Lidiya Witchain - the forgotten bride

The Confrontation

The next morning dawned bleak and heavy, the weight of impending doom suffocating Lidiya. She forced herself to rise from the bed, still shaken from the confrontation with Zindane. As she prepared for the day, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, the shadows lurking in the corners of her mind.

After tending to her chores, she made her way to the garden. It was a small act of defiance—a moment of normalcy in her fractured world. As she tended to the flowers, her mind raced with thoughts of Zindane’s cryptic words and the darkness that enveloped him.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. Whipping around, she found Zindane leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “What are you doing?” he asked, his tone mocking.

“Gardening,” Lidiya replied, forcing a brave smile. “It’s what I do best.”

He pushed himself off the door and approached her, his presence overwhelming. “You really think you can hide from me?” he said, stepping closer. “You’re still nothing but a peasant in my eyes.”

Lidiya squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. “And you’re still a coward hiding behind your magic and lies.”

Zindane’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “You have no idea how much I enjoy watching you squirm. But remember, every day you defy me is another day I will make Oswen’s spirit suffer.”

Lidiya’s heart pounded as she felt the air thickening with tension. “What do you want from me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts.

“Everything,” he replied simply, leaning in closer, his breath hot against her ear. “I want your submission, Lidiya. You may think you’re strong, but I will break you.”

She shivered, both from fear and an unexplainable thrill that coursed through her. “You’re sick!” she exclaimed, stepping back. “You think you can control me? I’ll never let you win!”

“Then let the games begin,” he replied, his eyes gleaming with a dark light.

Lidiya turned away, heart racing. “Stay away from me, Zindane,” she warned, her voice fierce. “I won’t be a pawn in your twisted game and how do I know if your being honest about capturing Oswens spirit.”

“Too late,” he said, voice low and menacing. “You’re already in deeper than you realize but let me show you a demo.”

The tension in the air was palpable as they stared each other down. Then, in an instant, Zindane lunged forward, pinning her against the wall, his hands gripping her wrists tightly. “You think you can defy me?” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. “I will have you, Lidiya. I will make you mine, whether you like it or not.” just as he said this the whispers started again and she heard Oswens voice screaming and crying pleading to let Lydia go. An anxious voice that sounded like it was in extreme pain"

Lidiya’s heart raced, panic mixing with an undeniable spark of desire. “You’re wrong,” she whispered fiercely, “I will never be yours.”

Zindane leaned in closer, their faces inches apart, the heat of his body radiating against her. “I will show you what true power looks like,” he taunted, his lips curling into a smirk.

Suddenly, Lidiya found her strength. With a swift movement, she managed to twist her wrists free from his grasp and shoved him away. “I won’t let you control me! You may have power over the living, but I will fight for the memory of Oswen!”

His expression darkened, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something—vulnerability? Anger? “You think you can win this battle?” he growled, stepping toward her once more.

Lidiya stood her ground, refusing to back down. “I may be just a peasant, but I have the heart of a warrior. I will not let you destroy me or Oswen’s spirit.”

Zindane’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. “You’re braver than you look, Lidiya,” he said, a hint of admiration slipping into his tone. “But bravery can be a double-edged sword.”

She felt her heart quicken at his words, realizing that he saw something in her that she hadn’t yet acknowledged. “I’m not afraid of you,” she replied, her voice steady. “I’ll find a way to defeat you and uncover the truth behind your darkness.”

Zindane smirked, clearly amused. “Then let’s see how long that resolve lasts,” he said, stepping back and waving his hand dismissively. “You’ll regret underestimating me.”

As he walked away, Lidiya felt a mix of relief and dread. The battle lines had been drawn, and she was determined to fight. The stakes had never been higher, and she knew she needed to gather allies, discover secrets, and confront Zindane’s darkness head-on.