The Emperor of Evening Stars by Laura Thalassa

Chapter 12 The Opposite of Hope

37 years ago

It’s been so long. A century ago, I thought coming to earth was a good idea, but perhaps all these years I’ve been wasting my time.

Your soulmate has already lived and died. You didn’t find her in time.

I can feel despair creeping in as I head down the ley line, back to my palace, but I know I’ll be back to earth again.

How can I not?

The drive to find my mate eats away at me. When I lay down to sleep, its thoughts of her I close my eyes to. When I take another woman, it’s my mate’s touch and taste I fantasize about. When I sit at my throne or stare at my bed, it’s the empty space next to me I long to fill.

Hunting her has become my new addiction. Night after night I come back to earth for her, my heart wearied, worn. These long years I’ve grown cynical, but I’ve never lost my determination.

Once I find her—and I have to believe that I will find her—I won’t let her go. I’ll cherish her, love her, and eventually, I’ll feed her lilac wine. I will make her wholly and completely mine, and I will be hers.

Till darkness dies.