Bound by Prince of Darkness

Maya's Fear

Maya arrived at the gates of the Draconarium Academy, the prestigious school she and her brother had attended since they were young. The grand building loomed ahead, a majestic structure of stone and glass, its spires reaching toward the sky. She could hear the buzz of students around her, excited chatter mixing with the sound of footsteps on the cobblestone paths that crossed the campus. The familiar sight brought a small smile to her lips, momentarily lifting her spirits.

As she walked through the courtyard, Maya’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the one person who could always make her feel better — Anya. It didn’t take long for her to spot the familiar blonde head in the sea of students. Anya was petite, with golden curls that framed her delicate face and bright blue eyes that sparkled with warmth and mischief. Despite her small stature, she had a presence that drew people in, and Maya was no exception.

Maya’s thoughts drifted back to the first day she met Anya. They were just maybe five years old, on their first day of kindergarten. Maya had been nervous, unsure of what to expect as till that time she was home schooled by various tutors, but she had quickly noticed a tiny blonde girl sitting in the corner of the room, crying her eyes out. The other children had been teasing her, whispering cruel things about her being an orphan. Maya had felt an inexplicable pull toward the girl, a need to comfort her, and without hesitation, she had walked over and sat down beside her.

“Why are you crying?” Maya asked softly, her young voice full of concern.

The little girl had looked up at her with tear-filled eyes, sniffling as she tried to explain. “They’re saying… they’re saying I don’t have a mommy or daddy. They’re being mean.”

Maya’s heart had ached for her, and without thinking, she had reached out and taken the girl’s hand in her own. “I’ll be your friend,” she had declared with the innocent confidence only a child could muster. “And I won’t let anyone be mean to you.”

From that moment on, they had been inseparable. As the years passed, their bond only grew stronger. They were each other’s confidantes, partners in crime, and closest allies. There were times when Kaian would tease Maya, saying that Anya was more her twin than he was, and in some ways, he was right. The two girls understood each other in a way that was almost instinctual, and their friendship was unbreakable.

“Rise and shine!” Anya’s familiar voice called out, snapping Maya back to the present.

Maya turned to see Anya approaching with a bright smile on her face, her eyes crinkling at the corners in that way they always did when she was genuinely happy. But what caught Maya’s attention was the faint blush that tinged Anya’s cheeks, a telltale sign that something, or someone, had gotten under her skin. And she had a suspicion of whom that one was.

“You’re unbelievable, you know that?” Maya said with a teasing grin as she shook her head. “Stop drooling.”

Anya’s blush deepened, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she muttered, though her tone was unconvincing.

“Oh, please,” Maya scoffed, linking arms with her friend as they started walking toward the school building. “It’s written all over your face. You’ve got that look again.”

Anya’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and she let out a small sigh. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to me,” Maya assured her with a wink. “But seriously, Anya, you’ve got to stop pining over him. You know Kaian’s too focused on his responsibilities to notice anyone.”

Anya bit her lip, her eyes downcast. It was no secret between the two girls that Anya had a BIG crush on Kaian. In fact, it seemed like half the girls at school had a crush on him. He was the perfect prince, handsome, intelligent, and with an air of mystery that only added to his allure. But unlike the other girls, Anya’s feelings ran deeper as she did not like him just because he was THE prince. She had harbored them for years, quietly admiring him from afar, but Kaian had always been oblivious.

“I know, I know,” Anya said quietly. “But I can’t help it, Maya. He’s just… he’s so perfect.”

Maya sighed, squeezing Anya’s arm gently. “Trust me, I get it. But you deserve someone who sees you, Anya. Someone who’s as crazy about you as you are about them. And my brother, despite his hot looks, is more like an inceberg.”

Anya smiled weakly, her blush still lingering. “Maybe one day…”

“Definitely one day,” Maya corrected, her tone firm. “And until then, you’ve got me. We’ll figure it out together.”

As they reached the entrance to the school, the bell rang, signaling the start of classes. The girls exchanged a quick glance, and then with one last squeeze of Anya’s arm, Maya let go, and they headed to their separate classrooms.

After a grueling morning of classes, Maya and Anya finally met up for their lunch break. They navigated through the bustling schoolyard, making their way to their usual spot, a large, ancient tree that stood tall and proud at the edge of the school grounds. Its wide, sprawling branches provided ample shade, and it had become their go-to place whenever they needed to have a serious conversation away from curious eyes and ears.

