Word Count: 1604

~Millicent

Sinful looks visibly shocked that I agreed.

He blinks a few times, his mouth parting. It's the first time he's allowed himself to release that smooth façade that he hides behind. He's amazed that I agreed to this, considering how little interest I express in him. However, he knows that the more information about the Moon that he knows, the more I want to be in his presence.

"Come back to me tomorrow, if you have this free reign you speak of," I tell him. I want this to happen under my control. Recently, he has been surprising me, and taking me off guard. Now, I might have some leverage over him.

Sinful suddenly falls back into the personality I know him best for, that sly smile spreading across his face as he realizes I am truly interested in his proposition.

"Okay. Deal," he breathes.

Smiling tightly, I stand, turning my back on him. He doesn't say anymore, letting me walk out with no farewell. He knows he will see me tomorrow, or at least he hopes. At least that's what I assume he's thinking. It pleasures me greatly to think he's worried about whether or not I'll change my mind.

Lucy is waiting outside the dining hall as I step outside. Clearly, she was listening in. I link my arm into hers, and let her lead me out toward the temple, where my obligations await me.

"Is this true? Are you really going to say yes?" she asks me lowly, as if Sinful is still listening.

I glance down at her. I'll miss you when I leave for a brief amount of time with my damned mate. She's been such an integral part of my daily life, that her absence would wound me. At least with my plans, it won't matter. We will both be free.

"I've got more than one reason to do this Lucy," I simply tell her, to which she breathes in deeply, but doesn't reply.

We might be close, but she doesn't divulge in my privacy.

I'm truthful when I tell her that I have more than one reason to follow Sinful back to the Immortal realm. The information he might have on the Moon, his creator, could jump me ahead in my plans. But in truth, I'm quite excited to be outside this horrid estate and see some real sights, and breathe some fresh air.

These fantastical ideas follow me into my sleep, which is surprisingly peaceful considering what is going to happen tomorrow. I dream of what I might see, in Sinful's territory, and what might happen.

All I know, is I need to hold my ground. And not get distracted.

I'm woken by sunlight streaming into my eyes, even if it's simulated by magic. Lucy has stripped my curtains open. It's her usual way of waking me.

"I would suggest getting ready. My guess is that Sinful is anticipating this, and will be here soon. I've prepared a bath for you," Lucy tells me, her smile warm and genuine, as if she's the excited one. I nod at her, before slipping out of bed.

Today is the day, I suppose.

The more I think about what today means, and what is to come, the more I start to doubt my decision. Did I make the right one? Sinful has a way of getting under everyone's skin who he comes across, and that alone is unnerving. However, I'm sure I can remain immune to that as long as I don't get caught up in...well, the mate bond.

Once I'm dressed and look appropriate, I go out into my foyer, prepared to see him awaiting me. Naturally, he's there, sitting on the arm of my plus couch.

My throat goes dry, but I remain calm.

"Good morning. Are you always this early to everything?" I ask him, lingering near the doorway of my room rather than getting too close to him. He's decided he wanted to dress magnificently today. Although, it's not like I've ever seen him dress anything other than in an impress manner. Today, he has opted for a dark jacket and pants, which look as though they were sewn from darkness itself, and a dark violet shirt underneath which is unbuttoned one too many times.

"Always. We don't have forever, do we?" he mutters. I narrow my eyes at him, as he smiles at his own sarcasm. He knows for a fact that he does have forever. I might not, but he doesn't need to know that yet.

He gets up from his seat, and approaches me. I jut my chin up and look confidently up at him, as he extends his hand to me. Respectfully, he wears gloves.

"Shall we?"

"Cutting to the chase I see," I comment, taking his hand. He wraps his fingers tightly around my palm, giving me no time to think before everything around us vanishes.

I'll never get used to this transportation ability that immortal's have. The Moon made sure I lost that when I became his prisoner. It makes the entire world disappear, and for a moment all ceases to exist is the sensation of falling. All that I can think about is Sinful's hand touching mind, before my feet find ground.

All everything appears around me, I stumble backward until I fall onto the ground. It doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would. In fact, it's cold, and wet.

Blink a few times, I look around. Snow.

It's bright, white and pristine, in perfect clumps scattered across all that I can see. It's slumped on tree boughs, and most impressively, across mountains that span out across the horizon, the stunning night sky an artistic backdrop.

I know this place. This is Sinful's territory.

From where I stand, I can not only see the mountains, but the villages within the valleys, lights glittering and winking. It's odd for a man perceived as so evil to have such a beautiful Pack. It's an interesting contradiction, but I will enjoy it will I have the chance. I don't know the last time I stepped outside.

"Not going to help me up?" I question, glancing up at Sinful, his inky hair blending into the dark sky behind him. He grins.

"I thought you would want to enjoy the snow," he comments.

As much as I don't want to smile, I can't help myself. Getting to my feet, I dust of the snow from my outfit. He's right, I do want to enjoy the snow, but I'm hardly dressed for it. Maybe later I'll come out personally to enjoy the brief moment of freedom I've been blessed with.

"We should get inside," I tell him, rubbing my arms, which are starting to feel to effects of the cold. Sinful, noticing my discomfort, nods, motioning for me to look towards his manor. I've been here before. It was once burnt down in a horrific instance, and he rebuilt it almost exactly the same. It speaks to his intricate personality, I'm sure.

The moment we are under his roof, out of the snow, I begin to warm, but not inside. I'm wary of Sinful, and his true intentions for bringing me here.

As if I don't know what he really wants.

I'm not going to pretend to not realise that he wants to be with me. This is his attempt, surely, to bewitch he with his beautiful Pack and the freedom and life he can offer me compared to the Moon. But to him, I still want to be up there to serve my position for the people.

"I hope you know that this is strictly business," I tell him assuredly, standing by the fire in his foyer. He watches me, a flicker of challenge in his eyes.

"That's no fun. I brought you here to enjoy yourself, and last time I checked, business isn't going to do that for you," he comments, shrugging his shoulders. I don't reply right away, knowing he is trying to get a rise out of me. "Unless that's what you're into."

I sigh. "You'll never know what I'm into."

"I wouldn't put that kind of challenge upon me. Especially if you want to keep this, strictly business," he comments, his tone dripping with secret intention.

I'm unbothered by his threat. He can't get to me. "You don't intimidate me, Sinful. Your flirting is hardly impress, and I can't say I would be willing to drop my panties for you if it came to it. I'm a respectable woman, and if you want me, you have to understand that."

Turning back to face the fire, I smother a smile. I'll consider that a win.

"Very well. Now, would you like me to escort you to your room? It's getting late," he comments, mellowing out in his tone. I nod in agreement. If I can end today on this note, I will be rather pleased.

He leads me through the hallways, which all seem to blend into each other. Once we reach the room he has decided to let me reside in, he takes one glance at me before pushing the door open.

I blink a few times, looking at the rather sultry paintings on the wall, to the dark be linen, and realise this isn't just any room in this place.

"This is your room," I snap accusingly.

He smiles tauntingly down at me. "Yes. This is where you'll be spending the night."

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If you're liking the story, head over to Radish, where this book is ten chapters ahead (:

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~Midika 💜🐼