AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I furrow, absorbing her words despite grappling with a concept entirely alien. "I have witnessed the passion of mortals, their intricate dance of affection and desire. I am not certain one such as I could ever attain it."
"Anyone is capable of love, Rukh," she replies gently. "Even demons. It simply takes finding the right person who sees past the surface."
"For millennia, I walked in darkness, harvesting only fear and hate," he says softly. "What would make me worthy of anything greater?"
"The past does not define you. It's the choices you make now that show who you truly are."
As the concept of love dawns on me, I’m sure I have both never experienced it and am not capable. If I could love, I would love Annette. And yet, that would be little more than a curse for her.
"Love is not bound by mortality. It's a force that can touch even beings like you. Perhaps in ways you've yet to discover."
My withdrawal becomes palpable, a subtle shift in the atmosphere between us.
"Annette, I am not capable of love. It is a sentiment that eludes me, a realm I cannot tread. You should not depend on me for mercy or understanding."
She meets my gaze, refusing to be swayed. "There is goodness within you," she asserts, her voice gentle but unwavering. "I've seen it in the moments you've spared, in the times you've shown me kindness, shown what belies your demonic nature."
“You are misguided, little mouse. Beneath this exterior lies a creature driven by instinct, by the hunger for darkness. Do not romanticize what cannot be."
She reaches out, hand grazing my cheek, urging me to meet her gaze once more. "I am not romanticizing, Rukh. I see you for who you are. A being shaped by a complex history, by an existence that spans beyond the comprehension of mortals. But within that complexity, there is room for goodness, for compassion."
"You should not tether your hopes to the idea that I can offer mercy or love. It is a path fraught with disappointment and despair."
"I am willing to navigate whatever lies ahead. I see potential in you… A capacity for more than you allow yourself to believe. You may not feel love yet, but that doesn't mean you are incapable."
A conflicted silence settles between us.
"I will help you clear your name, Annette," I declare. "I will find the one responsible for these heinous acts, someone we can expose to absolve you of the crimes you are accused of. But that is all I can do for you."
"You don't have to do that. You've already done so much for me."
"I want to do what is best for you, the only way I know how.”
17
ANNETTE
The rain falls in a gentle shroud, droplets pattering softly amidst the trees. Tendrils of mist veil the deep green forest, granting it an ethereal, mystical aura. Rukh's keen eyes catch sight of something ahead, and I follow his gaze.
Nestled between towering trunks and partially obscured by hanging moss stands a small cabin. Its timbers are weathered, blending into the woodland surroundings. A quaint yet charming refuge, tucked away from the world.
We pause to admire the cozy cabin nestled in the misty woods. Rukh surveys it pragmatically. "This appears to be an optimal shelter. We could make it our own. It would be more suited for you than a cave."
His proposition tempts me. It would be nice to have a permanent haven rather than just bunking down in whatever shelter we can find fastest any given night. The cave is a reliable back-up, but still not exactly homey.
But the cabin clearly belongs to someone. "You know that wouldn't be right," I reply gently. "It's someone else's."
He looks crestfallen. "Do you doubt my ability to claim this for you?" Rukh demands, flexing his deadly claws, eyes blazing.
I raise my hands placatingly. "Of course not, but that's not the point..."
Rukh cuts me off sharply. "Then why reject my gift to you?" Hurt and anger war in his fiery eyes.
"This isn't about you, dear. I simply won't bring harm to claim something for our gain."
Rukh scoffs bitterly. "You cling to your morality as an excuse." His words sting, but I stand firm.
"You’re talking about killing the owners? Don't be ridiculous," I chide. "We'll find our own place fair and square."
