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The rest of their flight passed in tension, with Sirius throwing provoking words on Regan's way, mocking her, her family, her past. Octavia tried to calm Regan down, but the girl was too furious."You know, you should better sleep. This flight is not a piece of cake." Sirius teased, leaning back in his seat. "It's not like you're used to traveling in such a manner. And snapping back at everything I say, won't help it either.""And why should I sleep, huh? So you can take advantage of us both? No, I'm not giving you that," Regan snapped back. Octavia sighed, shaking her head."Sweetie, what if I take a nap?" Octavia whispered in Regan's ear, "Will you be good?""Yes, mom." Regan sighed. She knew her mother was tired and she didn't have a problem with letting her sleep. It wasn't like she was scared of Sirius. But she was really pissed off.After a while, Octavia fell asleep, her head resting on the seat. Regan kept her eyes open, not looking at him at all, her hands clenched into fists. The cabin was silent, except for the occasional creak of the plane and the sound of Octavia's soft breathing.Sirius stared at Regan, studying her face. He wondered what she was thinking, what she was planning. He wondered if she was thinking about him. And he couldn't help but stir up conversations with her even if it meant to end up in fights or insults."You know, I've always wondered," he began, his voice low and almost gentle, "what kind of life do you think you'd have, if you'd have your kingdom? Would you be some great queen? Would you be ruling your people, leading them to prosperity?" His voice held a mocking edge.Regan's eyebrows furrowed, "Why do you care?" she retorted, not bothering to hide the anger in her voice. "You're the one who made us like that. You're the one who destroyed my homeland."Sirius leaned back on his seat, his expression blank and undecipherable, "Avalon wasn't only your homeland, you know. It was mine too. I grew up there, just like you. But I didn't have it easy like you."Regan shook her head, not wanting to listen at him, "I don't care. Don't speak to me and don't look at me. Just shut up and mind your own business," she said, looking down at her lap, trying to avoid his nagging presence. She sensed him standing from his seat and walking to her side. She thought he was going to pass by her seat but he didn't. She felt her jaw being grabbed and her face being forced up. He leaned closer, his eyes drowning on hers."Listen here, Regan. You're a stubborn little beauty who sees only her own version of the story. But you know what? You're evil and bad in someone else's eyes. They hate you and want you dead, no matter how good or pure you are. They loathe for death. They don't understand you. They have no right nor duty to understand you." Sirius said, his voice rough and low, his grip slightly loosening."So, you should know you're a villain in someone else's story. Let's take Vesper, for example. She thinks you're my lover, my partner. She thinks you stole me from her. And you know what? I let her think that.""Of course you do," Regan snapped back. "But I-I don't care about what Vesper thinks. I don't care about you or about your girls." Her voice faltered a little and she couldn't shake off the wave off the melancholy washing over her, thinking that he had used her to make Vesper jealous.Sirius smiled darkly, "Oh, but you care, my princess. You care more than you realize. And don't worry," he said as he leaned even closer, his eyes filled with a dangerous glint, "your care is redirected. And as for Vesper, she's not the only one who thinks that. There are others who think I'm with you, and I let them think that. Because it's better for me. Because I don't care what they think."Regan felt the urge to slap at him. She could feel the strain in her neck from keeping it so high. But his words were true. She was a villain in someone's story. But she hadn't stolen him from anyone. She hadn't even wanted to be with him.He released her jaw, and she rubbed at it with her hand. "I don't care," she insisted, her voice lower. "It is you who involves me im your games. Why do you do this, Sirius? Why do you use me for your own purposes?"Sirius sat back in his seat, studying her, "I don't involve you, Regan. You're the one who got caught up in it. You're the one who gets into my game without any of us meaning for it to happen.""You're lying," Regan hissed, "you do it on purpose."Sirius chuckled lowly, "Oh, Regan. You really think I'm willing to make others think I'm in love with my enemy just to make them jealous? Please, that's ridiculous. You think you have such effect on me? You think I care for you that much?" He paused, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "I don't give a damn about you. But.... nevermind. It doesn't matter. It's worthless." He shook his head, looking away from her.The words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. She didn't know what he meant but she wasn't going to ask either. She was afraid, afraid of what his answer might be and she couldn't help but think that he was doing all that to use and exploit her.So, she didn't speak anymore. She turned to her mother who was sleeping peacefully in her seat. She didn't know what else to do or say. She felt a tear slip down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. Sirius didn't seem to notice or care. But then, he did. He noticed and