Page 63 of Caged By the Lich

"You have to let him work this out on his own," Malakia hisses, and all the footfalls behind me stop. I don't turn around as the two keep arguing.

I'm going to get my girl back. One way or another she'll be mine.

29

ASTRID

Isee Olvaar before he notices me, his imposing figure cutting a stark silhouette against the crimson sky. My heart skips a beat, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. He's on foot, magic rippling off of him…

And he's headed for my father's home.

"Wait!" I shout to the driver. "Stop!"

The carriage comes to a stop, and I jump out. All I can think about is getting back to him, and he spots me the second I am out on foot. As I draw closer, his eyes lock onto mine, swirling with a tempest of emotions - blue and red and orange and purple flooding his gaze until I can't see anymore gray.

"Astrid," he growls, and he sounds pissed. "You're coming home. Now."

The command in his tone is unmistakable, leaving no room for argument. His jaw clenches, hands balling into fists at his sides. "I'm not letting you go again. You hear me? I don't care what you want. You belong with me."

I can see the fear behind his possessiveness, the raw vulnerability he's trying so hard to mask with aggression. It makes my heart ache.

"If you want to go somewhere," he continues as I keep walking. "I'll take you there. But you are staying with me."

Instead of arguing or pulling away, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "You stupid demon," I murmur, closing the distance between us.

Before he can react, I reach up and pull him into a tender kiss. His body goes rigid with surprise, clearly thrown off by my response. When I pull back, his eyes are wide, swirling with confusion and a spark of hope.

"Olvaar," I say softly, cupping his face in my hands. "I am coming home. Can't you see that?" I hold his gaze, willing him to understand. "I'm yours. I've been yours for a long time now."

Olvaar's expression softens, the storm in his eyes calming as he processes my words. His large hands come up to cup my face, the touch surprisingly gentle for someone so powerful.

"You're mine," he says. "And I'll make damn sure everyone knows it."

Before I can respond, he sweeps me up into his arms. I let out a surprised laugh, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. The sudden shift leaves me breathless, but I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

"What are you doing?" I ask, though I'm not really protesting.

Olvaar doesn't answer, just starts walking purposefully towards the carriage I'd just left. His grip on me is firm but careful, like I'm something precious he's afraid to break.

"We're going home," he says gruffly, but I can hear the undercurrent of relief in his voice.

As he carries me, I study his face. The tightness around his eyes has eased, replaced by a look of determination and... something else. Something softer that makes my heart skip a beat.

We reach the carriage, and Olvaar somehow manages to open the door without putting me down. He steps inside, ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the frame, and finally sets me on my feet.

The carriage starts moving as soon as the door closes behind us. Olvaar takes a seat, pulling me down beside him. His arm wraps around my waist, holding me close as if he's afraid I might disappear.

"You came for me," I say softly, leaning into his side. Maybe I shouldn't find it so endearing that he refused to do what he thought I was asking for, but I don't care. I love that he wants me this much.

He grunts, his fingers tightening on my hip. "Couldn't let you go," he admits gruffly. "You're mine, little rebel. Don't forget it."

I smile, resting my head on his shoulder. "I won't," I promise. "I'm all yours, Olvaar. And I told you I wasn't leaving you."

"I love you," he whispers. My head jerks up to find a fully purple gaze on mine. I had suspected that's what the color meant for a while, but now I know. "I just want you to know. It's not about possession or your father or anything else. I couldn't let you go, Astrid, because I love you. And I can't live without you."

I turn so that I can straddle him and cup his face. "I love you, Olvaar. I want to be wherever you are, and there is nothing on the planet that could keep me away from you."

His hands splay across my back, pulling me in for a deep kiss. I let him devour me, pulling me tight against him, but when his tongue flicks out to part my lips, I pull back.

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