Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 38: Torn between the past and the present

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Torn between the past and the present

"Do you think that begging for mercy will make me spare you?" Xalor sneered; his voice was dripping with disdain. "Do you really believe that if you show enough fear, I might let you go?" His mockery was clear, and it felt like a sharp blow to Cassian’s hope.

Cassian’s mind raced; he was desperately searching for a way out. He felt trapped in darkness with no escape. The regret of being out so late turned into a desperate need to survive. Every breath felt like a struggle, and the tight grip on his chin made it hard to breathe.

Xalor’s gaze shifted between curiosity and cruelty. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "there was a time when I would have done anything to see you smile, to see those same eyes light up with joy." For a brief moment, his voice softened, hinting at a past affection. But this was quickly replaced by his current harsh demeanor.

Cassian felt lost; he really couldn’t understand this man’s motive. But I was sure of one thing: that the man had mistaken him for someone else, or how could he explain this situation? And he was just merely unlucky to stumble into this situation.

Xalor released his grip slightly, but his eyes remained locked onto Cassian’s. "Do you know what it’s like to lose control?" he asked, his voice now tinged with a darker tone. "To have a part of yourself that you can’t control, no matter how hard you try? That’s what I’m dealing with."

Cassian struggled to understand Xalor’s words. The intensity of Xalor’s gaze was overwhelming, and the hint of personal struggle in his voice sent a shiver down Cassian’s spine. It felt like both a warning and a glimpse into Xalor’s inner turmoil.

"You think you’re the first one to face my anger?" Xalor continued, his tone growing colder. "You’re just another person in my life." His eyes narrowed, and his grip tightened again on Cassian; it was a reminder of the power he held over Cassian.

Cassian’s mind was spinning; he was trying to make sense of Xalor’s twisted logic. The idea that he was just another person in his life, then why the f*ck he was torturing him like this, and just let him go. He wanted to scream at his face and wanted to add some senses to his mind.

But he feared that one word from his mouth could lead to a dire situation, and given the timing, if he even screamed at the top of his lungs, no one would come for his rescue.

Xalor’s expression softened for a brief moment as he considered Cassian’s fear. There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by his dark demeanor. "You’re a fragile thing," he said quietly, almost gently. "But that doesn’t mean you’re safe from what I’m capable of."

The cold truth of Xalor’s words sank into Cassian. The brief glimpse of compassion in Xalor’s voice was overshadowed by the threat it carried. Cassian felt his strength fade and his hope slip away.

Xalor’s grip on Cassian’s chin loosened, but his gaze remained intense. He leaned back slightly, giving Cassian a moment to breathe, though the relief was short-lived. The weight of Xalor’s scrutiny remained heavy.

"Tell me," Xalor said; his voice was now a dangerous whisper. "What are you willing to do to stay alive? How far will you go to escape this situation?" His question was loaded with implications, challenging Cassian to find a way out.

Cassian’s mind was racing, a mix of fear and desperation driving him to find a way to survive. He knew that any answer he gave could provoke Xalor further, but staying silent seemed equally dangerous. The line between life and death felt incredibly thin, and with every moment, the stakes grew higher.

Xalor’s eyes locked on Cassian. The air felt heavy, and he waited for Cassian to say something. A small smirk appeared on Xalor’s face when he saw Cassian’s troubled expression. "Cute," he thought, almost to himself. But then the smirk from his face faded and was replaced by a chill. He realized his thoughts were taking a dangerous turn.

He knew he had lost his calm. This boy wasn’t the same from his past; he was different now. Still, Xalor found himself bullying him, acting cruelly for reasons he couldn’t fully understand. Deep down, a truth haunted him: one day, the boy would remember everything, just like he had. That day would come, and when it did, everything would fall apart, dragging them both back into their painful past.

Xalor felt confused. Why was he even here? He should hate the boy because he is the reincarnation of him from the past and blame him for all the pain. Yet a small voice in his mind told him to enjoy this moment, to be selfish for once. As he looked into Cassian’s pale blue eyes, filled with fear, that feeling grew stronger.

He wanted to reach out, to pull Cassian close, to hold him tightly before their dark past returned. The desire felt overwhelming. All he could think about was how special this time was and how different it felt from the chaos they had shared before.

Memories rushed back—laughter that had filled the air, secret glances that made his heart race, and the warmth of love they had once known. Cassian had been a beautiful soul, someone Xalor loved deeply, and now that love turned into a desperate need.

Just him and me.

But Xalor struggled with his feelings. Should he act like the monster he had been, or could he let himself feel something real? The urge to be close to Cassian pulled at him, and his heart raced as he stepped closer.

He could see the fear in Cassian’s eyes, and it twisted something inside him. Part of him wanted to protect Cassian, to keep him safe from the hurt that was sure to come. Yet another part craved the thrill of seeing fear and helplessness in his eyes, even if just for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, Xalor felt torn between love and hate, between the past and the present.

Without thinking, he closed his eyes, heart racing, as he leaned closer to Cassian. Just inches apart, he tilted his head, and in a heartbeat, their lips met.

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