I've played with fire a lot lately. Waltzing fingers in the dancing candle flame. Daring of having ambitions are only for men, made.

I've played with fire a lot lately — or maybe ever since I was born. My dreams have always been larger than the dowry my father has saved.

I'm young still. Only sixteen springs lived. I suppose I've played with fire each day.

I wonder if that was what why I took it for granted — fire. Always imagining it to tickle, to bring discomfort. I had trusted myself to still perceive in the end.

But fire is that and so much more.

Fire is tickling — but only for so long — for soon it comes to claw on your skin. Ripping it, melting it until it's dead.

Real fire has touched me, and I have survived. The disfiguring on my leg, a scar I'll carry till the last breath.

This diary is only but a monument to symbolise my survival, the best my father could spare as a modest cobbler.

I've danced with fire — a waltz of flames yellow and red.

A blazing door to hell.

I've danced with fire before — what a fascinating road to death.

A fascinating road to death.

~^~
My hand kept a hold on the diary as I twisted in the bed, trying to move away from the pain, screaming in shock at the flames now clawing into my skin. My hand stuck under the blazing beam.

The smoke kept getting heavier, and I choked in the heaviness as another round of darkness covered my eyes.

I couldn't think. I couldn't scream without coughing; the smoke was too strong. I couldn't live — it was too blazing hot.

I'm dying! I'm dying. I'm dying...

As if realisation sunk in, I felt my heart jolt in my chest, the scarce amount of air knocking out of me, pulling me out of the hazy dream.

I don't want to die! I don't want to die!

Letting go of the book my hand grasped at the bed quilt and I at once grasped it with my hand, the hellfire eating at me as I felt my skin begin to melt under the beam.

Push it off! Push it off!

Closing my eyes, I twisted until my blanket covered legs pressed against the beam and placing my quilt covered hand and pushed!

"ARRRHHHH"

Survive! Survive, please!

The beam rolled off of the bed and I sprung up immediately, avoiding a glance at my badly marred hand as I quickly began covering myself with the quilt.

Live, Olivia! Live! Live!

My hand grabbed at the journal and I quickly brought my hand inside the quilt, looking around the now burning oven of a room.

"Romanov"

His name came out like a whisper, a whisper that could bring me my lifeline. But inside, it was a scream.

Spotting a path still free from the blaze I quickly jumped off the bed, gritting my teeth as my burnt hand brushed against the fabric of the quilt.

Tears prickled in my eyes and I tried to blink the biting smoke away as I covered my head with the quilt as best as possible. My greatest focus on the door.

"AAAH!"

A scream ripped out of my throat and I scattered back a flaming string Christmas light fell in front of my path.

I couldn't hold it in, tears rippled down my cheeks as I thought of the weight of what was happening. As I thought of how I could just escape.

I didn't want to die. I had so much to do, still. I had too much to live for.

Life hadn't been the brightest after I'd lost mum and dad. And then I had lost Liz too. Life hadn't been happiest not so long ago.

But deciding to study in Germany, getting Letty, finding Romanov... I'd just begun to find a new dawn again. I'd begun to realise that even though I'd lost so much — that I had lost almost everything I had cherished. Almost everything that made up my heart... I still had people to hold on to.

I still had people that loved me. That healed me. That I had to live on for.

I just couldn't die. I couldn't let her win.

Tilting my head, I quickly wiped my tears away from the quilt on my shoulder and began gathering it higher around me, forgetting my damaged hand completely as I grabbed the sheets and jumped over the wire only a step, away from the door now.

Turning towards the door a breath of relief released itself from my throat just as an onslaught of coughs began ripping out of me — suddenly too dizzy I felt as my legs gave away from under me and I fell against the door.

Everything suddenly got blurry. It felt like I was suddenly watching a movie which was completely out of focus. I couldn't feel my skin, and yet I could feel almost every speck of pain I'd previously never thought physically existed.

Wheezing out puffs of breaths under the quilt, I let my head rest against the door as I kept my eyes shut, the smoke was beginning sting.

Can't die. Can't die. Don't die, Olivia.

Olivia... be brave. Be fearless.

"Not." I dragged in another long shaking breath under the quilt and brought my hand up to the door.

"Dying." The wood of the door felt burning against my palm, but I ignored it, drawing my hand away a little, I brought it back in full force. Slamming a bang on the door.

