"We'd better go back." Zane began with deadly coldness. "Take my hand, please."
He was starting to get irritated. Liara could see it. Should she push harder? Should she show him how obstinate and how irritable she could be? Maybe this way, he would lose interest in her. No. Who did she want to fool? She couldn't piss off the leader of the immortals and walk away like nothing happened. What about escaping from the realm? Could she do it? Could she stay out of his grasp?
"Liara," He called after her, and Liara realized with a jump that she had frozen in place. And that his hand was raised in her direction.
"Thank you for showing me these places. And for your hospitality," She added, referring to her room. Then she accepted his hand. "But you can't expect me to remain calm about the current state of things." She took a step towards him to look at him with complete seriousness. Good gods! Her head barely reached the height of his chest. That was saying a lot, considering Liara was quite a tall woman by human standards. "You can't expect me to agree to stay here. You see: I am not an object you can take wherever you wish."
"You are my prize," The Angis said. "You're what I wanted, and I get what I want, Liara." Suddenly, one of the man's arms was behind her.
"What…?!" Liara tried to protest as he picked her up in his arms.
"We are going back to the main castle."
Said and done: Zane quickly left with her in his arms. This time, his feet remained motionless.
"I can go by myself," Liara said, then tried to get out of his arms. However, Zane did not allow her to leave that position. "I want to go down…"
"Stay where you are, Liara. I'm holding back as best I can."
What? Pure fury wanted to explode inside her, but Liara held back with all her heart. In any case, she changed the subject. It wasn't the moment to keep a battle of wills. So she took two breaths.
"How do you do it?" She couldn't help but ask. "How do you move in nothingness…?"
"I control the wind and gravity." He answered, his tone was soft. I sounded somewhat repentant.
"The gravity?" What was he talking about?
"I'll wait for you for dinner today," Zane announced, looking forward.
"…"
She said nothing.
"The maids designated to you will be responsible for your preparations."
"What happens if I don't want to attend?" Liara asked, starting to feel angry again.
"I trust that will not be the case." Once he answered, they hovered over the beautiful tulips in the white sand desert.
"I do not have the habit of following anyone's orders, My Lord."
"Don't make me break that pride, Liara," Zane warned in a calm yet almost ominous tone.
"You can't force me to do anything."
"Don't test my patience."
"What will happen if I do it? Are you fond of punishment, My Lord?"
The Angis stopped abruptly, and Liara couldn't help but gasp in surprise. It turned out that staying suspended in the air was even weirder than moving through it. After checking the frightening height at which they were, she raised her head to see that he was looking at her. Then, when Liara tried to look away from him, the hand on her back fell behind her head. And with his long fingers, he controlled her neck easily. So she couldn't do anything but look at him.
Now what?
Liara began to breathe rapidly as her heart beat faster. Then, the immortal brought his face closer to her. So much so that their noses almost touched. Liara could feel her uncontrolled pulse everywhere. By Megalo!
The immortal's eyes were like a storm.
What was he going to do? What if he released her from that height?
"Please don't test my patience, Liara. I'm doing my best." His cool breath reached her. He smelled like mint leaves.
"Then, don't test mine either…" Where had that come from? She had challenged him unceremoniously. Liara couldn't continue thinking because Zane set out on the journey abruptly.
She didn't dare say anything else, and he didn't say a word either.
Beyond the Blue Valley, Liara could see the beautiful gardens and the striking shape of a white castle with dazzling silver domes. So, very soon, they reached her balcony.
"I sincerely think this is the right place for you." He said seriously. "Did you ever feel like you really belonged to Esteria, Liara? I'll see you later."
Then he was gone.