Kael's POV
Kael knew his words hurt her when she physically flinched. His tone had purposefully been biting and accusatory.
Her grandfather was the cause of this whole mess and the man was already dead and the only available person for Kael to vent out his anger on was Aria.
Deep down he knew it wasn't her fault but the irrational part of him didn't care.
Aria was scared of dying? His whole family lost their lives because of her grandfather's vile actions, she didn't have the right to be fucking scared of death.
"I know that you're angry, Kael, and you have every right to be. But I'm not my grandfather, and I'm not going to let you blame me for his mistakes or vent your anger and hurt on me. I understand that you hate me and everything I represent but it doesn't change the fact that you need my help," She paused, her eyes never leaving his.
"And I'll help. But I need you to stop treating me like a prisoner confined to my room, only allowed to visit the gardens." She finished.
Kael's eyes narrowed at her demands. "And if I refuse?" He said raising an eyebrow.
She was in no position to be making demands, if Kael wanted, he could easily manipulate or threaten her into helping, which ever one worked faster.
Her face fell. She clearly hadn't thought her demands through. "I'll still help." She muttered quietly.
Her reply had surprised Kael but he refused to let it show. He had expected her to withdraw her offer to help.
He reluctantly decided to let her have her way just this once, it would definitely make his mission more easier so, it wasn't really a loss on his side.
"Fine, but you're not allowed to leave the castle grounds without me or Ryker accompanying you." He stated, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"But…"
"But nothing princess," Kael interrupted. "Most people here still hold grudges for your grandfather's sin and are of the mind that you should be rotting in the dungeons until you are needed, while others though admittedly quite few, want you dead." He said cutting her off.
"So either Ryker or I, will escort you outside the castle if the need arises. And Elara can accompany you around the castle. She's trained in combat and will be able to protect you if need be". He stated.
Aria nodded, looking tired. It was a lot to take in. He had dumped loads of information on her. He almost felt bad, emphasis on almost. But he was a sick bastard that relished any suffering no matter how little, he could cause her.
And anyways, she was the one who wanted to bargain with him, he should have taken advantage of the opportunity but surprisingly, he didn't and that unsettled him more than he'd like to admit.
He looked at her, noticing the lost and defeated look that shadowed her face.
He sighed, softening his tone "Come princess, let's get you to bed" He said offering her his arm like the gentleman he definitely wasn't.
...…..
The small smile Kael hadn't realized he was wearing fell as he quietly slipped into Lyra's chambers.
Lyra was sitting on her bed, her eyes fixed on Kael as he strode in.
The guilty look she had made Kael's anger flare but he smothered it, now was not the time to let his anger get the best of him.
"We need to talk," He said as calmly as he could muster.
Her eyes became guarded as she tensed.
"About what?" she asked as she gestured for him to take a seat.
He ignored her request, glaring at her.
"Don't play dumb, Lyra, we're both too smart for that. I know it was you who told Aria."
Her eyes widened a bit before she schooled her expression. If he had not been observing her closely, he wouldn't have noticed it.
"How do you know it's not Elara or Ryker who told her?" Lyra asked, a hint of defiance in her voice.
He let out a loud, exasperated yell. "Elara isn't foolish enough to slip up like that, and Ryker doesn't say more than two words in day! It's not like he's going to suddenly start spitting out secrets,"
When she remained quiet, he continued;
"Whatever it is you're trying to do, stop. The only reason you're still breathing is because I care for you. One more stunt like this and I won't be so merciful." He coldly let out, meaning every word.
He would not hesitate to kill her if need be.
She looked at him with hurt filled eyes, Kael ignored the pain he saw in her eyes.
He was sick of her theatrics, she knew what she was doing when she let it slip to Aria that they were in Obsidian.
Lyra loved playing the naive, harmless Lady but she was as cunning and calculating as they came. It was part of the reason Kael had invited her into his close circle.
"You left me no choice. She has been here for over a month while our soldiers died at the battle front. The barriers are getting weaker by the day, it's a matter of time before it collapses and we are left to those monsters' mercy." Lyra yelled.
"I haven't located all the crystals yet. She's of no use without them." He reminded her.
"It doesn't matter, you should have still told her. You know she has to be willing. If you force her, it won't work." She said, her tone losing its bite.
"I know what I'm doing, Lyra," Kael replied authoritatively.
"Don't interfere." He ordered.
Lyra scoffed. "This is our last chance, Kael. If this doesn't work, we all die. You might not die, but everyone else will."
Kael reigned in his anger. "I know what I'm doing."
"No, you don't," she said, her voice filled with desperation.
"You're so blinded by your ego that you're not thinking about what's best for everyone else. You're just thinking about what you want, and you're willing to risk everything to get it."
"I'm doing what's best for everyone," He said, trying to be cordial.
"And if you don't agree with my methods, then so be it."
Lyra's face twisted in disgust. "You want to manipulate her without even giving her a chance to make her own decision,"
"That's not right, Kael. The Kael I knew won't do something like that. That thing in you is influencing your decisions Kael, it's clouding your judgement."
Kael took a step closer to Lyra, he could feel his eyes darkening, he was losing control. "What did you just say." He said menacingly.
The familiar intoxicating smell of fear filled the room as Lyra's small form began to tremble lightly as the room grew darker.
Kael's shadows writhed within him, wanting to be let out. He took in a deep breath and left her chambers.
If Kael had stayed for a moment longer, Lyra would've lost her life.