The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

My eyes open and I look around the room that is flooded with warmth. I sit up slowly, groaning softly. My body is aching.

It's the kind of ache you get after an incredibly satisfying workout, the ache that Skyla said she loves. It shows your hard work bore fruit. But now I wonder if she meant it in other ways. Naughty Sky.

Well, I do love this ache if it comes from this activity. I... spent the night intimately with Enrique...

I blush, unable to stop myself from smiling. A smile that fades when I realise he isn't here... that makes me feel uneasy. Is he- no, he can't be doubting it, because last night he showed those emotions. Emotions that told me how he felt. Last night was perfect...

I hug my knees and rest my right cheek on top of them as I gaze out of the window.

He cares, I know that, but the fear that this is it, that he might just shut me out is sneaking in. It scares me.

My wolf stirs inside of me, and I feel a flair of pain that isn't mine. We are one and just as I love him, so does she. I sigh softly as last night flits through my mind.

Is it wrong to love someone so deeply that I will never even wait for my fated? No, it isn't. But I also believe we could be made for one another. That maybe we are mates.

My strange thoughts are making me emotional, and I sigh heavily.

Enrique, where are you?

Getting out of bed I almost stumble, my legs feeling like jelly, and I blush, remembering how I begged him to keep going.

Goddess! How will I face him?

I cover my burning face as I rush to the bathroom. Once the door is closed, I drop the sheet and look in the mirror at my reflection.

I'm glowing, I look refreshed and somehow different. My gaze flickers over the light marks that linger, although they are fast fading. I brush my fingers over them, reminiscing about the way his touch felt. The way his lips brushed my skin. My breath hitches as I look back in the mirror.

"Mi Amor..." I murmur, smiling at my reflection before I look away and step into the shower.

Last night truly was perfect, putting even my most beautiful dream to shame.

After I get ready in a cotton dress, I head to the kitchen to find a note from Hugo that he was running some errands for Enrique and if he was not back in time, he has made some sandwiches for me. He had also added his number to the bottom, just in case. So considerate.

Not knowing what to do with myself, with the emotions I am feeling, I decide to make a call to Jose. I walk into the lounge as I call him, glad I had gotten his number.

"Hello?"

"Jose, hello..." I begin.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I was wondering if there was an update on locating the young witch's mother?" I ask as I sit down on the sofa and pick up one of the old books that is on the table and flipping it open.

"Not yet, I'm afraid. I will contact the tracker I told to look into finding her and see if he has any update. He is the best person for the job but she is not easy to find."

"I understand, I just... we are running out of time. Thank you, Jose, for your hard work."

"Anytime, Princesa. Take care."

"Wait!" I say, sitting forward.

"Yes?"

I blush at my behaviour. "S-sorry... I was just wondering if you knew where Enrique is?"

"Enrique? He has been attending to work since morning. He had an important meeting that was moved up to today and with the discovery of some kind of monster in the waters, he's working on that too." "Oh... I see... is there anything I can do to help?" I offer, suddenly feeling useless. I'm glad he had work, but I wish he let me know...

"Thank you, but you don't need to worry yourself. I will let Enrique know you were asking-"

"Oh no! Please don't, it's alright..." I don't want him thinking I'm needy or clingy.

There's a long pause on his side before he speaks. "If that is your wish, I won't, but if you need anything or change your mind, I will send you his number."

"Thank you... could you please send me the image created by the child witch as well?" I ask, I want to show Raihana.

"Of course, I will send that to you immediately."

Thanking him, I hang up and sigh heavily. Goddess....

My phone beeps with his incoming image and Enrique's number, which I save quickly. I message Raihana asking if she is available to talk.

Waiting for her to answer, I look at my messages from the girls. Nervousness and shyness rushing through me, but before I can get through even one page of messages, Skyla begins typing. SKYLA: SHE'S ONLINE!

An incoming videocall makes my eyes widen.

Goddess, these girls!

I accept the call as Azura, Skyla, and Song pop up on the screen. "You were not online for ages, sooooo how was last night? Tell us!" Skyla

exclaims as she watches me with her cat-eyes burning into me as if wanting to read my mind.

I blush and look down. "I... we"

Song gasps. "Come on, Kat, tell us!"

"Well, the date was perfect... we had a lovely time." I begin feeling like I'm

caught in the headlights.

"And...?" Azura asks.

I glance up and nod. "We did," I say shyly.

