You are a manipulator. I like to think of myself more as an outcome engineer. -J.R.Ward

“Atlass, I need to speak with you privately.”

When she heard that dreadful sentence after dinner she knew she had somehow pissed him off.

He led her through to a room. It was like hers but bigger and green. It must have been his guest room. He quickly turned to her. His eyes were hard and onyx-like.

“You left today with Kai.”

“Yes.”

“To do what?” He questioned slowly lowering himself to sit on the couch.

“Something.”

“You will give me an answer.”

“I don't have to give you anything. Not when you refuse to give me any answers.”

He jumped from his seat and before she knew it he was in front of her.

“Dont get too attached to him.”

“Why not?”

“He will be leaving soon and all you'll have gained is a heartbreak.”

“He's my only friend. He took care of me when I was upset. He gave me answers. He tried to get to know me. Sorry I got attached.” She hissed.

“You want friends? You have plenty of cousins I can invite if that's what you want.”

“No. All you do is try to control who I'm friends with and watch my every move like the hawk you are.”

“This is not up to discussion.”

“You're right. It's not. It won't matter because I'm staying with Kai for the next two weeks until he leaves.”

His eyes widened before his face turned red in anger.

“Excuse me?”

“I'm staying with Kai.”

“You will not, young lady.”

“The hell I will.”

Smack.

She held her face that held a red print. She couldn't believe he'd just struck her. Her own mother didn't lay a hand on her.

“You will not. You either tell that boy to stay away or you will be leaving tonight. Understood?”

“I understand that you're nothing but a monster.”

She sped out of the room in tears. She had to find Kai. She searched Kai's room but he was nowhere to be found.

“This is not your choice.”

That was Kai’s voice. She went to open the door but it was locked. She peeked through the keyhole. It was Kai and his father.

They were in a room filled with maps that covered the walls and the floors. His father's hair was ruffled like he had tousled it too much. Kai was in slacks and a shirt. His father knocked the chess pieces and maps from the table in anger.

“History remembers kings, not warriors!”

“I don't want to be remembered, Father!”

Kai's voice was usually soothing and soft but now it was loud and ruff.

“I don't want to be the legendary Kai that you want me to be.”

“Son, if you leave you'll never come back.”

“You think I don't know that? Mosais has asked me to lead his army and I will be at the docks in 2 weeks from now, ready for his orders.” Kai started to walk away but his father grabbed him into a backhug.

“Don't leave me like she did.” His tone was hushed.

“She didn't just leave you.” Kai shrugged his father's hands off, heading towards the door.

Atlass quickly backed away and ran down the corridor to her room. It hadn't been 5 minutes and Kai busted through her door.

“Hold me.” Was all he said.

“Of course.” She said as his rock-hard body slammed into hers. She was engulfed in his unique smell.

“Are your clothes packed?” He stated.

“Father's making me leave early-”

He cut her off. “Dance with me.

She chuckled. “Kai, you know I can't dance.”

“I don't care.This may be the last time I get to dance with you.”

And Kai wrapped his hands around her waist and they danced slowly.

It hadn't been 19 seconds before she stepped on his