Jupiter’s POV:

I am so afraid.

I just had to marry the Dark Prince, Ever Loren. He is my husband now. The second he hit me, I was truly afraid of him.

But something was off.

When he held me in his arms, he seemed to change, like something had been switched on. I sat on the cold floor, tears falling down my face, making me cry even more as the salty tears fell on my sore eye and cheek.

“Jupiter, let me in. Please, I hate closed doors. Jupiter, I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.”

I crawled over to the door and placed my hand on the handle before resting my forehead against the door.

“I’m sorry.”

He said again; I could hear him crying. It was very quiet, but I could just about hear him.

I stayed frozen on the spot for what felt like hours. Ever was silent. I knew I had to face him at some point, but I’m still afraid. I slowly unlocked the door, before stepping away and waiting.

I waited for him to burst in and hit me again, but nothing happened. I gulped, before walking back to the door and opening it as slowly as possible.

Ever was leaning against the wall in silence.

His hands were hiding most of his face, but I could see his eyes. They were red and sore. I don’t know what I felt, but I can’t say it was pity. Something inside of me didn’t like seeing him like this.

I cautiously walked over and Ever looked up to face me.

“Jupiter. Jupiter, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”

He whispered as tears fell down his face again. Before I knew what was happening, his arms clung onto my waist and his head was resting on my stomach.

“Jupiter, please say something. Yell at me, punch me, kick me, please. I’m sorry.”

I felt tears well up in my eyes; I hate seeing him like this. I placed one hand on his head and the other around his neck as I sank down to join him on the floor. I closed my eyes and kissed his head.

We stayed like that for a few hours.

“Jupiter, please say something. I’m so sorry.”

He kept apologizing over and over again. This is not the same man that forced me to marry him and then hit me a few hours ago. I took a deep breath and he looked up to face me.

“Why? Why are you apologizing?”

That was all that left my mouth. Out of all the things I could’ve said, that was the only sentence that came out.

Ever’s POV:
I don’t want to look at her face, but when I finally did, it crushed my already broken heart. 

I did that.

I gave her a small black eye and a bruised cheek. It was my hand that did it.

When she asked me why I was apologizing, I didn’t know what to say. I had to say something.

The truth would be a start.

“Because...because I hit you. I hit my beautiful wife and I’m never going to forgive myself for hitting you. It doesn’t matter that my mother had control of my mind. I still hit you with my own hands.”

Tears fell down my face again as the images kept replaying in my head. The image of her hitting the floor and lying there, scared of me. I caused her to fear me.

“What...what do you mean your mother had control?”

She was still shaky and I wasn’t surprised; she was afraid of me. It didn’t matter if she denied it; I could see it in her eyes.

“My mother, she has dark magic. She can...can take over my mind and make me do whatever she wants. She can make me feel unimaginable pain when I disobey her. I tried to fight her, but I was too late.”

Tears ran down my face once again, and that was when Jupiter did the unexpected. She wiped them away and caressed my cheek before placing a kiss on my lips.

“I understand, Ever. It’s okay. I forgive you. But promise me you will never hurt me again. Never let your mother take over your mind.”

Without even thinking, I placed a hand gently on the side of her face and brought her closer before kissing her.

“I promise, my love. Never again, I swear to you. I...I love you.”

I didn’t expect the words to come out, but once they did, we both strengthened the kiss. It grew even more passionate than before.

“Ever!”

Jupiter flinched and broke the kiss as she leaped into my arms. I gulped and we both stood up.

“That’s my mother. We...we have to go and see what she wants. I promise I won’t let her hurt you.”

I put out my hand and Jupiter hesitated before taking it. I’m so glad she has put a little trust in me, but I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve her.

But, here we are. I’m completely and madly in love with her.

“Yes, mother!”

I snapped as I placed Jupiter behind me. I meant what I had said. No harm will come to her. I won’t even let my mother within touching distance of her. Any magic aimed at her, I will direct it back to me.

“Do not speak to me like that, boy. Now, I want you to show Miss Princess how we do things!”

I knew what that meant, but I wasn’t going to do it again. Not to her. She is my wife and I love her. I don’t care about anything else.

“No, mother. You leave her alone.”

She gave me a sickening grin, but I wasn’t going to let her take over my mind. Not this time, not ever. She didn’t look impressed, but then she smirked.

“Well then, you will have to deal with your punishment!”

Jupiter’s POV:
I could see Ever focusing all his own magic on stopping his mother from taking over his mind, but once she uttered those words, Ever hit the floor, screaming in pain.

I just stood there. What else could I do?

I watched for what felt like hours, and I started to see blood. I don’t know how, but Ever was bleeding from his side and shoulder.

I closed my eyes and that’s when something snapped. Before anything else could happen, she stopped.

“There. Now, look what you made me do! I have to go and see some people. You better do as you’re told when I get back!”

She slammed the hall door behind her and I fell to my knees beside Ever.

“Ever. Ever! Wake up, Ever!”

He slowly opened his eyes and placed a hand on my face. He looked really bad. How could anyone do that to a person? Their son, no less! I helped Ever off the floor and back to our room.

“She...she didn’t hurt....you, did she?”

I shook my head as I helped him lie on the bed. I went to the bathroom and got some stuff to clean and stitch Ever up. He placed a hand on my arm as I was about to lift his shirt.

“D...don’t. I deserve this.”

I shook my head again and he moved his hand away as I lifted his shirt off.

“Ever. I told you, I forgive you. Let it go. You don’t deserve to die over this.”

As I cleaned him up, my mind went back to my family.

“Ever? What....what happened to my father?”

Ever looked away before wincing in pain. Whatever magic this is, this is even worse than human torture. No one’s body should be able to withstand this.

“I...I killed him, Jupiter. She made me kill him. I didn’t want to. You have to believe me.”

He looked back and took my hand in his before placing it on his heart. I believe him; he had tears falling down his face. I know for sure this is not the man I married.

This is the man I wanted to marry.

“Ever!”

Ever’s mother was back; her voice shook the whole castle. Ever went to get up, but he groaned in pain. He’s too weak and I’m scared if he faces her again, she’ll kill him.

“No, Ever. You’re too weak. You need to rest and heal up. You’ll get hurt again and your body can’t take much more of this.”

We could hear her footsteps and Ever kept trying to get up, but it was only making him worse. I had locked the door and as she reached the door, her footsteps stopped.

“Let me in THIS INSTANT!”

Ever looked at me with weak and tired eyes. I was just as confused as him; she has magic. Why couldn’t she get through the door?

“Jupiter! Your eyes. You have magic and you’re keeping her out! I don’t know how, but you are.”