Chapter 40: 40 - Seeker

**Drakar**

I was in my favourite lounge between the thirteen different lounges we had in the palace. Staring at the window as I drank freshly brewed green tea.

I had made it a point to stay away from Lysandra to keep myself from hurting her.

I felt his presence next, and my body went rigid. I had asked him to train Lysandra for me because aside from her reaching the full potential of her powers, she needed to learn how to protect herself.

Because I knew I wasn't the only one who had eyes for her because of the mark she bore. 

But I didn't like how close they were getting, and I still wasn't over the fact that she told me she preferred how Ravok treated her over me.

The things I'd do to her, and for her if I wasn't stuck with this pathetic curse. I groaned mentally and squeezed the cup do hard till it broke in my fist.

The shards of the ceramic cup fell to the ground, and even shattered into more pieces. 

I glanced at it, thinking about how pathetic it was that my heart did that when she said “she liked Ravok.”

“Why is the almighty Dragon brooding?” He asked cooly, irritating me further.

I turned to him, and watched as he leaned against the pillar, his arms crossed, and his hair packed in his usual man bun.

“What is it you want to say?” I asked, hoping he would just go straight to the point before I lost my cool.

“I think it is you who has a lot to say.”

“Fine then.” I stood up from the chair, and grabbed another cup before pouring myself more green tea. “I only have one question.”

“Which is?”

“Why are you being so close to her?”

“What the heck do you mean?” His voice is calm. Too calm, and that's the problem. His whole demeanor is calculated, which tells me he's hiding something from me.

"You've been spending a lot of time with Lysandra," I continued, my voice, low and controlled, though there was an undercurrent of something darker. "I thought I made it clear she was mine. What's your involvement with her?"

Ravok didn't flinch, his eyes meeting mine without hesitation. "I'm helping her, Drakar. Just as you asked me to. I'm pushing her toward her potential."

My jaw clenched. He had known Ravok to be a good ally, but with this new, uneasy development, his trust faltered. "Then why did you cancel your last training session with her?

Ravok shifted slightly, his arms still crossed, and seemed far too casual about it. "I felt it again when she stepped onto the training ground," he said aloud, his voice almost absent, as though replaying the sensation in his mind.

The words felt like a kick in the gut. I froze, his body rigid as coldness seeped into his chest. 

It can't be.

His mind rebelled against his instincts. He wasn't going to share her with anyone else. Not now. Not ever.

"Do you think she's the one?" My voice was thick with suspicion.

Ravok didn't answer right away. His eyes darkened, but beneath that, he looked uncertain.

"I don't know," he finally said, the edge in his voice laced with bewilderment. "That is what I haven't been able to make out. I've been training her for several weeks, and it wasn't there before. But when she came to the training ground for training yesterday, I felt the pull again.”

I stepped forward, my mind storming with thoughts. I clenched my fists as I tried not to let the rage well up. 

"If she's the one that you felt earlier, then why haven't you felt it since you've been training with her? Ponder on that.” I replied and took a gentle sip of my tea. 

I needed to stay put and calm the jealousy I felt. Even though I was suspicious of him, Ravok knew his limits. 

His gaze fell, and a dry laugh escaped his lips, carrying no humour. "I don't have an answer for that. But when she walked in yesterday. it was different. And I don't understand why it didn't happen sooner."

" Hmm… " I hummed in response, taking another sip.

I could feel his gaze on me, curious and determined. It was as if he was collecting his thoughts then he spoke, his voice calculated. 

"You seem calmer than what I would have expected.”

I smirked. “Because I don't think she's your mate.”

Ravok's expression changed, and his eyes went colder. “Or perhaps, you're trying to hide the fact that you're scared I'll take her from you, the same way you took Zorya from me."

I bristled at the implication. "I am not threatened." My voice was steel, though my patience was wearing. "What the heck are you even talking about? I didn't take anything. You lost her. Don't blame me for that."

Ravok didn't flinch, his eyes never leaving Drakar's. "Never mind," he muttered, pushing off from the pillar. "It's not worth discussing.

“I won't repeat myself, what do you mean by I took Zorya from you?”

Ravok shook his head, and scoffed. “Nothing.” He muttered and then left.

I watched him leave, wondering what he was hiding from me. I wasn't sure how I'd react if it turned out to be that he was the one who kept Lysandra away from me all these years.

“What is your plan Ravok?” I whispered as I stared at the place he was standing a couple minutes earlier. 

He has been acting suspicious since he came, and I just hoped for his sake that he wasn't planning anything that was going to hurt Lysandra, because I wouldn't tolerate that.

Deciding to not let my curiosity eat me up, I performed a small spell and summoned a seeker bird. 

With the bird between my palms, I stood in from of the window, hands outstretched as I said, “Seeker bird, I call unto thee. Show me, who all this while, has kept Lysandra from me.”