Lyra's POV
The ache in my head suddenly subsided, dimming gradually to a gentle pain—receding to some distant corner of my skull. My fever burned away also, the heat that claimed my body shifting to a rather dull coldness that made it easier to move my fingers, my limbs, and then the whole of me. And my eyes snapped open.
I sat up, feeling the cushion around me. I was on a bed. A rather large bed, just like all the beds in Draziel's castle.
Draziel leaned his head to me, his face framed in a gentle smile.
I felt the muscles of my face stretch for a smile, infected by his. He had always had command of my body, even when he wasn't even trying—even with just a smile. My eyes strayed slightly over his head, and they fell on—Varin. The bastard.
I watched his massive back and broad neck retreating from the room, and my smile slipped fast into a frown. Memories of what he'd done to my Draziel flashed in my mind. How he'd cruelly betrayed Draziel, stolen everything from him, and almost had him killed. Just thinking of all that made my fingers fold into thick fists, quivering beside me on the bed, hungry for his blood.
Adrenaline flooded my weak veins, heating them so badly—though I was deadly weak, I had no idea when I was jumping off the bed, charging murderously for him.
I aimed my only weapon right now—my fingernails—at him, flying to latch onto his back and cut and scratch his neck. He vanished before I could reach him, teleporting away from me.
Without his back to latch onto anymore, I was like a flightless bird in the air, succumbing instantly to gravity. For a moment, I thought I could land well, then I remembered my last reincarnation was a helpless bar-girl and not a warrior. Hell. I was doomed. I was going to crash to the ground.
Strong arms latched onto my waist before I could hit the ground, pulling me fast to the sturdy yet comfortable body. I recognized the earthy scent even before my eyes snapped up to stare into his eyes, the warmth of his arms soaking around me, keeping me steady on my feet—Draziel.
I wanted to relax into his arms, feel them wrap further around me with as much love as they always do, and soak away my worries as always. But he pushed me away, a frown staining his face, a bitter twist seizing his lips. It was as if I reminded him of something he hated, as if I was garbage that his kingly sight should never behold.
I staggered for a moment until I regained my footing.
"I am sorry, human," he said, turning away from me completely.
I wasn't sure. But I thought he didn't want me to glimpse something in his eyes.
If all he had done was push me away, then his apology would have sufficed. But no amount of apology could ease the nagging and throbbing ache that squeezed my heart so tight it stole my breath.
Varin suddenly appeared before me, just as I reclaimed my breath. It came in a rush. I had to press my palm hard on my chest to guide it. "How dare you attempt to attack me, you weak creature?" his voice scathing, his eyes like fire as they pinned me down.
I would never be afraid of him. "I dared to because of the bastard that you are. I will never let you harm Draziel again." I raised my head high, my eyes leveling with his, holding his hate.
"How dare you, human, talk back at me?" he snarled.
He seemed like he expected me to cower from fear. When I didn't, he rode back with his superhuman speed and his large body—the next moment, I was slamming hard against a wall with a thud that resounded in the room. Pain whacked my back at the collision. I groaned, biting hard on my lips as the pain threatened to tear down my back.
"There is a hierarchy in this universe, and you, human, are the lowest of the low. You should talk to me with respect, or I will have to kill you faster than time ever will."
"I can never treat a betrayer with respect." I responded, my head still held high and defiant. I would never cower to his threat.
"You bitch," he grunted, his jaw rattling noisily, just as he lifted his hand high, throwing it fast for my face.
My head whipped to the side by reflex, my eyes crunched tight, expecting the sting of his large palm against my face—it never came.
I flipped my eyes open, and Draziel was beside us, holding onto Varin's thick hand mid-air.
"That's enough, Varin. This human is my guest, and she also has to be treated with some level of respect." Draziel told him calmly, though there was a slight edge to his voice that sort of betrayed that calm. He flung Varin's hand back to his side.
A darker flush seized Varin's face as he turned to Draziel.
I couldn't tell what he saw in Draziel's face—a silent order, a command, or an implied threat. But the muscles and veins straining against his face and neck suddenly calmed, and he bowed. "I am sorry, my King. But I would suggest you tame your pet; with her attitude, it wouldn't take her long to catch up with death faster in here."
He jerked his gaze to me for a brief glance, letting me glimpse all of the hate in his dark, soulless eyes. Then he turned, huddling his large body in the direction of the door.
I turned fast to Draziel, my body trembling under the burden of all the information of Varin's betrayal and Zarek's eternal and deadly hatred. I had to warn him about Varin and Zarek. Warn him about everything.
I lunged to grab his robe, but he teleported from my reach.
He looked down with a stare so plain, it stopped me cold when I attempted to move to him again. "Zarek would have the maids help you prepare a cold bath to relieve your fever, and I expect you to get enough sleep after that," he announced casually, his tone firm. Then in another blink of an eye, he had disappeared from the room, leaving me with just Zarek.
Zarek gave me a friendly grin as he strolled carefully to me. He wasn't the evil version. Yet, that was who I saw, strolling closer and closer to me—coming to take my life again. I found myself growing weak from the knee up, my feet dragging backwards as I slowly retreated from his approaching frame. My heart kept pounding against my chest, its unsteady beat equally pounding against my ears, drowning out every other sound.
My gaze flitted across the room—jumping everywhere—fast, eagerly—hunting for a weapon. My eyes fell on a large flower vase beside me, and I snatched it with both hands, heaving it high to crash it against his head.