Page 17 of Caged By the Lich

V chuckles, a low sound that sends unwelcome heat pooling in my stomach. "And yet, here you are. Caught at last."

"For now," I counter, unable to keep the challenge from my tone.

His eyes darken, swirling with something dangerous. "You really think you can outmaneuver me, little rebel?"

I lean back, forcing nonchalance. "I think you'd be surprised at what I'm capable of."

That night,I toss and turn in the luxurious bed, my mind refusing to quiet. The silk sheets feel cool against my skin, but I can't shake the heat that lingers from dinner. V's words echo in my head, his deep voice replaying like a maddening loop.

"You're more observant than I gave you credit for."

I growl in frustration, punching my pillow. Why does that feel like a compliment? I shouldn't care what he thinks of me. He's my captor, my enemy. The man who tore me from my home and family.

And yet...

The way his eyes had flashed with interest when I challenged him, the curve of his lips as he smirked at my retorts. It was... exhilarating. For once, I felt like someone was actually seeing me, not just Ilreth's human daughter or a political pawn.

"Dammit," I mutter, sitting up and running a hand through my tangled hair. This is dangerous thinking. V is brilliant, yes, but he's also ruthless. I can't forget the stories I overheard, the casual cruelty he's capable of. Or that I am just that to him.

I'm a pawn.

But then I remember the intensity in his gaze as we verbally sparred, the way he leaned in, genuinely engaged in our conversation. It was so different from the dismissive treatment I usually receive from other demons. V actually listened.

And not once did he bring up my father.

I flop back onto the bed, groaning in frustration. This is insane. I need to focus on escaping, not... whatever this is. I can't let myself be drawn in by V's charisma, no matter how magnetic it might be.

But as I close my eyes, trying to force sleep, all I can see is the way V's shirt clung to his broad shoulders, the elegant line of his throat as he tipped back his wine glass. My body betrays me, a low throb of desire pulsing between my thighs.

"No," I whisper fiercely, clenching my fists. I will not give in to this. V is the enemy. My captor. I need to remember that, no matter how intriguing he might be.

I roll onto my side, staring at the moonlight filtering through the curtains.Tomorrow, I tell myself.Tomorrow I'll redouble my efforts to escape. I'll find a way out of this gilded cage, away from V and these confusing, traitorous feelings.

But as sleep finally claims me, I can't quite banish the memory of V's knowing smirk, or the warmth that blooms in my chest at the thought of matching wits with him again.

8

OLVAAR

Istride through the halls of my fortress, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. My mind races with plans and strategies, but one thought keeps pushing its way to the forefront: Astrid.

The human girl continues to surprise me. I'd expected her to crumble under the weight of captivity, to become a broken shell I could mold to my will. Instead, she's adapting, evolving. It's... intriguing.

I pause outside her chamber, listening. The guards report she's been quiet today, engrossed in some books from the library. My lips twitch. Of course she'd found her way there. I've practically run out of chores to throw at her.

And maybe I should allow her more movement around the castle. Just to see what she does. I'd have to speak with the staff about monitoring her access more closely.

Entering without knocking – this is my domain, after all – I find her curled up in a chair, nose buried in a hefty tome on demon law. She doesn't even look up.

"Light reading?" I drawl, crossing my arms.

Her eyes flick to me, a flash of emerald fire. "Just brushing up on my rights as a political hostage. Did you know there areseventeen different clauses regarding the treatment of human captives?"

I can't help but smirk. "Sixteen, actually. The seventeenth was struck down two decades ago."

She snaps the book shut, a triumphant gleam in her eye. "I know. I was testing you."

For a moment, I'm caught off guard. She'd baited me, and I'd fallen for it. A grudging respect blooms in my chest, quickly quashed by irritation. I won't be outsmarted by a human, no matter how clever.

---