Page 51 of Caged By the Lich

"Astrid!" Athena sobs, clinging to me like I might disappear. "Oh gods, I've missed you so much."

I can't speak, can barely breathe through the lump in my throat. I just hold her tighter, burying my face in her hair. She smells like home - like the lavender soap we used to make together, like summer nights and shared secrets.

We sink to the ground, neither willing to let go. I don't know how long we stay like that, crying and laughing in turns. Finally, Athena pulls back just enough to study my face.

"Are you okay?" she asks, her voice thick with worry. "Has he hurt you?"

The guilt I've been trying to ignore crashes over me. I shake my head, unable to meet her eyes. "No, Thena. I'm... I'm fine."

She doesn't look convinced. "Father's been so worried. We all have. He's... he's not well, Astrid. The stress, the political fallout from your abduction - it's taking a toll on him."

My stomach twists. "How bad is it?"

Athena's eyes fill with fresh tears. "Bad. He's aged years in just these few months. And the other demon lords, they're circling like vultures. Now that V-" I hate the way she spits his name. "Have made the others think he's weak... Father's struggling to keep everything together."

Each word is like a dagger to my heart. I've been here, safe and... and falling for Olvaar, while my family suffers. The guilt threatens to choke me.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, though the words feel woefully inadequate. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

Athena squeezes my hand. "It's not your fault. That monster took you. We just... we need you home, Astrid. Father needs you. Can you escape? I can help-"

I cut her off, panic rising in my chest. "No! I mean... it's complicated, Thena. I can't just leave."

She pulls back, her brows furrowing. "What do you mean you 'can't just leave'? I get that he won't let you, but I can help you escape. I'm not saying ask him."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I never thought I'd have. "Thena, it's... it's not that simple. I can't just leave because..." I trail off, struggling to find the right words.

Athena cocks her head, clearly confused. "Why not? What's holding you here?"

Her innocent question breaks something inside me. The dam I've built around my feelings crumbles, and suddenly, I can't stop the words from pouring out.

"It's Olvaar," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. "I... I have feelings for him."

Athena's eyes widen in shock. "What? Astrid, he kidnapped you! He's our enemy!"

"I know, I know," I say, running a hand through my hair. "Trust me, I've told myself that a thousand times. But it's not that simple anymore. He's... changed. Or maybe I've changed. I don't know."

I look at my sister, pleading for understanding. "At first, I hated him. I was so angry, so scared. But then... things started to shift. He began to include me in his work, to value my opinion. I saw a different side of him, Thena. He's not just the monster we thought he was."

Athena listens, her expression a mix of concern and growing comprehension. I can see she's trying to reconcile the sister she knew with the woman sitting before her now.

"I didn't mean for it to happen," I continue, my voice thick with emotion. "But somewhere along the way, I started to care for him." Fuck, I think I love him, but I'm not telling my sister that. I'll keep that buried down with the great sex we've had. "And I think... I think he cares for me too. It's more than just political maneuvering now. It's real."

I look down at my hands, twisting in my lap. "I know it sounds crazy. I know you probably think I've lost my mind. But being here, seeing a different side of demon society, working alongside Olvaar... it's changed me, Thena. I'm not the same person I was when I left home."

When I finally gather the courage to meet Athena's gaze again, I'm surprised to see not judgment, but a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

Athena's eyes soften as she sees the turmoil written across my face. She squeezes my hands gently, her touch a balm to my frayed nerves.

"It's okay, Astrid," she murmurs, her voice soothing. "I can see you're struggling with this. I won't pretend to understand everything, but I can see how much you're hurting." She gives me a small smile. "And I can tell you're different. If you say he's different…Well, I can tell your feelings are genuine."

I feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Thena. I never meant for any of this to happen."

She shakes her head, pulling me into another hug. "Don't apologize. You didn't ask for this situation. I'm just glad I got to talk to you this time."

Her words make me cringe as I remember how Olvaar kept Athena away before. The guilt gnaws at me anew, knowing how much that must have hurt my sister.

"I won't tell anyone I was here," Athena says, pulling back to look me in the eye. "It's clear you have a lot to think through, and I don't want to make things harder for you."

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