Caged By the Lich

16. Olvaar

16

OLVAAR

I stride into the house, my skin still glistening with sweat from the training session. The almost-kiss with Astrid lingers in my mind, fueling a fire I can't quite extinguish. It claws at me, demanding to go back, and I have half a mind to give the damned territories to Naevia if I could just get a fucking taste of Astrid.

Instead, Malakai will face my wrath.

"What's this urgent news?" I demand, my voice sharp as I glare at him walking in step with me.

I hate the damn smirk on his face. "Astrid's sister is here. She was caught trying to infiltrate the fortress."

I whip my head around to glare at Kaz. "You said it was about the southern territories."

Kaz shrugs, his face impassive. "You wouldn't have left Astrid otherwise."

I clench my fists, tamping down the urge to lash out. "Where is she?"

"In your study," Malakai replies. "The spare one."

"I will deal with you two later," I snap as I take off down the hallway, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

As I burst into the study, I find Athena standing defiantly in the center of the room, her golden-green eyes blazing with indignation. They are nothing but a punch into the fucking gut when I was just staring into the same ones, hooded and looking at me in a way that I will never get out of my head.

Fuck, I'd never want to. Astrid needy and ready, on the edge of begging and flushed, it's all I ever fucking wanted it.

"What are you doing here?" I snarl, stalking into the room.

Athena lifts her chin. "I'm here for my sister."

"Are you now?" I lean against my desk, crossing my arms. "And how exactly did you plan to accomplish that?"

"Well, clearly I found a way in," she says, her voice steady despite the fear I can see lining her face.

I can't help but be impressed by her audacity. From the way they acted, I assumed that Astrid had always protected her sister, that Athena would have no backbone of her own. but I see echoes of Astrid in her stubborn set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," I say, allowing a hint of admiration to color my tone. "But you're out of your depth here."

Athena's eyes narrow. "I'm not leaving without Astrid."

I laugh, the sound harsh and mocking. "And what makes you think you're leaving at all?"

Her eyes flash. "My father?—"

"Your father is helpless against me," I sneer. "Try again."

Her jaw clenches. "Just let me and my sister go. That's all I came here for."

"You really think you can just waltz in here and take her?" I scoff, leaning back against my desk. "Astrid isn't some damsel in distress waiting to be rescued."

Athena's eyes flash. "She doesn't belong here. She belongs with her family."

Her words hit a nerve, and I clench my jaw. "And what makes you think she wants to leave?"

The question hangs in the air, and I see doubt flicker across Athena's face. It's gone in an instant, replaced by determination. "I know my sister."

But do you? I want to ask. Do you know how her eyes light up when she's solved a particularly tricky puzzle? How she bites her lip when she's concentrating? The way her voice gets low and husky when she's trying not to laugh at one of my jokes?

Fuck. When did I start noticing all these little things about her?

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "Your sister has become an invaluable asset to my operations. She's not going anywhere."

Athena steps closer, her chin raised defiantly. "She's not just an asset. She's a person, with her own dreams and desires. You can't keep her here against her will."

Her words strike uncomfortably close to home. I've been telling myself that Astrid's presence here is purely strategic, but I know it's more than that. The way I reacted the first time I saw her…or every time I see her, the way I find myself seeking out her company... it's not just about politics anymore.

I think back to our almost-kiss, the pure fucking magic that crackled between us. Astrid matches me in ways I never thought possible. Her quick wit, her fierce determination, her ability to see through my shit... she challenges me in ways no one else ever has.

And fuck, I love it.

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. I've come to value Astrid not just for her political acumen or her usefulness in my schemes, but for who she is. Her strength, her intelligence, her unwavering spirit - they've become as essential to me as breathing.

I turn back to Athena, my voice low and dangerous. "Your sister stays. That will be the end of that. As for you…"

I weigh my options, staring at Athena's defiant face. Every instinct screams at me to punish her severely for this transgression. She infiltrated my fortress, challenged my authority. By all rights, I should make an example of her.

But Astrid's face flashes in my mind. Those green-gold eyes, filled with fire and determination. How would they look if I hurt her sister? The thought of causing Astrid pain twists something inside me.

"Fuck," I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

Athena watches me warily, her stance tense. She's waiting for the axe to fall, and I can't blame her. My reputation precedes me.

I push off the desk, circling Athena slowly. "Not many would dare to break into my fortress."

She swallows hard but holds my gaze. "I had to try. For Astrid."

Her loyalty to her sister is admirable, even if it's misplaced. I stop in front of her, crossing my arms. "And what do you think Astrid would say if she knew you put yourself in danger like this?"

Uncertainty flickers across Athena's face. "She... she'd be angry. But she'd understand why I did it."

I nod, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "She would. And she'd tear me apart if I hurt you."

Confusion replaces the fear in Athena's eyes. "What?"

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Against my better judgment, I'm going to let you go."

Athena's jaw drops. "What? Just like that?"

"Just like that," I confirm, my voice hardening. "But let me be clear. This is a one-time deal. If you ever try something like this again, I won't be so merciful. Understood?"

She nods quickly, still looking shell-shocked. "I... yes. I understand."

"Good," I growl. "Now get the fuck out of my home before I change my mind."

As Athena hurries towards the door, I call out, "And Athena? Tell your father this changes nothing. Astrid stays here."

She pauses at the threshold, looking back at me with a mix of confusion and grudging respect. "Why are you doing this?"

I meet her gaze steadily. "Because hurting you would hurt Astrid. And that's not something I'm willing to do."

I slam the door shut behind Athena, my mind reeling. What the fuck just happened? Since when do I let intruders walk free? I pace the length of my study, running a hand through my hair.

"Fuck," I mutter, kicking at my desk.

The decision to let Athena go gnaws at me. It goes against everything I've built my reputation on. I'm known for vengeance, for fuck's sake. I don't show mercy. I don't let people walk all over me.

But Astrid's face flashes in my mind again, those green-gold eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and something else... something that makes my chest tighten in a way I'm not used to.

I growl in frustration, slamming my fist against the wall. The pain helps clear my head, if only for a moment.

Am I going soft? The thought makes my skin crawl. I've worked too damn hard to let some human girl compromise everything I've built.

But another voice in my head whispers that this isn't weakness. It's strategy. Letting Athena go could earn Astrid's trust, make her more willing to work with me. It's a calculated move, nothing more.

I try to convince myself of this, but doubt lingers. Since when do I care about earning anyone's trust? Since when do I give a fuck what anyone thinks of me?

The answer comes unbidden: since Astrid.

"Fuck," I snarl again, pacing faster.

I can't shake this feeling of unease. It's like the ground beneath my feet has shifted, and I'm not sure where I stand anymore. Everything I thought I knew about myself, about my goals, it's all getting muddled.

And it all comes back to her. To Astrid.

I stop in front of the window, staring out at the crimson sky. What is it about this girl that's got me so twisted up? Why can't I get her out of my head?

The uncertainty eats at me, leaving me agitated and on edge. I need to get my shit together, to remember who I am and what I'm after.

But as I stand there, all I can think about is the way Astrid looked at me during our training session, the way I feel every time I touch her. The way I couldn't get the insatiable need for her out from under my skin before we ever spoke.

And for the first time in my life, I'm not sure what my next move should be.