Caged By the Lich

28. Olvaar

28

OLVAAR

I stride through the fortress halls, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. My mind races with thoughts of Astrid. I told her to take her time, but I've been away from her for far longer than I can even tolerate. I need her.

I reach her chambers and pause, steeling myself. With a deep breath, I push open the door. "Astrid?"

Silence greets me. The room is empty, and I pause. Where else would she be? I just came from my study, I didn't see her in the halls.

My heart pounds as I scan the space, searching for any sign of her. Nothing.

"No," I growl, my fists clenching. "No, no, no."

I tear downstairs, storming through the gardens, but I don't see her. I go back up to my study, the libraries, all over the damned house until there is nothing left to check.

The realization hits me like a physical blow. I stagger back, my chest tight. She left. She's gone for good.

I slump against the wall, sliding to the floor. My head falls into my hands as the pain washes over me. How could I have been so foolish? To think she'd stay, that she'd choose me?

She never cared for you, a voice whispers in my mind. You were nothing but a monster to her.

"No," I mutter, but the doubts creep in.

She played you for a fool. Used you to gain her freedom.

I growl, trying to silence the thoughts. But they persist, growing louder.

You're weak. Pathetic. You let a human girl make you soft.

I roar, lashing out. My fist connects with the stone floor, cracking it. The pain barely registers through the storm of emotions.

She never loved you. How could she? You're nothing but a demon.

I squeeze my eyes shut, but I can't escape the truth of those words. Of course she left. How could I have expected anything else?

The anger and pain swirl within me, a tempest I can't control. I feel myself slipping, my carefully maintained control crumbling.

You're alone. Always alone.

I throw my head back, my magic whipping out as my emotions surge. The walls shake with the force of it, but I don't care. Let them all know. Let them see how their feared demon lord has been brought low by a mere human girl.

Deep down, I'm left hollow. Empty. The pain of Astrid's rejection consumes me, leaving nothing but a gaping void where she ripped out the one thing I gave her so willingly.

My heart.

I roar in anguish, my magic surging uncontrollably. The walls around me crack and splinter, furniture shatters, and the very air crackles with raw power. I can't stop it. I don't want to stop it. The pain of Astrid's absence tears through me, fueling my rage.

"What the fuck?" Kaz's voice barely registers through the chaos. "V, what's happening?"

I whirl on him, eyes blazing. "She's gone!" I bellow, my voice distorted by demonic energy. "She left me!"

Another wave of destruction pulses out from me, sending Kaz stumbling back. I hear Malakai cursing in the background, frantically working to contain the damage.

"Who's gone? Astrid?" Kaz presses, his voice steady despite the mayhem around us. "V, you need to calm down. We can figure this out."

"There's nothing to figure out!" I snarl, hurling a blast of magic that reduces a nearby column to rubble. "She used me. Played me for a fool!"

Kaz inches closer, his hands raised placatingly. "You don't know that. Let's think this through. Where did she go?"

His words barely penetrate the haze of my fury, but something in his tone gives me pause. I falter, my magic flickering.

"I told her like you said," I admit, my voice hoarse. "I told her she could go back and she did. She fucking did."

He seems surprised by this. "And she didn't talk to you?"

I shake my head. "She fucking left without a word."

"Okay," Kaz nods, taking another cautious step towards me. "So maybe she didn't leave for good. Maybe there's an explanation."

I want to lash out again, to reject his reasoning, but doubt creeps in. My magic wavers, the destruction around us slowing.

"Then why wouldn't she tell me?" I growl, though the fight is leaving me.

Kaz is close enough now to place a hand on my shoulder. "I don't know. But destroying your home won't bring her back or give us answers."

I slump, the last of my rage draining away. As my magic fades, I survey the damage I've caused. Well, fuck.

"I... I lost control," I mutter.

"It happens to the best of us," he replies, squeezing my shoulder. "We'll clean this up and then figure out what to do about Astrid."

I nod, that hollow pang still echoing through me, but no longer consumed by destructive anger. I take a deep breath, steadying myself, and I realize exactly what I'm going to do.

"I have to get her back," I say to him.

I can't let Astrid slip away so easily. She's mine, dammit. And more than that... I love her. I'm not just letting her go. I'd rather keep her here, locked up and pissed at me, than her be gone.

Kaz and Malakai exchange a look, and I can see they think it's a really bad idea. But I don't care.

"I'm going to get her," I snarl, turning and storming toward the front of my home.

Footsteps sound behind me, but then I hear Malakai call out, "Just let him."

"He's going to destroy the damn city!" Kaz shouts back, and I keep charging ahead.

I might do just that.

What's the point of anything without Astrid at my side?

"You have to let him work this out on his own," Malakia hisses, and all the footfalls behind me stop. I don't turn around as the two keep arguing.

I'm going to get my girl back. One way or another she'll be mine.