When I woke up, I found myself in a new environment. Rather than finding the change shocking, being alive was even more shocking. That darned asshole didn't kill me? It doesn't matter, anyways. I would soon be gone.
Readjusting to the blinding light from the sun, I sat up on the bed and looked around. This was...? Xavier's room? Red, black, white. Intimidating, monotonous, classic. Definitely the room of torture I remembered.
A strange fear crept it's way into my heart. I prayed to the gods and the goddesses I didn't believe in. And even the ones I made up.
"Moon goddess Celine, god of War, goddess of Agriculture, goddess of the mermaid clan- whatever your names are, I pray to thee o exhalted ones, save me from the clutches of Xavier and I may become your most devout servant. Please Celine, let the bastard trip and break his head before he comes to torture me-"
With a hitch of my voice, I opened my eyes when I heard a fake cough. This guy... teleportation. I cursed.
Xavier- in all his demonic aura, stood before me with a grin.
"Eme."
"Asshole." I responded with a smile.
It was a stalemate as we stared at each other. Time passed by in what seemed to be an eternity, cold sweat dripping from the corners of my temple as I continued my inner chant.
'goddess Celine, goddess Celine, goddess Celine.'
I have never believed in miracles but I prayed to be granted quick death today.
Still, nothing happened. With a sigh, I reorganized myself and recounted my to-do list. It was too early to die this way. I had some bones to pick from some filthy animals. Xavier included.
The list of things I ought to do drove my passion to stay alive. My intention was a honorable death, how could it end this way?
"Xavier." I took the initiative to speak up.
"Mm?" He replied, walking closer and sitting by the edges of the bed, staring at me like a predator would. As he is.
"Let's make an agreement."
"And that is?" Brows raised up in response to my unusual words, Xavier payed keen attention to my next words.
I should've been composed. But what came out of my mouth was nothing with composure.
"I'vedecidedIloveyoutoomuchtobeyourmate. A few hours from now would be the mating ceremony and if by some deadly accident that I become your mate, I swear on my mother's grave- although still alive, to abolish our ties, take the burn and ensure you're free from my presence because of my love for you. Thereafter I will only cause little chaos and end my life willingly thank you."
My words came out in scrambles, shaking and on the verge of stuttering but I somehow managed to say it all.
This was not an agreement, it was a plead for leniency and this darned sh!thole better agree or else I'll-!
Cry. And make a tantrum. It is a fact I really don't have the intelligence to think up a scheme. Nor do I have the intelligence to have learned enough from my past life. I'm still as before, although more broken, devasted, sad, miserable, suicidal and- well, yes, I changed but I did not change with being me. The uncouth, harsh, commoner girl. Or illegitimate child as they said.
"Are you serious?" A mocking tone was what I received, and a sneer but I remained unfazed.
"Yes master." Please forgive my bullshit, Matilda. You've always told me to stay strong and fight but this rouge scavenger brings out the cowardice in me. Don't worry, I'll burn the castle after escaping this attempted murder.
"I need a reasonable explanation behind your change, Savannah."
Oh crap! He called my middle name. Not only did I not get an affirmative for the deal- not that I was really expecting it, but I got myself into more problems.
"Moon goddess Celine visited me in my dreams. She told me... She told me... That she has a task for me. Though it may seem incredulous, bad and dishonorable, it is for the sake of a greater good. And I cannot reveal much to outsiders."
If only I knew whom I got my lying skills from, I'd beat that person up.
"I see." Xavier muttered. Suppressing the laughter as I could see the corners of his mouth twitching.
"Do whatever you like, Eme. I won't kill you, yet."
And so the evil prince reveals his true colors. I heaved a sigh of relief. Though I could not trust Xavier with my slippers, I could trust his words as someone who would not go back on them. Yet he said, yet it is.
But... "When is 'yet', Xavier?"
Yet could also mean a few hours or seconds away from now. And I had to prepare. Not that I could put up much resistance if he wanted to.
Wow, we really are discussing my time of death. How interesting.
Now that I'm thinking, what was I thinking?! Did I really just make a to-do list without a plan? One that needed a few extra lives to complete?
Well, lost in the heat of the moment after my rebirth, I really could not think straight. Not that the emotions are calm now, they're still rampaging but I'm really thinking logically at this moment.
Anyone would fear death. Cowards or brave men alike. I should've understood. It still makes me frightened. Doing it once doesn't guarantee the next time any better. Maybe even more terrifying.
"Yet is for as long as you stop being this version of Eme. Or I figure out if you're a threat to me. That is yet, Eme."
"Affirmative." So... that is till the mating ceremony then. Hurray! A few more hours to live. I would be a threat by then.
I started my to-do lisr the day the future me returned which was three days before the mating ceremony. Landed in prison the same day till the next day which is day one. Then I slept and woke up till the second day- judging by how Xavier and I are not yet mates. Day two. By tomorrow- day three. Things would be different.
Just as I was busy with my thoughts, daring to go in a daze even with such a dangerous virus in my presence, I heard Xavier's voice.
"But before that, I would like to see you in perfect conditions, Eme. It hurts my heart seeing you this way."
Regaining my false bravado, I scrunched my face in anger,
"A$$hole, do you have a heart?! Even if you did, it'd be a sh!t infested-"
Before I could say, 'blink'. Xavier moved from his position in a flash, appearing over me with his knees by my sides.
Lifting my head up in surprise to his figure above mine, I parted my lips in shock.
Then I received a century accumulated heart attack.
Hn-!*
Cold lips pressed against mine and in my noticeable daze, a warm tongue slipped into my mouth.
What in the name of sixth hell is happening...? Am I... No?
Reflexively wanting to slap myself to know if it's a dream, I also reflexively slapped Xavier since my hand has always been itching for it.
There was a pause from the kiss as Xavier pulled his head away, staring at me incredulously.
Dead silence ensued in the room. And I gulped. Let's pray the god of patience supplies a bountiful amount to Xavier's black hole called heart.
I began a chant.
'Please don't kill me yet, please don't kill me yet, please don't-'
"Emeralda." A low growl erupted from Xavier as his eyes glowed red.
Yes, it's my fault although you kissed me without permission. Spare me magnanimous sir.
"I-"
Not given the chance to explain, my two hands were siezed by Xavier's as he locked them in a tight grip above my head, soon after he continued what he started.
'He doesn't think I could use my leg to attack his family jewel, no? But I truly dare not... Not in my most suicidal plans.'
He is a good kisser. I admit. I almost got horny with the way his tongue moved in mine, like I was to be devoured or a delicacy. It felt naughty and very sensual. Especially when tinged with a bit of roughness as our lips clashed in what seemed like a battle. Yes, I kissed back. If I enjoyed it, why stop myself?
But the warm current flowing in my body calmed my senses and gave me a different sense of pleasure.
Xavier was feeding me with his spirit essence.
Wow.