CHAPTER 2

(3RD PERSON'S POV)

She was kneeling down on the floor with a chain on her wrists, Avena felt tired, and didn't know where she was. Her last memory was her being captured by a demon. She felt her tears streaming down her face. She was afraid and lost.

slowly she opened her eyes, to see that she was inside a cell, it was dirty and nasty in there, she cannot breathe with the atmosphere inside because it was too dark, there was nothing she can do but sobbed quietly and look at herself.. She was a whole wreck, a total mess..is it normal to do self-pity? Because she is really doing it right now..

It was dark, only a speck of light reached her space, and didn't know what was going on outside..

She hates darkness, it's always drowning her in nightmares and horror..

She hugged her knees and close her eyes hoping for Ralph to come and save her...

She was about to open her eyes once again when someone entered her cell. It was stomping towards her pace, she was dead nervous, but she pretended to be asleep.. Her fist clenched..

" Who the fuck told you to chain her up?? " an angry deep voice shouted, she almost jumped in fear..

It was terrifying, the fear crept into her body when she heard it slowly remove the chains from her wrist, the man's hands slowly brush hers and she instantly felt heat all around her body.. It was an unknown feeling, Ralph's touch wasn't like this..

When the chains were released, she felt lifted from the ground, he was carrying her carefully. His hands were callous, she didn't even open her eyes, but right there she felt calm and safe in this stranger's touch..

" get the fvck!! Out of my way or I'll kill you all!! " his deep voice echoed throughout the foreign hall, they were walking. It was melodic and addictive.. But dangerous.

How could he carry her in spite of her being a woman from jail? She's still dirty, and filthy..

She heard a door open, and realized that they entered a room, she felt the man slowly layer her back at the comfy bed. Her body relaxed, and she can't help but groan when she felt her back crack. It was the greatest feeling ever..

The man didn't stay long and quickly went out of the room she was staying in.. that's when she finally open her eyes and let out a hard breath..

Could it be the king of Valentine that everyone fear..? He isn't that bad.. Avena thinks to herself.

Maximus was out of breath when he got out of the room, he has never seen such a beautiful woman in his life, it was still her even in the past..

"fuck....!!" he cursed walking away from the woman's room, the sight of her gives him a boner, even if she doesn't shower yet.. Her effect to him is just way too hard to resist.

He was still angry, because of her being locked up in a cell. ( Whoever locked her up in there.

That fucker is going to pay)

He reached his chambers and quickly pulled off his clothes and soaked himself in a bath filled with ice..

He can't lose control, she has just arrived here, and he can't be rough on her..

But damn this sinful mind of him playing tug of war with what not to do and what to do..

So he continued cursing in the air.

He felt all of it again the heat, the desire, lust, pain, longing, and love. He wanted to touch her so badly. He doesn't care what she looks like..

" be patient, Maximus.. " he talked to himself. And close his eyes..

He knew she was awake, but he didn't bother, sooner or later, she will fall for him, it was their destiny.. A smile crept into his handsome face.

Avena was damn scared, she guessed that Ralph couldn't really find her.. She cried because of overthinking.. Would she be ok without Ralph..

It's just sad to think that she hasn't said what she really felt for him before they were separated..

She look around and realize that she was in a big, and luxurious room. There was a big chandelier hanging above, a golden marble wall, and a golden floor, maybe this is all made of gold..

Can this be taken out of it? She joked to herself, just to calm her anxious heart and mind.. ( Avena!!!!) she mentally screamed at herself.

Shiit.. She even realized her riches won't be half of this room's luxury and expenses.. It was neat and sophisticated, adding the big curtains on the windows that are used to enhance the beauty of the room.

Why did this man, bring her here? Shouldn't she be put in jail?.. She slowly walked towards the window and looked outside. But she was clearly shocked to see that it was not Evergreen city anymore, it is merely a town from the 18th century.. Holy Molly!!!!

Heck.. She thought the whole time that Andromeda was a high technology dimension..but she was completely wrong.. Did she really enter the dimension, Andromeda? But why?

She was out of daydreaming when the door slowly banged open, it was just the maids.. And she thinks she was thankful that it wasn't the man who carried her..

" Hello my ladyship, I am Venita, and this is Yvonne and Ila, and were her to make you pretty!" the woman cheered in happiness and so as her company..

