BORDER

Chapter Eleven

ANAKIN

I let in shaky breaths as the burning intensifies with each step I take towards the door. A lazy excuse falls from my lips, something about going out to get some of the crisp air. I need to breathe, like fully — suck in a breath so painful that it eases all the other pain. I walk a good five miles before releasing the pain and agony everything has been causing me. My howl rings throughout the entire forest, I would not be surprised if the animals are scared. Once that radiating energy leaves, I collapse against the ground and lay there for a good hour. The cold starts to penetrate my layers and I shiver. I need out of these clothes and go to that bed and pass out.

Making my way back to the inn, I notice no one else is around now. It is just me, her, and the nymphs.

Entering my room, I see a sleeping Nerissa. She stirs in her sleep and I can not help but be enthralled. Gods, did I understand why she is risen, now. Her beauty is incomparable to anyone I have ever met or seen. I have been so angry that I didn't stop to notice it.

That did not stop who she is though.

I still despise her. I watch as she snuggles underneath the covers. I have never wanted to light something more on fire than the bed that she rests herself in. She looks far too warm and peaceful.

You entitled cunt.

I scoff as I make my way inside the bathroom. Starting the bath, I ease myself into it almost immediately. It is freezing but it feels oh so good on my aching body. I let out a relieved sigh as I grasp onto the tub. A cold bath relieves the tension I have been holding on to. I am lucky to even have access to clean, running water.

After nearly thirty minutes, I get out and dry myself off. Not allowing myself to think about Nerissa anymore, I try to think of a thousand other things. I don't want to question anything anymore. I throw on my pants that hang low at the waist. I have almost succeed at not thinking about the insufferable girl when I turn the corner and there she is.

She rubs her eyes as her natural pout begins showing. She holds the sheets close to her body with a death grip. She is freezing. Her glare is fucking lethal though and that is for sure. I blink at her glaring, groggy, face.

"You scared me."

"Get a helmet," I say, leaning up against the door frame.

She scoffs and turns her head away from me. She is starting to become more negative the longer she is here. Nerissa would never know eternal suffering like the rest of us. A little dim to her light isn't shit.

I observed her closely and the curves at her waist and her hips.

I understand the obsession now.

If I am to do anything though, it wouldn't be as pure as even the highest of gods would make it out to be.

I walk over to the bed where she rests. There is only one bed as you can imagine a full inn only has and I have slept on floors longer than I should have. I am not doing it again.

If she wants to move, she absolutely can. I'm not though.

I lift the covers and make my way in. She turns her entire body and crowds up into the corner. "What do you think you're doing?" She asks, eyeing me up and down. The authority this bitch thought she had is insane to the highest peak of Etna.

"Sleeping," I explain flatly and shut off the lamp next to the bedpost.

"We cannot sleep in the same bed. Out! I demand it." She demands. I give her a confused and annoyed look.

"You demand it? And in what authority or position do you think you are in right now to do so? If I had it my way, I would light your ass on fire and make you become the first and last beacon of hope your people will ever receive while you all live in delusion. Unfortunately, you are my only way of here, so I need to deal with your annoying, non-stop-talking, self-entitled, ass until we get back to this land of delusion that can save so many people besides your own. Until then, I suggest you shut up and go to sleep because I am not in a bickering mood."

She is stunned. Next thing I know there is this burning pain going through my cheek.

Did she just slap me, again? I turn myself to meet her eyes, fully. She is saying something, but it isn't something I want to hear. The rage on her face is surprising. Seeing it happen from this woman of all angels is intoxicating.

Nerissa begins crying as she asks me, "What have I done?"

"Breaking your oh-so-precious rules again? Yeah, welcome to my Russa. Now go to sleep."

She holds the covers to her chest as she breaks down in little sobs. I roll my eyes but a part of me doesn't like the sight, at least not as much as I thought I would "I hate you more than you will ever know. I hope you never go anywhere near our children or our mothers, you sick bastard!" She says through sobs, her shaking shoulders tells it all. "You are a mean, mean, man with no compassion for others besides yourself. You don't have a heart."

She snaps her mouth shut before rolling over to face the wall. It is silent for a moment before she resumes crying in her sleep.

"Our children, huh temptation?" I smirk. "Delusional bitch." I scoff, turning to my side, and wait to fall asleep.

Something she says stays with me as I stare at the ceiling.

"You don't have a heart."

Nerissa Soley if you are right about one thing on this trip, it will be that. I don't have a heart for the people who failed my people. Even for someone as angelic as you.