VALERIA
I didn't know how long I stood frozen in the same spot, replaying his words over and over in my mind.
I felt suffocated, my confession stuck in my throat, ready to spill out, but fear held it back.
Yes, I was afraid of the man I loved.
I understood his reasons, but I could strip off my skin and stop being one of the creatures he wanted so desperately to strangle and destroy.
My hands trembled as I packed away all his memories into the box, tears falling uncontrollably.
What exactly was I doing this for? I couldn't hide my origins forever, and something deep inside told me that the happy life we had planned wasn't possible between two people born to be sworn enemies.
That night, he returned very late and apologized for his outburst.
He led me to the crypts deep within the c