She just laughed.. "My name's Avena.. "

After that the ladies started working on her in the bath..the smell of chocolate lingers in the air and it was from her shampoo.. making her crave chocolates. She hasn't been eating some since then.

"it's chocolate... " she murmured

"yes your ladyship, the king personally ordered it for you.. " Yvonne gladly said. That's words made her still..

" the king?? " I glance at the three of them..

" yes my lady and he's so handsome." ila squeals.

" I agree to that.. " Venita giggles..

" We knew that you haven't seen our king my ladyship, but please be temperament when it comes to him, he loves to interrogate, and make you feel small.. But the truth is he is a very good king of Valentine.." Yvonne warmly said to me..

" yeah he may be rough at the first, but he is guaranteed to be good.. Like us, all the people that work in this palace are treated well, what we only don't do is offend his orders and wants.. " Venita added..

AVENA

I just nod and as time passed by I became friends with them, and here I am now alone again in this room, I was already dressed for dinner, but actually, I'm nervous..I'm still angry that the fact he kidnapped me and brought me here..

I wore a black silk nightgown, it hugs my curves and shows half of my breasts, wtf!! I feel naked in these clothes..

I really wanna protest, but there are no other clothes in the wardrobe, but men's clothes, and protecting my precious life is a must. so this dress will do, for now...This couldn't be that man's room.

Oh no!! What if?? Oh God..!!

I quickly brushed off my head that green thing and think positively..

I stared at myself in the mirror, I don't look like me.. Venita has made me so beautiful that I couldn't even recognize myself anymore. My hair was let down cascading at my bare back.. And note this. This is the very first time that I wore this kind of dress just to have dinner with some badass man that I don't even know. Or who kidnapped me..

I inhaled and exhaled heavily, and quickly went out of that room to find the dining hall..

Ila told me to follow the long hallway and enter the last door. And so I did..

As I walk in the hallways there is no noise that can be heard, everything is calm and only a gust of a small breeze touches my body.. Freaking cold..

I reach for the last door and without a second thought, I entered. There was nothing to be afraid of, I want to ask him, what's his motive, and why all of this magic magic happened in my life so suddenly..

I want to see him, what he looks like, And believe what Venita has described..

I felt a presence underneath the chairs and table once I entered this big cold room.. I couldn't bare to lift my gaze, because I was too nervous to face the man.

I felt a stare that bore into me and my body..

No Avena, be brave, you grew up alone, and you are independent and feisty..

" don't just stand there.... Sit.. " I deep voice echoed throughout the silent room.. I still couldn't look up at him even though his voice woke something in me, in my soul and body.. What the fvck is going on with me? It's just his voice for Pete's sake...

I quickly sat i the vacant chair, the table wasn't that much longer, one meter I guess. There were foods on the table, every sort and variety has it.. and because of that my stomach growls.. if ASMRs were existing by these times now, I'd be in pure embarrassment.

" Avena.... Look at me... " his husky deep voice echoed once again..

Why would I? But why not?.. Fvck!!!

I was panicking while lifting my sight toward him, but everything stops when I finally look into his eyes..

Wow!! Those eyes!! I've seen them before, but the problem is where??

Wait did I just see the most beautiful man in my life?.. I don't understand why my heart doesn't race but I do feel something deeper that unlocks a door in my heart. I felt time stop when I clash a stare at him and I couldn't put it out away..

" You look sexy.." I heard him utter a word between our stares.. I felt calm when I saw his face, and I already love his features, now all I need is to know his way of living..

" You're so quiet." the man added, making me blush, hey i couldn't help it!..

I didn't speak.. I just wanna stare at him, I admire those red natural lips, a perfect nose, that purple gray eyes, and thick eyebrows, he is undoubtedly gorgeous and perfect.

But I was back in my consciousness when my stomach growled, this time it was a lot more louder, f*ck this is embarrassing! I hope he didn't hear that.

" I'm starving let's eat.. "I spoke calmly to him and start digging into my food, not minding me being flushed in my face, the fvck, I have never, ever, blushed before....aside from that still there were questions left hanging on my head.. I wanna ask him these things but better not stir his temper.. I need more energy, so I'm gonna eat first..

I took off my gaze and quickly finished my meal. When we were both done, our plates were taken and replaced by a glass of champagne..

Honestly, I don't drink, even champagne could turn me into a drunk ass.

" Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me? " I asked him.. His gaze was shifted to me from his wine..

" This is not the time to ask questions from me, you see you just came here, and have dinner with me. And you're asking me that already?. " he smirked at me which made my blood rise up in my head.. What the heck!!

" then what do you want me to ask you? to stay silent? Play the doll and be nice like nothing happened? Do you think I'm a person who's gonna stay silent, after all, what happened to me? " I hiss at him angrily. lucky for me I just had dinner! I felt my battery full again..

" don't you dare shout at me woman? You ate at my house.. " he angrily spat..

"and who do think you are to order around? I'm not your hound!!. Of course, I'll eat, you offered, and I was hungry what's the problem with that? " I answered him again..

" don't test my patience love.. Your not my hound and I don't consider you one.. You won't understand.. " I heard that scary voice once again.. I felt so angry and confused at the same time, who is he to tell me what to do?.. How can I understand everything, when his acting cleanshitt!!

" then make m–" I didn't finish my sentence when I felt him push me through the wall.. My back hurts when I felt my back stumble through the hard cement behind me.. Fvck his so strong..

" I told you to stop asking me those fvcking questions, my temper isn't that much. I wouldn't wanna hurt such a beautiful woman like you.. " he closely whispered in my ear..

One moment I felt calm and safe in his grasp, one moment I felt hurt and in pain.. How could he hurt me? And make me feel needy at the same time?? ...

I felt a trail of single tear runs down my cheek, his hands were resting at my shoulder and waist.. It was comforting and hurtful at the same time..

" Don't touch me.., how dare you touch me and threaten me? Even though I'm weak because I'm a woman, I will dare to say to your face to never touch me, unless you tell the truth... " I slowly speak not sparing a single glance at him....

When he finally released me I quickly ran away from him, I ran as I head back into the chamber that I was in before. I hugged my knees and cried. He's a monster..

I took off the silk dress that I was wearing and wore what Yvonne has left for me in the closet. I hissed when my back ached, damn I forget he pushed me through the wall.. I grasped it and head back to my bed, and stared at the ceiling..

I have never met such a person as him. Heck, I don't even know his name and he knew mine. It's so unfair!! He hurt me.. Makes me think I want to escape here!! This is not a good idea but I still look ou the window..

"Nah!! How can I jump there when this place is a fvcking tower..!"I rolled my eyes as I mumble a curse in the air..

Not long I realized something that would work out..

Why not try it?.. This place is so cold.. I want to see Ralph .. I was wondering if he is too. Does he know where to find me?...

(3RD PERSON'S POV)

Maximus was left dumbfounded by that woman.. His hands clenching, he couldn't believe that the woman he waited for so long was different from the past Avena he met..

And at the same time he is so angry at himself, how could he do that to her.. To the woman he loves? He saw it, the tears and the bruises on her back, he hurt her feelings and body..

Now she forbids him to touch her unless he tells her everything..

Fvck!! Now everything is a mess..

He punched the wall and threw everything he could touch. He shouldn't have prepared this for her when they ended up in this situation.. They just quarrel...

All the maids came in once they heard the king's yell..

" clean this mess!! " he shouted..

" Roman!! " he called for the man..

" yes, you're highness.." Roman gently asked..

" bring medication to the ladyship.." after saying those words he left without saying anything anymore..

" Right away sir.. " the servant quickly pulled out and do his orders..

While Maximus went to his library... When he entered the room, the metallic smell of blood crept into his nostrils, it was a putrid smell of primrose...

While admitting to himself that he is a psychopath, he glided through the library hallways and brushed his fingers into the dusty books on the shelves..

In the walls were painted with the woman, made with a slave's blood.. He looked around and scans the arrangement.. When he decided to remove the boredom vibe, he began to pull out some books and placed them on his table..

He sat on a chair and starts to read..

I'll try to persuade Avena.. he thinks to himself.

The book was entitled "Elementa. "

He has read this book so many times, but he never gets tired of reading it over and over again..

It's one of the things that calms him down aside from blood. He can't let that woman be angry because of him, he wants their argument to end this night and not tomorrow.

So he quickly rushed to Avena's chamber.. Every servant that he's passing hangs their head low to give respect. When he reached the door, he immediately open it, but only to find the room empty..

"Avena.." he growled when he can't find her inside.. He noticed the window hanging open..

