The torches lining the cold stone corridors of Dracon's castle flickered violently, casting long shadows that danced with sinister intent. Wu Mei sat silently on the edge of a grand, four-poster bed, her fingers brushing over the intricate embroidery of her midnight-black gown. Her reflection in the mirror across the room looked like a stranger—raven hair cascading over her shoulders, eyes lined in deep kohl, and lips painted the color of blood. She looked beautiful, lethal, and cold.
But inside, a storm was brewing.
Despite the control Dracon held over her mind, something resisted. The spell rooted deep in her soul, commanding her obedience, yet every time his fingers touched her skin, something recoiled inside her—a soft voice whispering that this wasn't her path. That something—or someone—was missing.
She didn't remember Qin Yanzhou. Not fully. But his name tugged at something broken and buried within her.
Dracon appeared behind her, his presence sucking the warmth from the air. He moved like smoke, graceful and ominous. His fingers brushed her shoulder lightly. "One day, my love," he whispered, his breath cold against her neck. "One day until you're mine entirely."
Wu Mei forced a smile—practiced, empty.
But the moment his touch lingered on her cheek, a tremor passed through her. In her mind's eye, a flicker: warm hands drying her hair by candlelight, a man whispering, 'You are not alone anymore.' She gasped, jerking slightly.
Dracon narrowed his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
"I... just a headache," she murmured, lowering her gaze.
He stepped away but not without suspicion. "You'll adjust. The bond is nearly complete. Soon, all your doubts will be gone."
Meanwhile, hidden deep within the mountain woods, Qin Yanzhou crouched beside a small campfire, bandages tight around his chest, still stained with the dried blood from Wu Mei's betrayal. His hand trembled slightly as he clutched a small pendant she had once worn. Even now, the pain of that moment—the way she'd looked at him, cold and distant, before plunging the blade—burned deeper than the wound itself.
"She's still in there," he muttered under his breath.
Shao Wei approached from behind, het face grim. "You've seen what she's become. The Wu Mei you knew is gone."
"No," Qin Yanzhou said fiercely, standing despite the pain. "She was under his spell. I saw it in her eyes. The real Wu Mei... she hesitated. She flinched when she stabbed me."
"Barely," Shao Wei said.
"But it was enough."
He turned to his team. "Tomorrow night, we infiltrate the castle again. No more waiting. I'll go alone if I must."
Back in the castle, Wu Mei paced her room. A chill had settled deep into her bones, despite the heat of the fire roaring in the ornate hearth. Her dreams had been strange—visions of warm embraces, kisses under cherry blossoms, whispers of devotion and protection. But they felt like stories read long ago, fading with every sunrise.
She approached the mirror and whispered, "Who am I really?"
The door slammed open. Dracon entered, his expression stormy. "You're trembling," he said, approaching slowly.
Wu Mei shoved the ring into the folds of her dress. "Just the cold."
Dracon circled her like a predator. "Do you think I'm blind?" His voice was dangerously low. "I can feel your resistance."
"I don't resist you," she lied.
He seized her by the chin, eyes glowing. "Then prove it." His lips crashed against hers—not like love, but domination. Wu Mei stood frozen, her hands clenched. Her mind screamed—but her body obeyed. That small piece of herself—the part that still remembered love—cried silently.
When he pulled back, he smirked. "You'll forget him. You'll forget everything."
Night fell heavy over the castle. Rain lashed against the windows as thunder cracked in the distance.
Qin Yanzhou crouched in the shadows just beyond the castle wall, eyes focused. The guards had shifted positions, leaving a short window. With a whisper to the wind, he darted forward, scaling the wall and disappearing into the darkness within.
He navigated the stone halls like a phantom, memories guiding him. When he finally reached the tower chamber, he found her.
She stood by the balcony, wind blowing her black veil like wings of a fallen angel. Her back was to him.
"Wu Mei," he whispered.
She turned slowly. Her face was unreadable.
"Yanzhou," she said flatly.
His heart pounded. "You remember."
"I remember... that you tried to kill my master."
He stepped closer. "No. He's not your master. I am your husband. You're my wife."
She blinked.
He stepped into the moonlight and took her hand. "Do you remember the lake? The cherry blossoms?"
Her hand trembled.
He pressed his forehead against hers. "Come home."
She closed her eyes.
Then—she kissed him.
Hope surged in Yanzhou's chest. But the moment was shattered when she whispered, "Goodbye."
A sharp pain pierced his side. His eyes widened.
She had stabbed him again this time with a hairpin.
He fell to his knees, gasping. She stood over him, the dagger slick with his blood. Yet tears ran down her cheeks.
"Forgive me," she whispered.
From the shadows, Dracon stepped out, clapping slowly. "She's mine now."
He snapped his fingers. Wu Mei moved to him like a marionette on strings.
Qin Yanzhou, bleeding and broken, reached for her.
"Mei... fight it. Please..."
But she turned away.
And Dracon laughed.
What do you think that will happen in chapter 65? Will Wu Mei remember Qin Yangzhou or not.
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