Chapter 4: Chains of Fate

Liora tugged at the chain around her neck, feeling its cold metal bite against her skin. The choker was a constant reminder of her failure. Lucian, ever the calculating figure, had bound her to him in this way as punishment for her botched escape attempt. The chain clinked every time she moved, a soundtrack to her torment.

But if he thought she'd be broken by this, he was sorely mistaken.

As they walked down the corridor, Liora couldn't help but notice the guards snickering behind their hands, clearly trying to hide their amusement. But the hushed laughter didn't escape her sharp ears.

She came to a sudden stop, making Lucian walk a few steps ahead before he turned back, clearly exasperated.

"Are you seriously laughing?" Liora called out, spinning around with a wicked grin. "I mean, really? Is it that funny to watch me get dragged around like a good little puppy on a leash? Or maybe you think it's hilarious that His Majesty over here is walking me through the halls like I'm some sort of royal pet?"

One of the guards quickly cleared his throat, looking anywhere but at her.

"Oh, I get it," Liora continued, hands on her hips. "You guys are probably wondering, 'Is she gonna bite? Or should we prepare for some barking?'" She threw her hands up in mock confusion. "Should I bark or just growl and snap at you like a well-behaved dog?"

The guards froze. Lucian, ahead of her, was doing his best to ignore her, but Liora wasn't about to let this moment pass.

"You know, I'm just here for the entertainment," she said with exaggerated sweetness. "I get the sense that you all must have a really boring job if me being yanked around by this lovely chain is what gets you going."

She glanced down at the chain with a dramatic sigh, tugging at it like it was the most embarrassing thing in the world. "It's not like I'm having a great time, though. I've got the world's most 'charming' guard walking me around like I'm his personal dog. I bet I'd make a wonderful lapdog for Lucian Blackthorne, huh?"

The guards exchanged looks, trying their best to hold back the laughter, but one of them couldn't help it and snorted.

"There it is!" Liora said, pointing right at him. "I knew one of you had some sense of humor. You, sir, are officially 'Snickers.' Wear it with pride."

Lucian, now looking thoroughly annoyed, turned toward her, his face an unreadable mask.

"Liora," he warned, his voice low. "Enough."

Liora gave him an innocent smile, practically bouncing with excitement. "What? I'm just getting started. Don't worry, I won't bite. But if you need a good bark, I can provide it. Woof."

Lucian's eyes narrowed. He wasn't amused, but Liora couldn't care less. She turned back to the guards, who were now trying their best to keep straight faces, but their shoulders were shaking with barely contained laughter.

"Alright, boys," Liora said, giving them a theatrical salute. "I'm off to follow my magnificent master now. Try not to cry from laughter. Or if you do, maybe I'll give you a treat later."

With that, she gave Lucian a grin that could only be described as pure mischief. He turned sharply and marched toward the office, pulling her along, the chain rattling as she trotted behind like a very reluctant pet.

"You're absolutely impossible," Lucian muttered under his breath, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes that suggested even he was amused—just a little.

"I know," Liora replied brightly, "I'm practically a circus act. Just doing my job."

She let out an exaggerated sigh, the sound loud enough for Lucian to hear, though he kept his eyes fixed ahead, clearly unfazed. "I hope you're proud of yourself, Lucian," she muttered, casting him a sideways glance. "I'm sure your 'creative' punishment is really making me reconsider my life choices."

Lucian didn't respond, but the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly. He was used to her defiance by now, but Liora wasn't planning on giving him an easy time.

"What's next?" she continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "More mind games? Perhaps you'll lock me in a tower and force me to knit you a sweater?" She rolled her eyes, practically bouncing along in a mock show of enthusiasm. "Or will you make me sing for my supper while you sit back like the villain you are?"

Lucian didn't reply immediately, but there was something about the way his jaw tightened that suggested he wasn't entirely indifferent to her jabs. Yet, he kept walking, forcing her to keep up, chain rattling with every step.

Lucian's eyes flicked to hers, a dangerous glint there. "Don't tempt me. I'll have you in a tower by tomorrow."

Liora smirked, matching his gaze. "Right. And I'll spend my days writing snarky comments about you in my journal. Should keep things interesting."

They arrived at his office, the room where she spent far too much time, much to her displeasure. Lucian pushed the door open, and she reluctantly followed, the chain rattling with each step.

"Sit," he commanded, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. "We have work to do."

Liora shot him a look that could only be described as a combination of disbelief and mild amusement. "Work? What, are we going over your 'How to be a Control Freak' manual today? Or are you just going to give me more tasks to annoy you?"

Lucian's gaze turned cold, but Liora didn't back down.

