Chapter 5 I Hate You

Dahlia's Pov

I told Zayn what I saw in the vision as we walked back to the room, the words tumbling out of me in a shaken rush.

“What if it's true and he's actually cursed? Was he really dying?”

Zayn stared at me, saying nothing as I went on a rant of worry. Then, "What does it matter?"

The question landed like a physical blow. I blinked. "What?"

"If he's cursed, wuldn't that be in our favor? A weakened king is easier to kill.” He took a step closer, his gaze searching my face. "Why are you feeling bad for him? Is the mate bond making you soft?”

I flinched as if he'd slapped me. The truth in his words was a cold splash of water, shocking me out of the worry and pity. Shame flooded me instead.

Cassian was responsible for countless deaths and the destruction of my people. He didn't deserve my concern and certainly didn't deserve my pity.

My hand clenched into a fist.

"You're right. We need to find a way out of here before this bond completely takes hold."

Zayn nodded.

"Exactly."

The rest of the walk passed in silence.

When we returned to the room, we carefully closer the secret door and arranged the room the way we had met it.

Less than a minute later the heavy lock on the main door clunked. We barely had a second to exchange a warning glance before it swung open.

Cassian stood there, his red eyes sweeping the room, lingering on Zayn and me, as if sensing the charged air between us. "Your time is up," he said to Zayn.

Zayn stood immediately, giving me a short, respectful nod. Then he left.

Cassian watched him leave, then his gaze turned to me. "What did you do to pass the hours?"

"We talked," I said, shrugging one shoulder. "Remembered home. Kept each other company. What did you think we'd do? Dance?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, searching mine for a lie. Finally he turned the key in the lock once more, sealing me in with him.

The following day, the moment he left, I went back into the tunnel alone. I knew Zayn would be furious if he found out. He'd accuse me of letting the mate bond cloud my judgment.

But I couldn't stop thinking about that vision. The fear I'd felt had been real.

I needed answers.

This time, however, the tunnel felt different.

Instead of leading me toward the dead end with the painting, it seemed to guide me elsewhere.

I took turn after turn.

The walls also looked more like the castle than they did yesterday.

I frowned.

Had I somehow taken a different route?

As I rounded another corner, voices reached me.

I immediately slowed.

Then stopped completely.

My heart sank.

Cassian stood at the end of the corridor. But he wasn't alone.

A beautiful woman stood beside him, long blond hair cascading down her back.

One hand rested against his chest.

Before I could fully process what I was seeing, she leaned forward and kissed him.

I turned away immediately, walking faster each step.

By the time I reached the room again, I was furious.

Furious with Cassian.

Furious with myself.

And most of all,

Furious with the mate bond.

I sat heavily on the bed.

My chest hurt. Why did it hurt? Why did I care?! I was supposed to be plotting his downfall yet here I was angry and hurt that he was kissing someone else.

I buried my face in my hands.

"This stupid bond."

Hours passed.

I knew Zayn wouldn't be visiting.

Cassian only allowed him three visits each week. Yesterday had been one of them so he wouldn't be back so soon.

I instead remained alone with my thoughts.

When Cassian finally came back later that night, I ignored him completely.

"Dahlia?"

I refused to answer.

Concern crossed his face. He approached carefully.

"What's wrong?"

I turned away.

When he offered his wrist for me to feed, I refused.

"Dahlia."

"No."

"You need to feed."

"I said no."

He sighed and sat on the side of the bed, looking at me with concern, his hand reaching toward mine.

I pulled away.

"It will get easier," he started said quietly, probably thinking I was still upset about being turned. "Once you adjust.."

"Stop! I don't want to hear it."

"What-?"

"I hate you."

The words burst out before I could stop them.

His face darkened.

Still, I continued.

"I don't know why you're even keeping me here. You're barely around anyway. You just keep me locked up like some toy in a dollhouse."

"If the mate bond is causing all this then maybe we should just break it. I don't want you and clearly you don't want me either."

His eyes narrowed.

"What are you talking about?"

I laughed bitterly.

"I saw you were kissing some blond girl earlier."

"And how did you leave this room?"

I stared at him.

Seriously?

That was his concern?

"You think that's the important part right now?! You're such an asshole-!"

"I did not kiss anyone," he interrupted, his voice rising slightly to override mine. He leaned in, his gaze holding mine captive.

"If you saw anything, it was Aurora. A friend I've known for a while. She has a habit of overstepping boundaries I have clearly drawn for centuries. If you had watched a moment longer, you would have seen me forcefully push her away.

He searched my face, his own etched with sincerity. "Dahlia, look at me. I would never do anything to hurt you. To betray you. I want nothing to do with anyone else. You are my beloved. My only."

I didn't want to believe him. I wanted to keep being angry. But the bond told me he was telling the truth. The jealousy and pain slowly faded and I turned away from him, silent.

He continued, leaning in again, his lips brushing my temple, then trailing down the line of my jaw to my neck. "I would never hurt you," he murmured against my skin, his cool breath raising goosebumps. "Never."

His mouth found the sensitive spot where my pulse beat, and his fangs grazed it lightly, a promise and a threat. A shiver ran through me.

“Stop," I forced myself to whisper, my voice weak. "Just... leave me alone. I want to sleep."

To my surprise, he pulled back, studying my face for a long moment. Then he let me be, going to the side of his bed. He didn't try to touch me again.

I fell asleep not long after. When I woke the next morning, Cassian was gone.

As usual.

I was still lying in bed when a knock suddenly echoed from the door.

I immediately sat up.

Cassian never knocked

And it was too early for Zayn.

Another knock.

A chill ran down my spine.

What if it was one of the enemi

es Cassian kept warning me about?

I cautiously approached the door.

"Who is it?"

A male voice answered.

"A guard, my lady."

I frowned.

A guard?

What could a guard possibly want with me?