AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I bark out a joyless laugh and shake my head. My looks don’t matter. I’ve never been a slave to my vanity, and Cia’s never complained, so it’s not something I’ve ever spent much time on or lost sleep over—and I’m not about to start now. I do wish I’d taken better care of myself, though. Not for myself, never for that. But what if something happens and I have to fight my way out? If I have to get Cia to safety, I’m pretty fucking useless.
My legs feel like they can barely carry my weight, and although I’m not drunk anymore, I’m malnourished, which could present a problem.
“You fucking fool,” I scold myself as I continue to look in the mirror. “You couldn’t even manage a week without falling to pieces—without failing her.” As much as I want to punch the mirror and watch the glass fall like the rain of my destruction, I refrain.
I can’t keep losing my head. Wallowing in self pity is a luxury I shouldn’t have indulged in. I should have remained vigilant and even though I can’t change the past, I can do better from now on.
“I’m sorry, agápi,” I whisper, giving myself one last, hard look before I leave the bathroom.
The shower did the trick, and I feel more like myself as I walk towards Nikolaos’ study. Of course, it’s possible that it has more to do with having weapons strapped to my body again. Who cares, though. The point is that, for better or worse, I’m back—and I’m not going any-fucking-where until Cia wakes up.
As I’m almost right outside the door to Nikolaos’ study, I hear Alexander’s agitated voice. “And why would you do that?” Too intrigued by what’s upsetting him, I lean against the wall so I can continue to listen.
“It’s not for you to question me, Alexander. Liam is coming with me. That’s where he belongs.”
There’s the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. “The hell it isn’t! He may have poisoned my daughter. I want him detained.”
Kai scoffs. “Oh, come off it. You know as well as I do that he would never harm a fucking hair on her head. If you honestly thought that he would, you wouldn’t have been content with him knowing you were alive while the daughter you suddenly care so much about didn’t know. If that isn’t enough to convince you, then you should remember, Acacia is mine, and by proxy, so is her consort. I may not be able to take Augustus with me, but Liam is fair game.”
Bringing my fist to my mouth, I bite down hard to muffle my chuckle. Fuck yeah, you tell him. I may have had my doubts about Kai before. Right now, though, I’m firmly on his team. Even if that meant I’d have to wear a pink and sparkly tank top with his name surrounded by love hearts, I’d gladly put up with that.
“Are you taking my dove with you as well?” Alexander asks.
Since I can’t see them, I can’t be sure, but Kai sounds like he’s close to laughing when he says, “Of course I am. She’s mine, so she doesn’t belong here. Now, are you letting me take Augustus as well?”
Cia’s dad groans, but for some reason, he sounds more resigned now—rather than annoyed or upset. “Take him, Kairos. I won’t fight you. You can take Acacia, Augustus, and Liam with you as long as you know I’ll be coming for you if something happens to her.”
This feels like a great time to let my presence be known, so I join them. I don’t even look at Alexander and instead walk straight towards Kai. “Fancy seeing you here,” I say, trying and failing at sounding unaffected by our situation.
“Liam,” Kai says, his eyes looking me over. “You look like shit. Were you poisoned as well?” When I shrug, he narrows his eyes and looks at the Great. “What did you do?”
Smirking, I say, “I could say the same to you, Ruler. You don’t look that hot yourself.” I’m not just being a dick, he really does look as bad as I do. While it’s clear he’s been affected by the poison, I can’t say how much. Before addressing the second part of what Kai said, I look at Alexander to see if he’s going to say something. When he doesn’t, I say, “It’s what he didn’t do,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not important enough to warrant medical attention, apparently,” I say, still refusing to look at the fucker who dared to threaten me.
Kai shakes his head and looks between Alexander and me, his mouth set in a grim line. “I don’t have time for this,” he finally says after several minutes. “One thing I know for certain is that Liam would never hurt Acacia. The rest,” he shrugs. “Who knows? But he wouldn’t lift a finger against her. And if he did, she would see him coming. He wouldn’t hide behind poison like a coward.”
Surprisingly, Alexander inclines his head, bowing to his Ruler’s wishes. “So be it,” he says. “I’m assuming Abel will continue to look over my brother.”
Although I can’t claim to know my mythology professor that well, something tells me he’s withholding information. His posture is rigid, his jaw is clenched, and he looks like he’s trying hard to look… I don’t know. Calm, I suppose.
“One more thing,” Kai says, pulling something from his back pocket. Instead of giving Alexander the paper, he unfolds it and reads it out loud. “I, Nikolaos Drákon, acting Leader of the Drákon family, hereby declare that if something happens and I become unable to defend myself, my body, dead or alive, must be handed over to the Ruler, Kairos Kronos.”
I don’t need to look at Alexander to know he’s seething. Waves of anger are practically rolling off him, and I can hear the sharp intake of breath. “What’s the meaning of this?” he questions, his voice rising with each word. “You’re taking my entire family from me? Who do you think you are? I won’t tolerate this, Kairos.”
Just as the Great pauses, Kai’s phone vibrates, and he pulls it out and answers the incoming call. Whoever calls is doing all the talking, and Kai doesn’t speak until several minutes later, when all he says is, “Understood.”
Feeling as though whatever is going on is about to go south, I discreetly angle my body so I’m closer to Kai.
“I understand this is upsetting, Alexander. For your peace of mind, I’ll make sure you receive a copy of the signed letter from Nikolaos. Regardless, Liam and I have to go now.” When the Great ignores Kai’s outstretched hand, he sighs and pulls me with him.
“Wait a moment,” Alexander shouts, and I stiffen, unlike Kai, who barely stops. “I will not let you take my brother. You don’t have my permission.”
“I don’t need your permission,” Kai calls back over his shoulder. “While we were talking, your family has been extracted and they’re now safe at my place. That reminds me, since this is Nikolaos’ house, you need to leave until he personally allows you onto his property.”
“You know he won’t leave without a fight, right?” I murmur, one hand on the knife strapped to my lower arm.
“Do you think this is my first day on the job?” Kai volleys, smiling widely. “I got it under control. Sit back, so to speak, and enjoy the ride for once.”
As soon as we reach the back door, we’re met by a large group of men. Some of them escort us to the waiting vehicle while another rushes inside, presumably to ‘help’ Alexander pack and leave his brother’s property.
