Chapter 7: Mona the Bond Breaker
Angelina lay on the bed, unconscious, writhing in pain. Her fair skin was pale, with shades of pink, and covered in sores. She only calmed down after the healer took her pain away. He looked at her pained figure for a while, wondering what business an angel could possibly have with the devil.
"She'll be fine in a few minutes; she should refrain from eating seafood from now on," the healer said, facing Lothaire's grim expression. Lothaire nodded, prompting him to leave.
He stared coldly at the now-calm body lying on his bed. He couldn't deny the squeeze he felt in his chest seeing her in pain just now. This was starting to get worse; he was feeling drawn to her every moment, even though he tried to fight it. He needed the bond breaker now!
Logan walked in with a worried expression. "What happened to sister-in-law?"
Lothaire threw him a cold glance. Sister-in-law?! "Have you found what I needed?" he asked.
"Yes...there's a very powerful bond breaker in the market," Logan said. It took him a lot of time to book an appointment.
"Good! We'll leave immediately," Lothaire said. "But she's still unconscious?!" Logan frowned.
"Since you like her so much, I'll be nice and give her to you once our bond is broken," Lothaire's gaze was cold, leaving a hint of possessiveness.
Logan quickly exited with a teasing smile. Lothaire frowned. Was he possessive just now?
Angelina's eyes opened as the scent of fragrance candles wafted into her nostrils. Her first expression was confusing, looking around the strange environment.
"I see, you're awake," she heard a woman's voice.
Angelina quickly sat up on the mat, fear gripping her tightly. "Where am I? Who are you?"
"Relax," Mona smiled. "Can we begin now?" Lothaire's cool voice was heard.
Angelina felt at ease with Lothaire around.
"I'm Mona, a bond breaker," she introduced.
"Bond breaker?! They're all banned from Arcadia," Angelina said.
"Arcadia? Are you an angel?!" Mona asked, her gaze fierce.
"Yes, and that's why we need to break the bond as soon as possible," Lothaire said, sitting on the mat beside Angelina, leaving only a large bowl between them and Mona.
Mona sat down opposite them, a meowing cat jumping into her lap.
"You're an angel, and he's the devil. I see why you are eager now," Mona smiled, stroking her cat's fur.
"Bond breakers work like a divorce counsel, only, we break mate bonds," she took a dagger.
Angelina stared at Mona's graceful figure; she had different colored eyes, brown hair, double eyelids, a pointed nose, and full lips, a captivating beauty.
"I'll check your stars now; the bond can only be broken if you aren't meant to be," Mona smiled at Angelina. "How could we possibly be fated? She's an angel," Lothaire felt an urge to roll his eyes.
"Fate doesn't play by the rules," Mona stretched her hand. "Give me your left palms."
Lothaire was the first to stretch his, wanting this bond to be broken before he lost control. The sight of the knife reminded Angelina of the bloody knife in her dream. She quickly hid her hands behind her back.
"I won't cut too deep," Mona assured.
Angelina winced as the dagger cut through her flesh, but Lothaire didn't; he only looked at the dagger through the whole process.
Mona let their blood mix in the bowl. "Hold your hands," Mona ordered.
Lothaire was hesitant at first, but he had no choice; he felt warmth radiate through his palm as Angelina slid her hand into his own.
"Give me your free hands, and close your eyes," Mona held their other hands and closed her eyes, mumbling some ancient spells. Her brows knitted as she recited the chants faster and louder.
As Angelina closed her eyes, she felt her heart race. "Melione! You must die!" She heard some whispers.
Outside Mona's tent, dark clouds had gathered, and heavy rain fell. The blood in the bowl formed ripples, and fire began to consume it slowly; the three of them seemed lost in their trances.
Logan and the escorting soldiers had scattered to seek shelter from the rain.
"What the fuck is happening in there?" Logan wondered.
Mona gasped as she opened her eyes; she quickly replaced the frown on her face with a forced smile.
"Your bond cannot be broken!" She declared.
Can't be broken?! Why? Would he be stuck with an angel forever?! Lothaire wondered.
"Why is that?" He laced all his confusion in one question.
"Your bond is too strong. Ever heard the saying - opposites attract?" Lothaire could sense a shift from her earlier demeanor. Mona was shaking slightly, hoping they would leave soon . What could she have seen in her vision, he wondered.
"Go wait outside," he said to Angelina.
Angelina was a little hesitant to leave, but she had no choice.
Outside the tent, it smelled like earth after rain. This refreshing scent made Angelina smile for a while.Her stomach growled at the sight of a cotton candy cart ahead, but she had no money.
