Ecstasy Of Revenge

❤️ Ecstasy Of Revenge ❤️

Tharros sat on the edge of his bed, his elbows resting heavily on his knees, his face buried in his hands. The night had been a long and torturous one. Sleep had evaded him completely, replaced by a relentless storm of thoughts he couldn’t silence.

Nyxoria.

The name alone was enough to stoke the fire of his anger. He could feel it burning in his chest, the hatred bubbling just beneath the surface. How cruel could the Moon Goddess be? To bind him, the Emperor of Shadows, to someone he despised? She was everything he hated, and yet, she was meant to be his mate.

His fists clenched, the muscles in his forearms flexing with the effort to contain his rage. I won’t love her. I can’t. I refuse to be shackled by this bond, he thought bitterly. But no matter how hard he tried to banish her from his mind, her image lingered, mocking him.

A sharp knock on the door pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. His eyes snapped open, cold and sharp, as he stared at the door.

"Yes," he barked, his voice low and rough.

One of his guards entered cautiously, his steps tentative as though he could sense the Emperor’s foul mood.

"Good morning, my Emperor," the guard began, his tone respectful but edged with unease. "Someone is here to see you."

Tharros groaned audibly, running a hand through his disheveled dreadlocks. The last thing he needed was visitors. His mind was far too consumed by his own turmoil. He didn’t even have the energy to reprimand the guard for entering without permission, a mistake that would usually earn swift punishment.

"I thought I made it very clear," Tharros growled, his voice rising, "that no one is to disturb me unless I personally grant permission!"

The guard flinched but quickly dropped to one knee, bowing his head. "Forgive me, my Lord. But she wouldn’t listen. She…" He hesitated, his voice faltering for a moment. "She cut off Raven’s head before she was granted entry."

Tharros froze, his piercing gaze locking onto the guard. "She?" he repeated, his tone cold and deadly.

"Yes, my Lord," the guard confirmed, his head still bowed. "A woman. She refused to give her name, but her presence is… commanding. We had no choice but to let her through."

Tharros’s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together as the words sank in. Slowly, he stood, his towering frame exuding power even in the stillness of the moment. He was shirtless, his chiseled chest and arms bare, the faint scars of whatever had happened to him etched into his skin. His black leather trousers clung to his muscular legs, the only clothing he wore as he stepped away from the bed.

"A woman," he repeated, his tone softer but no less menacing. "And she dared to enter my castle uninvited. She even killed one of my guards?"

The guard nodded, his voice trembling slightly as he answered, he didn't want to tell him that the said guard was recovering slowly. "Yes, my Lord. She waits in the great hall."

Tharros’s lips curled into a dangerous smirk, though his eyes burned with fury. He grabbed a heavy black cloak from a nearby chair and draped it over his shoulders, the fabric flowing behind him like the wings of a predator about to strike.

"Very well," he said, his voice calm but laced with venom. "Let’s see who this bold woman thinks she is."

He strode past the guard, his bare feet silent against the cold stone floor as he left the chamber. His thoughts churned with suspicion and curiosity. He had a sinking feeling he knew exactly who was waiting for him since her scent was now over the place.

Nyxoria.

If it was her, Tharros knew this encounter would be anything but simple. And as much as he hated to admit it, a part of him was almost eager to confront her, to unleash the fury he’d been holding back since the day the Moon Goddess had cursed him with her name.

★

Nyxoria dismounted her horse with practiced ease, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the entrance to the imposing castle. Spotting one of the guards a fairy, she approached him briskly.

"Call the Emperor for me," she demanded, her tone firm and unyielding.

The guard hesitated, his brows furrowing. "Who are you, and what business do you have with the Emperor?" he asked.

Nyxoria didn’t reply. Instead, she crossed her arms and stared at him down, her silence as intimidating as any words she might have spoken. Eventually, one vampire approached and whispered something to the guard. With a reluctant nod, the guard motioned for her to follow him into the castle.

He led her to the great hall, where the towering ceilings and dark, elegant decor only added to the weight of the moment. The guard left, leaving Nyxoria alone in the large room as he went to summon the Emperor.

Nyxoria stood tall, her head held high. She had prepared herself for anything, but when she finally saw him, her confidence wavered. Tharros entered the hall like a storm contained in human form. His presence filled the space, and for a brief moment, her world stopped.

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at him. His chiseled features, his broad shoulders, the way his bare chest gleamed faintly under the light, it was infuriatingly captivating. She hated the way her heart seemed to betray her.

Then their eyes met, and the intensity in his gaze snapped her back to reality.

"You," Tharros growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Why are you here?"

Nyxoria forced herself to stand firm, willing her voice not to waver. "I came here to apologize," she said, the words clipped but steady.

Tharros narrowed his eyes, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Apologize?" His voice was incredulous, and his thoughts raced. Has she remembered? Does she know what she did to me? Does she think an apology would be enough for the damages?

"Yes," Nyxoria replied, finding her voice more easily now. "To apologize for not kneeling when we crossed paths yesterday. My uncle told me it was wrong, and so here I am."

Taking a deep breath, she dropped to one knee, bowing her head in a gesture of respect before rising again. "I hope this is enough for you," she added, her voice steady, though the act went against every fiber of her pride.

Tharros’s expression darkened. "So you’re not here to acknowledge what you did to me ten years ago?"

Nyxoria blinked, confused. "Ten years ago? I haven’t met you before except yesterday. I don’t know you. If I’ve done something, you’d do well to tell me instead of keeping me in the dark."