---- climbing the dark stairs.


    His gaze burned into my back, but he didnt move an inch.


    My chest ached, and I felt an overwhelming urge to cry.


    I swallowed it all down and straightened my back, because Im not Electra De Croix.


    Ss was bing obsessed with an imposter.


    And I could never forget the one absolute truth: he would stay here, and I would eventually return home.


    We''re not from the same time, or spacewere not destined to be together.


    ---- His gaze full of reproachuntil he quickly lowered his head, hiding it.


    He looked like a wolf pup with its ears drooping, and despite the lethal danger he posed, I felt a strange tenderness for him.


    are you jealous, my Ss? I teased, running my fingers through his messy hair.


    We both froze suddenlyhim because of my soft touch, and me because I was being more Sigrid than Electra.


    I quickly pulled my hand back, coughing to cover the awkwardness.


    Lets go to bed, I muttered, walking off without giving him a second nce.


    I climbed the main staircase to the second floor, walking down the hall where his room was at the end, right at the foot of the narrow staircase leading up to my tower bedroom.


    Goodnight, Ss, I said without turning my back to him.


    wait, mydy, he stopped me, standing so close behind me T could feel the heat of his body.


    haven''t answered your question.


    I said nothing, just lowered my head, waiting, my stomach twisting.


    T dont know what being jealous means.


    I cant define that word, but I dont like other ves touching you.


    I dont want them caressing or kissing your bodynot that girl, not anyone.


    My heart skipped a beat.


    ---- I kept staring at the stairs while he whispered in my ear.


    Imagining you trembling with pleasure, moaning so erotically in another mans arms, your body reacting to another ves fingers like it did today with mine...


    thinking about that disturbs me.


    I feel this darkness inside me screaming to kill anyone who desires you.


    T ..


    have I gonepletely insane? Is that jealousy? He asked, and I didnt have an answer to his questions let alone my own.


    1 dont know if its myck of experience in romance, but I cant figure out exactly what Im feeling for thisplicated man.


    Is Ss confusing gratitude with love? Or is it because of ourpatible magic? Repressed, hidden in another womans body, without my full powers or instincts, everything feels so confusing.


    I dont know.


    I dont fully trust him, and I know he doesnt fully trust me either.


    Maybe hes nning to lower my guard and weave hidden schemes.


    Hes a vengeful manyou can see it.


    He''ll go after Lucrecias head if he gets the chance, and Im his ticket to get close to her.


    Just remember one thing, Ss.


    No matter how kind I might be to you now, or if I show you favoritism, to me, youre just a disposable, receable ve.


    Never forget that, I responded with all the coldness I could muster, like a true bitch, and began