Caged By the Lich

31. Athena

I watch Father pace the length of our grand hall, his agitation palpable in every step. It's been weeks since Astrid was mated, and his paranoia has only grown. I stand silently, my hands clasped in front of me, the picture of obedience. But inside, I'm seething.

"You are not to leave the grounds without an escort, Athena," Father declares, his voice sharp. "And your lessons will now take place within the fortress walls."

I bite my tongue, tasting blood. "Yes, Father," I murmur, the words bitter on my lips.

He nods, satisfied with my apparent compliance. But he doesn't see the rebellion brewing beneath the surface. He's always seen me as the quiet one, the obedient daughter. How wrong he is. That was always Astrid.

As I turn to leave, I catch a glimpse of myself in a gilded mirror. My honey-blonde curls are perfectly coiffed, my dress immaculate. The very image of a proper demon lord's daughter. I want to shatter that reflection.

In my chambers, I consider the last few weeks. At this point, I can barely breathe without it being reported to my father. The windows, once offering a view of freedom, now mock me with their newly installed magical wards. I press my palm against the cool glass, feeling the buzz of magic that keeps me trapped.

My thoughts drift to Astrid. My sister, once a prisoner, now walks freely by V's side. I've seen the change in her - the confidence in her stride, the spark in her eyes. She's found herself in the most unlikely of places, while I suffocate in my own home.

I don't know how much longer I can take it.

As it turns out, one day.

The next night at dinner, I push the food around on my plate, appetite lost as Father drones on about new security measures. The clinking of silverware grates on my nerves.

"Furthermore, Athena, I've decided to limit your time in the library," Father announces. "Too much knowledge can be... dangerous."

My fork clatters against china. "Excuse me?"

Father's eyes narrow. "You heard me. Your studies will be closely monitored from now on."

"This is ridiculous," I snap, pushing away from the table. "I'm not a child, Father. You can't keep me locked away forever."

"I can and I will," he growls, rising to his feet. "After what happened with your sister-"

"Astrid made her choice," I interrupt. "And she's happier for it. When will you understand that your suffocating control is pushing us away?"

Father's face darkens. "You dare question me? I am protecting you!"

"You're imprisoning me!" I shout, my carefully cultivated composure cracking. "I can't breathe without one of your spies reporting back. I'm tired of being watched, cornered, treated like I'm made of glass!"

"Enough!" Father roars, slamming his fist on the table. Dishes rattle, and I flinch despite myself. "You will do as I say, Athena. I am your father and your lord. My word is final."

I glare at him, chest heaving. "And if I refuse?"

His eyes flash dangerously. "Then you will face the consequences of your disobedience. Do not test me, daughter."

We stand there, locked in a battle of wills. I want to scream, to unleash years of pent-up frustration. But I swallow it down, knowing it will only make things worse.

"Is that all, Father?" I ask, my voice cold.

He sits back down, waving a dismissive hand. "You're excused."

I turn on my heel and stride out of the dining room, my steps echoing in the oppressive silence. As soon as I'm out of sight, I break into a run, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

But I know I won't find that in my room either. I need to get a full breath, a brief taste of freedom.

The moon hangs heavy outside my window, casting long shadows across my room. Perfect for what I'm about to do.

My heart pounds as I ease open the secret compartment in my wardrobe, retrieving the dark clothes I've stashed there. I change quickly, tying back my telltale blonde curls and hiding them beneath a hate. Can't risk being seen.

I pause at my door, listening intently. The fortress is quiet, but I know better than to trust the silence. Father's paranoia means guards patrol at all hours.

I close my eyes, focusing on the faint magical signatures I can sense — another thing Father doesn't know I can do. Maybe he should have stopped underestimating humans, especially his daughters. Two guards, moving away from my wing. Now's my chance.

I ease the door open, wincing at the faint creak. Freezing in place, I strain my ears for any sign I've been heard. Nothing. I slip into the hallway, hugging the shadows.

My heart nearly stops as I round a corner and spot a guard. I press myself against the wall, hardly daring to breathe. He yawns, rubbing his eyes. For a heart-stopping moment, I think he's seen me. But he turns, continuing his patrol. I let out a shaky breath.

The trickiest part comes next. Father's new wards hum with energy, a near-invisible barrier across every exit. But I've been studying them, probing for weaknesses. There's a spot, just above the kitchen door, where the magic flickers. If I time it right...

I count the pulses of energy, waiting for that split-second gap. One... two... three... now! I launch myself through the opening, feeling the magic crackle against my skin. For a terrifying moment, I think I've miscalculated. But then I'm through, tumbling onto the damp grass outside.

I lie there for a moment, heart racing, hardly able to believe I've made it. The night air tastes like freedom on my tongue. I allow myself a small, triumphant smile before melting into the shadows of the garden.

I take a deep breath of the night air, savoring the taste of freedom on my tongue. The garden stretches before me, a shadowy labyrinth of possibility. For a moment, I allow myself to revel in this small victory. No walls, no watchful eyes, just the open sky above me.

But my triumph is short-lived.

A sudden movement catches my eye, and I freeze. A figure emerges from the darkness, tall and imposing. My heart plummets as I recognize the unmistakable figure of a xaphan – one of our most dangerous enemies.

He towers over me, his wings unfurling slightly in the moonlight. A cruel smile plays across his lips as his gaze rakes over me.

It's truly unfair how gorgeous they are. He looks like the most handsome human male I've ever seen, all tall, tanned, and muscular. But if the ethereal beauty and the gorgeous white wings behind him didn't give him away…

The pure malice in his eyes would tell me exactly what he is.

"Well, well," he purrs, his voice like silk over steel. "What a delicious treat I've found."

I take an instinctive step back, my mind racing. How did he get past our defenses? Why is he here? The questions swirl, but one thought rises above the rest: I am in serious trouble.

The End?