"Why are you so afraid of me?" his voice came out low and pleading, each word dripping with emotion. He took a careful step closer, eyes glowing with both pain and love. "I love you—so much. You’re my mate, my everything. Nothing will ever change that. Please, my love… come to me."

He stood there, still and patient, waiting for her to move—but she only folded her trembling arms around herself, shaking her head as her body quivered with fear.

Should I go to him?
His deep, soothing voice echoed in her mind again and again, clouding her thoughts.

"G–Go," she stammered, her voice breaking as she backed away. "Go away!"

His brows knitted, confusion flashing through his eyes. "Why?" he asked, stepping forward, his tone now desperate.

"I don't..." she struggled to breathe, her words tumbling out between gasps. "I don't want to see you. Please… just leave me alone!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening under the dim light.

"But I can’t live without you," he said, his voice cracking with longing. "You are my love, my mate, my goddess!" His words rolled off his tongue in a rich, sonorous tone that sent shivers down her spine.

He took another step closer, eyes burning with anguish. "You’re tearing me apart, love. Please, don’t say it again—"

"You love someone else!" she cried out, cutting him off, her voice trembling with heartbreak.

The words hit him like a blade to the chest. Silence filled the room, thick and suffocating, as their eyes met — his filled with disbelief, hers clouded by pain and fear.

✷In halls where whispers guard the flame,


✷Through shadowed glass and sacred lore,


A heart once pure, now fierce and bold.⁠✷


✷Fate bends and breathes in silent cries—


Where light is born, a darkness lies.✷


"What happened to Goddess Ishtar, the former keeper of this library?" Alicia asked. Her tone was calm, yet her silver eyes glimmered with quiet command.


The angel before her smiled faintly. "She's gone," he said.


Alicia frowned, her gaze narrowing. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?"


The man let out a deep sigh and motioned for her to follow. "Come. There's something you need to see."


They moved deeper into the great hall, past the fountain of shimmering blue light known as the Healing Water. Its reflection rippled across Alicia's face like liquid moonlight, revealing the faint scar beneath her left eye—a mark of battles long past.


Chapter 69 - ~ECHOES OF DAMARIS ~