"Do it," he whispered, holding a powerful gaze with me. He took my hand and slapped my palm on his chest.
The galvanic tides and ominous sensation came back. Simon had unleashed my powers.
My hands were trembling. I could feel my body stressed. I have the power to kill, and yet I don't want to kill Simon.
"I SAID DO IT!!" He shouted, and my startled action ignited the fire and triggered his heart. Within seconds he was illuminated by the fire. Everything became enlightened in light. He was still holding his gaze with me, staring me intensely with affection in his eyes.
Tears were falling from my eyes. His death has been a wished-for century. Everyone wanted him to die, and alas he was, right now, I was watching him burn in front of my eyes.
He cupped my face in his hands. "Are you crying for me, Aries?"
"Simon, I-I'm so s-sorry."
"Don't. To die alone is dishonorable, but to die in the arms of your beloved is a privilege." He smiled, and my tears were overflowing, and I couldn't control it. He was in so much pain, and yet he was holding himself well and strong. He caressed my cheek with his thumbs. He looked at me with moist eyes. I felt something shrivel inside me when he said, "Aries, I love you."
"Simon..."
"Don't hate me, Aries. Don't ever forget me." He said, his tears dropping.
"I won't," I told him.
"Kiss me, Aries, at least give me this one gift before I go." He pressed his lips on me to fulfill his burning ambition. My entire body felt different, with an unfamiliar feeling that I couldn't guess, although I did feel all the love he'd for me in this kiss. His knees gave up, and he collapsed, taking me with him. I placed him into my lap and hugged him to my chest. He clutched me even tight, and slowly the fire devoured him.
~xXx~
CHAPTER 20
''Forgiveness, it takes much courage to forgive and forget. The only one with the biggest heart can hold that power, to no longer feel the hatred towards.'
~*~
Leo was here. It was no coincidence. He'd come to rescue me.
Our eyes met through the red flames of fire still burning in my arms.
Everything seemed to have gone to a standstill. None of us made any move. We just gazed at each other for afar. I watched Leo. A sheer annoyance in his furious gaze made it all clear; he'd seen and heard everything. He was frozen, standing at the door, watching Simon burning into ashes, in my arms.
"Leo." My heart leaped cheerfully. I ran towards him, but he took a step back, and my feet paused. His eyes landed on the powdery residue left after the burning of Simon.
"He loved you." He sounded hurt.
"And I love you," I said, reminding him.
"He kissed you." He felt dejected. There's nothing more uncomfortable than to witness, to see your mate kissing another person.
"It meant nothing. It was just his dying wish," I explained, taking a step forward.
"Did you love him?" He asked if it was then that he again took a step back, despite the distance between us. I gasped at that cause.
'How dare he even think to ask that kind of question? I couldn't love anyone else but him. Can't he see the affections in my eyes for him?'
No. There was regret, pain, and disappointment, coveted in his eyes, so no, he was blind to see the reality, which was sad.
It was threatening to crush me down, but I buried everything else deep down and, "I missed you, Leo, and I'm sorry that I left you." I tried to speak as I controlled my sob quietly.
"I knew you'd come for me. I always had faith and believed in you." I wanted to hug him, and wish to just melt and blend my breath with him.
He stayed and remained silent for too long, making my guilt go in tenfold. I have no idea what he was thinking.
I stared at him and carefully considered the best way to proceed—explain myself and ask for forgiveness.
"Leo," I continued nervously. "We should talk about this," I spoke straight forward, fighting the lingering feelings of guilt. Leo looked angry to the extent that truly worried me.
"Don't..." He said, avoiding my eyes, then he turned to walk away.
"Do you still want me?" I felt my insides twist in agony as soon as the words left my mouth. Leo stopped walking at my statement. He was still quiet. He never turned around to look at me either.
'Turn around Leo, look at me once and tell me it's not worth trying for, not worth fighting for.'
"I've failed you as your mate." I stared at his back. His fingers curled into a fist. He was clenching them so hard I could see his knuckles go white.
"I'd hurt you, and I don't deserve yo—"
"STOP!" The word echoed. Leo punched his fists into the nearest wall out of this anger.
He screamed, almost feral as he tore through his human form—now covered in fur; claws and canines extended; eyes were glowing red. He was now in his angry avatar—Theo.
He ran past me and hurdled the big mirror across the room, shards of glass flew everywhere on the floor. He snarled animalistic. I shivered at the thought of what would happen if he goes out of control. I've witnessed his anger once before it was quite fearsome. Still, I'd successfully control him by kissing him then, holding him in my arms, today honestly, it would not work. He'd reached his breaking point.
"Leo!" I willingly stepped forward, knowing what he was capable of, but I think he was more afraid of hurting me. He took a hesitating step back and then jumped right out of the window.
I went down
