ILLICIT DESIRES | 18 +

PROLOGUE

WHEN THE INGENUE MEETS THE DEVIL'S HAND, WHAT HAPPENS?

SHE GETS DEFILED.

Who is the mother of all kind? Mother Nature.

Humanity is created from nature, and it is in our nature to either cherish and nurture or destroy the very elements from which we are made. My heart, not malicious like poisonous flowers, naturally chose to be good.

But then I thought:

Mother Nature, like humanity, carries a hint of darkness behind the veil of her beauty. Why else would she strike us with vengeful force when we recklessly destroy the planet that gives us life?

Of course, Mother can be merciful too.

She warns us and rebukes us for our misdeeds with thunder, tsunamis, and earthquakes. But humans, blinded by greed, fail to realize that their destructive actions are slowly eroding her.

And so, Mother grows angry.

She reveals her darker side, showing the greedy the deadly beauty of her power. She is beautiful and deadly at the same time — like an Angel's Trumpet.

I take Mother as my role model.

I want to embody her: to be beautiful and deadly at the same time. My beauty shall lure men. A kiss from me shall awaken butterflies within them, only to paralyze them from within — a fatal gift for anyone who dares to touch me.

Thus, I embodied Mother in all her nature.

Small doses of her dark, poisonous leaves seeped into me, making my insides corrupt. Yet my beauty shines, concealing my venom behind a mask of innocence and elegance.

Today, I am the embodiment of Mother as I attend a masquerade ball with my family. My forest-green dress clings to my body, accentuating my alluring curves.

My hair, sleek and wet, looks as though Mother wept over it, adorned with oleanders. My mask, shaped like tangled roots, rests upon my face.

But what I love most are my lips. Their lilac hue, laced with the essence of belladonna, draws every man's gaze. I sway to the music, a seductive smile daring them to risk a fatal kiss.

But no one dares.

Because of Father.

Every child has a mother and a father. And so do I. I have a powerful father. His shadow hangs over me, a vengeful force capable of destroying any soul that dares to touch me.

As the music fades, I curtsy and return to my family's table. My mother and father await me. No praise is offered for my elegant dance — only a nod from my father, acknowledging my performance.

Like a blooming flower, I whirled across the room, presenting myself to the powerful men gathered there, each a potential suitor.

For my hand.

That's why I'm here — to be exhibited, a delicate offering to these powerful men, each waiting to claim the right to seed me.

My father will choose one of them.

The thought terrifies me, and I excuse myself to the bathroom.

The music fades behind me, replaced by a feeling of peace. In the bathroom, I escape the curious stares that follow me like a peacock's tail.

I wash my hands and dab water onto my face, trying to steady myself. But instead of returning to the ballroom, I step out onto the balcony.

The cool night breeze caresses me, calming my nerves. But I'm not alone.