Chapter 26 " A friend"

Todays song my loves is "mind games" by sickkick

  ENJOY 

Both of us recoil from each other

My blood turns to ice.

He wasn't supposed to be here. 

Not yet. 

Not for at least another week. 

So why is he here now?

Obrovsky rises swiftly and bows his head low.

"Welcome, sir."

I shiver as I force myself to step forward, my stomach twisting into knots. Alex strides toward me, his presence making my skin prickle.

"I thought you weren't coming unti—" I start, but he brushes past me like I don't exist, stopping just inches from Obrovsky.

"If I'm not mistaken," Alex says in a dangerously quiet voice, "I left you in charge of watching her. Not playing with her."

Obrovsky doesn't flinch. His head remains bowed. "I apologize, sir."

"We weren't playing, we were just—" I try to explain, but a mere flick of Alex's wrist sends Obrovsky crumbling to his knees.

I freeze in horror.

"Who are you to disobey my orders?" Alex's voice drops lower, edged with lethal anger.

Obrovsky gasps, his hands clawing at his throat as his airway constricts—yet Alex hasn't even touched him.

Magic.

"ALEX!" I scream.

He doesn't turn, doesn't even acknowledge me. He watches, emotionless, as Obrovsky's body trembles, his fingers digging into his own throat in a desperate attempt to breathe.

"Alex, stop! It's not his fault, I asked him to help me!" My voice cracks with desperation.

Still, he doesn't look at me. He is transfixed, watching Obrovsky collapse further, the choking sounds getting fainter, weaker.

I run forward, shoving myself between them.

"Alex, STOP! You're hurting him!" I yell, my hands pressing against his chest.

His gaze darkens. "Move."

"No."

Obrovsky's gasps are ragged behind me, but he remains kneeling, refusing to collapse entirely despite the pain.

"If you want to hurt someone, then hurt me, not him!" I challenge, staring Alex down. My heart slams against my ribs, but I refuse to back down.

He finally meets my eyes, something flickering behind his cold, emerald gaze. "You're saying you'd rather take his place, princess?"

I swallowing hard.

He clenches his jaw. "He had an order."

"To make sure I didn't do anything stupid, right?" I snap furiously 

Silence.

I scoff. "I'm not an idiot, Alex. Obrovsky did his job. I just asked for his help. It's not like he gave me an escape route from this damn prison."

Still, nothing from him.

"You know," I continue, my voice dripping with anger, "instead of punishing him, you should be thanking him."

"For what exactly" he looks me dead in my eyes 

"Last I checked, soldiers don't prepare ceremonies—that's a royal duty." i lower my voice in anger

A muscle in his jaw ticks. He stares at me, his eyes sharp enough to cut glass, but he doesn't say a word. For once, I don't care. Let him be angry. Let him seethe. He can glare all he wants—I won't back down.

I turn my back to him. "Let's go, Obrovsky."

I help him up. He doesn't look at Alex as we pass, but I do—just for a second. And in that moment, our eyes meet. Something flashes behind them, but before I can decipher it, he looks away.

I don't know what I expected. Maybe nothing at all.

Later…

"Damn, he got you good," Ms. Adele mutters, dabbing alcohol on Obrovsky's bruised throat.

The magic left a vicious mark, dark and angry against his skin.

"Fucking animal," I hiss, handing over some bandages.

"I didn't follow orders," Obrovsky says simply.

"What the fu—" I cut myself off when Ms. Adele shoots me a warning glance. Right. No cursing in front of her.

I clear my throat. "That's ridiculous. All you did was help me. You did nothing wrong. He just likes to throw his anger at everyone."

"Either way," Adele interjects, "I think it's best you stop this little training of yours."

Damn it.

"That's not fair!" I protest.

"Ms. Adele has a point." Obrovsky sighs. "Besides, my job here is done. I have to return to the field."

Not fair.

We had finally reached an understanding—hell, I could even have an actual conversation with him without a fight breaking out.

"I see," I murmur, trying not to sound as disappointed as I feel.

"Don't be too sad, princess. When I get the chance, I'll stop by to kick your ass."

That earns a chuckle from me.

"Aww, look at you two," Ms. Adele teases.

He's a good guy. And considering I don't have many people to talk to here, that means something.

So… when are you coming back?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

"Miss me already, princess?" Obrovsky teases, his voice laced with amusement.

I scoff. "As if."

He chuckles but doesn't answer right away. "Don't know," he finally says, his tone unreadable.

I hesitate. "Are you… in trouble?""

A short laugh escapes him. "Probably."

