CHAPTER TEN

Grave’s pov

“ Couples argue” she said and my smirk deepened.

Nothing less– always with sharp responses and double meanings.

“ Oh! They do?” I asked and her lips moved …but then she kept mute.

It was like whatever she intended to say was stuck in her throat, refusing to slip off.

“ What do you really want?” I asked.

She raised a limb but paused and put it down. My lips tugged up.

Interesting.

“ Let me help you forge Killian into a leader” she said, “ that's all I want”

I smiled, drew closer but she receded.

One step closer earned two steps backwards from her.

Wasn't she all bold minutes ago? Back to being a cute princess so soon?

I stopped trying to get closer, then looked ahead, someone was coming. I returned my gaze to her, “ why ?”

“ Because he is my husband”

“ I find it hard to believe”

“ You don't need to. You just have to agree” she dropped, eyes sharp.

My smile deepened.

“ I ask again. What do you really want?”

Her lips moved then she paused, flashed me a suspicious look, then lowered her eyes, “ I said it all” she dropped.

Interesting!

The princess of my rival empire. The daughter of my long time enemy actually wanted to help my empire have a worthy successor?

I kept a straight face. “ Breakfast?”

Her chest fell, either in frustration or perhaps in anger but her expression was blank. She was trying hard not to let any emotion slip..

For some reason, I felt the need to poke her barrier and break the facade. Break her so bad that she wouldn't dare hide her emotions behind a thick layer of facade.

“ No” she dropped.

My eyes widened–momentarily and dimmed again.

“ Why ?”

“Killian is this way because he drowns himself in self-pity and thinks the world deserves to be at his feet worshipping him without the need to lift a finger” she dropped, not backing down.

“ I'm doing this because I can't stand having a husband that enjoys the company of pity and pleasure rather than hardwork and strength” she added, cheeks flushed.

I walked towards the door as one of my men was already standing there…waiting.

“ Then why do you need my permission?” I asked and she paused. I smirked, she was gaining at something and too bad, I won't let her get to it.

“ Do you perhaps want me to be impressed with your idea? Applaud you ?” I asked, not turning back.

But her silence proved me right.. she was smart. Seems like she realised something. He ran this place and Killian didn't. If she wanted to get at something, it might be through him.

Nothing good could come out of whatever she planned…at least not for him.

“ What do you have for me ?” He asked and the security bowed.

“ A race is held today boss. The bikers invites you to watch with them” he said, his head dipped in a bow.

I nodded and walked away, a piercing stare at my back.

Back at my house, Killian stood in front of the door, still dressed in his night robe.

There was a faint trace of anger hovering around him.

“ Where is she?” He asked and my expression darkened.

I intentionally glanced behind me perhaps to see who he was referring to.

Killian walked up to me. Face cold, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

My anger reached a new height. Crying? He had been crying ?

What a waste of sperm!

“ My mother” he croaked, his voice broken.

My heart clenched.

He grabbed my collar, my expression darkened with that singular action.

“ You left…you left with her. But you–you came back alone” he croaked.

My nose scrunched as his breath brushed past my nose.

He had been drinking?

I pulled his hands off my collar.

“ You have been drinking”I said, pushed him aside and proceeded inside.

He stopped me. Then stumbled closer.

“ My mother–” he said, a trembling mess. “ You killed her” he dropped.

My mood soured. I lifted my hand, slapping him across the cheeks.

Hard!

He let go of me and fell to the floor with an embarrassing thud.

His eyes widened, his eyes cleared of whiskey.

“ Your mother was my wife and I loved her! Why should I kill her?!” I barked and he shrunk.

My eyes flashed with disdain. Eyes burning with anger.

Isabella, my wife. The only woman who actually made my cold heart beat, except she died, too early.

The perpetrator slipping off my fingers. Running off before I could even bat an eyelid.

The search hadn't ended. I’d find the one responsible and when I do, I would pour out my years of sorrow onto them.

I will make them feel every single pain I felt.

My head snapped to my son, I was grateful to Isabella for everything except–him.

I shook my head and walked ahead, then I felt a sharp stare on my back. I paused and turned around.

Lyra, she stood few steps away from him. Her expression unreadable.

“ Do what you must” i said to her, the glanced at Killian.

She pressed out a smile, stiff and unreal then walked away.