Empress of Darkness

She looked up at the night sky as the cold wind grazed against her pale skin. Bright moonlight glistening against the unsightly blood that coated her hands. She tried to use what remaining strength she had left to keep as much pressure on her abdomen. A lethal stab wound present. Pain seething through every nerve and engulfing every thought she had, but oddly enough she felt numb to the most painful part. Betrayal. A mistake she would never be able to correct as her soul began to dance with death.

Crouching down beside her, she felt his masculine hands gently but firmly grab her chin. Forcing her pained gaze to shift on him. Leaving her no choice but to be met with his cold piercing silver eyes that were complimented with his disheveled midnight dark hair. It was as if death was taunting her through his gaze.

He smirked with enjoyment, watching her golden fury colored eyes begin to lose their light. Their power. “My beautiful Selene. Why couldn’t you just be naïve and submissive like the other royal concubines?” His hand moving to wipe away the tears of pain that escaped her eyes.

She couldn't help but snarl, using what little strength she had left to place one of her bloodied palms against his throat. Forcing her body with everything she had left to lean closer to him as she dug her nails into his neck. Her bloodied lips grazing against his ear. "Even in death you will always be beneath me. Nothing more then a traitor."

He smirked at her words. The warmth of his breath fanning against her plump lips as the palm of his right hand swiftly moved to grasp the nape of her neck. Forcefully pressing his lips against hers. The warmth of his tongue defiling her mouth to his satisfaction. He couldn't help but let out a small moan at the taste of Selene's sweet ecstasy filled blood. The sharpness of his fangs grazing against the bottom of her lip. A flicker of lust flashing through his eyes.

She let out a muffled whine, unable to struggle against his touch. Feeling as if she was in a hellish nightmare. Wishing it would just come to an end. As if someone heard her prayers, he stopped his assault. His eyes glimmering red as he looked to her with bloodied lips. A menacing smile present on his face. "Oh, Selene. How you arouse me with the smell of death." She wanted to scoff with disgust, but her body was too weak.

The moonlight gazed upon his devilish physique, following him as he stood up. His deathly silver eyes taking one last glance at her helpless body before walking away. Turning his back on her for the rest of his immortal life. The sword of her demise following with him. Tight in his grasp. The darkness of his hair and pale complexion complimenting his broad but tall frame. Shadows of the night engulfing his backside, completely vanishing him from her sight. Leaving only despair.

The silence that comes with death quickly embracing her with its emptiness. Immersing the entirety of her body in coldness. The last image of her killer filling her with resentment, anger, and the pain of betrayal. If only she could take revenge on those who have done her wrong. To gain justice for her own death and gain true power. To take everything she had and more from those who have betrayed her. She wanted to build an empire of her own, that no one would be able to conquer. With people who would swear allegiance to her and never be able to cross her. But she was going to die any second and there was nothing she could do.

“There is one thing you could do, Selene.”

Confusion filled her head as a man’s voice echoed through her mind. Was she finally losing her sanity, right before death?

“I am not sure who, or what is speaking to me. But I am dying. There is nothing you can do for me.”

He chuckled at her response. “You are running out of time. I can give you everything you want and more. At a cost.”

Selene knew the manly voice in her head was right. She was on the brink of death. What did she have to lose if she was dying?

“What is the cost for my life?” her tone becoming more serious.

“Your hand in marriage." His voice taking a pause. “Along with your soul.”

“My soul!" Selene shouted against the unknown voice in her head. "What could you possibly want with my soul?”

The manly voice ignoring her question. Speaking again with a hint of annoyance. “Selene. Do we have a deal?”

This was her last chance at living again. What good was her soul if she was dead? Ignoring her feelings of uneasiness and fear she quickly responded in confidence.

“Yes. We have a deal.”

Then suddenly she was thrown into a void of light. Her body feeling an immense amount of pressure before she felt like she was being ripped apart and put back together multiple times. Horrid screams leaving her mouth until her voice could no longer emit sounds. Then suddenly the pain subsided. Her eyesight steadily coming back until she could fully see her surroundings.

Looking down at the grass she was met with a pair of black boots. Her gaze shifting upwards to meet a man with solemn lilac colored eyes. Silver-toned hair glimmering against the moonlight that shined bright behind him. A peculiar red scar running down his right eye. Easily matching his mysterious façade.

Realizing she was just staring, she went to try and stand. Not realizing how weak she was. Her legs instantly giving out beneath her. But before she could hit the ground a pair of muscular arms quickly wrapped around her waist. Her sapphire blue eyes instantly meeting his as he placed his arm under her legs, swiftly picking her up off the ground. An intoxicating sweet smell instantly filling her nose causing her eyes to suddenly get heavier and heavier. He watched as she tried to fight against the inevitable.

A small smirk sneaking its way to his lips. "So resilient. For a human."

He leaned down, whispering into her ear with a husky tone. “Go to sleep. I promise no harm will come to you. I give you my word, Selene.”

She knew she was fighting a no-win battle with herself. Nodding against him, she closed her eyes. Darkness meeting her once again as one final thought crossed her mind.

How did he know her name?