Skyla gasps, her eyes wide, her mouth open as she stares at the screen. Song gasps covering her mouth and Azura smiles. "I knew it," she says. " And how do you feel?"

"I feel great." I smile. I just wish he was here, so I knew how he felt...

"Then I'm happy," Azura says softly. "Urgh, I feel emotional. What the heck? Am I going into some weird aunty mode?"

"Yes you are, so shoo! Sooo details, girl! Details! How is he in bed?" Skyla asks, as Malevolent jumps into her lap and she leans forward.

"Amazing," I reply.

"We want details, hun," Song answers.

I shake my head. "I think I'll keep those feelings private," I say softly, looking down.

"What, why?!" Skyla pouts.

"Are you shy?" Song asks with a smile.

Giggling, I shake my head. "No, I just want to keep them between me and Enrique," I answer. I don't know if he'd appreciate me saying that kind of thing to others and I don't want to make him feel uncomfortable in any way. "Noo... I need deets... I'll wait. One day you will surely spill." Sky smirks.

"I understand if you don't want to tell us even if I want to know, but I'm happy for you, Kat," Azura says, her eyes shockingly teary.

"Dude, are you crying?" Sky asks her, already pouting at my answer.

"I don't know. I just feel so emotional knowing that Kat's all grown up.

Urgh." Azura wipes her eyes. "And the fact she gave herself to someone, Goddess, I want to wrap her up in a blanket and hide her away! But he is hot." She glances around as if making sure Leo isn't around, and I giggle. "He was lovely, though, and he took good care of me."

"I'm sure he did." Sky winks.

"I meant he was tender," I reply, blushing. My heart warming at the memory of how he treated me.

I truly do love him...

Azura nods as Song swoons at my statement.

My phone begins buzzing, and I look at the tab that pops up.

Raihana!

"I have to go. I have an incoming call," I say.

"Well, keep in touch, we miss you," Azura says before the other two wave and I bid them farewell.

I answer Raihana's video call just as my phone beeps and I look at the text pop up. It's from Azura.

AZURA: I'm here if you ever want to talk about anything or want to know anything. It will stay strictly between us, ok? Don't feel afraid to reach out. I love you Kat.'

"Hey there, you look distracted," Raihana remarks.

I blink, forgetting I'm on video.

"Sorry! Just replying to one message..." I quickly thank Azura, truly appreciating her. It's nice to have someone who is like an older sister to go to for guidance. Especially when I know Enrique is experienced. I saw him at Club Jewels... and I think Skyla will be too naughty for me. Maybe I'll go to her when I'm like, in my mid-twenties!

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I look at Raihana, who is observing me keenly. "You look... happy," she remarks, reaching for something from her desk. I can see she's in her large office with light grey oak wooden panels behind her.

I nod. "I am." But my smile fades when I see her sit back and light a cigarette.

"A cigarette... do you smoke now?"

She gives me a half smile. "Mm, it helps a little, besides I'm so busy I don't have time to eat at times and this my girl, takes that edge away."

My heart breaks for her, right in that moment, and although I don't want her to see it I'm unable to hold back the crashing wave of emotions that just struck me. She lost her mate too soon...

Her expression becomes serious seeing the tears in my eyes. "Hey... I'm fine, besides there's plenty who smoke."

"But not you, Raihana..."

"Now you sound like your uncle." She pulls a face and puts it out. "There? Happy?"

"Please take care of yourself," I plead.

"I am, I'm doing good. Don't you worry about that."

Why won't I worry when I'm seeing you lose weight, seeing the hair you once wore with pride being cut shorter... I wish I could take away your pain.

"I'm sure you didn't call me to look at me like my pet just died. So what is it?" she asks briskly, sitting back and resting her chin on her hand.

I try to focus on why I asked her to call.

"I'm going to send you a picture. It was drawn by a young witch here in Puerto Rico, in regards to Enrique. His beta told me he contains rage, hatred and darkness. He has also said he holds a power that has bled into him because of the Djinn's possession of his bloodline. A dark power of sorts." I run my fingers through my hair.

"Dark powers... and do you know, or have you witnessed this dark power?" Raihana asks, frowning.

I pause. "Well, I don't know. He summons darkness to himself, like a beacon or a flame that draws a moth. But apart from that, it's not- it's not something that I can say 'Oh there it is'. I don't know what I'm looking for, or what to make of it entirely." I sigh. Raihana nods as she listens.

I send her the picture, taking a deep breath. "But... he is also something else, something that doesn't come from that darkness."

Raihana glances up knowingly. "The Crimson King."