My eyes opened and closed as another round of blur rushed past my mind, the pain kept getting harder to ignore.

I grit my teeth against heat and pain, my palm fisting as I began banging it on the door harder, faster.

"Today — ROMANOV!"

"ROME!!! ROME!!! BEAS—" I felt myself slump further as the coughing took over again, my fist still banging on the door as I felt the heat increase in the room.

My hand slowed, and a small smile slipped on my lips as I thought of this situation.

My room was currently an oven. And I was well on my way to being Edika's dinner.

Baked Olivia. With ashes on the side.

Petty.

I shook the pathetic laughter away as I fisted my hand again, bringing it back before swinging it forward again, hitting hard against the solid door.

This time, however, the door give away and I fell forward, into the arms of Romanov as Dominic threw the now large unhinged door on the side.

Coughing against Romanov I pressed my head against his chest, feeling his thundering heart beating at a dozen miles a second. Despite myself, I felt myself smile in relief. Now completely slumping against him.

He pushed me back a little and his hands found my face.

"Livia, you're fine. You're safe. I'm here. I'm here."

My eyes still blurry, I smiled, tilting my head up, "Hi."

Then the pain won.

I knew I was safe, Romanov was here— and so I let myself surrender, to the raging heat still biting at my skin.

***

The first signs of consciousness brushed by with a burning sudden jolt, a scream ripped out of my lips as I launched forward, my eyes wide open, searching around the crowded room, searching for Romanov.

My hands however stayed pinned on my sides and I frowned as my head snapped down.

"You're safe, your majesty. If you could please lay still."

Light brown hair. Dark grey waistcoat. Gloves.

The gloved man worked meticulously on my left hand, and I quickly looked away as I caught a glance at the damaged skin. Feeling dizzy, I lay back down.

My eyes snapped up again. The rush of panic unearthing itself in my chest. "Rome!"

"Romanov!"

My gaze swept from a panic-stricken looking Aunt Meryl to a crying Marsha, to a worried looking Sophia, beside her a troubled looking Rose stood awkwardly.

I sighed, Rome didn't seem—

The large door to the room pushed forward and I watched as Romanov walked in. Dom, Matthew, and Grayson behind him.

A little frown settled into my forehead when Romanov walked towards the balcony door, not glancing even once in my direction.

Dominic on the other hand, turned towards aunt Meryl. They looked at each other for a second or two before aunt Meryl slowly smiled and turned towards the other women.

"Ladies, I think it's best if we get back to cleaning up before beds? Come along! Marsha, I say, do you have that pie of yours left over?"

"I'll come help finish that, Aunt Meryl," Matthew spoke as he awkwardly undid neck button.

I watched as the women spared me a last parting glance, smiling at me encouragingly as they moved out of the room. Matthew sent a warm smile my way before he too followed behind, shutting the door behind him.

A heavy silence hung around the room. The doctor continued to work on my hand and I flinched at the occasional stings. My hand strangely felt numb otherwise.

It didn't exactly matter at that moment though.

My eyes stayed on Romanov's back while he just stood in front of the balcony glass door, looking out at the view. Away from me.

"Rome?"

He didn't turn. I frowned. The awkward looks on Dominic and Grayson's faces slightly getting to me.

"Rome??"

Again. He didn't turn.

The doctor cleared his throat under his breath.

I suddenly felt panicked.

"Rome!"

He turned. His eyes steely, he began striding towards the bed. His eyes focused only on me.

I shifted in the bed, suddenly nervous. He moved closer, and I quickly broke eye contact, looking at his chest instead.

"Are y-you o—"

His lips met mine.

All the wind knocked out of my lungs as his hand framed my face, his fingers slipping in my hair while he kissed me.

The doctor's hand instantly moved away, and I snapped out of the shock, my wide eyes slowly closed, and I sighed into the kiss, relieved.

Romanov's kiss seemed desperate and yet demanding. Like he wanted to assure me he was there or assure himself I was fine. Like he wanted to demand that I be fine... that I be alive.

He took a deep breath in as he broke the kiss, releasing the breath slowly before he placed a peck on my lips to seal it. My eyes widened when his fingers found my cheeks and he wiped away at the tears I didn't even know had slipped.

"You can continue, Sebastian. Thank you for coming by at this hour." Romanov murmured as he rested his forehead on mine.

"I am one of the pack doctors, after all, Your highness. It's my duty."

