: Darius'

A P

e agony of the rogue's strike caused my head to spin, making everything around me unclear and

tration. I needed to recall

earings again, I sensed a f

ith something I couldn't

raised my head, noting Darius Blacktho

at made me shiver, something that had bef

I should have been upset, perhaps enraged. Even though my whole existence was scream

nt to scare me away. His voice was harsh as he said, "I didn't want

itement, I sneered. "You expect me to believe you?" M

"I didn't betray you." "I wasn't the one. You mu

s, interrupted him. "You dare not attempt t

broke. "I made an effort to rescue you. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to res

verberated in my hea

omeone?" My voice wavered with incredulity. "You th

d for you. I wasn't meant to- His hands clenched at his sides as he interrupted himself.

er, there was a little part of me that shuddered in the back, a

u're lying." "You're merely atte

him, and his eyes briefly strayed to the floor. "I wish I was." The tr

control the surge of feelings in my ch

on't recall every detail. Things that don't make sense are gaps. However,

ords stuck in my throat. The guy in front of me now was different from the recollection of the b

ou?" My voice was almos

his hand and took a step closer.

cipated, and I winced. The years of resentment and fury ro

you, too." "But the knife was not stop

the spell. And I wasn't sure if I could ever make things right after

"You did lose me." "You're telling

t to show you that I'm not who you believe me to be. that this is not wh

orces inside me would rip me to pieces. "You

you to be aware of the reality. Aria, I never betrayed you. I was a slave to forces beyo

ing. This was not feasible. He co

. With my pulse pounding, I turned to see Killian come out

ntrolled stress, he questioned,

Killian." "Why are

nd me, he said, "I followed you." "I w

he turned to face Killian.

orward. Now, this is just between Aria and me

said, "I'm not trying to manipulate her

and forth between the two guys. I cut throug

, you must pay attention to me. The person who forced me to do it is my tr

radually became clear to

d throughout the forest, followed by the distinct sound of snarling.

but the sound of something hug

the darkness, a figure I nev

from my

ponsible fo