39

SIN

I glimpsed the fear in Artemisia's eyes as she sprinted to the door.

Why was she frightened?

Oh yeah, it was because of me. I was aware of what was going on, but I couldn't stop myself even if I wanted to.

"It's me, Artemisia, your wife." The last sentence she made kept ringing in my head.

I felt something snapped in my head and I winced, clutching it as several thoughts flooded into it.

I groaned, tumbling back on the bed. My eyes, hazy, and I blinked several times whilst trying to clear my vision. But, it was futile due to the blinding headache I was experiencing.

"Sin?"

I heard Artemisia called out.

After several minutes of going through agonises which I didn't know where it came from, I was my normal self once more.

"What is going on?" Artemisia asked whilst walking towards me slowly.

I noticed the hesitation in her eyes, I didn't blame her for feeling that way.

If she hadn't escaped from my clutch, I was sure I would have done something I would have regretted when I was myself again.

I moved away from the bed, walking towards her.

"Don't." She stuttered, putting her hands out. "D-don't come closer, please."

Her eyes widened with each step I took and despite her plea, I got close to her and tugged her to me, embracing her.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, caressing her soft ginger hair and at the same time, searching for any injuries I might have made unconsciously.

I breathed out whilst assessing her pale skin. Except for the ugly purple bruise on her right wrist- I guessed from me gripping it too tight- she didn't have any injury elsewhere.

I clutched a robe, draping it around her body as I took in her shredded dress. "I didn't mean to do that."

"I didn't mean for that to happen," I muttered, walking away from her.

I couldn't look at her. She always felt pity for me when I gaze into her beautiful eyes.

I was a beast and I had made sure to let her know that by some of the vicious things I had done to her- the hitting and other things- It wasn't like I could control myself if I wanted to. Yet, she believed there was good in me even after all the things I had done to her.

I wondered if it was the mate bond that was keeping me in check because whenever I wanted to go berserker, it always snapped me out of it.

Her angelic voice had that soothing effect as well.

"It's fine Sin. But then, what happened to you? You didn't appear to be yourself some minutes ago and I was sure you were about to have your way with me and kill me as well."

"I-I didn't mean to." I stuttered, shaking my head. I clutched my face in between my hands and sniffled.

I felt my hands becoming moist and I stared at them to realize I was crying. I couldn't remember the last time I had cried and it wasn't for something like this.

I wondered if I was going soft. I was certain if Laurent was here, he would agree that I was.

"Don't cry," Artemisia whispered. A few seconds later, she was by my side, patting my back as my body shook in a nerve-racking sob.

"I don't see you as a monster." She said. "Just trust in me and tell me what is going on with you."

"Why did you think I would cheat on you?"

"I-I…" I trailed off.

How would it sound if I said I was jealous? I guess it would be unbelievable as we didn't like each other.

Despite the love-hate relationship between us, she was mine and I didn't like when any man stared at her in a sensuous way.

I had noticed the weird stare she and Laurent had the first time she entered the meeting hall. I didn't want to tell him off so as not to look like a weakling or maybe a jealous husband who didn't trust his wife.

But, anything could happen. Also, Laurent had found her desirable the first time he met her, making it worse.

Although it was not the main reason I had stormed into the room, it was part of it. Also, Laurent had taunted me about being with her.

I knew it wasn't true because I met her untouched. But I had believed him and let him enter my mind, disrupting my thoughts as he does often.

Laurent could bring out a person's worst fear, be it human or any supernatural being.

I was immune to his power since I had strong control of my mind and I never allowed anyone to penetrate it except I wanted to.

I reckoned I was at my lowest, that was how he was able to infiltrate my mind.

Another reason was the prophecy. I didn't know what my innermost desire was yet because Artemisia hadn't brought it out.

Before her arrival, I was always this way. Even with Adrina. I tend to go into a phase of bloodlust, then come back after fighting it myself because during that period everyone tried to avoid me as I was lethal to them-My bite could kill them.

I had entered the room after the first phase of bloodlust-irrational behaviour- hit me along with the fear Laurent had implanted into my mind.

"Sin?"

"What?" I jerked out of my reverie as I felt her cool hand on my face.

"You zoned out." Her brows furrowed and her button nose crinkled whilst clenching my hand. "What are you hiding from me? Is it that hard for you to say?"

My eyes glazed over as I stared at her. She was more beautiful today. Heck, she had always been beautiful and I wonder how a human would be that way without trying.

She could be a Siren with her translucent skin and magical voice that could lure any man to their downfall. But, Artemisia was too kind to be one of those evil creatures.

Again, she was human which was even more confusing.

Artemisia.

This beautiful human in front of me was my Luna. She wasn't scared of me even after what I had almost done. She still looked worried and concerned for me.

It was weird, but I could feel myself reacting to her touch more than ever.

"What?" She reddened, averting her gaze. "Stop staring at me that way."

"You are exquisite," I mumbled simply.

If there was another word stronger than that, I would happily use it. Because she was perfect.

The kind of woman I had desired to have. Even though she was a human, she was not a pushover like mom and Laurent had thought.

She was more than that and even the strongest human I had seen. She had taken the information of us being different without a fuss and hadn't asked many questions even though I owed her a lot of answers.

"Thank you." She mumbled, reddening more. "You didn't answer my question."

"I will but I want to do this first," I said, gripping her chin.

I locked my lips on her before she could protest.

The kiss was a gentle one. She kissed me back, in the same manner, gripping my shirt.

"You are avoiding my question, Sin." She moaned into my mouth as I bit her lower lips.

So responsive and most importantly, she was mine!

"Shush." I grabbed her derriere. "Stop talking."

She nodded and did as I told her. The kiss swirled from being gentle to rough.

In no time, we were out of our clothes and naked on the bed.

For the first time since she came to the palace, after the wedding, I appreciated the woman the moon goddess had given to me. Also, I made love to her for the first time as well and it wasn't like the usual sex, it was magical.