Subjected Power ( Fire and Ice )

Betrayal With Deceit

"Let's make breakfast," he said.

I stared, intrigued. "What's on the menu?"

"Anything you want," he replied.

I nodded, and we both stood.

He led me to a door, revealing a sleek kitchen. I marveled; this mysterious prince had a private kitchen.

He expertly prepared ingredients, chopping and dicing with precision. I sat on the cabinet, watching.

As he cooked, the aroma filled the air. Finally, he presented me with a beautifully plated dish.

I smiled, touched by his thoughtful gesture.

As I savored each bite of the spaghetti, I couldn't help but salivate. He watched me intently, a silent observer.

"You aren't eating ?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine," he replied, rising from his seat. He departed for the main room, leaving me alone.

Unbeknownst to me, a dark presence stirred within. Suddenly, I felt an eerie voice whispering in my mind.

"Lavender," it called, "I told you to kill him. Instead, you're having fun with him. This is your problem – you're naive. You think all men can love you. Before it's too late, kill him, or I'll eliminate you."

"Don't betray me," the voice warned. "I won't warn you again."

Shaken, I gathered myself and sat up. He stared at me intently.

"Was I talking?" I wondered. "Did he hear anything?"

"Are you possessed?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

I turned away, avoiding his gaze. He must have seen something.

I stood, leaving the food behind, and walked to his main room. He followed.

"I want to visit outside the castle," I said.

He nodded. "I'll prepare Derek to accompany you."

"I want to go alone," I insisted.

"Why?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

"I want to leave this palace," I declared. "I've decided not to stay anymore."

"You don't have the right to keep me," I declared, walking away.

I wore the same clothes from the first day I met Derek. As I reached the gate, the guards allowed me to pass. I glanced around, taking one last look.

That's when I saw him – Derek, staring at me with an expression of betrayal. But I didn't care; I walked through the gate, leaving him behind.

The moment my feet stepped out of the gate, a massive surge of power swirled around me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I vanished.

As I materialized in the forest, a stinging slap struck me. I knew instantly it was Amanda.

"How dare you, Lavender?" she seethed. "How dare you betray me? After all I've endured for you, you're handed the perfect opportunity, and yet you squander it. He wants you, he seeks you, and instead of killing him, you indulge in frivolous games."

I met her gaze, unwavering. "I'm waiting for the right moment to strike. Give me time, Amanda."

Her eyes blazed with fury. "You've had ample time, yet you're swayed by womanly affections. I have eyes and ears within the palace. You can't deceive me."

"You've spent three consecutive days with him, even sleeping in his room, yet you've achieved nothing, Lavender!" Amanda thundered. "I want him dead!"

"How can we be certain he's the one?" I asked, seeking reassurance. "What if I'm being deceived? He has guards, Amanda."

"He's the one, Lavender," Amanda insisted. "You've unlocked his powers, allowing him to move and be seen. That's why he wants you – he doesn't need you. Don't be fooled, girl."

"I've heard you, Amanda," I replied firmly. "Give me time, and I'll accomplish my task flawlessly."

Amanda's gaze pierced mine. "I trust you, Lavender, but your heart has already been swayed."

Before I knew it, I found myself on the floor, lost in thought, the moment Amanda departed. Her words lingered, echoing in my mind. Though they seemed plausible, I refused to believe them.

I pitied the prince; his life of seclusion evoked sadness. In the time I'd known him, he hadn't shown a malicious side. Beneath his cold exterior, I sensed a special spot, a glimmer of warmth.

Amanda's desire for his demise puzzled me. What were their differences? What past conflicts had sparked her hatred? I wondered.

Why must I settle her scores? I thought. My own revenge beckoned, yet I found myself entangled in Amanda's vendetta. I would have fled, but my word bound me.I decided to go back to the palace.

I entered my room, he swiftly closed the distance between us. His lips brushed against mine, but I pushed him away. Undeterred, he attempted to kiss me again, his persistence unwavering. I stood firm, denying him access.

Finally, he relented, leaving me to stare at the ground.

"You came back for him, not me," Derek said, his voice laced with hurt. "Why pretend?"

"Yes, I came back for him," I admitted, meeting his gaze, "but for something else."

Derek's eyes searched mine. "Have you ever considered my feelings?" he asked, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

I shook my head. "I made it clear, Derek: just friends."

"But you seem so close to him, almost like lovers," Derek observed, his voice tinged with hurt. "You like him, don't you?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

"Why are you saying all this?" I asked, attempting to deflect his concerns.

"Because it's the truth," Derek insisted. "Your behavior shows it. You seek his company, preferring his presence over mine."

"What are you attracted to that I don't have?" he asked, his tone laced with vulnerability.