The two girls settled down on the grass, unpacking their lunches in comfortable silence. The sound of birds chirping and the distant hum of students laughing and talking created a peaceful backdrop. But despite the serene setting, there was a palpable tension in the air. Anya could sense that something was bothering Maya, and she watched her friend closely, waiting for her to speak.

After a few moments, Anya couldn’t hold back any longer. “What happened, Maya?” she asked softly, her voice full of concern. “Talk to me.”

Maya looked up at her best friend, her expression serious. She took a deep breath, as if gathering her thoughts before speaking. “You know that dream I keep having… the one that happens every night?”

Anya nodded, her eyes widening with curiosity and worry. She knew how much that dream had been haunting Maya. “Yeah… what about it?”

Maya hesitated, her fingers playing nervously with the edge of her lunchbox. “He… spoke to me… finally.”

Anya’s mouth dropped open in shock. “What?! What did he say?”

Maya’s voice was quiet, almost as if she didn’t want to hear her own words. “He said, ‘Soon, Maya. See you soon,’ and then I woke up.”

Anya looked at her friend, deep in thought. Her mind raced with possibilities, but one idea stuck out more than the rest. “Do you think… maybe he’s your fated mate? I mean, you’re turning 18 tomorrow. Maybe you’ll meet him then?”

Maya shook her head, her confusion evident. “I really don’t know, Anya. I’m so confused. Sometimes I think it’s just my imagination, but other times… it feels so real.”

Anya nodded, understanding the turmoil Maya was feeling. “Is he someone we know?”

Maya shook her head again, her brows furrowing as she tried to recall every detail. “No, I don’t think so, as I don’t remember his face. But his eyes… they were glowing this bright orange color. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Anya frowned, her curiosity piqued. “Glowing orange eyes… That’s definitely not normal. But maybe it’s your subconscious telling you that you’re about to meet ‘the one’? Who knows?”

Maya sighed, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. “Maybe. But I’m not so sure. It just… it feels like there’s more to it, you know? Like there’s something I’m missing, something important.”

Anya reached out and placed a comforting hand on Maya’s arm. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. And hey, who knows? Tomorrow might bring some answers as you will become 18 and who knows… maybe you will meet him… get close to him …. kiss him … or even lose your V-card.”

Maya rolled her eyes, exasperated but amused. “Anya, stop it. You’re unbelievable.” She smirked, turning the tables. “Why haven’t you lost yours yet instead of waiting for my brother?”

Anya blushed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “Because I want it to be special, and I really like your brother,” she replied softly, looking down at her hands. “But you, Maya, you need to do something more. You’ve never even tried to date anyone. You just flirt and then brush everyone off.”

Maya sighed, feeling the weight of her friend’s words. “And you know why, Anya.”

Anya reached out, placing a hand on Maya’s arm, her voice gentle but firm. “Just because of what happened to your sister Kaia with that Adam Star doesn’t mean all guys are demons or bad news. Not everyone’s out to hurt you. At least give it a try.”

Maya huffed, leaning back against the tree trunk as she crossed her arms defensively. “I know, but every time I think about what happened to my sister… I swore it would never happen to me. Especially being tricked by a demon. If there’s anything I hate in this world, it’s demons.”

Anya’s expression softened with understanding. She knew how deeply Kaia’s experience had scarred Maya, even if Maya rarely spoke about it. Kaia had been deceived and manipulated by a demon, Adam Star, who made her believe that he was her fated mate and who had nearly destroyed her in the process. The incident had left a lasting impact on their family, and Maya had grown up with an intense wariness toward the concept of fated mates and demons.

“I get it, Maya,” Anya said quietly. “But you can’t let that fear rule your life. Not all guys are like that. And who knows? Maybe your dream guy is your fated mate and this is a sign that you will meet him soon.”

Maya shook her head. “I can’t risk it, Anya. I won’t. I don’t want to be tricked, hurt, or used. It’s not worth it. Better single forever.”

Anya sighed, sensing the stubborn resolve in her friend. “Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind, okay? Tomorrow’s your 18th birthday, and it’s supposed to be the start of a new chapter for you. Don’t close yourself off to possibilities.”

Maya looked at Anya, seeing the concern in her friend’s eyes. She knew Anya was only looking out for her, but the fear she felt was too strong to simply ignore. “I’ll try,” she said finally, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.

Anya gave her a small, encouraging smile. “That’s all I ask. And hey, if you ever need a buffer or someone to scare off any potential suitors, I’m your girl.”

Maya chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of their lunch break. The girls packed up their things and stood up, ready to head back to class.