The King of Darkness | ✔️

Chapter Thirty Five

It's the day. The day we attack the Fortuna coven. Darian has forced me to attend at least one training session, deeming it life or death. 

We haven't spoken much the last few days, at least not after him blowing up about me going to the drawing-room. I'm still sure that he doesn't believe me. 

"Feet shoulder-width apart," he gestures and I oblige. I'm not in a mood to annoy him today because, quite frankly, I am not in a mood to interact with him at all. "Good."

I keep my mouth shut and try to speak as little as possible. "How am I supposed to remember this if an ancient witch is charging towards me?" I genuinely ask but Darian doesn't seem to take it the same way. 

"Just when I thought you were finally being cooperative for once," Darian scoffs and I roll my eyes. I am seconds away from just walking off and leaving him to his pathetic little training session.

"I asked you a question. I don't see how that is not being cooperative," I say blankly. I cease to show any emotion because I know that when he sees even a speck of anger in my features it only persuades him to rile me up more.

"Nothing you say is ever what it seems. You always have to have some underlying meaning or your words are plagued with sarcasm," Darian continues and I try to look at my surroundings to calm me down - looking everywhere but at him.

"Whatever you think," I mutter and I earn an award-winning glare from Darian. Gods, when is he ever not in a bad mood? It's honestly tiring. He wonders why I am always short with him. 

"You continue to prove my point, darling," the words roll off of his tongue so smoothly it almost renders me in a trace. But still, I keep my face nothing but neutral whilst I die inside.

"Of course," I have to refrain from rolling my eyes. I have never met someone so infuriating in my entire life and to be forced to spend the rest of my life with them only worsens the matter entirely. 

"Do you not tire with your way with words?" Darian sighs and I find a weak spot in his stance. What a fool to leave an easy entrance for me to knock him down. What a fool.

In a split second, I sweep my foot under him and he falls onto his back - erupting into a fit of coughs. Placing my foot on the base of his neck, I look down at him and flash a smug grin. "Do you not tire of being such a dick?"

Darian grabs my foot, yanking me - causing me to lose my balance and also fall to the floor beside him. My back seizes in pain but I manage to regain composure and move on top of him to pin him down. Unsheathing the knife from the inside of my thigh, I bring it to his neck. 

"You should watch what you do. You never know who may see," Darian teases as his hands grab my hips. I give him a victorious smile. I must say that I am rather proud of myself. 

That is until he flips us over and somehow manages to grab the knife from my hand and place it against my own neck. "Not very original of you," I scoff and he pushes his hips into mine. Well, that was somewhat original. 

"Any better?" the raspiness of his voice almost melts me to my core. Heavens, I should not be feeling this way about him - despite how he feels about me.

"Hm, not sure," I shrug and act unaffected even though the usual fire is burning deep inside of me that only Darian can seem to ignite. Darian loosens his hold and I flip us over again. "Yeah, I'd say that feels better."

"I prefer you on top anyway," he smirks and I slap his chest before getting up. Although, his hands on my hips stop me from going anywhere. "I'm not sure where you're going. We've barely even begun."

"We have done more than enough. Oh would you look at the time, I think I need to have a nap," I look at my bare wrist as though there is a watch there and he looks at me through furrowed brows. 

"A nap? We are taking down a coven of witches tonight and you are spending your time preparing by... napping?" Darian couldn't be more confused. 

"That is exactly why I am napping. A woman with such skill must be well-rested to perform perfectly," I counter and almost forget about the intimate position we are in. Darian sits up from the floor, wrapping his arms around my waist. Our close proximity causes me to find it difficult to breathe. 

I cannot stand the effect he has on me. 

"You seemed to perform very well even when you were injured," Darian whispers and kisses my neck. Of course, he has to add an innuendo in there. No, I will not fall into his trap and this constant cycle.

One moment we will both be drinking in each other's presence and touching each other as though if we don't either one of us will disappear. Then the next, we can't speak a few words without it becoming an argument. 

"No... your charm no longer charms me," I huff and push against his shoulders. It's a complete and utter lie but I will not feed into his ego and let him know how much I still want him... need him. I need him to know that I am not that easy to sway. 

"C'mon, Nova, you know that's not true. Same as it is not true for me. No matter how many arguments I try to create, no matter how many times I try to find something to hate you about... I can't. I can't hate you and it is the most infuriating thing in the world."

Darian's arms hold me tighter as he continues kissing my neck. I tangle my fingers in his hair but don't let myself give in. "That's the problem, Darian... you want to hate me," I barely manage to say as his hips shift beneath me. 

"But I can't... gods, I can't," he breathes against my neck. I can't do this... not anymore. It's not healthy and I have tried so many times but every time I feel that we can move on, he does something that sets us back entirely. 

"We've tried too many times... it's not going to work between us," I whisper and brush my fingers through his hair as my cheek rests on top of his head. I find tears welling in my eyes but I can't deny that I do love this man. For the very first time, I love him and it scares the hell out of me.

"I can feel what you're feeling and you know that there is hope. I can feel what your thinking about me, Nova," his hand rubs soothing circles on my back. 

"It doesn't matter what I feel," my voice betrays me and I scold myself for being so vulnerable in front of him. Darian holds me so tightly it feels as though he thinks I am going to disappear. "I'm sorry."

"No... you will not give up on us, I will not allow you," Darian's voice lacks the conviction that I am sure he was hoping for. "I am laying my heart bare to you, Nova Amour. I am laying my heart bare to you and asking you to take it."

Darian pulls back to look at me and the breath is almost knocked out of me at his bloodshot eyes and flushed cheeks. "I can't take your heart Darian Acheron... it's not meant for me," I whisper and swipe my thumb across the lone tear that falls down his cheek. 

I can't help my own tears as they stream. "I've waited over five hundred years for you... I can wait longer," he promises but I shake my head. 

"You deserve someone that can you give you everything you want. Do not wait for me when I have nothing left of myself to give," my heart physically aches inside my chest.

"I don't care... I don't want anything from you other than you," Darian says softly and brings both of his hands to my cheeks before kissing me. The kiss was sweet - everything that I wanted and more. When he pulls away, he rests his forehead against mine. "I'll wait for you."

With that, I stand and force myself to walk away. I can't help the tears that immediately flow down my already tear-stained cheeks as I get further from him. It feels as though my heart is being shredded in my chest.

Who knew it was so hard to love?