In utter disbelief, I watch as Sebastian jumps over the balcony. I run to the edge and look over the side and witness him fall faster and faster towards the ocean below. As he gets closer to the water I see his briefs shred off his body and a large and magnificent tail replace his legs. The sunlight catches his scales and even from up here they look smooth as glass with a majestic pattern that I swear looks like the ocean waves caressing his body. He breaks through the water with perfect form like an Olympic diver and I look back up at the monster of a tsunami travelling directly for Atlesper. I take a breath and sigh with relief that I didn’t just watch this insane man plummet to his death, but I can’t help but think that must have been painful diving into the water from such a great height. That has to be a 200 foot drop. What the fuck is he thinking?! He’s lucky to even be alive. Though it does make me think. I glance down at the brand around my wrist and note how I feel no tightn

I make my way into my room, my hand still firmly wrapped around Lemuel’s. Am I a horrible person for wishing that the person behind these attacks was after my father? It’s not that I wish him hurt or harmed, even though he is a bigot, it’s that I know he can handle himself. You don’t get to be King by resting on your laurels. But I just found Lemuel. I’ve waited nearly a century to find him and now that I have, someone wants to take him from me. He may be immortal but he’s not unkillable and he has no way to defend or protect himself, and now he doesn’t even have my guards… my guards… Tears fill my eyes as the image of Andromeda’s severed head flashes before my eyes. Her pale lifeless skin and the blood… there was so much blood. I’ve never seen so much blood before. I drop Lemuel’s hand and step away, balling my hands into fists as I think over who is responsible for this. I’m convinced it’s Circe, but I need proof, and once I have it I will rip that bitch limb from limb. For deceivin

I cannot believe I’ve agreed to this. I must be out of my mind, but then again if I can endure one ball then he’ll make his wish and I’ll be free from all of this once and for all. I feel a pang of sadness somewhere deep inside me, but I do my best to lock it up and throw away the key. I’ve let myself get closer to Sebastian more than I ever intended and that was foolhardy of me. It’ll only make things harder for him when I leave. I finish buttoning the white waistcoat of my three-piece tuxedo, grab my jacket and slip it on, smoothing out my lapels and collar. Once again Sebastian’s choices regarding my attire have been right on the money. The three piece-tuxedo he picked includes a white dress shirt and black jacket with white lapels and white satin lining with a black carnation sewn into the lapel along with mini gold chains hanging decoratively from the left breast pocket. A gold tie-clip adorns my black satin tie with another gold chain hanging decoratively from it. The white wai

Using the fountain, I teleport myself and Lemuel back to my room. I have had it with his hot and cold, wish-washy bullshit. I’ve been pretty tolerant up until now, but now I’ve reached my fucking limit. Once we manifest in my room I forcefully pin him against the door and stare into his electric eyes – a vibrant storm of blue and purple darting around in confusion. Maybe I should have given him a warning but fuck that shit. “I am so sick of your hot and cold bullshit. You openly claim me in front of my parents and that bitch, Circe, then all of a sudden you can’t be free of me fast enough. Which the fuck is it? You can’t have both, Lemuel. You can’t claim me and then want to be as far away from me as possible, so tell me what the fuck you want?!” I shout in an angry rush. “I DON’T KNOW!” He screams, stunning me. I didn’t know his vocal cords had such range. His brows are dipped in a deep-set frown, and his chest is rising and falling like he’s struggling to get air. I look into his

“People like you are a plague on humanity. I see the darkness that consumes your soul. You care only for your own selfish desires and not for the lives you destroy. You revel in your spoils while others suffer for your misdeeds. You granted your heart’s deepest wishes and others paid the price. Now you shall return the favour…” The words that have haunted me for centuries assault my mind as memories of unrelenting pain take over my senses while the image of piercing silver eyes watch on with a cold satisfaction more bone-chilling than any nightmare could hope to be. I wake up with a jolt, my heart pounding beneath my ribcage as the thunderous sound of its fear-filled beats fill my eardrums. I lay my head in my hands as I attempt to catch my breath, and it’s now I feel the sweat that has formed along my brow. I feel the trickle of sweat as it slides down my back. I shiver as the cool air hits my moist flesh, and yet still I feel as though I have been bathing in front of an open flame