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I quickly turn around, expecting to see him there. The long and dark hallway is empty. My eyes darken, anticipating his sudden appearance. But he doesn’t come, much to my relief.
I keep walking ahead, towards the platform where I’m expected. I want to pretend nothing of this ever happened.
Another whisper. “Shana.”
No one’s there, and I finally realize his trickery. He’s still working his dark magic on me. I keep falling for it.
As those thoughts go through my mind, shivers run down my spine. The darkness shrouding over me returns. It can only mean that he’s still here.
The aura he gave off the first night he snuck in is the same one right now. The smell of a poisonous flower permeates the air. I swallow hard, fighting my need to go towards him, hypnotized by just his appearance.
I try to keep my pants at bay, afraid they’ll set him off if he hears them. I walk faster towards my room, feeling his claws catching up to me. I turn the corner, and as I do, I take notice of him.
He stands in the pillar’s shadow, watching me. His heterochromatic eyes glow as they did that first night, like a predator that stalks his prey. He takes a step forward, revealing his foot under the moonlit hall.
He’s testing me, I think as I quickly move along.
I can feel his powerful energy nearby. He’s not going to leave anytime soon.
For the rest of the night, I ignore his looming, dark presence and try to focus on the event. I do my best to avert my thoughts away from him and towards Karona.
14
CARUS
Shana whips around and storms back in the direction of the main hall, leaving me standing there, alone like a fallen leaf. I tilt my head to get a better view of her as she walks away, watching the swivel of her hips.
I like what I see.
Chuckling at her hastiness, I resign and lean against a pillar as I reflect on what just happened.
Taking her this time was even better than our first, and I can’t help but become absorbed in the rush of pride washing over me.
“She won’t tell anyone. Not unless she fancies jeopardizing her position at the temple.”
I linger there for a few minutes more before deciding it’s time to return to the show. I follow her scent through the corridors to guide myself back.
It had been remarkably easy to track her down as she attempted to flee. I’m always going to find her, no matter how much she tries to run or hide.
I notice the way to the platform up ahead and take a different turn to blend back into the crowd gathered in the main hall.
As the platform stage comes back into view, I glance to spot her there again. People shout her name, serenading her with praise and support.
If only they knew who they were worshiping, would they still chant her name?
I smile as I look around at these people, who don’t realize this priestess is a woman laden with strong sexual magnitude, a chained beast who wants nothing more than to be tamed by my hand.
I peer down at my open palm now, rubbing my thumb over it as I recall how her skin felt against mine. It is smoother than even the finest silk in all of Aerasak. Then again, I expect nothing less from a priestess of Karona.
The spots where her tears had fallen still feel fresh and warm even though they had long dried. At the thought of her crying, I look up to Shana once more, a strange, twisting sensation twitching in my chest.
Her strained face only makes the feeling more apparent. For the first time in a long time, I taste the bitter guilt as it lingers on the tip of my tongue.
I only meant to have fun with her, not to make her cry… I’m not responsible for that. She made the choice to shed her tears, and I won’t be held accountable for that.
Alas, even as I attempt to bargain my way out, I feel the lack of weight behind my words, as if some part of me knows I’m just trying to shake off my remorse.
I clench my fists, turning around as I’m somehow unable to look at her anymore. Each step I take toward the temple exit is dragged and heavy as if there is a weight chained to my ankles.
