Chapter 45 Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Chapter 45
Liora's POV

She actually hated me.
I couldn't even look at her anymore, but I felt her eyes on me.

My chin trembled at the realization. It hit me like a rock.
I suddenly couldn't breathe. I felt hot all over, as my body shook.
I tried so hard to hold it all in.

How far away was the palace? I wasn’t sure I would be able to hold it in.
“I need to get off,” I said softly, as I almost choked on my own words.

“Where-”

I cut her off, “Please, I just need to”

A lone tear escaped from the corner of my eye, and I swiped it off so quickly.

A beat of silence passed.
“Fine” she finally said.

She knocked on the carriage and the horses were pulled to a stop.

I pushed the carriage doors and hastily flew out. She was saying something but they fell on deaf ears.
I just flew and flew, till I couldn’t take it anymore.
I found myself at the Ashfall caves, the one where Kysen and I always trained.

My lips trembled as I broke down as soon as I was inside the cave.
I fell to my knees, and braced myself with my hands digging into the stoned floor, and I cried my lungs out, my screams echoing and bouncing off the cave walls.

Why?! Why did I even have to be born into this family?
I felt like a curse, a burden, a useless thing…

I just wished I never existed.
I wish she wasn’t cursed with me.

I couldn't calm down, the tears just kept rolling down.
I screamed again, letting out everything I had pent up, and it still did not feel enough.

I wasn't just crying, I was sobbing.
I was not sure why my heart hurt so much. But it really did, and I needed it to stop so bad.

“Liora?” A voice called from behind me and I could barely even turn to look.
I dragged myself to my feet and I slowly turned to face him. Kysen.

“Hey, hey… What's wrong?” He asked, as he rushed towards me.
And that was all I heard, before I fell on my knees again, breaking down all over again.

He crouched beside me and he was saying something, but I could barely hear anything over the sound of my own sniffles.
It wasn't until I felt his arms wrap around me, that I finally raised my head to look at him.

The worry on his face would have made me melt into a puddle if I wasn't already a crying wreck.

“What's wrong?” He asked, and it was like a trigger word, as my lips trembled again.
His eyes widened as he looked shocked, probably wondering what he did.
He pulled me into his arms and I folded into his chest like I was made for it, gripping his shirt and staining it with my endless tears.

After soothing me constantly for what felt like hours, I finally calmed down.
He had his back on the wall, with me curled into his arms and my head leaning against his chest.

He finally spoke.
“Do you feel better now?” he asked and I shifted in his arms, before nodding my head softly, barely moving a muscle.
I hated how much of a wreck I probably seemed like.

A few minutes passed in silence again.
“Aren’t you going to ask me?” I finally spoke.

“Ask you?” He asked and I nodded.

“Yeah. About what happened” I said and he hummed in response.

“I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready” he said and I smiled softly, a tiny giggle escaping my lips.

“It’s nice to see you smiling,” he said and I craned my head higher to look at him.
His hand stroked my hair softly.
It was funny, I almost could not believe we were just at each other’s necks.

I sighed, before sitting up and stretching my arms, suddenly feeling more energized.

“I just had a very nice conversation with my mother, that’s all,” I said as I stifled a yawn.
He cocked his head to the side in response.

“Ah… I see” he said, waiting for me to continue, but I wasn’t ready for that. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I was ready to talk about it. Embarrassing was beginning to creep in, and I almost could not believe I was just crying my lungs out some minutes ago.

“So, I’m ugly, huh?” I asked, referring to what he said earlier about me not being pretty.

“I never said that” He clearly knew I was trying to change the topic, but he did not push it and I was so grateful for that.

I looked at him knowingly as he avoided my eyes.
“What did you say then?”

“Uhh…” he trailed off, looking away, before he looked at me again, “Okay, fine. But then, you said I talk too much”

I bit my lips, controlling the smile that threatened to break loose.

He smiled, “But we both know we did not mean any of the things we said”

I finally cracked the smile, before throwing my head back in laughter.
“I still can't believe they bought it. I’ve got to say, you are a really good actor. ‘Your Royal thorn in my side’? How did you even come up with that?!” I said and he chuckled.

“You are an even better one” he said, before leaning forward slightly, “I almost fell for it myself,”

“Oh come on, I wasn't even that good” I argued, as I rolled my eyes.
I smiled, as he reached for me and pulled me closer to himself.

“You’re always good,” he said and I rolled my eyes again, as I tapped his nose playfully. Flirt.

“Who knew you had such a sweet mouth on you?” I said, and he smirked, his eyes falling to my lips.

“There are other things this sweet mouth can do,” he said suggestively and I hummed in response, my eyes falling to his lips.
And memories of last night filled my head again.
Ugh. I still couldn't believe he tricked me.

Before I could say another word, his lips were already on mine, and he was kissing the living daylight out of me.

It was funny. Hating each other at the meeting, only to have our tongues intertwining a few hours later.
But it was necessary.

After snapping out of our lovey dovey session last night, reality dawned on us. So we made a plan.
Whatever we did, we were supposed to act like we hated each other.
And do a damn good job while at it.

And thankfully, we did.
We planned to meet at the Ashfall caves, if everything went well.

But just before he left my room, he managed to trick me. I thought he was going to kiss me… I was ready, eyes closed, lips puckered and all, and at the very last minute, he just chuckled, and kissed my cheek.
I was so red, I was sure I could boil something.

He teased me and then just left.
He tricked me.