102

ARTEMISIA

A Month Later

I smiled whilst glancing at my back. I left the Moon Howler pack earlier and I was glad it was on good terms.

I rejected Chase's offer and told him I'd rather be his younger sister.

Although he waved it off and laughed stating siblings never kissed each other

But it was fun being with him. I regained myself. I wasn't bitter like I was once whilst in Merene.

I had trained myself properly and took away the negative energy from me as I learnt from Mila and Goddess Trivia.

Also, I learnt some new spells which might have come in handy whilst I was in Merene and it would have enabled me to be more discerning.

Goddess Trivia still appeared to me. And it was by her wisdom I was returning today.

It hadn't been an easy task, but then, I didn't think it was even easier whenever I thought of all that I left behind.

My home, my new family, and my mate, Sin.

I wonder how he was faring. Perhaps, he had moved on and forgotten about me…

"No," I mumbled to myself. The many visions I had seen of him were him going berserker and I blamed myself each time I woke.

He was even worse than when the moon had disappeared and I feel almost sorry for him except that he truly deserved what he was experiencing.

I heard laughter, a familiar one as I neared.

It was Sin's. I could recognize the sound of his voice from anywhere and warmth filled me.

He was happy. He was happy without me.

I should be glad but for some reason, it angered me.

I was jealous.

I gritted my teeth and clenched my hands. He had moved on without me and it was somewhat annoying.

But then, I left him.

However, it was only a month and I wonder why he couldn't keep himself rather than invite another woman home.

The mark on my neck had not faded. Heck, it glowed even brightly each time I thought of him.

But he had moved on.

The urge to boot the gate and dart into the palace filled me but I let in a deep breath and let it out slowly to stop myself from acting irrational.

I pushed the small gate and let myself in.

A small smile appeared on my face as the guards stared at me in awe.

Their hands were on the warning bell, maybe to signal my arrival but I halted them.

I wanted to go in quietly. I didn't want to attract anyone's attention.

That was the last thing I wanted. Maybe after discussing with Sin, we could come to an agreement on how to live with each other.

I strode into the large hall and towards my room.

I nudged the door slightly and winced as it screeched. I pinched the bridge of my nose and coughed as cobwebs and dust greeted me.

It was only a month and no one had it in mind to clean the room.

I grimaced as I waved my hands around me and ventured in further.

I set my bag and proceeded to do some cleaning to make the room look at least livable and less haunted.

************

A knock sounded on the door after a while and I smiled as I assessed the room.

Although it wasn't fully done, it was better than when I came in.

I walked to the door and held my breath. I didn't know who was coming but I believed it was Sin.

I wasn't ready to see him yet. But again. There was no way I could go a day without doing so.

I opened the door slowly and the person at the other end pushed it wider.

"Artemisia?"

My eyes collided with Julie's.

She was still in the palace. It was a good thing she found a place for herself here. I thought she'd have left when I did.

"The one and only." I beamed.

"Jesus, Artemisia!" She exclaimed and tackled me into a hug.

I giggled as I staggered backward due to her weight but I embraced her tighter.

Aside from Sin, I missed Julie so much. She was my friend, my best friend and there was no day I hadn't thought of how she was coping.

"Oh, Artemisia!" She sobbed into my shoulder.

"It's me, babes. I am back." I mumbled, over again, rubbing her back.

"Why did you run away? I thought you were dead!"

She gazed at me with red-rimmed eyes and shook her head.

"We all thought you were dead and trying to move on with our lives but it was just too hard!"

"Well. I am alive and you don't need to move on anymore." I said, attempting a joke.

"Oh, gods," Julie mumbled. I pulled her towards the bed and sat her on it. "You need to see how Sin is."

"But he is happy," I said. At least he sounded happy when I heard him. He didn't sound like someone suffering.

"He had an urn for you with all your things kept in a room, and he cried each night for you. He drinks himself to a stupor as well." Julie explained.

I didn't know what to say or how to feel about that.

But I sighed instead. I wanted to see him but at the same time I wasn't prepared and hearing how he was suffering because of me made me feel awful.

"I'm just glad you are back." Julie embraced me again.

"How did you know I was back?"

"I was up in my room and I saw you. I thought you were a ghost until I heard you cleaning the room."

I giggled, shaking my head. "I didn't want to raise an alarm."

"I figured," Julie said. "But someone might have heard me when I shouted your name. So, your cover is blown."

Julie smiled.

"I heard Artemisia?" A voice said as the door opened.

That voice, I couldn't forget it as much as I tried.

It tormented me each night in my dream. Now, he was here.

Julie didn't lie, he wasn't Sin. He seemed like a ghost of Sin.

My eyes collided with his and I stood to my feet.

He stepped further into the room with his mouth hung open.

"Julie? What is going on here?" Sin asked, his brows creased.

Julie sighed, "I'll leave both of you here. I think you need some time to yourself."

She stepped out of the room leaving me with Sin.

I didn't know what to do or say. But my leg did everything for me. I found myself moving towards him and I didn't stop until I was in front of him.

"Sin," I mumbled and that was when the waterworks started.