Glass

She needed to tell him. Needed to inform him that she was now a danger, even to him. That whatever power she felt thrumming in her veins, was confusing her and destroying the surrounding things unconsciously. She needed to learn how to control it. Breaking sinks and mirrors was not something she wanted to develop into a habit...

But everything she had planned to say, burned down into ashes the second she set her eyes on him.

Her mind went blank.

Her thoughts went chaotic.

Her heart started thudding once again.

Something in her veins lit up, a blazing fire.

He was wearing a midnight blue shirt with shades of black mixed here and there. Over the shirt, was a jet black coat that set her heart thudding louder than ever. His hair wasn't styled to perfection like it mostly was. It was the same wild mess that she ran her hands through many occasions ago. His tattooed hand was resting casually in his trousers, which fit his legs as if they were specially made just for them.

He was breathtaking.

And a huge, massive distraction in her plan.

She willed herself to look away with immense effort and stepped down the stairs. Eva focused on the surroundings and interior of the house instead of the man standing by the door.

The house was cozy and comfortable looking but at the same time, it was designed in a modern way that she had never seen before. The walls were nonexistent. The room in which she had first arrived seemed to have been the only one with real brick walls. Almost all the compartments, including the bedrooms, were made of glass walls.

Glass... Walls.

See through.

Transparent.

A hysteric scream made its way up her throat, but she pushed it back down. Now this was something she needed to ask Gwen right away, as soon as she saw her again. She was comfortable before since she thought that the walls might be enchanted and only looked like glass. But doubts made their way into her mind. Suspicions she needed to clear immediately before she went completely insane.

Had she been naked in front of a whole city of people!?

'Impossible...'

Her eyes encountered his the same second he raised his head to look up. Their gazes met and Eva released a shaky breath from her parted lips. Meeting him was not a viable option anymore. But how was she supposed to escape the King of this place? He would kick her out because of her rude behavior!

His gaze was heated and the dormant flame inside her threatened to burn alight.

"You're here." were the first words he spoke to her after she had run away and slammed the door shut in his face.

Eva tried to calm her thundering emotions. It didn't work. "Where am I supposed to meet them? Are they going to come here?"

He stared and then slowly shook his head in reply. "I'm taking you for a tour of the city first. From there, you'll get a clear view of the house and the place where we're going to have dinner."

His explanation was thorough and sent a bolt of excitement through her body. The emotion felt foreign, almost strange. But Eva only nodded, coming to stand by his side though at a visible distance.

"Lead the way," she spoke, and he gazed at her before turning around.

The doors of the place automatically opened, and he looked sideways as if waiting for her to ask what happened. Eva didn't question the magic of the place and saw a small flash of dismay cross his features. This was better, he would now know that she was not interested and felt only gratification for his aid and support.

Nothing else.

At least she wouldn't let her other emotions show. Not now. Not ever.

Trying her best to ignore his presence around her, she looked around and for the first time felt the urge to forget everything and let go of revenge. To just buy a house in this beautiful city and live here forever.

The sky was a majestic shade of purple, stars decorating the atmosphere and the Moon shining above in the very farthest corner of the city. The buildings of the large city were different from the houses she had seen in any other country.

They were tall, and medium-sized while the shops were smaller though not any less breathtaking and attractive. The chatter of people, laughter and giggles, the bright smile on the people's faces as they saw Theodore and to Eva's great shock, didn't bother bowing. Kids waved while some people slapped him on the back, patting his shoulders with a grin on their faces.

Eva realized that Xandria and his Court were just disguises. Masks to show the world that he was dangerous and not somebody to mess with. That he was a cold-hearted, unfeeling, and emotionless monster.

Lies.

A façade.

The man in front of her was respected by his people because they loved him. Genuinely from their hearts because it was obvious that he had done so much for them. Made sacrifices. No sign of any misery or war or destruction had ever touched this city's borders. Happiness bloomed from every corner, immense joy written clearly on the citizens' faces and their children's.

Theo looked happy. She didn't need to make him smile here. Groups of cute little children ran up to him and he patiently shook each of their hands and patted their small little heads. Eva could only watch from his side, occasionally smiling at the kids though she wondered if it appeared stiff. All of this was too much. Too new. Bringing out all those emotions that she had decided to bury. She felt too much happiness and joy from all these strangers and it made her feel... alone.

She was not a part of this ecstasy.

She didn't belong here.

She didn't have a home.

This Eden could never be hers. It was a home for dreamers and the hopeful.

And she was neither.