I finished braiding my hair. It had grown long over the years, and I had no intention of cutting it. Its natural color had returned completely, the soft brown untouched by dye. I used to keep it ash-blonde; I loved that color so much. But those days were gone.

I glanced out the window, the morning sun already flooding the gardens with its warm light. I found myself looking for the cat, hoping that someday I might hear his sweet meow again, see his beautiful, sparkling eyes… Eyes as beautiful as the man’s from yesterday.

“So, Eveline,” I muttered to myself, frowning, “are you going to see him everywhere now? Even in the poor cat that ran away from you?”

I scolded myself and turned away from the window with a sigh, taking a deep breath to steady my thoughts. I went to my neighbor’s room, hoping to find Astra. But she wasn’t there.

“Hmmm… where did she run off to so early in the morning?” I wondered aloud.

Eventually, I found her in the main hall, where all the sisters were slowly gathering for morning prayer and preparations.

I had completely forgotten that today she was in charge of setting everything up for the reception with the parishioners.

She was standing by the entrance, pouring wine into glass cups lined up on the table. She waved at me as soon as she saw me.

“Good morning, sister Astra. How are you today?” I asked, smiling.

“God bless you, sister Eveline. I’m doing great!” she replied with her usual bright smile, finishing off the last of the hundred glasses and placing it on the wooden table with a gentle clink.

“And I’m doing great, too. I’ve been looking for you since this morning,” I said, giggling softly. “Then I realized you were already busy working.”

“Yes, today is a special day,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron.

“That’s what you always say about Sundays,” I teased, and she laughed, shaking her head lightly.

She handed me the large, antique keyring for the monastery gates. It felt heavy in my hand, the iron cold and strong, as if carrying centuries of memory within its metal.

“Here, Eveline. Open the doors. Everyone is probably already gathered outside by now.”

I nodded, holding the keys tightly, and turned toward the grand entrance to greet the waiting world.

Inserting the heavy key into the lock, I turned it just the right number of times until I heard the familiar clicks of the mechanisms disengaging the iron plates inside the massive doors.

With a steady push, I leaned on one door and began to swing it open slowly, revealing the world beyond our monastery walls.

Outside, a queue of visitors awaited, their faces bright with anticipation.

I smiled warmly at each of them, bowed gently, and said, “Good morning! Please, come in. Welcome to St. Marie’s Monastery.

Everyone is welcome. Help yourselves to the wine and fruits today, sister Astra will be serving you. ”

Their delight was palpable as they stepped inside the vast hall, ready to begin a new day of service.

“When you’re ready, please take a seat on the benches.

We will start with prayer soon, and then we will sing for you and for God.

Today is a beautiful, sunny day!” I said, watching their hopeful faces nod in unison.

I turned toward the altar with a quiet smile, preparing myself for the prayer service I was about to lead for the first time.

My monastic training had been intensive, and the day I was to take my final vows was fast approaching.

I was ready, I knew it in my heart. This would be my home forever, and my soul belonged to the Lord.

But as I lost myself in these thoughts, the blond man suddenly appeared again in my line of sight. That damn sexy man… without his bike helmet this time. He was dressed entirely in black, it was a sharp, formal black shirt buttoned up to the collar, and dark glasses shielding his eyes.

“Why on earth does he need glasses indoors?” I frowned, feeling unsettled. “What is he drinking?”

I tried to look away, but I found myself glued to him, unable to tear my gaze off the mysterious stranger. Forcing myself to lift my chin, I smiled at him, welcoming and calm. Glancing around, I wondered, am I the only one who sees him? He isn’t a trick of my imagination, right?

He stopped beside Astra and took a glass from her hands. She smiled back at him humbly, completely unaffected by whatever charm he might wield.

Hmmm... Was this the devil’s work, meddling with my fate? Was I being tested by higher powers? Or was this just another challenge to overcome?

When he noticed me, he walked straight toward me and suddenly, I was struck by a wave of nervousness.

Where could I run? I glanced around, but in an instant, he was already at my side, as if he’d teleported from the entrance all the way to the altar — right where, just yesterday, he had pinned me down and…

Ah, damn it, that memory burned hot in my mind.

So Eveline, what are you thinking about again? I scolded myself sharply. You have vows on your lips, and you — you want to sin! Such thoughts shouldn’t even be there. Get him out of here. Now!!!

His scent wrapped around me like a slow fire. I licked my lips involuntarily, the urge to close my eyes and drift away with him threatening to overwhelm me.

I wanted to cry because this was how it was going to be, wasn’t it? But I wouldn’t give up. No handsome man could break me. Ten years of fighting to become the best version of myself wasn’t going to unravel in a few moments.

He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear, sending a shiver racing down my spine. “Calm down, ashpetal… why are you so red?”

Goosebumps prickled my skin, and I narrowed my eyes, trying to summon strength. “How do you talk to a nun?”

He smirked. “Well, first of all, you’re not one yet…” His fingers reached for my braid, lightly stroking the woven strands with slow, deliberate touches. His eyes locked onto mine, piercing through me like molten steel.

“Do you want to go outside, if you are not feeling well?” He asked politely all of a sudden.

