Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Liora’s POV

His words got caught in his throat, likely hanging just below the dagger that was now pressed on his throat.

Everyone gasped.

Within that one second, I had managed to go around him, wrap my arm around his throat, and put him in a chokehold, carefully avoiding using my twisted wrist.

And then, I pressed the dagger against his neck with my good hand.

Of course I was flying, there was no way I could hold his neck without flying. I refuse to admit I'm that short. He was just that tall.

I felt his entire body movement change. He tensed, and he slowly swallowed, his throat bobbing against the dagger.

“Al- Altharos, what are you doing?” He asked and I moved closer to his ear.

“Considering slitting your throat.” I said, calmly.

“Why? Scared?” I asked and he clenched his jaw.

“You really don’t have to do this. I was just messing around with you,” he said and I laughed.

“That’s not what you were saying a minute ago,” I said, watching with glee as his breathing grew heavier.

“Do you now know that thing you don’t know about me?” I asked, referring back to my initial statement.

“That you have powers?” He asked and I scoffed.

“No, stupid. It's that, no matter what you say about me or do to me, the one thing you should never do is touch me,” I said, anger brewing hotter, as I pressed the dagger further against his skin.

He gasped.

“I- I’m sorry, please, don’t-” he started to beg, but I didn’t want to hear it.

“Shut up!”

The more he spoke, the more irritated I got.

Or was it Vyrmoth? Or was it both of us? At that moment, I couldn’t even differentiate our emotions from each other.

Memories of the things he had done to me in the past flooded my head, and my hands started to tremble slightly from how angry I was getting.

“Altharos, please-”Henrik begged again, “Somebody, stop her,” he said to the watching crowd.

No one dared come close.

“Take one step, and he’s dead,” I threatened, just in case anyone wanted to try.

The dagger broke his skin and a tiny trail of blood ran down the silver blade, and his breathing grew even more laboured.

As soon as I saw that, I tried to control my anger, but I couldn't. I knew it was Vyrmoth’s strength that was taking over, since anger triggers it. I struggled against myself to stop, scared that I would actually hurt him.

But I was also conscious of the fact that the minute I let go of him, I'll be done for.

I did not think this far ahead. My anger was getting out of control.

Dear Green, send help.

Like my prayer was actually heard, help appeared like a miracle.

“Liora!” he yelled, as he pushed through the crowd to get to me.

I knew that voice anywhere, even in my sleep. Kysen Dravon. I have never been happier to hear his voice.

“Let him go,” he said calmly.

“I- I can’t” I said.

He blinked in confusion, before his eyes met mine, and he studied them. I felt like he could see the whole of me. At that moment, I felt so naked, so bare.

“I really can’t,” I whispered, my voice breaking slightly.

I literally couldn’t, and I knew he saw that. He figured it out.

Hot tears brimmed my eyes, but I fought against them.

No way I was going to cry in front of these spoiled brats.

Kysen moved closer to us, slowly, but with determination in his steps.

He moved even closer to me, closing the gap between us completely.

He wrapped his arms around mine and held the hand that had the dagger in it, softly but at the same time, firmly.

Merely the way his skin grazed mine, was more than enough to make my anger dissipate slowly.

“Breathe,” he whispered lightly in my ear, and like an actual spell, I breathed.

In, out. In out…

And just like that, I was fine again.

My hands grew weak and the dagger slipped out of it. Kysen caught it swiftly.

As predicted, the minute my hand loosened around his neck, Henrik grabbed me, right by the hand that was sprained and yanked me forward harshly.

I winced, as I reached for my wrist reflexively.

“You crazy bit-” Before he could complete his statement, Kysen punched it back into his throat.

Henrik grunted, stumbling backwards before falling down.

“Never lay your hands on her again!” Kysen warned him, his tone clearly showing he was pissed.

Henrik spat out blood, before glaring at me. He was no match for Kysen and he knew it. Who could even take Kysen on, everyone feared his presence.

His supposed friends moved to help him back on his feet but he pushed them off, and dragged himself up, before storming off like some stubborn kid.

“Get to your classes. Now!” He yelled, and everyone dispersed like scared little children. Well, I mean, they were.

“Are you okay?” He asked, as soon as he turned to me.

I sighed, “Yeah, I'm fine. I just… Thank you…”

I honestly didn't know what else to say. I was trying to hold myself together, but I felt like I was falling apart.

“You're hurt,” he said, his eyes trained on my now reddened wrist, as he reached out to hold it.

“I'll be fine,” I said, as I pulled my hand back like he was going to burn me or something.

If the act made him feel bad, he didn't show it.

“Don't be stubborn, Liora” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument, as he managed to reach for and hold my hand. I didn't fight back this time, I barely even had the energy for it.

He carefully assessed my wrist, “That looks like it hurts,”

“It’s fine,” Big lie. “I can treat it myself later.”

Well, that part was true. Like I said, I knew everything from almost every section of the fae-folk. I learnt everything, and yet, I belonged nowhere.

Kysen gave me a knowing look, “Come on, let's get you to the infirmary,”

Without even waiting for my response, he turned a

round, and pulled me along with him.

I followed without a word.