she felt like a fool. Crying for no reason."Why are you crying, sweetheart?" His voice was gentle, almost sweet, in contrast to his earlier harsh tone.Regan felt a twisted warmth at what he called her. He always called her with pet names and she didn't know why. It was as if he knew exactly what to say to make her feel slightly better. But she wasn't going to fall for it. She wiped away another tear, refusing to let him see her weakness. "I'm not crying," she lied through gritted teeth.Sirius chuckled, a low and amused sound. "Oh, sweetheart. You're always the liar. But the problem is, you're terrible at it. You're crying because you're hurt, aren't you? Because you think I'm using you? Because you think I don't care?" He paused, tilting his head, "Did I hurt you? When I said I didn't care about you?" His expression turned soft, almost regretful."No," she snapped. She did really know why she was crying. "I don't care what you say. I wasn't even thinking about you," she said, remembering that there were other things to cry about. Like the fact that she had just found her mother and he wasn't leaving them alone. But even that, involved him.He shook her head, crossing his arms, "You're lying, Regan. You were crying because you care. And you want me to care for you as well. You don't want me to use you. You don't want me to play with you."Regan felt herself flush in embarrassment and shame. But who would want to be used? She didn't even know why she wanted him to care about her more than someone to play with. The fact that he knew, made it even worse. But she wasn't ever going to admit it."You're wrong. I don't care what you think. I don't care if you think I care about you. If there's a thing I care about you, it's you to die."The words stung him badly even though he didn't believe her. Or maybe she was right. Or maybe she had been telling herself the same thing over and over again that she had fooled herself with it. But it didn't matter to him. He was going to turn it to his advantage."Very well," he smirked, "so you're crying because you can't kill me? You're so desperate to get rid of me that it's eating you up inside. Well guess what, I want the same thing. I want you gone. But I also don't want that. Because I'm selfish. I'm cruel. I'm ruthless. I want you alive just to make sure we make each other's lives hell. I want us to never stop fighting, to never stop hating each other. Because that's what makes this all so much more fun.""And where's the fun in that?" she spat, glaring at him."Oh, Regan....you know where the fun is. You see, I know you like the thrill, the chase, the danger. You like being the good girl and me, the bad boy. You like having me chase you all around, don't you?" He said, his grin growing, his eyes sparkling with amusement.Her blood boiled by the audacity he had to talk like that. His arrogance was madly unnerving. She didn't even know why he was pushing the things always that far."You disgust me," she gritted out, "I didn't ask for any of this. I don't like any of this. I don't want any thrill or chase." But even as the words left her lips, they felt shallow, like she was lying to herself. She truly didn't want these sort of games but there was a part, a traitorous part of her that relished on the thrill he was talking about. But she never was going to admit it.Sirius raised an eyebrow, his expression mocking, "I disgust you, don't I?" He teased, "It was you three days ago who said I was beautiful."The words made her drown even deeper in shame. She wished she had never said that stupid word. Of course he was going to bring it up."I didn't say that," she managed to say."Oh, Regan. I know very well what you said. And I know very well what you think. You see, I read you like an open book. Your face says it all." He said as he stood up from his seat and walked towards her once again."But don't worry," he whispered, his lips on her hair, making her heartbeats quicken, "you're not the only one who thinks that. I think the same. I think all the time about you."She squirmed on her seat, hoping he'd just disappear. She didn't like the way he was talking to her and she couldn't help but get embarrassed. She couldn't handle it anymore and tried to get up from the seat but he grabbed her both shoulders, holding her in place."Where you're going?" He asked, his voice strangely innocent.Regan's heart raced and she glared up at him, clenching her fists. She didn't feel the sword. Had he taken the sword? Her eyes widened as she saw the sword laying on some other seat. When did he do that?"Let me go," she demanded, her voice trembling with anger and fear.But Sirius just chuckled, his grip tightening slightly. "Not so fast, sweetheart. You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here with me." His tone was gentle, hypnotizing and she tried to shake the blush on cheeks, but it was impossible."I don't want to stay with you," she retorted, her voice barely audible. She glanced at her mom, not wanting her to wake up.Sirius smiled down at her, stroking her hair, "And why don't you want to stay with me? Have I ever given you any reasons to leave? Have I ever violated you?"Regan felt her hands shake with anger and fear, knowing he was trying to manipulate her and make her feel weak. She didn't want that, she didn't want to seem vulnerable."I don't need reasons from you to leave. I hate you and there's not a reason for me to stay with you. You're no one to me except