Villainess on Ice

Chapter 17

“So you think this is a good idea?” Paisley asked as I was dropping my luggage into the trunk of my car.

“It is,” was my only response. Whether it was or wasn’t wasn’t something that was up for discussion.

“Aren’t you going to address what happened? Aren’t you going to stay and try to clear up your name?” She already started her questions. I knew she was worried about me and my refusal to do anything.

“And do what exactly, Paisley? Tell people it’s doctored or fake?” I scoffed at the thought of that. Me doing such a thing.

“No. I won’t, Paisley. I would never stoop myself this low to explain.” I was more angry at the situation than at her. “When have I ever given two f***s about the opinions of others? It’s just the poor, weak and wretched banding together to fight me.” I waved my hand, shooing the thoughts away.

“If it doesn’t affect you then why are you running away?” She stepped closer till we were breaths apart. “I know you, Elara. You don’t have to be strong with me.” Her tone took on a softer approach. I knew what she wanted and I quite frankly did not have the energy to deal with it.

“Paisley, for the last time, I am not running away. I am just taking a break from everything. I will let the school handle this.” I walked over to the driver’s side.

“Then let me come with you,” she spoke so eagerly. I could see the worry written all over her face and body.

“No. You still have to focus on training.” I placed my hand on her lips to silence her next words. “I am currently on suspension so this doesn’t affect me.”

I took out my sunglasses and placed them back on my eyes. For a second I almost told her the truth that I needed space before I did something I would regret. Instead I just shot her one last look, entered the car, and started it. My destination awaited me. I sighed heavily at the drive up ahead.

**

I arrived by late afternoon. The lodge I had booked was expansive. It looked better than I imagined from the brochure quiet, surrounded by trees, far from campus noise and gossip.

I took out my bags and headed inside. This was supposed to be a much-needed relaxing retreat. I checked into my room, dropped my things, and stood there for a moment just breathing. The silence felt strange after everything that had happened.

I got dressed and decided to take a walk around the property to blow off some steam. It was already late evening by the time I stepped outside.

I stood before a pond overlooking the forest, staring at the still water. For the first time in days my mind was quiet enough to think clearly… and that almost made it worse.

“Be careful there,” someone spoke behind me. I turned my face to scowl at him. He did look familiar.

Where had I seen him before?

“I don’t need your help,” I snapped, already turning away. I wasn’t one bit interested in whatever he was speaking on.

He raised his hands as a sign of peace. “No need to get feisty, miss. Just making sure you don’t get hurt.”

Before I could reply, a voice cut me off. “Theo, dinner’s about to start.”

Fuck. Kai. Here too.

I didn’t turn around, hoping he would focus on Winchester, his assistant captain.

“Elara,” Kai called out from behind me.

Maybe if I pretended not to hear he would leave.

But sadly he was persistent. “It is you,” he said, standing in front of me, confirming his assumption.

“What a surprise to see you here, Draven,” I skipped all pleasantries and just went for the throat.

“Likewise,” he nodded at me. He still kept a respectable distance. “If you aren’t too busy, we are about to get ready to have dinner, if you haven’t eaten anything yet of course.”

I should have said no. Every logical part of me said to walk away. But something exhaustion, curiosity, or pure stubbornness stopped me.

“Sure,” I answered, then quickly added, “That’s if you would add me,” to be polite.

He turned and I followed them. They walked until we reached a clearing with more than a dozen other men cooking, cleaning, and arranging plates. They moved in and out of the cabin with easy familiarity.

“Take a seat. Dinner’s about to start.” I did as he instructed, sitting down and watching them.

When they finished they served the dishes and took their seats. Everyone gathered around talking. It felt strangely peaceful. Like a family dinner.

I took a spoonful of the soup I was offered. “So you are the captain’s girlfriend?” the guy seated at my right asked, more like teased, directing it at Kai.

I choked at those words.

“Don’t you guys remember her?” another voice piped up. “She is the girl the captain literally fell for.” They all let out a laugh at that.

“She is from Northridge, right?” another hummed, and they just laughed a bit more.

Surprisingly they didn’t treat me like their enemy. More like somebody they had known for a long time. I didn’t know what to do with that. Part of me stayed on guard. Another part… relaxed against my will.

Dinner ended with them talking and sharing laughs amongst themselves.

It felt nice, if I am being honest. And that unsettled me more than anything.

“Sorry about that. They can be quite the rowdy bunch,” Kai stood by my side as I helped clear the dishes.

“It’s nothing I couldn’t handle,” I waved him off.

“Why don’t I walk you to your room?” He offered. I wanted to refuse at first but changed my mind when I saw how late it was.

“Okay.”

We walked in silence that was neither awkward nor uncomfortable, but it felt like it was waiting for something to be said.

“So what were you doing here?” He asked out of nowhere.

“I am taking a break,” was all I could say. I didn’t want to dive further.

“I actually thought you were here because you missed me,” he teased. I could already picture the smirk on his face as he spoke.

“You wish.” I rolled my eyes at the back of his head. “So what are you doing here?” I asked before I could stop myself.

I wanted to take it back so badly.

“We normally take these trips once every few weeks. It’s more of a bonding exercise. We learn to get to know each other both on and off the rink.” His explanation made sense the more I thought about it.

But then I thought about Damon. I couldn’t help it. He always acted like he was the boss and no one else could touch him. He put on an air of seniority with the rest of his teammates.

While Kai acted like equals with them. It was like night and day.

“We are here,” he said, bringing me out of my thoughts. We were standing in front of my room.

“I saw your key card,” he explained before I could speak.

“Alright. Goodnight—” he started to say before I stopped him.

I don’t know what possessed me. Maybe it was the quiet, or the fact that for once someone wasn’t asking me to explain myself, or pure reckless impulse. I drew him closer and pressed my lips against his.

He stood frozen for a second. Then I gently pulled back and fumbled with the key card.

Opening the door, Kai walked in after me and placed his lips back on mine.

Today I was doing a lot of things I would never have done before.

I didn’t regret it for one second.