Page 49 of Caged By the Lich

I hate the thought, but I can't push her too far. So I only nod, hating to watch her leave. But at least I know I'll see her soon.

I'm barely dressed when my door is pushed open, Kaz standing in the doorway. I roll my eyes and give him a glare. "What?"

He only tips his head. "Come on."

I don't take orders from anyone but I follow Kaz out to the training circle, my muscles tense with anticipation. The morning air is crisp, a stark contrast to the heat still lingering on my skin from Astrid's touch.

Kaz circles me, his eyes narrowed. "Interesting night, V?" I shrug. "Well, someone had one. All our training dummies are in shreds, and the walls were practically shaking like the damn place was going to come down."

Again, I shrug, falling into a defensive stance. "What can I say? I had some excess energy to burn off."

Kaz lunges forward, his fist barely missing my jaw as I sidestep. "Energy, huh? Wouldn't have anything to do with a certain human wearing your clothes this morning, would it?"

My eyes flash, a growl rumbling in my chest. "Watch it, Kaz."

He backs off, hands raised. "Hey, I'm not judging. Just curious what game you're playing here."

I lash out with a quick combination, forcing him back. "No game. I can do whatever I want with my human."

Kaz blocks my strikes, his brow furrowed. "Sure, you can. But what exactly are you doing, V? This isn't like you."

I pause, my fist inches from his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He doesn't flinch. "You're different around her. Softer. It's not necessarily bad, but it's... noticeable."

I drop my hand, stepping back. "I'm not soft," I snarl, but there's less heat in it than I'd like.

Kaz sighs, relaxing his stance. "Look, I'm not telling you what to do. But you need to figure out what this is." He huffs. "If you nearly destroy the castle over a fight or kill a guard for saying she's a human bi?—"

"Watch it," I snarl, lunging at him.

He parries well. "This is what I mean. I don't care. You know I don't. I think she's good for you." He pushes me back witha quick combination. "But you aren't in control like you should be."

As we circle, my eyes slide past Kaz and to the house behind him. Astrid's probably in there somewhere, wrapped in my scent. The thought sends a surge of possessiveness through me that I can't quite shake.

"I don't know what this is," I admit quietly, more to myself than to Kaz.

Kaz's fist grazes my jaw as I dodge, the sting barely registering. "We need to move on the southern territories soon," he says. "It'll make us more enemies."

I growl, landing a solid hit to his ribs. "So?"

"So, Astrid's a target." Kaz's words hit harder than any physical blow. "Most lords see her as a plaything, a pawn to exploit."

Red bleeds into my vision. The thought of anyone touching her, using her... My fist connects with the training dummy beside us, shattering it to splinters.

Kaz doesn't flinch. "Have you considered mating her? It would offer more protection."

I freeze, my chest heaving. "What?"

"Or are you ever going to let her go?" He presses, circling me. "She's in danger here, V."

I lash out, my movements sloppy with rage. Kaz easily sidesteps, continuing, "You haven't even realized it, have you?"

"Realized what?" I snarl, stumbling as I overextend.

Kaz pauses, cocking his head. "That you're in love with her."

I scoff, but the words hit me like a freight train. Love? That's ridiculous. I'm a demon lord, I don't...

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