Page 31 of Caged By the Lich

The next day, I storm into the strategy room, my jaw clenched tight. I'm later than usual, so I'm not surprised that Astrid's already there, poring over maps and documents.

She looks up, a small smile starting to form on her lips. I crush the warmth that tries to bloom in my chest at the sight.

"We need to revise the southern defense plans," I say curtly, not meeting her eyes. I grab a stack of reports, focusing intently on the parchment.

"Oh, of course," Astrid says, her voice faltering slightly. "I was just looking at those. I thought maybe if we--"

"I don't need your input right now," I cut her off sharply. From the corner of my eye, I see her flinch as if I'd struck her. My gut twists, but I force myself to continue. "Just organize these by region. I'll handle the strategy."

I can feel her staring at me, confusion and hurt radiating off her in waves. But I keep my eyes fixed on the documents, ignoring the urge to look at her, to explain, to soften my words.

"Did... did I do something wrong?" Astrid asks quietly, her voice small.

I grit my teeth. "No. Just do as I say."

The silence that follows is deafening. I hear her shuffling papers, her movements stiff and uncertain. Every fiber of my being screams at me to look up, to reassure her. But I can't. I won't.

This is how it has to be. I can't afford to care. I can't afford to feel.

I never should have been so stupid to let a human in.

But as the minutes tick by, each one stretching into an eternity, I find myself stealing glances at her. The furrow in her brow, the downward curve of her lips, the tension in her shoulders – each detail is a dagger in my chest.

What am I doing? Why does this feel so wrong?

I open my mouth, not sure what I'm going to say, but needing to break this suffocating silence. But before I can speak, Astrid stands abruptly.

"I've sorted the reports," she says, her voice carefully controlled. "If you don't need anything else, I'll take my leave."

I should let her go. It's what I wanted, isn't it? To push her away, to reestablish that distance.

But as she turns to leave, panic claws at my throat.

I'm about to let Astrid walk away — even if it is a huge fucking mistake — when Kaz's knock interrupts us. "Sir, Lady Naevia and Lord Vexus have arrived. They're requesting a meeting."

Fuck. Just what I need right now.

"Fine," I growl. "Tell them I'll be there shortly." I turn to Astrid, my voice leaving no room for argument. "You're coming with me."

She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. "That wasn't a request."

As we make our way to the meeting room, I bark orders at Kaz for him and Malakai to join us. By the time the four of us make it to the council room — the one for visitors — the tension in the air is thick enough to choke on.

Lady Naevia and Lord Vexus are already seated when we enter, Bune standing watch with a handful of his guards around the perimeter. Their eyes flick to Astrid, poorly concealed surprise, interest, and disdain on their faces. I ignore it, taking my seat at the head of the table.

"What's so urgent?" I demand, not bothering with pleasantries.

It's not a shock to me when Naevia brings up the southern territories. She's persistent, and the least afraid of me.

We're barely into the discussion when the door slams open. Lord Kravos storms in, his face twisted with rage.

"You dare exclude me from this meeting?" he snarls.

I rise slowly, my patience wearing dangerously thin. "You weren't invited, Kravos. Leave. Now."

But Kravos isn't backing down. His eyes dart to Astrid, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "Still keeping your little pet around, I see. Tell me, V, does she warm your bed as well as she--"

I don't let him finish. My magic lashes out, sending him staggering back with a blow harder than a punch.

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