"You're hungry?" Logan walked over.
Angelina tried to hide her red, embarrassed face. "I don't have anything to exchange for it," she sighed.
"Exchange? We spend soul energy here," Logan laughed. "The wealth you have depends on the number of people you kill," Logan smiled.
Angelina gulped hard; they were basically spending people's souls as currency.
Logan dipped his hand into his pocket and handed Angelina ten gold coins with black rims. Angelina was reluctant to take it, but she was really hungry and had no idea when Lothaire would come out.
With a heavy heart, she walked up to the cotton candy cart.
"How many do you want, miss?" It was a little kid selling; she was so little that she had to stand on a stool behind the cart so she could see customers clearly.
Her raven-black hair cascaded like a flowing river, and her green eyes were filled with life and youth.
"Cotton candy," Angelina answered, still captivated by the young one's beauty.
"Two coins each," she smiled.
"What's your name, little one?" Angelina asked.
"Nessa, but mummy calls me Candy because I eat it a lot. Everybody loves Nessa," her deep dimples showed as she smiled, showcasing her tiny, white teeth.
"Where's your mummy?" Angelina asked. Why would anyone let a kid be alone in this crowded place?
"Mummy isn't really feeling well and can't sell candy, so Nessa sneaked off to sell for mummy so she can buy medicine," Nessa's voice was low.
Angelina felt a squeeze in her chest; she admired the little one's bravery, but her mother must be worried sick.
"I'll give you all my money for five cotton candies".
"Ten coins!" Nessa was so excited,she almost fell off the stool. She quickly gave her the candies. Angelina gave three back,"eat those and go home, your mother must be worried sick".
Nessa looked down at her feet, feeling guilty. Her mother was probably worried and looking all around for her."You're right, I'll leave now" she quickly came down from the stool and pushed the cart on the road leading home. Angelina smiled warmly.
Seeing that Lothaire wasn't out yet,she decided to stroll around the market.
She had to admit, cinderfall was a really beautiful place,if she didn't know this was hell,she would have thought it was paradise or something.
The architecture was simply beautiful yet ancient,and the way everyone looked happy amazed her. She never thought people would happily live in hell.The live play in the square caught her attention.
The play was about a couple,one human and the other, demon trying to gain the world's approval.
"He's just like us!"Rose argued.
"I will not see you marry this beast!" Her father declared,the crowd booed him.
This scene reminded Angelina of the days she spent pleading with her father to not marry her off to Ramiel,she had gone on hunger strikes severally but Micheal didn't change his mind.
"Who'd you choose if you were her?"a voice asked, bringing her back to life. Angelina turned to look,her lips parted, captivated by this man's handsomeness.
He looked like a god,but his handsomeness couldn't hold a candle to Lothaire's.
"I was talking about Rose" he pointed at the stage. "Ohhh... I'd choose love" Angelina snapped out of her daze. What was she thinking, looking at a man that way!
Roshan smiled, seeing how lost she was while staring at his face. "Nice choice,but a princess wouldn't have the luxury of choosing that".
He would probably swallow that back if he knew Angelina was a princess.
"I'm Roshan" he introduced, tugging stray hair behind her ear,"and you?"
Angelina didn't know how to respond, luckily the crowd was distracted as a young boy fainted, Angelina quietly slipped away.
Roshan looked around, but they were no signs of her. He frowned, realizing he didn't get her name yet.
"We should leave for the tower now", Callum,his assistant walked forward. "Mmm" Roshan could still smell her fragrant scent still lingering in the air.
Angelina sighed in relief,the less people knew who she was,the better."argh!" She heard a child's scream. She quickly rushed over.
"Let her go!" Angelina shouted, surprised as she saw Nessa being mishandled by four thugs. The cotton candy cart was turned over, cotton candy all over the floor.
"Leave that child alone!" Angelina shouted again, surprised to see Nessa this way.
"Oh, what do we have here? I'll let you go since you're pretty," said one of the thugs, possibly their leader. His hair was dyed red, and on his face was a finger-length scar trailing from his eyes down his pale cheek.
"Let her go!" Angelina repeated. "Let me go!" Nessa shouted, but the thug tightened his grip on her small arm.
"Argh, it hurts," Nessa cried.
"I said...leave her alone," Angelina moved forward.
"It seems we'll take you with us. It's been long since I laid in the arms of a beauty," he smacked his thick lips.
Two thugs walked forward, cracking their hand knuckles. Angelina tried to fight; she could only deliver a kick or two before the skilled thug draped her over his shoulder like a towel. All her screaming and shouting were futile; her only hope now was for Lothaire to find her.