Chereads / The Midnight Flower Series: Ari Constantine / Chapter 2 - Stick in the Mud

Chapter 2 - Stick in the Mud

***TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING***

Graphic violence or gore

Sexual assault or abuse

Self-harm or suicide

Mental illness or psychological

trauma

Dubious consent or non-consensual situations

Depictions of unhealthy relationships or emotional manipulation

Explicit sexual content

Death or mortality themes

Themes related to abuse of power or control

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Midnights POV 

I'm stuck in my mind. I see everything happening and I know the consequences of my actions. Why have I gone so deep? Please stop! I don't want this side of me roaming freely! 

I killed Fang...I just wanted to end things...not him...

Why....

This sedation seems to be my only saving grace right now. 

At least I know I can't kill anymore...

...

I woke up and screamed. I'm strung up and bound. 

My body feels like it's on fire. 

"You know...my entire world looked just like you. She was gentle but ruthless when needed to be. I loved her so much...my sweet mate. Because of you; she lost her life." Chen says reminiscing softly; he then looks at me with anger. 

"It should've been you who died!" He exclaims and slaps me hard across the face. 

My cheek burns in an angry red protest as tears spring to my eyes. 

"Even tho you look like her; you don't hold her spirit within." He booms out. 

I already know I'm going to endure a lot of pain. Last time I spent two days in a coma and on the third day I was raped. 

I close my eyes in acceptance. 

Fingers dig into my face. 

"Don't you dare close your eyes! I am far from finished with you and when I'm done; you'll be begging for death!" He cackles out.

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I grit my teeth as another dose of wolfsbane was injected into my system. Tears spring to my eyes at the pain. But I dare not make a noise. Nothing compares to what I did...

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My wings were forced out...

I let a scream out this time...

Whatever he wrapped around my wings...it burns...

A few men showed up and I close my eyes as they too hurt me...

Apparently, they were who I was supposed to marry and birth heirs to...

It's not enough tho...more men came in and had their fun as well...

Why....?

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Cold water was splashed over me and I woke with a start. 

Then I start crying at being dragged back to the cell to be strung back up. 

It's barely been a full day...but it feels like it's been weeks. 

I long ago gave up on not screaming...

"Someone...anyone...please help...!" I scream out. 

Chen lets out a ruthless laugh. 

"No one's coming to save you. Not even Fang." 

"I know...I killed him..." I say mournfully. 

To that, he just laughs. 

"A double-bladed betrayal." 

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Selene...I'm trying hard not to run anymore...

***

 

Nathaniel and Ari saved me; I haven't felt so relieved. 

I was taken down from those restraints and I'm held in Nathaniel's arms. 

I'm safe now...I smile and fall into a deep sleep.

 Slymethius

Ari POV (6 years old)

A small squeal was let out by Midnight as I chased her down the hallway with our game called hunter and prey. 

'She always loved being chased.' I think to myself.

"Not that I'm complaining." I say to no one in particular shaking my head with a mischievous grin. 

We were making our way down the stairs and just as I was about to catch her; she spread her wings and jumped across the stairs with a giggle, I smiled at her jumping down the last 3 flights. 

"I'm gonna catch you Midnight!" I taunt as she keeps giggling. 

"Hey! Flap your wings, you idiot!" I yell out leaning forward and holding the banister. 

She disappeared in a blur and reappeared back on the ground. 

He waggles his finger at her and I watch as she puts her hands up to her eyes and starts crying. 

Stupid Fang! Always ruining our fun!

I jump over the stair banister as well with an eye roll and land on the ground just shy of them. 

"You know better my little flower. Doing stunts like this makes me very upset. You don't want me to be upset with you now do you?" Fang asks squatting to be at her eye level. 

She puckers her bottom lip out with tears still in her eyes and shakes her head. 

"Bu..bu..but we was-was just pl..pl..pl..playing!" She sobs out. 

I flare my nostrils and march over there to grab her hand. 

I push her behind me and stare up at Fang. 

"Leave her alone you asshole!" I yell proudly puffing out my chest. 

Fang looks at me intensely and leans down. 

"I can easily snap your neck and end you right now if it wasn't for the king and queen inviting you over here all the time. Make no mistake demon; she's mine!" He snarls in my ear; a chill goes down my spine and my wings tense up and go in. 

My eyes widen and I hear a small gasp from behind me. 

"Fangie..." Midnight sobs out. 

He straightened himself and glares down at me. 

"Remember your place!" Is all he says before storming off. 

I turn around and she's still crying. 

"He's mad at me!" She cries out; rubbing at her eyes. 

"Oh, c'mon you cry baby! He's just being an up-stuck leech! He doesn't even know what being a child is like anymore!" I say hugging her chubby form to me and kissing the top of her head wrapping my wings around us. 

"Don't cry no more! Your gonna turn ugly like my butt!" I exclaim; she lets out a small giggle and starts wiping her tears away.

"See look at you! You're more pretty when you smile!" I say as I watch her break into a smile and her ears turn red.

"You gotta stand up to him midnight! Stop being such a baby!" I exclaim. 

She again puckers her lip out with her pouty eyes as tears threaten to spring forth again. 

"I am baby tho!" She says being cute; I hit my forehead with my palm and groan. 

