I stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that happened during these two years. How I even became the Winter Wolf.
Well it all started in Veragon, where I stole a certain rare magical item from the queen's treasury, wearing a winter coat and a wolf's mask. Which was surprisingly easy for a royal treasury. Anyways, after that, I stole other rare items randomly from each kingdom—because I just couldn't resist. In my defense, they were mostly stored away and collecting dusts. So I used them for my protection lest I get seriously injured or die in the process of Elaine's missions. Ever since then, I was tagged the Winter Wolf.
Have I killed anyone during this period? Definitely a no. That's where I draw the line. I grew up hating violence but also knowing it was required in a world like this. But I'm not going to kill even if I'm in a dire situation. Hunting is one thing, but taking another human's life? That's an entirely different thing. But Elaine is an exception, she made me realize that.
I do my best to avoid any form of violence as much as possible. Learning how to swiftly evade guards, training only with magical beasts mostly because they're stronger and scarer than me. So far, it's been working out well.
But I'm curious though, how Elaine knew the golden heart was in Al'mera. As far as I know, all golden hearts came from every kingdom except El-horn. But it's like she had predicted them to be in Al'mera this time. And she predicted right.
I heard a soft knock on the door before it opened. Elaine entered—hands folded behind her back as usual. I closed my eyes, ignoring her.
"You missed dinner," she stated casually.
"Don't I always?" I replied, nonchalantly.
For reasons I never understood, she made a point of having me fetched for dinner every night—personally or through a servant. At first I refused, until I couldn't bother to reply anymore.
She hummed and drifted around the room, then paused, "Why do I get the feeling your girlfriend might become a problem?" I heard her say, almost idly.
My eyes snapped open. In one motion I was on my feet, dagger in hand. Before she could register the movement, I pinned the blade to her throat and shoved her against the wall. My face hovered a breath away from hers. But beneath the fury was something else. Something deeper—fear.
"We had a deal. You leave Isha out of this, and I would do whatever you asked," I said, low and hard. The blade only a few inches away from her neck.
Elaine didn't flinch. She watched me with the same calm, indifferent expression she wore for everything. "That's a bold and risky move, Kira," she observed.
Bold and risky, yes. Foolish and dangerous, certainly. I mean she was a sorceress for crying out loud. Even I knew how reckless it was. She could end me without the flick of a finger.
But still, the thought of her discovering Isha's identity—then using me as a roadblock to get to her, made my hands go white around the hilt. Isha wasn't ready for that kind of fight. And I wouldn't let it happen. Not if I could help it.
"The villagers were right about you," I spat, hatred sharpening my voice. "I was foolish to even think you would keep your word."
Her expression darkened instantly, waves of anger in her eyes. The next thing I knew she reversed our positions, slamming me against the wall—her aura menacing. I've never seen her this angry before. . .and it scared the shit out of me.
"You have no idea who I am," she rasped, her voice dangerously low. It was the first time she had ever been openly aggressive with me.
For a split second—just a flash—I caught something familiar I recognized as pain in her eyes. It vanished so quickly it might have been my imagination. But still, enough to make me freeze.
I found myself looking at her differently, and for the first time, noticing her. There was something broken in her gaze I'd never seen before. The fear I initially felt melted into something else, something curious and unbearably close.
"Then tell me," I whispered before I could stop myself, drawn to her in a way that was inexplicable. My violet eyes hypnotized by her deep, ocean blue ones. "Who. . .are you?"
She hesitated, slightly caught off guard. We stood silently for a while. Her eyes searching mine, and mine mesmerized by hers.
Emotions flickered across her usually impassive face. She looked at me as if I were someone very familiar. In a way that made my heart thud like never before. . .not even with Isha.
With a noticeable effort, she turned around wordlessly and started to leave.
I didn't think, a strange feeling overcoming me. I reached out and stopped her immediately. "Don't go…please."
Something inside her broke at that. She moved fast, closed the distance, and her lips crashed into mine. I froze. The world shrank to that single, impossible pressure. Silence screamed in my ears.
Then I felt it, a sensation like no other. Her kiss did something to me. Sparked something in me. Something passionate. . .and beautiful. I should've pushed her away. I should be angry and push her away. . .but I couldn't move. I just couldn't. It was like I had lost the ability to.
She pulled back, breathless and realizing "I-I'm sorry, I—"
I didn't let her finish. I grabbed her neck and kissed her again, harder, craving that spark. Reflex and want eclipsed reason. It was like a drug; and I felt myself becoming addictive. Part of me knew it was wrong—that I was supposed to hate her, that she'd wrecked everything I loved and spun my world out of my control. But hate and desire braided into a violent need I couldn't deny.
Somewhere inside me I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't control it. I couldn't control me. She's the only person who triggers these conflicting emotions inside me. Who pulled parts of me that I never knew existed, just right. I know I shouldn't, and yet I pulled her closer.
This time she pulled away and held a little distance, but didn't look away. For a heartbeat I saw a different version of her; bright, smiling, almost unguarded. Beautiful beyond anything I've ever seen. Then the image vanished and reality snapped back. My chest ached with something I didn't have the words for.
"We should stop…before you regret it," she whispered, voice small. And it was the first clear thought that reached me.
What have I done?
"What have I done?" I echoed, stumbling back. My vision swam. I'd kissed her. Or she'd kissed me. What the hell did I do? I was supposed to hate her, to want her dead. She ruined my life. I do hate her. I wanted to kill her. . .so why did I kiss her instead?
She watched me like someone reading the aftermath of a storm. Regret and self-loathing sketched themselves across my face. She lowers her eyes and gave a sad, knowing smile.
"You should go back to bed," she said finally, the cool, distant mask sliding back into place. "Your missions continue tomorrow."
She moved toward the door as if nothing had happened, leaving me confused and battling with my emotions. Then she paused, looked back, and spoke once more.
"And I never go back on my word, Kira."
She left, and the door shut on the two of us and whatever had passed between us.