"Dr Lucian—" all eyes snapped to Grayson as he tried to school his expression. His eyes found the floor before slowly he looked back up. "—how bad is it?"

A low growl left Romanov's chest before he turned back to me and pressed his forehead on mine again, this time however slowly peppering tiny kisses on my temple and cheeks.

"It's not as bad as it must feel. Thankfully to the Royal mate bond, everything will be back to its normal appearance and function in a day or two."

Romanov pressed a kiss on the edge of my lips and I sighed again, enjoying the tingles.

"Grayson, can you have Finnigan and Adyl from your special security team attached to Olivia from now?"

Everyone in the room stilled. Romanov's sudden words helped a frown settle again on my face.

"Alpha..."

Romanov cut Dominic with his hand up, calmly, "If one can hurt another, then the other can also hurt one itself. That is the general way of things."

Dominic cleared his throat awkwardly, just as Dr Lucian finally finished bandaging my hand. His eyes now on Romanov.

"That's correct. There must be a way to defend the queen, Alpha."

I sighed. Everything suddenly felt too exhausting. I was getting tired of being chased by Edika. I was getting tired of almost being fatally injured — or dying!

I tilted my head to the side, eyeing Romanov for a second before reaching and grasping his arm. Immediately, he looked down— his eyes in a silent questioning alarm.

"I—err—I'll go see what's for dinner now!" Dominic suddenly cleared his throat loudly, at once moving towards the large door of the room.

Grayson looked on as Dom fled before he nodded to himself and turning towards us again, without making eye contact he let out an awkward laugh. "I'll get going too. Need to find Adyl."

"I'll be here the instant you need me. Since Olivia is fine, I'll take your leave." Dr Lucian cleared his throat as well, straightening his dark trench coat with the flat of his hands.

"Thank you, Dr Lucian," I mumbled, smiling at him in thanks.

"It's nothing, after all, it is my duty." Dr Lucian smiled brightly, before moving towards the door himself.

The click of the door shut close echoed around the large — suddenly silent room.

"Let go,"

My eyes snapped up, Romanov's dark pools peered into mine — his expression unreadable.

Slowly, my grip on his arm loosened.

I watched as he stood up instantly, his back facing me he walked towards a large black leather chair — away from me and stopped.

My eyes widened when his he suddenly pulled his sweatshirt off.

My gaze traced the silver lining of the car accident scar that ran angrily across his strong back. Shining under the light, contrasting his slightly bronzed skin.

Romanov, however, continued, folding the sweatshirt slowly, he placed the clothing on the chair before turning back towards me.

I lay still while he made his way over, stopping near the edge of the bed before leaning down and getting in.

He moved closer until my right hand pressed against his hard torso and I sighed, instantly feeling relaxed — even just by the tiny bit of contact.

"Can I hold you? Or does it hurt to—"

"It doesn't hurt when you're near," I mumbled out, cutting him off slightly. It was strangely true. Somehow, it felt like the mate bond worked in very mysterious of ways.

Silence fell over the room again.

I felt Romanov's gaze watch me for a second before his arm wrapped around my waist.

"What if it leaves a scar?" I whispered, knowing quite well about the tears that were now slowly beginning to pour down.

The impact of everything that had happened tonight was finally getting to me. It felt like a weight was suddenly released over my chest, and now I was finally letting someone see the load. See how much it had damaged my heart.

I was afraid... of Edika. Of death. Or even if I survived — of being only but a scarred mate, never good enough for Romanov.

"Then it will leave a scar. What's the problem?"

I turned my face to look at him but then looked away, my face burning when I found his eyes watching me.

Silence one again settled in the room, and I felt myself sigh as I felt Romanov's arm around my waist tighten, his fingers grasped at my shirt lightly.

"Hey, Rome?"

Romanov let out a breath as he snuggled his nose closer to my cheek.

"Hmm"

"Back there... in the fire — for a second I didn't know if I was going to make it. I heard her giggle. It felt like death—" I stopped when a low growl rumbled from Romanov's chest. My good hand covered his arm and I waited for a second before I continued.

"Back there... In that moment, I didn't know anything. Everything felt like it was coming to a halting end. In that moment I realised how much more I am still to do. And how much I have not yet. I could have died there. But If I had... my biggest regret would have been that I'd never get to tell you —"

"Olivia, you should really just sl— "

"—I love you. Beasty."

