54

As the night wore out, the sorcerer paced around in the gardens, irritated and disgusted by Vesper's advances. She had to collect herself if she wanted to continue the alliance with him. He was going to make that clear, later in the morning.As every night, he did the same, he climbed to the highest peak of his tower and observed the sky. But still, he couldn't set his mind on peace.Something else that unsettled him, were her accusations of him towards Regan. How dared she? These words really hit the nerve on him.He ended up in his study again, trying to do something worth. He found himself sketching Regan, her beautiful eyes, the curve of her lips, the way her hair hung in waves around her shoulders. He had watched her for so long that her image was permanently carved in his mind. He knew every single thing about her.But then, he realized what he was doing. He had fallen lost in thought and had ended up drawing Regan. He growled at himself, it wasn't the first time he drew her. It had been going for long and it was driving him crazy. He crumbled and burnt the paper on his hand, until it turned to ashes. No, he couldn't let the heir of Avalon survive. She hated him. She wasn't ever going to be with him willingly.He stood up from the desk and walked over to the window, seeing the sun had risen, the sky taken a red hue. Before he was going to gather with the witches, he was mad at Regan and was going to show her place, because he couldn't fathom how she freed one of his prisoners, in his own property.As he impatiently waited more, fueled by anger and determination, he marched towards Regan's chamber. He was determined to make her understand the consequences of her actions.As he approached, the guards at her chamber noticed his presence and stood still."Regan," his voice cold and stern, "we need to have a little talk," he said behind the door.Regan was laying on the bed, her mind wide awake with thoughts. She hadn't slept at all, not a single minute. She had thought all night about Sirius and Vesper, the stupid dream, and the mischievous prisoner she freed.And when she heard Sirius's voice, that was the final straw. Her nerves were all struck and seeing him again only intensified her anxiety. She dragged herself to open the damn door, only to meet his cold and piercing gaze."What do you want?" she asked, her voice hoarse. It was still holding annoyance and defiance, despite the fatigue evident in her eyes."I want to know why the hell you freed a prisoner from my dungeons," Sirius snapped, his voice sharp with anger. "You really thought I wasn't going to find out?" He stepped inside and slammed the door shut, towering over her."I don't have anything to do with this," she retorted and turned away.He caught her arm, pulling her to face him, "Don't you dare deny, Regan! You always want to be the hero, don't you?" He said as he leaned closer, his voice menacing. "But your so-called kindness is merely ignorance," he hissed.Regan snapped her arm away, "Stay away from me!" she warned, her eyes blazing with fire.Undeterred, Sirius continued, "Do you know who was that bastard that you freed? He was a rapist, a murderer! That's where your mercy lies. Do you ever wonder, or is it easier for you to drown in lies, to think that I am the villain who prisoners others for fun?" He ask, his icy blue eyes filled with misjudgement.Regan felt her blood run cold as she preceded his words. The worst was that she had felt the dangerous vibes from the prisoner and she chose to ignore it."I don't need lectures from a tyrant like you," Regan snapped. Although she knew very well the mistake she had done, he didn't have to act like he cared that much for the damange, more than he cared about control.Or maybe he did and she didn't want to accept it.A brief cold smirk appeared on the sorcerer's face, "Well, you'll need, my dear. Because your actions have consequences.

Now, if the ladies out there are harassed, it's your fault, not mine," he said, his gaze unwavering.

