A Eternal Love

chapter 19

The midnight air was cool against my skin as I walked along the lake’s edge, my thoughts a tangled mess of everything that had happened that day. Christian’s words echoed in my mind, making my pulse quicken and my chest feel tight.

Then I heard his voice, calm yet sharp, behind me.

“Is this the place… the reason you missed dinner?”

I quickly wiped my tears, trying to appear composed. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice a little too sharp.

“I came to check on you,” he replied simply, stepping closer.

“To check on me?” I raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

“Yes… what you did was… awesome,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I blinked. “What?”

“Yep. What you did with Stella… it was impressive. So why so…” he trailed off.

“So?” I prompted, confused.

“In a bad mood,” he finished casually.

“I’m not,” I said quickly, shaking my head.

“Maybe you are,” he teased, and I groaned inwardly.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said firmly.

“Why?” he asked, tilting his head.

“Your friend… he won’t be happy,” I replied cautiously.

Christian let out a dry laugh. “He’s neither happy about the way you talk to him,” he said simply.

“Christian…” I started, worried.

“Mia… look, I don’t know what your problem is, but please, don’t talk to him like that. Only we know how hard he’s controlling himself.”

“Controlling him?” I asked, confused.

“He doesn’t want to hurt you… and he will never do it,” Christian said, his voice softening slightly.

“And still… he does,” I muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I said, looking away.

“You don’t trust people, do you?” Christian asked quietly.

“I trust only the ones who can hurt me,” I admitted.

“And only the one you love will protect you,” he said, eyes piercing into mine.

“How can I be sure they will protect me?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“Only way is to trust,” he said firmly.

“And what if he breaks me?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“He can never break you… because your pain is his pain,” he said simply.

“I don’t even know him,” I muttered.

“Is that what you tell your heart every day?” he asked softly.

I swallowed hard, forcing a laugh. “We should go.”

As I stood and turned, he blocked my path. “No one defies him and lives,” he said quietly, but his eyes were deadly serious.

“What?” I whispered, heart hammering.

“The ones who defy him… are all dead,” he said.

I was at a loss for words. My stomach knotted.