"You're impossible," he muttered, but there was no real anger in his voice. Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't given him the satisfaction of seeing her squirm. Instead, she just... amused herself with his attempts at authority.

She plopped herself down in the chair, crossing her arms. "I should charge you rent for all this time I'm spending in your little office. It's starting to feel like home. How about I get a key?"

The silence stretched on, broken only by Lucian's soft chuckle. He didn't reply, but his eyes told her that he was plotting something. She wasn't sure if it was revenge or something worse.

"Antonio will be here in a minute," he said, and she couldn't help but notice the shift in his voice when he mentioned Antonio. There was an underlying edge to it that wasn't there before.

"Oh, Antonio?" Liora raised an eyebrow. "What's he doing here? Is it 'complain about your rebellious prisoner' time?"

Lucian turned to face her fully, the smallest of smiles playing at the corner of his mouth. "He's bringing lunch. And I'm sure he'll have plenty to say about you."

Liora raised her hands in mock surrender. "I'm innocent. If anything, I'm charming. Who could resist this face?"

She made a ridiculous face, sticking her tongue out, but Lucian didn't laugh. Instead, he just gave her that piercing look that always left her feeling slightly unsettled.

Antonio entered, and Liora saw the warmth in his eyes when he spotted her. "How's our favorite prisoner doing?" he asked with a grin.

"I'm great, just enjoying my chain and ball," Liora said, holding up the chain with an exaggerated flourish. "Lucian's really outdone himself."

Antonio chuckled but glanced at Lucian, who was now watching them both closely. "I'm sure he's just trying to keep you in check."

Liora rolled her eyes. "In check? Please. The only thing in check around here is my patience."

Lucian's expression darkened, but Liora knew better than to take him too seriously. Instead, she focused on Antonio, who seemed to be more than happy to play along with her antics.

"I'm sure you're thrilled to see me today," Liora teased. "Ready to be my partner in crime?"

Antonio laughed. "I don't know if I'm quite ready for that. Lucian has a way of making sure no one escapes unscathed."

"Well," Liora said, "if I'm going down, I'm going down swinging. Want to be my accomplice? I'll take you down with me."

Antonio chuckled again, shaking his head. "I think I'll pass on that. But I'll bring you lunch, at least."

The moment felt lighter, but Liora could feel Lucian's eyes boring into her, his patience growing thinner with each passing second.

After lunch, Lucian led her out of the office, the chain rattling as she followed him down the hallway. She was beginning to feel like a pet on a leash, and it didn't sit well with her. But then, just as she opened her mouth to make another sarcastic remark, Lucian stopped in front of a door she hadn't noticed before.

"This is where we're going next," he said, opening it.

Liora glanced inside and raised an eyebrow. "A... store?"

Lucian nodded. "I've decided you need a change of wardrobe."

Liora's eyes widened. "Wait, are you serious? You're going to make me try on clothes?"

Lucian's smirk was all too familiar. "You tried to escape, Liora. Consider this your punishment."

She didn't have time to respond before he was ushering her inside. The inside of the luxury store gleamed with expensive fabrics, and Liora suddenly felt very out of place.

"This isn't happening," she muttered under her breath as she was guided to a fitting room. "No way am I trying on dresses for you. What is this, some twisted version of 'dress-up with your prisoner'?"

Lucian didn't answer, but his gaze was heavy, like he was waiting for her to break. Instead, she crossed her arms and glared at him.

"Well, don't just stand there like a creepy mannequin," she snapped. "If you're going to make me wear something, at least pick something that screams 'I hate my life.'"

Lucian chuckled, but it wasn't an amused laugh—it was a low, controlled sound. "I'm sure you'll find something suitable."

Liora went into the fitting room, and though she initially refused to try anything on, Lucian's insistence and pulling on the chain eventually wore her down. As she emerged in a stunning black evening gown, she couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered. He hadn't expected her to look so... striking.

But she wasn't about to make this easy for him.

"You like it?" she asked, a wicked grin on her face. "Does it scream 'I've been dragged around in chains by a man with a god complex'?"

Lucian didn't respond, only turned and gestured for her to follow him out.

The dinner that followed was just as awkward as she had imagined. They sat on the balcony at a table in the mansion. Liora barely touched her food, pushing the fancy dishes around with her fork while Lucian watched her with a mixture of amusement and frustration.

"Why are you so determined to ruin this?" Lucian asked after a long stretch of silence.

Liora looked at him, meeting his gaze head-on. "Because, Lucian, you're trying too hard. I'm not some pretty little doll for you to drag me to places, dress up and show off."

He seemed to think about this for a moment, then leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower. "You don't think I know that? But you're not making it easy for me, either."

Liora smiled, that familiar spark in her eyes. "That's the point."