Regan felt the weight of her mistake, but her frustration was getting the better of her, "I didn't know who he-""I don't care," he interrupted, "you shouldn't have meddled with my affairs in the first place.""So what?" Regan snapped, "you meddle with everything I have and you get mad when I retaliate? I don't care about your prisoner. You'll find him and you'll punish him. And I, I'll never find my childhood again. So now, get the hell out of here and leave me alone!"Sirius's expression was unreadable but before he could say something, a knock on the door interrupted him. He cursed under his breath, his frustration evident. "We're not finished," he said, shooting Regan a warning glare before striding towards the door.Outside the door was Vlad, standing there with a stoic, but restless expression. "What is it?" Sirius snapped, his irritation palpable."My apologies for the interruption, but there's an urgent matter that requires your attention," Vlad said, his tone respectful but firm.Sirius sighed, his frustration evident, "What is it now?"Vlad hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The escaped prisoner, Mathias, has been causing havoc in the town. He's rallied a group of rebels, and they're protesting against your rule."Sirius clenched his fists, the news fueling his frustration. "Damnit, this is unacceptable. How did it escalate so quickly?"Vlad explained, "The rebels claim oppression and injustice, using Mathias as their symbol. They're gaining support from the townspeople who are discontent with your reign.""Handle this immediately. I won't tolerate rebellion in my domain. Crush it before it spreads further," Sirius ordered, his irritation raising.The general nodded and left to execute the orders. Meanwhile, Sirius, seething with anger, made his way back to his chamber. He wasn't really worried for the rebellions, he had always dealt with them. He was infuriated with Regan, who was the main cause of this.Soon after, he decided to gather with the witches, to show Vesper where she stood.The sisters came, each one of them with their indulgent looks. Sirius's gaze fell on Vesper, who looked defiant, and slightly disheveled, her face a mix of fury and grudge.As he sat on his throne, Allegra looked at him with a suggestive expression, "Why did you hire us?""Many problems occurred last night, just because some can't control themselves," he answered, his gaze distant over the window."Who are these some, who dare to defy you, sweetheart?" The blondie asked, batting her long eyelashes."These, are among us," he stoically replied, unfazed. "What you did at night, was intolerable, Vesper. Are you feeling clearer now?" He asked, his expression mocking and disdainful at the same time.Vesper glared at him but didn't answer. She wasn't neither embarrassed nor regretful for what she did. She couldn't wait to get the opportunity to get to him again.A sinister smirk played on Allegra's lips as she glanced at Circe, who smirked back.Sirius continued, "I won't tolerate such insolence. If you can't control yourself, leave. I'll find someone else who can," he said, his voice cold and stern. "I have more important matters to attend to, than to listen at your dissolute drunk ramblings.""Maybe if you weren't so interested in that wretched scarface, we wouldn't be in this situation!" Vesper hissed, her mind still filled with the previous thoughts."Watch your tongue, witch. Your misguided jealousy and your childish behaviour have no place in my dominion. If you do not match the standard, you shall leave," he said, gesturing at the door, "The gates are open. I'll find someone else who's worth for my allegiance." He added, his gaze unwavering and cold."You should be grateful that you have me on your side. If it was Regan, she would have betrayed you at no cost," Vesper retorted, her voice laced with venom."I don't care. I'd not rather to side with my enemy in the first place," he said, his expression dark."We have more significant matters to talk about. I heard Vlad was talking about a rebellion in the town," Circe interrupted after she had been amused by their exchange in a while."Indeed," Sirius stated, "the rebellion is not a bit deal, however, Regan freed the bastard who started the rebellion."Allegra's and Circe's eyes went wide, meanwhile Vesper's expression was dark, finding a way to get on Sirius's nerves."What? How?" Allegra and Circe asked in unison."A problem, like always. She had sneaked in the dungeons and released the traitor." He answered, sounding nonchalant."And who's the keeper of that problem?" Vesper interrupted, her fists clenching, her expression ready for another confrontation.He ignored her."Maybe she is secretly working with him, after all, the rebellion serves her purpose. How do you know they weren't plotting some plan?" Circe asked, ignoring Vesper's provocative words."No, that's not possible. If it was, I would have found out," he calmly retorted."But Sirius, she thinks she's important now, she freed him and possibly is working with him," Allegra added, trying to persuade him. "Let us to deal with her.""No. She's mine to deal with. And you, don't fall into the ridiculousness that some do," he warned, his gaze flickering to Vesper, who was furious at him."But the rebellion–""Why do y'all act like he cares about the rebellion?" Vesper interrupted, her voice laced with mockery, "he doesn't even care about this, he probably has pinned himself for her, and has been thanking her secretly for the shit she had done," she finished, a wicked smirk falling on her face, her words venomous.The other two sisters looked at her wide eyed. They knew she had been drunk but she was still acting on it. It was unusual."You are crossing the line again Vesper. Pull yourself together or I swear I won't be responsible to what happens to you next." Sirius said in a low and threatening voice, his fists clenching.Vesper chuckled maniacally, "Or what? Will you banish me? Kill me? Do it if you dare. But deep down you know I am right."The sorcerer stood up furiously, however his voice was chillingly calm, "Out, now." He ordered, pointing at the door.Vesper's smirk widened as she started walking towards the door, "Your actions speak louder than words, dear. Prove to me that Regan is really your enemy," she challenged, her grey eyes holding a blazing fire."I do not have to prove anything to a pathetic witch like you. Now, leave and think twice before getting in my sight again," Sirius threatened, his expression dark and menacing.Vesper left on her heels, slamming the door shut, ready to dump her fury somewhere else."Go talk to her and make it clear that if she continues her fake games, she will face harsh punishment," Sirius sternly instructed, sitting on the throne again, putting his hand on his face. "And most importantly, you shall not fall for her lame accusations.""Oh, don't mind her, really. Vesper has been feeling pretty desperate these days. Seems like she's very obsessed with Regan," Allegra said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness."You're dismissed," he blankly said, waving his hand.The blondie frowned and she reluctantly left on her heels, while Circe couldn't help but rethink Vesper's words. Why was she fueled up so suddenly?