Chapter 23

“I’m not sure how much more I can take. He’s hell-bent on breaking me, and I’m scared he might actually succeed.”

The words that slipped from my lips felt foreign, as if they belonged to another woman. A woman I knew deep down was me, but hadn’t been for what seemed like forever.

I was seated at a glass table, my hands clasped tightly in front of me, my fingers pressing into each other—a physical manifestation of the anxiety simmering inside me.

Across the table, a male Dragon sat, his handsome face etched with thought. He bore a striking resemblance to Navine, though his ivory hair was slightly longer and his build a tad smaller.

Dressed in a dark blue shirt, his ivory wings folded neatly behind him, he reached across the table, his hand enveloping mine in a comforting squeeze.

“Everything will be okay, Rosaline. None of this is your fault, and Navine could never hate you for it. He’s just struggling to process it all right now,” he assured me.

Tears trickled down my cheeks, and I hastily wiped them away.

“But he has every right to be angry with me. I knew the threats he made, yet I still trusted him enough to go there. I’m to blame for what happened,” I argued.

“No, you’re not,” the Dragon countered, his gaze intense as it met mine. “We all know you’re not capable of doing what he’s accusing you of. He’s the one who deceived you, and that gives Navine every right to retaliate. All you need to do is tell him the truth.”

“But I can’t. I can’t bear to see them fight anymore, and I certainly don’t want either of them to kill the other. Maybe I can reason with Dominick, get him to drop all this. Wouldn’t that be a better solution?” I proposed.

The Dragon was vehemently against it.

“No way! You can’t go back to him, Rosaline! It’ll only make things worse!”

“But I have to do something! I need to be strong if I want to stay by Navine’s side, or he’ll end up pushing me away completely!”

“Rosaline….”

I leaned forward, gripping his hands.

“Please, Temple, trust me on this. I’ll handle it, and everything will be okay. Just keep my secret a little longer.”

Temple, the Dragon, was hesitant but eventually relented under my pleading gaze.

“All right. I’ll keep quiet for now, but please, come back safe.”

As he spoke, I slowly came to. My eyes adjusted to the dim room around me. The same anxiety coursed through me as I regained consciousness, and I quickly glanced to my side, terrified that I was once again alone and exposed.

A wave of relief washed over me as I saw Navine sleeping peacefully next to me. Thank God. He was still here, and with him sleeping so soundly, everything had to be okay.

The dream replayed in my mind as I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling. It had to be a memory from my past life. There was no other explanation, especially since I was convinced that I was Rosaline’s reincarnation.

I wondered if the fruit had something to do with it. Navine had mentioned that it might be messing with my soul, which could explain why these old memories were resurfacing.

Regardless, I was now certain that something terrible had happened to Rosaline before she died. The dream, coupled with the overwhelming dread I felt when the fruit took effect, confirmed it.

Dominick did something to her, I thought, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. As much as I hate to admit it, could he have raped her and convinced everyone—including Navine—that it was consensual?

That seemed to be the implication from the conversation and the emotions it stirred in me. But if that was the case, Dominick was even more twisted than I’d thought. How could Rosaline have ever defended him?

What bothered me more was Navine’s reaction. If this had happened and he knew about it, why hadn’t he defended her? Did he really believe that Rosaline had betrayed him with Dominick? Was that why he was always so reluctant to talk about her death?

I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples as I tried to make sense of it all. God, I hoped Lord Jekia and Emelio could help me. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could deal with this fear and confusion.

Why did I eat that fruit? I pondered. Why am I always so quick to trust? What kind of wife am I, making such a thoughtless mistake?

I tried to halt my self-blame. It wasn’t fair to myself. Since arriving here with Navine, I’d been encouraged to try everything in the kitchen. It wasn’t my fault that someone had set a trap for me.

~But it feels like my fault.~

I sighed, weary from the internal battle. I wondered if this was how Rosaline felt. Maybe her self-blame was her downfall. It was clear she blamed herself for whatever happened to her. That’s probably why she defended Dominick and worried about Navine leaving her.

In other words, she might have appeared strong, but inside she was timid and unsure.

But I wasn’t Rosaline. I knew that deep down. If Dominick was involved in this, I would confront him. I wouldn’t let him get away with anything, just like I wouldn’t let anyone else. I would make sure Navine knew the truth about everything. I didn’t have to worry about him turning on me because he had no reason to.

~But he might. Just wait and see.~

“Shut up!” I whispered to myself. “I won’t believe it!”

The mattress shifted slightly, pulling me back to reality. I turned to see Navine sitting up.

“Raelina? Are you okay?” he asked, concern etched on his face. I had a feeling he’d heard my self-argument.

“Yes. I was just trying to clear my head,” I reassured him. I lowered my gaze. “I’m sorry for all of this. I know it’s not entirely my fault, but I feel awful for worrying you. I even made you leave your important meetings.”