She's got a point there. 

"You're a princess! Command him dummy! Get ahold of yourself!" I exclaim. 

I grab her hand and drag her with me. 

"Whewe awe we going Awi!" She asks curiosity filling her small features. I find it adorable that she can't even pronounce her R's yet.

In two weeks she'll be able to tho. Children grow up quickly here. No matter what I'll always be 2 years older than her. 

Time doesn't work normally here. It's different from humans. More so it's like a dogs I guess. 

Everything about us grows at an exponential rate. 

I've been coming and going from the kingdom since I was a year old. 

I had to get an education and learn. 

My parents were so proud when I was blessed with Midnight's hand in marriage; well, more so betrothed to her. I was told that after they birthed her, I was chosen before I was conceived for my parents getting a second chance at life by the king and queen. 

Midnight was born a year later and I crinkled my nose at her the first time I saw her. It earned me a slap to the back of the head. 

Shortly after me and my parents were moved to the castle. 

They said they wanted me to protect her but I don't know why when that creepy vampire watches her all the time. 

But since I was closer to her age she always gravitated toward me. 

A tug on the hand brings me back to reality. 

"Whewe awe we going Awi?" She says getting impatient. 

"Somewhere Fang won't find us!" I saw with determination. 

She nods and shoves her thumb in her mouth following behind with chubby legs. 

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Midnight's POV (7 years old)

I kick Fang in the shin while he drags me towards my bedroom. 

"You jerk! I want to keep playing!" I scream at him. 

All me and Ari were doing was playing truth or dare! 

What's so wrong with a small peck on the lips!?

"What's your problem? Let go!!!" I yell out digging my nails into his wrist. 

No reaction. Not even a flinch! 

Just that angry face he has plastered on his face. 

I start crying cause I don't like making him angry. 

He picks me up at one point and slung me over his shoulder. Just to spite him I stretch my wings out with an "AAAAH!" as if I'm relieving myself. I flutter them all up in his face and I look at the anger turn to annoyance and I smirk.

"Sorry!" I innocently sing out. 

He lets out a small hiss and I mock him; he lets out a small huff and shakes his head. 

We reach my bedroom and go inside. He gently puts me down and sits down on my bed; he pats it for me to join him. 

"We need to talk Midnight." He says seriously. 

I look down and play with the hem of my shirt becoming a bundle of nerves.

"Sit next to me flower." He says softly. 

I scooch over to him and he pulls me onto his lap and embraces me, I instantly relax at his touch. 

"Do you want me to stay in your life?" He asks me. 

"Yea!" I blurt out

"Don't be so silly! Why would I want you to leave?" I say getting angry at him. 

"Let's get married one day." He states. 

I get off his lap and look at him. 

"Really?" I ask him in awe. 

"Yea. We can be like your mommy and daddy and have many kids of our own one day. We'll always be together and we'll live in a really big house!" He says with a smile widening his arms to emphasize big. 

"Would you like that my little flower?" 

"Like mommy and daddy?" I whisper out. 

He nods his head with encouragement and a mhm following behind. 

"Mommy and daddy kiss a lot..." I say looking down and getting shy. 

The thought of kissing Fang makes my heart race. 

"Would you like to kiss me one day my flower?" He gently questions me; lifting my chin with his finger. 

I smile shyly at him and nod. 

"Do you want me to be with you forever?" He continues. 

I stare into his eyes and nod my head again. 

"How about living together?" 

He starts trailing his finger down my cheek along my jaw. 

I shiver and he pulls me back into his lap. 

"Do you want to live with me one day?" He asks again. 

I nod my head. 

"What about getting married one day?" 

"Yes...I would love that!" I say with a smile and tears coming to my eyes. 

He smiles brightly at me and I start feeling warm inside. 

"Can I kiss you whenever?" I ask him nervously. 

"Do you want to kiss me little flower?" He queries with a small smile and warm eyes. 

I nod because I'm too scared my voice won't work or crack. 

"Say it out loud." He says stroking my cheek. 

"Can I kiss you?" I say looking into his eyes completely entranced with him. 

He smirks at me and pulls back. 

"Not till you're older." He says finally with a smirk. 

I pull back from him flabbergasted and slightly angry. 

"Call it punishment for that kiss you and Ari shared earlier." He says getting up and leaving my room. 

I sit there feeling dejected and confused. 

I get up and storm to my window and open it up leaning out. 

"That asshole!" I huff out. I get on the window ledge and unfurl my wings stretching them out a bit. 

I close my eyes and wriggle in delight as I step off the ledge. 

A squeal erupts from my throat as I free fall from the four story castle. 

"Hey you idiot! Flap your wings!" Ari says beside me; I open my eyes and start laughing in glee. 

"Fang being a stick in the mud again?" 

He says as we fly around aimlessly. 

I roll my eyes and huff with annoyance. 

"Yea! He was mad at me for kissing you on that dare." I say shaking my head. 

He smirks beside me and grabs my hand. 

"Good!" He says with mischief. 

"Anything new?" He says as we fly over water. 

I trail my finger along the surface of the water and swing my hand splashing Ari with a laugh. 

His eyes darken with more mischief as he splashed me back. 

An all out war of water splashing started and we laughed till the red sky turned dark purple.