No!! She can't leave me!..

He ran towards the window and saw a blanket hanging and empty..

"Fvck!!!! Find her!!! " he shouted at his guards that immediately disappeared to find the woman..

This is all his fault, he saw the fear in her eyes, and he hurt her.. That's why she ran away..

He didn't want any of this to happen.. But his demon is eating him..

He walks out of the room and went outside to join the patrol to look for her..

He can't let her go, not this time anymore.. He needs her and he can't let the King of Harlem..

He is jealous at the thought of his woman has developed some feelings towards his enemy..

He is really blaming himself because in the very first place he became a coward in showing up when she needs him this time..

They search at the palace perimeter.. The soldiers were scattered everywhere.. While he took his own path too, to look for her..

He stands where Avena must've run away..

Not long after he found a footprint in the ground, it was utterly small, obviously, it's hers..

He followed the trail of footsteps, that gave him hope, that he would still find her..

It stops at the entrance of the forest..

His heart hammered when he realized she entered the forest..

Fvck why did she enter the Cursed forest..??

He didn't hesitate to enter the forest because he knew what was inside.

AVENA

I ran as fast as I could when my feet touched the ground, luckily there are no guards there.. I don't know where to go but I hope I can find a way out here..

Damn this castle is so big.. I look around and I saw a bunch of trees..

" No way!! They also have a forest here?.. " My jaw fell on its own because I realized that I was so dumb to ran away without constructing a proper plan. Argh!

I didn't waste any time and ran as fast as I could. Once I entered the forest, I felt goosebumps all over my body, I suddenly felt like someone was actually waiting for me in there.. It's not the king of Valentine...

And I don't know know what it is..

I look around and realized the forest isn't what It looks like outside.. It was a bunch of dead trees, leaves shattered everywhere on the ground, like fall, or autumn..

Fear is eating my soul bit by bit.. Now I regret running away from that palace.. I wish I could get out here alive.. Before daylight.. My mind shifted back to the king..does he know? Is he looking for me now?? I bet he's mad at me..

Or maybe he'll kill me if he sees me.. I think about my actions just now.

As I walk deeper into the forest I felt like I was walking round and round at the same spot where I walk.. I'm starting to hear silent whispers, they're everywhere

And whispering something into my ear...

Leaves creak when I step onto the ground.. I continued to walk.. When I bumped into someone wearing a black cloak...

I fell to the ground and looked up, I scream when I saw its face.

" Who are you? Please don't kill me!! " I cried as I continue to stare, it was worse than a demon's face.. Its eyes were pitch black, blood running from its mouth, burned face..I saw it all because it removed the hood from its head..

I smell the stink of dead bodies. As it walks closer to me.. It's suffocating me. And my breath became heavy..

" Finally I got the chance to kill you.. Goddess of the Elements, and when I do, I will get what's rightfully mine, my beauty, and be the most beautiful woman in Andromeda hahahahahaha" it's an old woman's voice..

I was crying, I try to break loose from this paralysis, but the more I move, the more it grips my whole body..

" Avena!! Fight it!! You can't die.. " I heard a deep voice echoing through my head.. I was nearly out of breath, but I knew that voice was right, I can't let this hag win and kill me.. I survived when I was back on earth, I just came here and I'm going to get killed?

No fvcking way!!!! I will not die in vain!

I gathered my strength.. I force myself to stand up..

"what?? How could you resist my powers..? " I heard the old lady's voice shocked...

I smirked " that means your power didn't grow at all.. " I look at her but I felt my eyes getting heavy. And I felt unconscious the next thing. Wait why? Did I die?!

Maximus heard the woman's scream, he can't be wrong, it was definitely her. he didn't waste any time and ran towards where the voice came from..

Avena!! Fight it! You can't die..

He screamed in his mind hoping that Avena might hear it. When he arrived at the spot he found her standing, her body was glowing white... She stared at the cloaked woman..

Fvck.. The Deceased Devil has appeared ...

This forest is cursed, it is a prison for those demons who didn't follow the rule or committed an unforgivable sin.. they're put here in the Cursed Forest.. Only with a clean conscience can come out alive in this forest..

He was about to come closer when Avena gripped the cloak and lifted the old woman..

" How dare you say that to your queen?? " her voice was more of a queen..

She suddenly changed.. Maximus was dead confused when he saw the change in Avena's words..

