the trip 2

~liam's pov~

Let's leave tomorrow morning," I instructed Luther firmly. "You handle the preparations."

"Boss… are you bringing the girl?" he asked hesitantly, hesitation evident in his tone.

I turned to him sharply, locking my gaze on his. He bowed his head, understanding the gravity of my silence, and retreated, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I settled back into my chair, considering the implications of my decision. It was wiser to bring her along; her presence might prove advantageous, even though I now believed she was not the Lyra I had once known. She was practically a shell of the person I had lost, but she would be made to serve a purpose—either to prove her worth or to face the dire consequences of failure.

*****

Stepping outside into the garden, I found her amidst a vibrant array of flowers, their colours contrasting sharply against the backdrop of the evening sky. She stood there, lost in her own world as if she were seeking solace among the petals. I watched her for a few moments, absorbing the scene, before finally saying,

"Get enough sleep."

She turned abruptly, her foot slipping on the uneven ground, and she tumbled back with an unexpected gasp.

"Ouch! That hurts…" She shot me a glare, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and disbelief as if I were the one responsible for her sudden misstep.

"Sorry, princess. I wish I could be of assistance, but… I'm afraid I can't."

As I continued, I added, "Get ready for tomorrow. We're going somewhere special, and you're coming with us."

She raised an eyebrow, curiosity piquing her interest. "Where are we going?"

"None of your business, princess. Just know that you have to be there," I replied, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth.

Her expression shifted, and she sighed in resignation. "I don't really have a choice in this, do I?"

"No, you don't, princess." My tone was firm yet playful. I watched as she opened her mouth, probably ready to protest, but instead, she closed it again, the fight slipping away from her. I turned on my heel, casting one last glance over my shoulder before leaving, my mind swirling with the many preparations that awaited me.