Bride To His Darkness

"I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about." Samantha genuinely pointed at her own cluelessness, her gaze fixed on Carmela, as if she couldn’t bring herself to look at Marius without shuddering from his repulsive sight. "What you are doing is unfair to me, to yourself and to your people. Those innocent children you keep under your captivity, including the ones you have murdered, is enough to leave you cursed for eternity, Carmela, but you can still end this before it becomes too late, and stop trying to reach a level that was never destined for you to have." "When I say I want something, I take all risks to make sure I get them." The seriousness in Carmela’s voice could not be mismatched, it had a threatening edge to it, and after making her point readily clear, a calm, sinister smile curved her lips. "Eventually, when all of this is over, you’ll come to learn that sometimes, the darkness within is more potent than the light you choose to cling onto. Embrace the feeling, and together, we can make the most of this world." She let out her hand for Samantha to take, as if offering her a lifetime opportunity that she could grant only once, but to the least of her expectations, the golden-blonde-haired lady left her hand hanging.

"I won’t let you use me for your deceitful plans," she shook her head, staying true to her decision, "I won’t be a part of your madness!"

"It’s funny that you think you have a choice here," Carmela chuckled at her stubbornness, her voice echoing through the chamber. "You see, you are linked to the very essence of the Orb. It flows through your veins, and you can’t deny it. Why do you constantly deny the power that is within you? Power is a means to an end, don’t you want to experience what your capabilities are to its full extent? These people, all these people you think about, they aren’t worth any of it, and when they finally leave you, it will be too late to turn back the hands of time."

Carmela’s eyes gleamed with a mix of cunning and a hidden sorrow, and she said, "did you think I was born to be this way? Huh? Of course not," she shook her head, "but people, circumstances, they change you into something you never thought you’d become. They twist your reality until all that’s left is your hunger for control."

"But why world domination?" Samantha sensed an underlying pain in Carmela’s voice, and that hinted that she has a purpose for doing what she presently did. Using this information to her advantage, she pressed on. "You’re not the only one who has suffered injustice from the world, believe me when I say I’ve been through hell before making it to where I am, but aside me, there are a lot of people out there who would never choose the path you have taken. There are other ways to heal from whatever hurt you’ve endured. You have a Kingdom to look after, the people still count on you and you can’t backstab them like this! It doesn’t give an excuse for your cruelty!"

"Now you’re speaking as if the world itself deserves such kindness from me." She scoffed in disdain and turned to the draped curtains, "I’ve seen the darkest of humanity, experienced betrayals that cut deeper than any blade, so I don’t need your lectures concerning matters like this. The world and people you speak of has turned me into what I am today, and I seek power not just for control, Samantha, but as a means to mend what has been shattered inside of me. Are we clear?"

Samantha gave no response, whilst she silently absorbed Carmela’s words. For a split second, she saw a vulnerability that transcended the desire for dominance. There was clearly a story of hurt and betrayal in the young witch’s eyes, a tale that fueled her quest for power, and Samantha felt the need to figure out why she ended up like this.

Moreover, she needed to think quickly and figure out what happened to her beast plant, there was Alain, and now they have Ivan too. She hoped they were all alright, and now, they were in trouble because of her, but how will she know if they are fine? Who can she ask?