Caged By the Lich

30. Olvaar

30

OLVAAR

I stand on the pristine beach, the warm black sand shifting beneath my feet as I watch Astrid's face light up with wonder. The southern territories stretch out before us, a breathtaking landscape of the lavender waters meeting rugged blue mountains. It's a sight that never fails to captivate me, but today, my attention is firmly on my new mate.

"We'll be here for a week," I tell her, unable to keep the smile from my voice. "The first two days are just for us to enjoy the views."

Astrid's eyes sparkle with excitement as she takes in the scenery. "It's beautiful, Olvaar," she breathes, her hand squeezing mine.

I lead her towards the water, our guards, Kaz, and Malakai hanging back to give us privacy. I have business to attend to, but it can wait. It's the deal I made with Kaz.

The waves lap gently at our feet as we walk along the shoreline. I can't help but marvel at how different things are now. Months ago, I would never have imagined sharing this moment with her.

"Come on," I say, tugging her towards deeper water. "Let's cool off."

Astrid laughs, a sound that sends warmth through my chest. We wade in until the water reaches our waists. The salt spray clings to her skin, making her glow in the sunlight. I'm struck by how stunning she looks, how at peace.

Without thinking, I pull her close. Our lips meet in a tender kiss, the taste of salt mingling between us. The waves gently rock us as we stand there, lost in each other. When we finally part, Astrid's smile is radiant.

"I never thought I'd be here like this," she admits softly. "With you."

I brush a strand of wet hair from her face. "Neither did I, little rebel. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

I kiss her again, deep and slow, and Astrid parts for me. Sometimes she wants the fight, but right now, she melts right into me. It takes no time at all to work her into a frenzy and soon, I'm driving into her, swallowing her moans as I claim her in my new territory.

I think it's a habit I need to make. Fucking her in every place I own.

We stay in the water, talking and laughing, until the sun begins to dip towards the horizon. As we make our way back to shore, I can't help but feel a sense of contentment I've never known before.

Our little villa isn't far away in the mountains that sit behind the beach, and Astrid's eyes are wide as I show her where we'll be staying. She gushes over the view and the food, and I drink it all in, watching her as she slowly falls asleep after dinner.

Then I carry her to the bed and tuck her in, ignoring the guilt that is suddenly springing up in my chest. She'll understand, I know it. So I brush a stray lock of hair from her face before quietly slipping out of the room.

Kaz is waiting for me outside, his face a mask of seriousness. We walk in silence through the corridors of the seaside villa, our footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls.

Once we're outside, Kaz speaks. "Are you ever going to tell her why we're really here?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Astrid's smart, Kaz. She knows I wanted this land for a reason beyond just expanding my territory. She knows I'm looking for something."

We start our trek into the mountains, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth of the beach earlier. The path is treacherous, winding through jagged rocks and steep inclines.

"I wanted to confirm it before I told her," I continue. "The knowledge alone would have put her in danger. I'll tell her everything in the morning. She'll understand."

Kaz nods, his expression thoughtful. We continue our journey in silence, following the ancient map I've studied for months now. The moonlight casts eerie shadows across the landscape, making the terrain harder to follow as we walk.

After what feels like hours, we reach our destination. Before us, the mountain face drops away sharply, revealing a hidden cove below. The water glimmers in the moonlight, lapping gently against the rocks.

"There," I point, my voice barely above a whisper. At the water's edge, completely submerged, is the entrance to an underwater cave. The opening is dark and forbidding, promising secrets and dangers in equal measure.

I use my magic to part the water, creating a dry path into the cave. The effort strains me, but I maintain focus, determined to uncover the secrets hidden within.

As we step inside, the air grows thick with ancient power. It presses against my skin, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Can you feel it, Kaz?" I ask, my voice echoing off the damp walls. His magic should pick up on it better than mine.

He nods, his eyes wide with awe. "It's... intense. Like nothing I've ever experienced."

The cave is dark, but our eyes adjust quickly. Phosphorescent plants cling to the walls, casting an eerie blue glow throughout the cavern. Water drips steadily from stalactites, each drop echoing loudly in the stillness.

I gesture to Kaz, and he steps forward, placing his hands on the rough cave walls. I watch as he closes his eyes, his brow furrowing in concentration. The air around us begins to vibrate, the magic responding to Kaz's touch.

Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet starts to shift. Small tremors run through the cave, dislodging pebbles and sand. I steady myself against the wall, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Kaz's eyes snap open, and he turns abruptly towards the center of the cave. Without a word, he drops to his knees and begins sifting through the sand with his bare hands. I hold my breath, watching intently as his fingers comb through the gritty particles.

Then, I see it. A glint of something in the dim light. Kaz's hand closes around the object, and he slowly rises to his feet.

"Is it...?" I can barely get the words out.

Kaz nods, his eyes wide with disbelief. He opens his palm, revealing a single, iridescent scale. It's no larger than a gold coin, but it seems to pulse with an inner light, shifting colors like oil on water.

The one thing I came here to find. A rumor that other lords were chasing but they didn't have the right magic to get here. They didn't have Kaz.

Even though it was only a possibility, we managed to find it. The very thing that everyone thought had been lost.

"A dragon scale."