Entranced, I leaned forward, digging my fingers into the earth as I watched. It was far enough away that I couldn’t make out the details—whether it had scales or skin, fins or wings—but it didn’t matter. It was mesmerizing, the kind of beauty that felt otherworldly and impossible.
For a moment, I forgot everything. My captivity, the bond, Raffaele. All that existed was the creature and the sea, their effortless harmony pulling me into a world that felt untouched by the darkness I was bound to.
But it didn’t last.
As the creature disappeared beneath the waves, my thoughts drifted back to Raffaele. Specifically, to the shower. My skin prickled at the memory, and I ran my fingers over my lips, remembering the heat of his kiss. It had been raw, all-consuming, and maddeningly passionate.
I groaned and tilted my head back to stare at the sky. What the hell was wrong with me? I’d gone in with a plan—to torture him, to wield my body like a weapon against his control. It was supposed to be a power play, a way to assert dominance in a situation where I had none. I thought he’d resist, push me away, or at the very least, maintain his cold detachment.
But he hadn’t.
He’d matched my fire, and for a terrifying, exhilarating moment, I hadn’t wanted to stop. His hands on my body, the way he’d touched me with a reverence that was almost disarming—it had made me forget myself. Forget my anger. Forget why I hated him.
And that kiss… Gods, that kiss. It had left me reeling, had made my mind and body go to war with each other.
I shook my head, forcing myself to focus on the ocean again. The creature was gone now, the surface of the water calm and unbroken. But the peace it had brought lingered and helped steady my thoughts.
I stood and brushed off my jeans. The sun had dipped lower in the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and orange. It was getting late, and as much as I didn’t want to return to the house, I knew I couldn’t stay out here. The estate was vast, and I didn’t want to get lost in the dark. Then again, if I did, I figured Raffaele would hunt me down before I wandered too far.
The thought was strangely comforting.
As much as I hated the bond and how it tethered me to him, it gave me an odd sense of security in knowing I wasn’t entirely alone. If I fell, if I faltered, he’d feel it. He’d know. And despite everything, I didn’t doubt he’d come for me.
I turned back toward the path, the roar of the waves fading as I made my way back to the house. The beauty of the estate was undeniable, even if it was a gilded cage. And as much as I wantedto shake the pull of the bond, to free myself from its constant presence, part of me wondered if I ever truly could.
By the time I reached the front door, the sky had deepened into twilight, the first stars beginning to prick the horizon. The bond thrummed faintly, a reminder that Raffaele was somewhere inside, likely already aware of my return thanks to the damn chain around my neck.
As I stepped through the door, I allowed myself one last glance back. I was too far away from the cliff now to see the ocean, but the memory of the creature lingered, reminding me that beauty could exist even in the darkest places.
The sound wasfaint at first, just a whisper that barely reached my ears, but it was enough to jolt me awake. I lay still, my heart quickening as I listened. It wasn’t like the rustle of leaves outside the window or the creak of old wood settling in the estate. It was something else. Music. Low, haunting, and impossibly beautiful.
I turned my head toward Raffaele, who was sleeping soundly on the other side of the bed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The bond pulsed, his calm brushing against my senses like a warm breeze. I hesitated, unsure whether to wake him or investigate alone. But the music tugged at my soul, and I couldn’t resist.
Sliding out of bed, I grabbed a robe and wrapped it around myself, tying it securely at the waist. My shoes were by the door, and I slipped them on quietly, careful not to make a sound. Raffaele’s breathing remained even, and the bond stayed steady, no hint of his awareness brushing against mine.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, the sound grew clearer. There were no words, just a haunting melody that drifted on the air, weaving its way through the walls and corridors. The estate was eerily quiet at this hour, the usual activity of the day replaced by an almost oppressive stillness.
I followed the music outside. The guards stationed by the doors glanced at me as I passed, their gazes sharp but unbothered. They didn’t stop me. Raffaele must have instructed them not to. I offered a nod of acknowledgment before stepping out into the night.
The estate grounds were bathed in moonlight, the silvery glow softening the sharp edges of the landscape. The air was cool against my skin, and the distant roar of the sea mingled with the music, creating a strange, almost magical harmony. I stood there, letting the sound wash over me.
Then I began to walk.
The path to the sea was familiar now, my earlier exploration fresh in my memory. The music guided me, growing louder with every step I took. It wasn’t overbearing. It stayed soft, coaxing me forward.
My heart raced as I reached the overlook, my feet finding the same spot where I’d stood earlier, watching the creature dance in and out of the water. The waves below crashed against the rocks, their power and rhythm grounding me even as the music tugged at something more ephemeral.
And then I saw it.
The creature I’d seen earlier. Even in the moonlight, it shimmered, its body catching the light. It stood tall, its shape vaguely humanoid but ethereal, its limbs elongated and fluid.
The creature didn’t step out onto the shore, nor did it retreat into the depths of the sea. It simply stood there, its gaze fixed on the water. The music wasn’t coming from it exactly, but it seemed to ripple around it, as though it was part of the melody.
“Hello?” I called in a trembling voice. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but the creature didn’t react. It didn’t look at me or acknowledge my presence. It was as though I didn’t exist, as though it existed in a realm slightly out of sync with my own.
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as the bond with Raffaele stirred in the back of my mind. He was still asleep—or at least unaware—but the tether between us thrummed, a reminder that he could sense me if my emotions heightened.
The creature moved then, tilting its head slightly. It shimmered brighter for a moment, the colors intensifying before it leapt into the air, arcing gracefully before diving into the sea. The splash was impossibly soft, the water barely disturbed as it disappeared beneath the waves.