“I’m not upset, and I would never blame you for what’s happened. I’m not concerned about those meetings. They can go on without me. You are my priority,” he looked regretful as he continued, “I was the one who told you that everything here is yours to enjoy. I should’ve been more careful about what was brought in, especially after what happened to you before. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”

“That’s not your fault. No one could’ve predicted someone would use a rare fruit against me. Plus, I’d never even heard of Jubes before. It’s frightening to think that there’s food out there that can affect your soul,” I replied.

“It’s not widely known because it’s so rare. But don’t worry. I’m sure we can counteract the effects, and you’ll start feeling like yourself again,” Navine assured me.

“I believe that too.” I paused before asking, “Navine, can you be honest with me? Do you really think Dominick is involved in this?”

“Yes, I have little doubt. The challenge is proving it. It’s clear he didn’t plant those here himself, and I know he often uses others to do his dirty work,” Navine confessed.

“I believe that. I’ve seen enough to know what kind of person he is, not to mention the memories I think I’ve been accessing,” I admitted.

Navine looked surprised. “You’ve accessed Rosaline’s memories?”

“I think so. I believe what I saw the day I ended up in the forest was a memory of hers, even if it was somehow replayed for me. And I think what happened to me last night was too. The fear and panic I felt were too real to be just from the fruit. I’m sure something terrible happened to Rosaline and my soul was reliving it. I also dreamed of being her and talking to a male Dragon I’d never seen before. If the fruit did something to my soul, maybe it’s unlocking all of this,” I explained.

Navine sighed, closing his eyes in thought. “That seems likely,” he agreed. “Can you tell me, what did this Dragon in your dream look like?”

“He looked a lot like you, but he was a bit smaller and his hair was longer. I think I called him Temple…”

The moment his name left my lips, I froze. A sudden realization washed over me. I did recognize that name. The uncanny resemblance between him and Navine wasn’t a coincidence. Temple was Navine’s brother and the father of Lord Lyric!

Navine picked up on my thoughts almost instantly. “So, you remember now. Yes, that’s my brother Temple you’re thinking of. He and Rosaline were quite close during that time,” he confirmed.

I pieced together the puzzle. “So, she was confiding in Temple about some awful thing Dominick did to her. She was scared to tell you because she thought you’d blame her, maybe even kill him. But Temple kept urging her to be honest with you and tried to dissuade her from meeting Dominick to sort things out.”

Navine fell silent, his eyes clouding with turmoil. His hands clenched into fists on the mattress.

“It was all my fault,” he murmured.

I moved closer to him, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I share the blame for what happened back then,” he admitted softly. “I was too proud, too angry when I heard the rumors that Dominick had invited her to his home and taken her to bed. My anger blinded me. I didn’t trust her, and she died because of it.”

His voice and eyes were heavy with regret and pain. I’d never seen him like this before. He’d always been so strong, so proud since the day we met. I needed to know more—to uncover the whole truth.

“What really happened back then, Navine? There’s a lot more to the story than you’ve ever shared, isn’t there?” I ventured.

“There is,” Navine replied. He shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet my gaze. “I’ve never spoken about it openly, burdened by my regrets. I even confined myself to this palace for centuries as a form of self-punishment.”

He took a deep breath before continuing, “As I mentioned, I’d heard rumors about her and Dominick, and I was livid. I confronted her, and when she didn’t deny them, my anger escalated. I told her if she couldn’t choose between us, she wasn’t worthy of me. I ordered her to leave my sight and never return. She did just that, and within a day, she was dead. We were told she committed suicide—that she’d thrown herself into the ocean after I rejected her.”

“But that wasn’t the case. You know that now,” I reminded him.

“But I didn’t know then. I was shattered when she died, convinced that I was the reason. Temple was the only one who tried to convince me otherwise, but I pushed him away, demanding solitude and wallowing in my grief. Eventually, he gave up and left for the Eastern Lands to escape it all. That’s where he met his end too—all because I was too weak to face the truth,” Navine continued.

I felt like I was finally beginning to understand Navine’s perspective. He’d isolated himself because he blamed himself for Rosaline and Temple’s deaths. He truly believed his actions had led to their demise.

But I didn’t see it that way. Yes, he’d made mistakes, but he wasn’t the one who set this tragic chain of events in motion.

“Navine,” I said, my voice gentle but firm, “I can’t deny that you bear some of the blame. Yes, you made a grave mistake by letting your anger cloud your judgment. But Rosaline and Temple were also at fault. Rosaline should’ve told you what Dominick did to her, and Temple should’ve done the same. She was the one who begged him not to. Their silence only made her look guiltier, regardless of how miserable she was.”

Navine’s fist slammed into the mattress, making it bounce violently. His eyes were squeezed shut, his emotional pain finally surfacing.

“Why didn’t she trust me? Didn’t I do enough to make her feel she could confide in me?” he asked.

“You did everything in your power,” I tried to keep my voice steady, fighting back the tears. Seeing him so shattered was heart-wrenching. He was always the strong, proud alpha, but the tragedy of his first love still haunted him. “You loved her deeply. You tried to shield her, and when you found out what he did to her, it was too much to bear. That’s why you bought into the rumors. She knew that. She didn’t want to add to your pain, so she tried to handle it all on her own.”

