Chapter 56
Valencia’s POV
The dream came out of nowhere, sharp and relentless like the lash of the belt itself.
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Each strike seared across my skin, leaving a trail of fire on my arms and back. The pain wasn’t the worst of it; it was his voice that cut the deepest.
“You cheating bitch!” Jaxon’s roar echoed, filling the dimly lit room.
The belt cracked again, the sound reverberating in my ears as it connected with my shoulder. I stumbled forward, my palms scraping against the cold, unforgiving floor, Tears blurred my vilon, but I refused to cry out.
“I didn’t do anything!” My voice broke, weak and pleading, but ixon’s fury only intensified.
“Liar!” His eyes burned with rage, his fists clenched around the belt as he swung it again.
The pelt struck my Back, the pain making my body jerk uncontrollably. I tasted blood where I’d bitten the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming.
“You think I didn’t see you with that bastard servant–he spat out a name, one I couldn’t even recall, though the hatred in his voice was etched into my soul.
“I’m loyall” I sobbed, crawling away, my body trembling under the weight of his wrath. “I didn’t–please-
The belt hit again, harder this time, the sound reverberating like thunder in my mind.
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“Stop,” I whispered, my voice breaking as the darkness swallowed me whole.
“Valencia! Wake up!”
Dante’s voice pierced through the haze of the dream, and I jerked upright with a gasp. My body was drenched in cold sweat, my heart pounding erratically in my chest.
“Stop.” I whispered hoarsely, the word trembling on my lips even as I blinked away the remnants of the nightmare.
Dante’s hands were on my shoulders, grounding me. His concerned eyes searched mine, and I realized I was crying. Tears streamed down my cheeks, hot and uncontrollable, and I hastily wiped them away with shaky hands.
“What’s wrong?” Dante asked, his voice low but filled with urgency.
I shook my head, swallowing hard to steady my voice. “Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just… a nightmare.”
A nightmarish memory. One I had long forced myself to forget, God. how had I ever loved that man?
The more I thought about it…the more absurd it seemed. But all that aside, why was I remembering all that now? Was it because of the sea?
His brow furrowed, and for a moment, I thought he would press me further. Instead, he patted my head gently, his touch calming. “Here,” he said, handing me a glass of water.
I drank gratefully, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat.
“We’ve arrived, Dante said softly, his hand lingering on my shoulder as if to reassure me.
I nodded, pulling myself together as best as I could. Everyone was staring at me–Caius, Marcy, Raiden, Joseph. I could feel
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their eyes on me, and the weight of their unspoken questions was almost suffocating
I forced a smile, weak but hopefully convincing enough, as I avelled their gazes. “Sorry” I murmured.
Raiden’s sharp eyes softened, and he gave me a slight mod, as if to say he wouldn’t pry. I was grateful for that. Except my gaze drifted to Marcelene who looked at me with a worried expression and I looked away.
For now I just wanted to forget about it quickly.
I could tell Castor was getting agitated due to my mood.
The yacht docked at a small port, and I stepped off with Dante’s heady hand guiding me. My breath hitched as I took in the sight before me.
The island was stunning, a jewel in the middle of the vast blue dran. Crystal–clear waters lapped gently against the pristine white sand, and lush greenery covered the land, swaying gently in the warm breeze. The air smelled of salt and earth, fresh and invigorating.
A long cobblestone path stretched out from the port, winding its way toward the heart of the island. At the end of it, nestled amidst the greenery, was a grand structure that took my breath away.
As we climbed into a white electric shuttle waiting for us at the dock, the details of the building became clearer.
The building structure was massive, a blend of ancient grandeur and modern elegance.
I looked like a luxurious Victorian castle with Its towering spires reaching toward the heavens, their tips gleaming in the sunlight. The walls were made of gleaming white marble, adorned with intricate carvings of supernatural creatures–wolves, phoenixes, pixies, sirens and other beings I couldn’t name.
Large glass windows reflected the surrounding greenery and the sky, giving the building an almost ethereal quality.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, unable to sear my eyes away.
Dante glanced at me, a faint smile on his lips. “It’s the headquarters of the Supernatural Council. They’re not known for subtlety.”
The shuttle rolled to a stop in front of a grand set of stairs leading up to the main entrance. Two imposing guards in silver armor stood on either side of the massive double doors, their expressions unreadable. Their armor gleamed under the sunlight, and their presence exuded authority.
We were escorted inside, where the interior was just as awe–inspiring as the exterior. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast soft, golden light across the polished marble floors. The walls were lined with tapestries. depicting scenes of supernatural history, their vibrant colors telling stories of battles, alliances, and legacies.
The guards led us to a lounge area just off the main hall. The room was furnished with luxurious leather chairs and a low- glass table, its surface inlaid with gold filigree.
“Please wait here,” one of the guards said, his tone polite but firm
We settled into the chairs, the silence heavy as we wfited. My fingers traced absent patterns on Castor’s shell, the warmth of it grounding me.
A servant entered the room, his movements graceful as he carried a silver tray of refreshments. He was impeccably dressed, his crisp white shirt and black vest tailored perfectly to his lean frame. But as he moved closer, something about him struck me as familiar.
I frowned, my gaze lingering on his back. His silver hair, neatly combed and tied into a braid, shimmered under the soft light. My eyes drified down to his feet, and my stomach churned. His ankles were shackled, the delicate chains barely visible
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Chapter 56
beneath the hem of his trousers. But there was a soft tinkling sound as he moved around.
My heart sank.
The servant approached, his head bowed as he offered me a cup of tea. My fingers brushed against his as I took the cup, and the moment his face came into view, the world tilted on its axis
Silver hair.
Familiar, piercing red eyes.
It couldn’t be.
The cup slipped from my hands, the scalding tea splashing onto my lap. But I didn’t feel the burn. All I could do was stare at him, my breath hitching as recognition slammed into me like a freight train.
It was him.
It was him.