~^~

Morning glided into the room through swaying sheers curtains. Cold air swirled around with the light, tickling my bare arm into hurrying under the blanket. The sounds of the birds beginning their day slowly began filling the air.

And soon as the dark, silent touch of sleep slowly began retreating, I began noticing the scent of the morning smoke from chimneys drifting in with the wind.

Rubbing the back of my hand over my eyes, I peeked an eye open, groaning as I realised it was still fairly dark outside. The weight of the solid arm around my middle heightened as Romanov tightened his grip and dragged himself closer. I smiled as he snuggled his face into my neck, and sighed.

My wounded arm was slowly beginning to sting, and I grit down a groan each time the pain got worse. Suddenly I wasn't really pleased with being awake anymore. My eyes scoured the room, before turning to the table on my bedside. It couldn't be helped, I had to take the painkillers again. It had been eight hours already.

I dragged myself into a sitting position, sighing when Romanov growled in his sleep, and tore out two pain killers before gulping them down with a large glass of water placed by my bed.

It didn't take too long, and I was grateful—before I began sinking right back into sleep's dark arms. The pain faded slowly, and the sense of calm settled back into its place—suddenly I wasn't afraid or hurt. I was just sleeping.

The first beam of light hit me right in the face and I groaned as I turned away—immediately noticing the absence of a warm solid chest.

Romanov.

My eyes tore open and I blinked crazily trying to see—at once sighing when I noticed Romanov— still asleep—on the other edge of the bed.

My arm's sting seemed better and I smiled as I slowly began dragging myself towards Romanov—stopping only at a palm's distance from him.

My eyes touched the dark strands of his hair slowly till the tips touched his eyebrows. His straight sharp nose, his long thick eyelashes that even had me envying him. My eyes touched his cheeks—I could see where he had a pimple lately, the scar gradually fading to nothing. My eyes touched his lips—chapped and dry from the chilly morning air.

This was my soulmate.

He wasn't normal. Neither was he perfect, but he was always there, he protected me, and he cared.

This was my soulmate. And I... I loved him.

I smiled as I eyed his jaw, the growing morning stubble quite evident now in the light.

As if sensing me near him, Romanov's arm short forward and he pulled me close—my smile broke into a grin as I rested my wounded arm over his, hugging him back while he buried his face into my chest.

"Stop staring. You're making my cheeks burn." Romanov grumbled into my tank top and I couldn't help but giggle.

"Good-morning," I chuckled as I ran the fingers of my good hand through his hair.

Romanov's arm around me tightened and he sighed.

"Sleep,"

~^~
The next time consciousness found me, the sun was up in the sky again and there was much more hustle and bustle in the air than just the scent of smoke from the chimneys.

Where's Romanov?

My eyes snapped open just as I shot up in bed, staring at the room in light.

What time is it?

A throat cleared somewhere to my left and my head snapped towards the sound before I let out a sigh of relief.

Romanov stood on my left, by the sofa, his hand working on fixing his tie as he looked at me with a concerned face.

"Good morning," he commented as he raised an eyebrow up in question.

"What time is it?" I mumbled, already beginning to shift out of bed.

Wait.

I stopped, my head snapping towards my wounded arm.

"It's 8 in the morning. Your wound is fine now," Romanov's voice was calm, quite the opposite of how my heart felt at the sound of "fine".

Steadying myself for pain, I nervously brought up two of my fingers and tapped the bandage lightly.

My eyes widened when there was no pain. This time I smacked the bandage a little harder.

Still. No pain.

My eyes wide, I grasped the bandage by the edge and unwrapped it as quickly as I could.

"No scar," I breathed. It was unbelievable, there was no scar. None at all. No dark blob or angry red strike. Just normal skin.

From the corner of my eye I sensed as Romanov began making his way around the bed towards me. Moving to stand in front of me he leaned forward and braced his hands on the bed. His face just in front of mine.

I blinked.

"There aren't any scars, so I think you should get out of bed and freshen up, right?"

Right. I probably look like I've been lost in the Amazon for a year.

Don't speak. Don't speak.

Bringing up both my hands up in an "Okay" sign, I nodded my head up and down in response— hoping he would accept that and go back to standing.

An amused smile settled on Romanov's lips as he took in my reaction, before suddenly leaning in he pecked my lips and moved back, "You're so cute"

Eeeeeeeee! I blinked. And Romanov's smile widened before he caressed my wild hair away from my cheeks. "Okay. I'm going to go sit on the sofa now."