Couldn't be that her powerful soul woke up?..

Raven....

"let me go!! Bitch!!! " the old woman gagged when Avena's hands shift to her neck..

" how about asking for apologies first.. there's no use in killing you when you're already dead.. Or do you want it to be a double kill? " her hands are getting tighter and tighter. Until the poor soul couldn't breathe anymore..

" you deserve to die double for threatening me. Didn't you know that I have the privilege to bring you to the underworld.. You would like it there? Instead of being here stuck and trying to trick someone's ass.. " she didn't have mercy and let the soul die in her hands for the second time..

When Maximus got the chance he showed up..

"Avena.. " he came closer and catch her unconscious body of her..

What he saw was her inner self, she isn't titled elemental goddess without it..

" Maximus!!! " he was in the middle of carrying her when he heard the faint voice of Avena saying his name. He cursed his body for burning when he heard her say his name..

Her hands start to run in his chest back and forth, making him stiff, he immediately glances at her and found out she was doing the same thing too..

Their eyes met. He saw the lust in her eyes.. He felt happy when he found out her stares were just like his stares..

" you're awake, are you OK? " he gently asked, forcing himself not to kiss her and take her to bed tonight..

She isn't ready yet..

" Hmmm.. Thank you.. " she replied making him stir up again.. Why does a simple fucking moan could make his mind run wild..his body heat increased. For the first time, he heard her saying thank you with a moan... Fvck ...

" you're welcome.. " he returned..

" wait.. You're not mad at me?? " she innocently asked making eye-to-eye contact with him. As they continue to walk,

He wanted to stop this torture and get over with it, but he knew that Avena wasn't the kind of girl to give in easily, you'd go through mountains just to get her trust..

" How could I do that? I can't get mad at you. But what you did isn't really pleasing love. Damn, why did you run away and ended at that forest? You could've run towards the gate not there. you have to be punished.. " he made eye contact with her. He stared at Her intently...

Avena's body stiffened when the king made eye contact with her.. What does he mean by that?? That stare was so raw, so tempting. And yes why did she run towards that forest instead of the gate anyway..

What a noob!!

Why is he looking at me like that??

" me punished? You said you can't get mad at me, and now I'm getting punished? Don't you remember this all your fault.. " she spat..

" Also remember that you stirred me up that's why we ended up quarreling, so next time you stir me up I'll have no choice but to punish you.... " he spoke closely in her ears with a husky deep voice..

"in bed. "

Avena stilled because of what he said. I. In bed?? The Fvck so he's taking me to bed.? Does he mean to have sex? Oh God!!!

I quickly glance down.. It's still a virgin and I don't plan to surrender it..

" no you're not..!! " her fuzzy mind completely woke up and tell herself to get away from this man, she is sure that it was going to be bad..

She quickly gets off from Maximus's grasp..

AVENA

" you don't have to carry me.. I can walk.. I'm already good.. " I quickly ran away from him..but I stopped when I realized, I don't know where to go to find my room...

I just stared above, I still couldn't believe I climb off that tall tower.. Wow.. I could cast at mission impossible for doing this.. How bout that??

I heard a soft chuckle behind me

" Don't be stubborn.." after saying that.

He immediately hung me in his shoulder like I'm a bag of rice..

" hey let me down..!!! " I screamed but he just slapped my butt cheeks.. OMG!!! That's my butt.. My precious butt!!

" Could you please stop slapping my butt, heck it's a private part mister.. " she spat out..

" oh stop it babe or I'll do it here, right now.. " after that I suddenly zipped my mouth, when I realized what he just said.. Oh, dear.. I really don't trust him..

We were walking for 10 minutes straight, and he doesn't complain if I'm heavy. My stomach really aches now. Finally, he opens the door and I got to feel at ease..

He sat me down at the bedside and just stared at me. I wonder what's he thinking?...

" don't run away from me love, I am not the person you think I am. And I'm sorry for shouting at you and hurting you earlier.." he sincerely said..

I can't respond because he is totally different from a while ago.. Should I trust him???..

" I plan to give you this.. Put it in your back.." he gave me a small bag and placed it in my hand..

" uh thank you.. " I took it. And looked at him again.. and I saw something in his eyes..

I don't want to admit it but this feeling is much stronger than what I felt for Ralph, it's confusing as hell...