Chapter 9: A Dangerous Bargain

Caspian’s POV

The next morning, I rushed to the meeting point where we were set to begin the day’s tour. The air was refreshing, touched by the golden light of dawn, and I moved with my usual quiet energy, steady, focused. I was deep in my thoughts about the last events. Honestly, I did not expect Mira to find her mate, but it did not change my plan as I have invest years in it and my future was on the stake. We do sacrifice a lot for love.

That’s when I saw her. 

Lady Liora.

The violet-eyed beauty glided toward me in dressed elegantly and seducing, her presence was impossible to ignore. Her gaze carried that knowing, dangerous sparkle I didn’t like. Regardless of her beauty, I could see through her, straight to her rotten soul. She was not the person I wanted to be friends with, but could not afford her to be my enemy neither.

“Lady Liora,” I said with a nod, forcing a polite smile. “Always a pleasure.”

“Lord Capians. Such a fine morning. Shall we walk together?” she asked smiling, not waiting for an answer before falling into step beside me and lopping her hand in the crook of my elbow. “I am happy seeing you now, we have quite a bit to discuss. A witch and a warlock always find common ground.”

Her words made my stomach tighten. My steps faltered for a fraction of a second.If she knew my real identity, what else could she possible know.

 “Excuse me?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.

“Oh, don’t play dumb.” Her voice dipped, soft and sharp like a blade’s edge. “Did you really think I’d believe that poor-little-dragon story which you fed everyone? The poor little orphan dragon who couldn’t shift? All this drama just to get closer to one little amber eyed princess.” She leaned closer, her violet eyes gleaming like polished gems. “I can feel it your magic, humming under your skin. Tell me… does your precious princess know?”

“Of course not,” I whispered, my jaw tightening. “And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

Liora gave a low, amused hum, tilting her head as if she were sizing me up. “Pity. Because my silence… doesn’t come for free and you know, I am greedy..very greedy.”

I shot her a wary glance, my heart sinking. She wasn’t bluffing. And I had no choice but play along.

“I’m curious,” she continued, her voice smooth like silk. “What’s your role in all this? A forgotten royal bastard? A bitter ex-lover? Or just a dear friend hoping to be something more?”

“None of it,” I said quickly, trying to keep my tone even. “Just a friend who cares about her.”

“How sweet,” she murmured, mocking me with that wicked little smile. “So sweet that you bound her powers. Don’t look so surprised. I know exactly what that precious amber ring does-it’s keeping her magic locked away.”

My blood ran cold. She knows. She could expose me any minute. I hated how volunurable I felt fully in mercy of the sly witch.

Liora’s smile widened. “Let’s make a deal. We take a little walk…and discuss how can we be useful for each other. I suggest you to agree, or I go straight to the princess with everything I’ve uncovered.”

She stepped closer, her perfume sharp and sweet, her voice dropping to something playful yet predatory. “Come now. I won’t bite.” A pause, her lips curving with amusement. “Not yet.”

With no real choice, I followed her. She flicked her fingers, a faint shimmer in the air wrapping around us as a silencing spell cut the rest of the world away.

If Liora tells Mira the truth about me… I might lose her forever.

Liora’s lips curved into a slow, poisonous smile. “You’re going to help me, Caspian,” she whispered, her voice like silk over steel. “Whether you want to or not.”