I stared at him, unsure how to respond. My curiosity about the prince was genuine, but I didn't want to hurt Derek's feelings. So I remained silent.

"You can't say anything," Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because you don't seem to believe anything I say," I replied, my tone measured.

"Do you love him?" Derek asked, his voice laced with vulnerability.

"No," I replied, my tone firm.

"You said you don't love me either," Derek stated, his eyes searching mine.

"Yes," I acknowledged.

"Whose company do you prefer more?" he asked, his gaze intense.

I stared at him, taken aback by the question. "Why all these questions? You know he's the one who seeks me."

"But you tend to want it too," Derek countered, his voice low.

I held his gaze, then shrugged. "Think whatsoever you want. It's your mind, but please don't defame me."

I turned to leave, walking to the door and attempting to open it. However, it wouldn't budge. I stared at Derek, who avoided my gaze.

I grasped the door handle and pulled it, but it remained stuck.

I shot him a hard glare, then opened the door. The door, which had refused to budge moments before, swung open effortlessly. I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I hadn't taken many steps when a sudden surge of power enveloped me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, I found myself in his room.

Through the darkness, I stared at the figure before me. He pushed back his hood, revealing his face. Amanda's words echoed in my mind: I had made him visible. It was true; he moved about in a hood that seemed impossible to remove until we met.But that's a clown.

He turned to stare at me, his expression unreadable."So, you know I have clowns," he stated, his tone neutral.

"You entered my mind", I said giving him a piercing stare

"The difference is clear," I continued. When I first entered this place, you tried to kill me, but you had no face. You and your men move about in hoods, yet your dominance is palpable.

I recall the other day, you saved him by intervening personally. One of your men had a face, but you didn't. Your power seemed even more domineering then."

He turned to face me, and I met his gaze.

"It's my beast," he said, his voice low.

I was taken aback, surprised by his words.

"I cannot live without it," he said, his voice resolute.That's why I must save him. It's not my clown, but my replica. We both had no face, though he was more visible than I.You awakened it during one of your encounters.

"When we met in that dark room, you awakened me, and him, completely," he continued.

"How many times have we met before now?" I asked.

"Twice," he replied. "In the dark room and when you came to save him."

I nodded in affirmation.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I feel obliged to," he said, turning to face the window.

"Have you regained your full features?" I asked.

"No," he replied. "That's why I cannot die, even if you kill me."

"I know you came back to kill me," he said, his eyes locked on mine.

I stared at him, my anger rising. Then how can you trust me? You want me to accomplish something for you, but how can you be sure I won't betray you ?"

"Yes, I do want you to accomplish something," he admitted, "but you'll end up doing it either way, regardless of whether you kill me or not."

I narrowed my eyes. "Have you been playing this game since I arrived?"

He shook his head. "No, but I started the moment we met at the inn house."

I scoffed, incredulous. "Was that you too?" I asked, my tone laced with suspicion.

He smirked, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "No, but I was around."

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, my frustration evident.

"Nothing," he replied, his tone nonchalant. "Do what you must to survive."

I stared at him, shocked by his indifference. With a surge of adrenaline, I rushed towards him, dagger in hand. But he remained unmoved, his eyes never leaving mine.

I attempted to stab him, but my heart felt heavy, as if weighed down by an unseen force. I couldn't bring myself to harm him. He faced me, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"You can't, can you?" he asked, his voice low. "Do you love me?"

His words struck a chord within me. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my resolve wavered. With renewed determination, I tried to stab him again, but the dagger refused to penetrate his skin. It was as if an invisible force field protected him.

Undeterred, I continued to push the dagger into him, and a surge of energy, unlike anything I'd ever felt before, coursed through my veins. Slowly but surely, the dagger began to penetrate his skin, and he staggered backward, collapsing against the window.

I stood there, frozen in shock, as he smiled weakly and pulled the dagger out of his chest. With a gentle thud, he knelt down, his eyes locked on mine, and then he passed out.

I collapsed to the ground, cradling his head in my lap. I fought to hold back tears as I gently lifted him and carried him to his bed. His wound was healing at an alarming rate, and before I could process what was happening, he pushed me against the wall with incredible force. I fell to the ground, dazed.

I stared up at him from where I sat, and he gazed back at me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His aura seemed formidable, and I recalled his words: "You will end up doing what I want, either way." This must have been his plan all along – to use me to awaken his true power.

I thought back to Amanda's words: "Am I vulnerable?" and a surge of determination coursed through me. I stood up, my eyes locked on the prince, and felt a strange energy building up inside me. I pulled out another dagger from my jacket, intent on stabbing him again, but he didn't flinch.

I aimed for his neck, but the dagger refused to penetrate his skin. In an instant, he flicked his fingers, and I felt myself lifted off the ground, flying through the window.