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“Olive, I am… I will be.”
“This isn’t just a random family, you know? They’ve been our mortal enemy since I don’t know when. They’re dangerous, especially Adrik.”
“He doesn’t seemthatdangerous.” I roll my eyes at the thought of him thinking he’s hot-shit because someone fears what damage he could actually do.
“Please,” She whimpers, and I turn my body towards her, tensing my brows in concern. “Please don’t give them a reason to do something awful.”
“Olive.” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Everything will be alright. Okay?” She nods unconvincingly, and I wonder if she’s been worried more than she’s let on this entire time. She always puts on a tough act, but I know she’s more sensitive than me about most things. I pull her close to me and let her fall asleep, rubbing circles in her back to soothe her nerves.
Dangerous. I guess he is. Guess they all are.
I just hope I can pull this acting challenge off, or Olive’s fears might be realized. There is no way in hell, I’m letting that happen, though. I’ll convince him— no matter what it takes— that I am aware I have no way out.
Even if that means playing along with his pointless mind games.
* * *
In the morning,I immediately get up upon waking and get dressed into a workout set from an Adidas x Gucci collaboration. Tight long sleeve, ribbed workout top with thumbholes, and long leggings with the same rippled pattern the entire way down. I think it’s reflective in the dark, and colored a midnight black that makes my eyes pop. I pull my hair up into a messy ponytail and grab my custom Prada Cloudbust Thunder sneakers, also in black, and head out the door as quietly as I can, so as not to wake Olive.
She always sleeps late, always has. I’ve gotten used to doing everything in my power to not wake her because she has always loathed getting up early. I wish I could have that luxury, but as a child, I always had tutors from the early mornings to evenings every day while she got to go to real school and play outside after dinner.
The only reason I’ve left my room at six am, while it’s still dark outside, is because Barth mentioned to Olive and me that there was a gym on the upper level of the castle. I wanted to ask him for more details– considering how vague his description was– but he and Olive got their flirty eyes on, and I zoned out for the rest of their conversation. I’ve definitely got to talk to her about that part later– her and Barth.
Now I’m on a hunt for the gym, running up the steps on the far side of the house, and getting a pre-workout trying to hunt the place down. I make it to the top level without using the elevator, which was dumb, but I did it because I wasn’t certain if I’d actually find it.
I aimlessly wander down a few more hallways until I stop at the back of the castle, turning the corner into a curved rotunda that looks like the entrance to a ballroom. There are glass doors to the left that I only need to walk a foot further to see that I’ve finally reached the gym.
With a sigh of relief, I turn to it and near the doors. When I get close enough, they slide open and the fresh smell of rubber and metal hits my nose. It’s like the room has never been touched, even the black walls look freshly painted. The ground is a rubber material and there are rows of workout machines and equipment the entire way down the rectangular shaped room.
I go straight to the treadmill that’s facing the back wall which is entirely glass, overlooking the other side of the mountain. Endless miles of snow capped mountains and towering trees, all kissed by the orange glow of the rising sun just beyond the tallest mountain.
After shoving my AirPods into my ears, I begin my workout, imagining I’m running on clouds in the sky, not a gym in the house belonging to my intolerable husband-to-be. I listen to this intense instrumental music playlist. It’s like I’m running into the height of battle. Usually, this is all I listen to when I work out, really amps me up.
I’m super into it, breaking a sweat, probably panting out loud, but I don’t care because I’m alone and free, and I’m pumping my fists in the air like I’m leading the charge down a mountain, my army behind. Just as I’m about to swing my imaginary sword, someone pulls an AirPod out of my ear and I whip my head to see Adrik, looking deeply disturbed by my display.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He grins, his thick lash line blinking up at me, eyes even brighter than normal– if that’s possible– in the light from the sunrise.
“I-“ I clear my throat because the first word has come out all crackly. “I’m just,” I pant. “Just running.”
He purses his lips, furrowing his thick brows with a slow nod that gives me hope he’s going to drop it. “Okay.” He shrugs before going into a fighting stance, closing his fists together like he’s holding a sword. I blink at him, embarrassed, as he swishes it through the air, making sound effects.
“Okay, very funny.” I reach my hand out, palm facing up. “Can I have my AirPod back?” He stops with a chuckle, placing it in my hand as he bows.
“Of course, yourroyal highness.” He rises with a teasing crooked grin, and turns towards the bench press. I shove the AirPod back in my ear and the music starts up again, getting me through the rest of my workout, as I self-consciously try not to breathe too loudly or imagine another scenario requiring obscene arm movements.
I happen to glance over a few times, just to observe where Adrik is, of course. He’s wearing a white t-shirt and basketball shorts, backwards baseball cap that always makes guys look hotter and I hate that. And he does look extra hot this morning. That’s super annoying, more so than usual because I came to the gym to get my mind off him, but it seems like that’s impossible.
God, he makes forgetting him so unachievable.
When I’m done with my workout, I step off the treadmill and head towards the door, still blasting my intense instrumental and then Adrik jumps in front of me before I can leave. I pull out my AirPod, eyebrows rising as if to ask what he’s doing.
Winded, he grabs the hem of his t-shirt and wipes his face with it. I try not to go wide-eyed at the abs on his heavily tattooed torso. He takes another breath that seems almost nervous and I furrow my eyes waiting for him to speak. Although, it is enjoyable to watch someone so unbothered by everything, seemingly squirm. I’m flooded with a small sense of accomplishment, and I don’t know why, because this clearly is an act– has to be.
“Can I help you?” I finally ask, and he shakes his head before taking a breath to speak.
“Would you like to go out tonight?”
“It’s it still pretty bad on the roads?”
