My uncle's wife stands before me.
Her presence unsettles me immediately—not because she is hostile, but because she is calm. Too calm. Her eyes carry something restrained, something carefully held back.
Why is she here?
To humiliate me?
To remind me of what I can never have?
She steps closer, slowly, as if afraid I might shatter.
"Arabella," she says gently, "I know you're wondering why I'm here. Ryan doesn't know. He's... deeply sad."
I watch her closely. Despite being older than me, she has an undeniable presence—serene, grounded, self-possessed.
"I never wanted to hurt my uncle," I whisper.
She nods. "I know. And I know everything."
Her honesty disarms me.
"I love Ryan with all my heart," she continues. "We've faced darkness, distance, and fear. But we survived because our love is stronger than any of that."
I turn away, my chest tightening. Anger and grief twist together inside me. Then I feel her hand—light, careful, respectful—rest near mine, not quite touching.
"Arabella," she says softly, "Ryan cares about you. He would never hurt you on purpose."
"Does he really care?" I ask, afraid of the answer.
"He sees you as family," she replies. "He truly does."
The words hurt, but they also ground me.
"I don't know how to deal with this," I cry. "I've never felt anything like it. I feel monstrous."
She steps closer, hesitates, then speaks with quiet certainty.
"You are not a monster. You're confused. And you're hurting. I don't resent you. I'm here to help you."
Zamon's voice slithers into the room.
"She is a monster. And I will take her."
He materializes before us, towering, vile, triumphant.
Without hesitation, Theolinda steps in front of me.
"You will not touch her," she says.
I stare at her, stunned. Zamon reaches for me. Theolinda wraps her arms around me—tight, unyielding.
"Don't move," she whispers.
I shut my eyes.
Nothing happens.
Zamon recoils, snarling. When I open my eyes, we are surrounded by a sphere of white light, humming softly, alive with power.
"You're not taking her," Theolinda says. "Not now. Not ever."
"I feel an angelic presence," Zamon snarls. "Damn you!"
And then he is gone.
The light fades. Theolinda releases me. My knees weaken. I cry—not from fear, but from relief.
"We love you, Arabella," she says quietly. "Everything will be alright."
For the first time, I believe it.
"Thank you," I whisper. "I don't deserve this. After what I feel... what I've done. What are you? An angel?"
She smiles. "No. Just a woman. My father was part of the Order. He placed a protective ritual on me long ago."
"Can that be done for me?" I ask desperately.
"I don't know," she admits. "But I do know we'll protect you. Ryan is preparing a way to end Zamon."
I look at her, truly look at her now. I understand why my uncle loves her—not out of desire, but because she is strong.
"Theolinda," I say, my voice steady for the first time, "I will pull this poisoned love out of my heart. I will love him only as my uncle. I promise. I won't hurt you or him anymore."
She smiles with quiet relief.
"Thank you, Arabella. That means everything."
Something lifts inside me—not all the pain, but enough to breathe.
For the first time, my love does not feel like a curse.
It feels like something I can finally choose what to do with.
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THE MONSTER INSIDE ME (#ONC2024)
Terror#ONC2024 Round two Ambassadors' pick. :D SHORTLIST ONC 2024 My prompt is number 3: Your greatest fear is monsters in the dark. The last thing you expect is to become the monster in the dark. Arabella Dagon was always afraid of the dark. In the dar...