“But it only made things worse,” Navine admitted. “Believing she’d betrayed me, then losing her…it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. No matter how hard I try, it never eases. That’s why I’m scared for you. I can’t keep you here forever, but letting you out means you could face the same dangers she did. It’s a constant internal struggle, and I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

Suddenly, his reaction to Dominick’s comments about keeping me here made sense. He was playing into Navine’s fears.

But I wouldn’t let him. This cycle had to stop.

“I understand, Navine. I really do,” I said, gripping his hands for emphasis. “But I’m not her. I won’t crumble, no matter what Dominick or anyone else tries to do. I might be terrified sometimes, but I always bounce back. I won’t let anything break me.”

“You’re not afraid of what might happen?” Navine asked, finally meeting my gaze.

“Not at all. I’ve faced a lot in my life, and I won’t back down to some dragon who got away with his past atrocities,” I declared.

Navine sighed, resigned. “You’re certainly stubborn about this.”

“Why shouldn’t I be? I wasn’t born to be weak, even if it’s just in my mind.”

I wiped a tear from his cheek. “Please stop blaming yourself for the past. It can’t be undone, and you’re only hurting yourself. Besides, aren’t I your future?”

“Yes, you are,” Navine admitted softly. He sat up a bit, pulling me into a gentle hug. “I know you’re strong, but please be careful. And don’t shut me out. I’ll protect you, no matter what it takes.”

I nestled against him, comforted. “I won’t. I want us to face whatever comes together. Just trust me, okay? I promise I’ll never betray you.”

“I believe you, and I won’t make the same mistake I did before,” Navine whispered.

“It’s okay, Navine. You’ve been good to me since we met, and I can’t imagine you changing,” I reassured him.

Navine pulled back, his hands cupping my face. “I never would. I didn’t choose you because I sensed who your soul once was. I approached you that day because I wanted to meet you. And when I did, I knew you were the one for me,” he said.

“I still don’t get it. I’m no different from any other Fae, except for who my soul used to be. And you’d been alone for so long,” I argued.

“I’ve told you time and again, my love for you isn’t about your soul. Even Rosaline didn’t draw me in like you did. I couldn’t stop thinking about you for those three days, and I was worried you’d reject me because I proposed so quickly,” Navine confessed.

“I wouldn’t have. Even if I felt I didn’t have much choice, I was drawn to you too. I wanted to see you again, to come here and get to know you. And I’m so glad I did. You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me.”

Navine exhaled deeply, seeming to regain some composure. He looked a bit more at peace. “I want to always be that for you. I was awful to Rosaline, and I never want to treat someone I love like that again.”

I never really questioned his love for me, but this moment solidified it more than any other. His eyes held a sincerity that spoke volumes, and that meant the world to me.

I didn’t need to measure myself against Rosaline or anyone else in his life because I knew I was his everything. But even with that knowledge, I couldn’t shake off the nagging pain of doubt that was gnawing at my heart.

I figured it was still the aftereffects of that fruit, but I chose to keep that to myself. I could handle this. It wasn’t going to last forever.

“I know you will,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Please, don’t ever question my strength either. I won’t surrender, and I won’t let myself be exploited or killed.”

Navine gave me a resigned smile, cupping my face and planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I believe you, and I will do everything within my power to protect you.”

“Then let’s leave it at that,” I concluded. I glanced at the door, deciding to shift the conversation. “Do you think Nanash is okay this morning? He seemed just as concerned last night.”

“He’s fine. I checked on him a few hours ago to ensure everything was as peaceful as I thought. I’d venture to say he’s as worried about you as I am. It’s strange to think that a Snake could be so attached to anyone,” Navine remarked.

“I believe that most creatures can form attachments if they see someone as a true friend,” I told him. A peculiar sensation coursed through me as I spoke, and I could almost hear the screams from the night my sect was annihilated echoing in my head.

I clung to Navine for comfort. “Are we going to see Lord Jekia and Emelio soon?”

Navine, sensing my growing discomfort, held me close. “Why don’t we start getting ready? It will take some time for me to fly us there,” he suggested.

“Please don’t leave me alone. I don’t think I can handle it if you do,” I admitted. I despised admitting that, but I had no other choice. The screams in my head had subsided, but the rising anxiety made me feel like I couldn’t be alone even for a moment. I was afraid I might lose my sanity if I was.

“It’s okay, Raelina. I won’t leave you,” Navine assured me. He released me and slid off the bed. He walked over to my wardrobe to open the door. “Why don’t you choose which dress you’d like to wear? It should be warmer there, so you might want to pick something you can wear a cardigan over.”

I smiled as I slowly rose to join him in selecting my dress. There was comfort not only in the semblance of normalcy between us, but also in Navine’s openness about everything, including his feelings for me from the beginning.

I believed him when he said he loved me for who I was, even though a part of me kept trying to sow seeds of doubt. We could overcome this, and equally important, we could break the cycle of pain that had haunted our lives.

As long as we had each other, we would make it.