The Inured Villainess

Chapter 45

We returned to Ronkia a couple of days later, however, there was no rest in between.

With war came many debts and agreements as well as casualties.

Things have been so hectic that I haven't been able to see Kyrell for the past two days.

Thankfully the day has ended and I could get a bit of sleep before I return to work tomorrow.

I lift the sheets to our bed and I am met with the usual cold.

It is currently an hour before midnight and Kyrell often comes past midnight.

It is going to be another cold night.

Though I shouldn't complain.

Everything is now coming to an end. Where there are no curses, no hate.

It's just us.

As I'm about to close my eyes, the sound of the door opening makes me look towards it.

"Did I wake you?" My husband enters, his eyes more sunken in than usual.

"No." I pat the bed next to me. "You're back early today."

"I wanted to for you." He musters a smile. "And more for me."

He reaches a hand to my cheek. "It's good to see you like this. It reminds me of how lucky I am."

And I feel like the luckiest since I have him in my life.

The is a moment of silence before I speak. "Has Caelus told you about Dilana's gift?"

"He has." He shifts closer to me, removing his hand. "As you know Caelus' curse has been removed."

I nod. "I've asked Dilana, she agreed to help with Alastair's curse."

"And what of you? Have you told her about your curse?"

The question catches me off guard a bit so I look away. "Well... I was going to tell her but it never came up."

"Estella..." He lets out a sigh and I can already see the look on his face.

I turn my head back to him. "Your curse doesn't have the same effect on me as it did you, Kyrell. Without your curse, I would have never been able to absorb that amount of dark energy." I take a slight pause. "Your curse may have enhanced your gift to the point of pain but for me... I was able to increase the amount of evil that I can take in."

"Then what do you propose?" His brows furrow. "That you keep the curse. I can't let you do that, Estella."

"No, I don't want that either but..." I slow my words, "the marks make it feel like a gift from you."

I know, maybe it's childish but I've read too many novels where the main lead makes the female lead his in his own way.

The black swirls along my body are a reminder that I saved Kyrell and Dilana didn't. That I am his and he is mine.

"I know it may be odd but I like how strong I feel with the curse. How it's helped us." I place a hand on my side, my nightgown the only thing between my touch and the marks. "Can I keep it for just a while longer?"

Kyrell takes me in. My position. My face. Everything.

"It's foolish." He finally says. "No sane noble lady would want to have marks on their bodies."

"Perhaps, I'm not just any noble lady." A hint of desire flashes through my eyes. "I'm a queen."

I'm tired but the man sitting next to me now has the power it to make it all go away.