someone who's my enemy and someone who I despise. You're just like many others out there who I despise."Sirius only chuckled, still stroking her hair in a soothing manner, "I know you have many you despise and hate. But the thing is, I stand out from these all, don't I? For better or worse, there's something in me that makes you lost in thought, isn't it? And....after all, you're bound to me, aren't you?"She knew he was right. Of course he was the first she was mostly irritated and mad about. Yes, there were others she hated, but he always was the most prominent in her mind. It was as if he had cursed her to appear in her mind even though she didn't want to. As for the bond, she hated it. Even though she knew it was real."You're nothing important. I have others that I think about. And you're the last thing I want to think about. And the bond is useless for me. I don't care about it.""The bond is real," Sirius said unfazed, "I've told you before, it's not a lie. It's a flame and it burns deep into your soul.""There's no flame that burns deep into my soul," Regan snapped, feeling even more frustrated. "You, along with the bond, are just a loser."He leaned even closer, now face to face to her that she didn't have where to go or move. Her heart pounded rapidly as she was completely trapped, like she had been in the dreams with him. Her breath turned quick, air-hungry."Well, I may be the loser in your eyes, but at least I'm not afraid of myself. You, my dear, are. You're afraid of yourself. And you're afraid of me as well.""I'm not afraid of you," she hissed and shoved him away with all her strength. But his smugness didn't fade and just as she was going to stand up, he pushed her by her shoulders, pinning her back in place."Admit it, Regan. Say it. Say that you hate me. Say you want me dead. Say you want me to suffer. Say it because it all makes it even better for me. Because it's a lovely melody to my ears."Words got stuck in her throat. She wanted to say she hated him and everything else, but now, she couldn't. He had turned everything to his advantage. If she'd say it, he'd be pleased. If not, he'd think she didn't hate him."Hmm? I'm waiting," he taunted. "Or did the words get stuck in your throat? Or don't you hate me?" He asked, his hand reaching up to gently caress her scar down her jawline with his knuckles.She turned alarmed immediately and snapped his hand away, her eyes burning with anger and shame. She couldn't believe he was caressing her face now. He was invading her whole space and she felt as if suffocating, as if she was going to faint if he kept looking at her like that.But he wasn't going to back down. His hand travelled again to her face, his thumb tracing her jawline."Come on, darling. Don't be like that," he drawled, "I know you do. Say it. It's better to let it out." He leaned more, his lips dangerously close to hers. His eyes were captivating and full of mysteries. She couldn't look anywhere else but them. She was completely hypnotized.But then, something snapped at her. She didn't know why she had gone so numb to let things get to this, but she snapped out of the daze. He had no right to do that. No one had ever done it before. Without a warning, she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing harshly around the compartment. She glanced at her mom, hoping she didn't wake her up. Then, her gaze travelled to him again, his hand on his stinging cheek, his smirk growing even wider."Violent, I like it," he drawled, his eyes filled with amusement. But you haven't admitted it. You haven't said you hate me.""I don't have to say anything to you," Regan said through gritted teeth, "you already know it."He tilted his head, his eyes shining with something she couldn't name. He leaned closer to her again, "You're right, my sweet. I already know. I know it all. You don't have to say it." He ran his knuckles against her face once more, before pulling back and walking away from the compartment.Regan released a shaky breath, feeling cold sweats all over her. She couldn't shake away the fact that he had touched her face. It made her rip his throat out and grip her own hair as well. Her whole body shook with rage and fear.She also needed to go to the toilet and hoped there was one. Her legs trembled as she stood up and started to walk. She felt weird. The thought he could've kissed her if she continued to stay like a fool, terrified her. She passed through the empty seats and came into a blank, narrow hallway. She spotted the girl in uniform from earlier and went on to ask her."Where's the bathroom?"The attendant looked at her with a grimace and Regan fought the urge to lash out at her."Here." She annoyingly pointed to a white door on Regan's right.As soon as Regan stepped in the restroom, she slammed the door shut, letting the tears fall freely. She couldn't help it and she didn't want them to stop. She felt foolish and weak, a girl who was affected by everything he said and did.She went to the sink and washed her face over and over again, making it sting from the cold water. She had just found her mother, she had found the most important person of her life and now she was crying because he was ruining everything. Her mother was right, she had to ignore him somehow, but how could she ignore when he was invading everything?After she stayed there for a while, she wiped of the last tears and washed her face again. She used a towel and then stepped back into the compartment.