I let out a ragged breath, anger and desire tangled together, and fear squeezed my chest. I hadn’t felt such a storm of emotions in this place for so long, and he’d managed to stir it all in just a few minutes.

It’s like the devil himself is standing here. By God, we need to send him away.

“No, I… I…” I stammered, feeling the heat rising as things spiraled out of control by the second.

He grinned, cocky as ever. “Oh poor girl, well, well… speechless from my beauty? Already soaking wet, hmm?”

I clenched my jaw, barely able to resist. “How dare you!” And without thinking, I slapped him.

The sharp smack echoed through the hall. Silence fell instantly.

But he just laughed — a deep, amused laugh — and spread his arms wide like a showman. “I asked her to slap me. All good, citizens! Enjoy your Sunday morning!”

Heads turned toward us, eyes wide. Then, as the hush returned, he locked eyes with me again.

“And you’re a bad girl, hmm… Naughty little brat…” He bit his lower lip, his hand coming up to rub the red mark I’d left on his cheek. Then, with a slow swagger, he walked to the front row and sat down right there, in front of the altar.

“I can’t wait to see you leading the prayer today,” he said softly.

“Can’t wait.” I growled under my breath and stormed out of the hall needing a moment to cool down.

If I didn’t, I might not only sin with lust but also… well, kill this annoying pest.

In the hallway, I almost collided with Helen, who was carrying a plate of fruit. She nearly dropped it.

“Oh! I’m sorry, sunshine. Are you okay?”

I nodded, but she stepped closer, her deep, almost black-brown eyes searching mine. “Are you sure? You look… worked up.”

I crossed my arms and snorted. “Yeah, I ran into a strange guy… whispering all sorts of obscenities.”

Helen’s eyes widened. “Oh God, did he make you lose your temper that easily?”

She shook her head and then giggled. “Looks like someone’s still got some inner demons to deal with before taking vows.”

I pushed her playfully. “Damn you!” I rolled my eyes and headed down the corridor toward the garden exit.

She called after me, “Five minutes! Prayer’s starting soon!”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember!” I swallowed nervously, stepped outside, and breathed in the fresh morning air. Closing my eyes for a moment, I took a couple of deep breaths and returned with a small smile. No way was he breaking me.

Back inside, all the sisters had already gathered at the altar. Everyone was ready, except me. I stepped to the center, looked around with a confident smile, and nodded. “Well, sisters, let’s begin.”

As I led the prayer I’d memorized over these years, I did my best not to glance at the man sitting alone on my left side. He’d claimed a whole row for himself, despite there being space for hundreds, maybe a thousand, parishioners.

At the prayer’s end, I couldn’t relax. My jaw clenched tight.

I didn’t sing in the choir today; only half of us performed. When we finished, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, he was getting up and walking toward me.

“Oh God, help me,” I muttered under my breath and turned toward the altar, repeating the prayer silently to steady myself.

Suddenly, his hand landed firmly on my shoulder, spinning me around and cutting off my prayer. I glared at him, jaw clenched, eyes burning, but his face was flushed, cheeks pink, like he’d had too much wine. And that ridiculous smile stretched across his lips.

I closed my eyes, exhaled slowly, and counted to ten, willing myself to let go of the frustration.

“Yeah… I’m listening, sir,” I said, voice tight but steady.

He winced when I addressed him so coldly.

“Hey, babe, don’t call me that.”

I shot back, “Save the word ‘babe’ for your twenty-year-old fan girls, okay?”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? Being rude to a parishioner of the monastery once again?”

“I have boundaries,” I said firmly, “and I’m allowed to have them.”

He blinked, looking genuinely surprised, then threw his hands up in mock surrender. Great, let him roll away now. But at the same time... I didn’t want him to go. What was wrong with me today? My faith was seriously being tested. Damn it.

He leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “I’d like to talk... in person.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks again, and my breath hitched.

Just then, Astra appeared beside us. “Can I help you, sir?”

“No, I was just asking for guidance and prayers from your sister,” he said smoothly.

“She probably didn’t get to finish what he wanted to say,” I interrupted. “But yes, I’m listening.”

“Are you truly listening now?” he grinned and suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me, taking my hand and kissing it.

I froze. “What are you doing? Stop that!”

“Please,” he murmured, “I need to talk to you.”

“Just go talk to him already,” Helen whispered from nearby, watching this odd scene unfold.

“Then let’s walk in the garden,” the blond begged, still on his knees. “It’s stuffy in here.”

“Stuffy? Or are you being strangled by demons in a monastery for your sins?” I teased. “Hmm... interesting concept.”

Astra chuckled and glanced at me. “I think he’s had too much to drink.”

Rolling my eyes, I took him by the elbow and led him down the corridor toward the garden door.

“What’s your problem?” I tsked. “Why are you here at all? To mock me? I have the last few weeks of freedom before I take my vows forever.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

I snorted as I unlocked the door and stepped outside into the flower garden, the fresh ocean breeze brushing against us.

He straightened and looked at me with sharp, serious eyes, bright green and dangerous.

“Do you really want this?”