Guilt settles in my chest. I press my lips together before muttering, "I'm sorry."

It's my fault. I asked him for this, and now he's the one paying for it. How useless.

Obrovsky tilts his head, watching me. "Don't be, princess. You didn't do anything wrong."

I huff, shaking my head. "Still… doesn't change the fact that you're getting punished for something I started."

He exhales sharply, then smirks. "Well, on the bright side, you've gotten better."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, still can't beat you without a shovel, though."

"Jaja, very funny," he deadpans.

Silence settles between us—not awkward, but heavy. Like there's something more to say, but neither of us knows how to say it.

Then, out of nowhere, he reaches into his belt and pulls something out. "I want you to have this."

I frown. "What is it?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Use your eyes, genius. It's a dagger."

I snort. "Smartass."

"Obviously." He smirks.

I take the dagger from his hand, flipping it over, running my fingers along the edge. It's beautiful—sharp, sleek, and undeniably deadly.

"Why are you giving me this?" I ask, my voice softer now.

"For my first student," he says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

I blink at him. "You're serious?"

His smirk widens. "No, I just hand out weapons to random people for fun."

I laugh, shaking my head. "God, thank you." I look at the dagger again, flipping it in my palm. "This is amazing."

"Relax, it's just a dagger," he teases.

I stare at him like he just insulted my entire bloodline. "It's an onyx dagger."

He blinks. "And?"

I groan. "Do you have any idea how rare these are in the Celestial Kingdom? People would kill for one of these."

"Huh. Didn't know that." He shrugs.

I shake my head in disbelief. "Hella hard to get."

His grin softens just a little. "Well, I'm glad you like it."

"Like it? I love it." I glance up at him, my fingers tightening around the handle. "Seriously, Obrovsky… thank you."

His smirk falters for a split second, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, just as quickly, he recovers. "Anytime, princess. Guess you're not as much of a spoiled brat as I thought."

I roll my eyes but smile anyway.

For the first time in a long time, something warm settles in my chest.

A couple of hours later, he's gone.

Funny how things change. We started off as enemies, and now… this.

It felt good. 

While it lasted 

But of course, the fucking bastard had to ruin it.

That damn beanpole.

I lock myself in my room, burying myself in books from the library. I have no intention of seeing Alex's smug face anytime soon. Hell, if I see him, I might just use my new dagger on him.

…Actually, no. My dagger is too good for that.

Knock. Knock.

I snap out of my thoughts at the sound of someone knocking at my door.

"Who is it?" I call out, already irritated.

I open it, expecting Ms. Adele or a maid. But the second I see who it is, my blood boils.

Alex.

I slam the door.

Well, I try.

Before I can shut it all the way, he pushes against it effortlessly, forcing it open.

"Just leave me alone!" I yell, shoving against the door.

"No."

He pushes it open completely, and I stumble backward, landing on my ass.

"Fuck you," I spit, glaring up at him.

He exhales deeply, rubbing his temple. "I'm sorry, princess."

I swat away the hand he offers and push myself off the floor.

"What do you want? Want to choke me too?" I sneer.

"I made a mistake," he admits.

I let out a dry laugh. "Oh, you think? He did nothing wrong, and you left a fucking scar on him."

"He had an order."

"Yes. To keep me from escaping." I cross my arms. "Guess what? I'm standing right here am i not?"

Silence.

I narrow my eyes. "What do you want alex?"

He hesitates. "I heard you helped with the ceremony."

I raise a brow. "And?"

"Why?"

I blink. "Why not?"

He studies me, as if trying to read my mind.

Good luck with that, asshole.

"They won't help you escape, Lilith," he says, his tone serious.

I chuckle. "You think I did it to get on their good side?" I ask, surprised he would even assume I'd go that far.

"You are half celestial," he states.

"Yeah? So what?" I scoff. "Just because you're capable of manipulating people into doing what you want doesn't mean everyone else does. There's something called morals." I glare at him. "Though you obviously have no idea what those are."

"Watch your mouth, princess," he warns, his voice low and sharp.

I ignore him. "Or what?" I challenge, meeting his gaze head-on.

No answer. He just stares at me.

"You gonna kill me?" I taunt.

"Maybe," he grits out through clenched teeth.

I laugh bitterly. "Go ahead. I couldn't care less."

A month in this place is enough to drive anyone insane. If it weren't for Ms. Adele, Obrovsky, and the others, I probably would have lost my mind already. And though I've grown used to what little freedom I have, if death knocked on my bedroom door tonight… I wouldn't even flinch.