I nodded again, and Romanov chuckled, looking at me—amused—for a long second before moving around the bed again and settling on the sofa.

Oh my god...

In one go I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in, blinking dumbly before shuffling out of the bed and almost sprinting towards the bathroom door.

Romanov was... acting very differently today.

By the time I was done brushing, I'd decided on washing my hair after all. The smoke and muck from last night was definitely something I wanted gone, which made me wonder—I was lousy dirty from the fire last night... and yet Romanov slept beside me.

That made me smile. "Cute."

Stepping under the shower, I let out a sigh of relief. Relieved at being alive. I'd never considered the importance of life before mum and dad had passed away. I'd always thought that if I died, I'd die. That's it. No great deal.

But after mum and dad, my sister Liz and brother in law, the scare with Jaydin and personally escaping death more than twice, I was suddenly grateful at being able to breathe and walk and love for another day.

The shampoo washed down with the water, sliding down my back and down to the tiles as I stood under the shower of warm water, already scrubbed myself clean twice. Once all the shampoo was gone I began lathering in the conditioner.

I sighed as I turned to face away from the shower, watching the water droplets slide down the foggy glass as I continued thinking.

I knew with no doubt that Edika was real. I'd just escaped her grasp last night —I didn't even know how many more times I'd have to escape from her claws. There was no game plan. But I did know that I'd try my hardest to escape.

I wasn't ready to die yet. I wouldn't just accept it when she came. I sure as bloody hell wasn't going to.

The conditioner washed away easily enough, and I stepped out of the shower, moving towards the closet door.

Yesterday may have been a nightmare—but today was a new day and I had a life to live to the fullest.

~^~
Walking out of the closet, my hair parted in the middle and pulled back into a messy ponytail, I sighed as I held the cold knob of the door in my hand.

After everything that had happened yesterday—everyone around me were probably weak. Emotionally. Everyone were probably afraid. Nervous for the future, frightened for mine—For their Alpha King's. For their own.

After everything that had happened yesterday— with everyone so weak. I had to be strong. I had to smile—so that seeing me smile, they could find the strength to smile, themselves.

It would be all right. As long as we breathed and perceived, it would be all right.

The door opened with a twist and I walked out, into the room, with a smile on my face.

Immediately Romanov's face turned towards me and he stood up, striding forward to meet me half way.

The flat of my palm found his chest and I felt the nervous beat of my heart calm as I felt his steady thumps.

"Are you okay?"

I lifted my head and smiled at his concerned crooked brows. His worried frown made me want to hug him and never let go. Instead I nodded, still smiling brightly at him.

"As long as you're right here." I replied sincerely, placing another hand over his chest.

His hands found mine and Romanov smiled as squeezed my hands comfortingly, "You're going to have to take me to the dentist soon if you continue being this sweet."

I couldn't help but let out a laugh at that.

Walking down the stairs and into the main living room, I stopped in my steps at the sight of everyone gathered around. Seated and standing. Two fresh faces amongst the close knit.

I stayed close to Romanov as he pulled me closer into the middle of the room, his hand now protectively holding me around the waist.

"Livia, these are Finnigan and Adyl. They will be your protectors everywhere you go when I'm not around."

I looked at the extremely tall, dark haired man first—his piercing and tattoo covered self-reminded me very much of an art canvas. I noticed a dimple on each cheek when the guy smiled and bowed, the thin silver snakebite shining in the light.

"Your Majesty, I'm Finnigan. It's an honour."

I felt myself blush as I moved closer to Romanov. Your Majesty was still something that felt really weird hearing. Especially when it was directed to me.

"Thank you for helping me."

The second man stepped forward and my eyes snapped wide open. I was clearly staring at him, just as much as he was staring at me.

Romani. Gypsy blood.

I knew all the tell-tale signs, the pitch-black hair, golden skin, the pierced ears—the light grey eyes however cut through his whole appearance like a sharp chard of glass.

Special Romani.

He extended his hand forward, and I took it. Our eyes still connected. Poppy always did mention how not to break eye contact with a gifted Romani.

"The curtains are still covering the whole picture. Take them off."

"What do you mean?" Romanov's loud gruff voice asked as two arms slipped around my middle and pulled me back, breaking me away from the handshake subtly.

The man, who was probably Adyl, blinked as his attention turned to Romanov and he smiled, bowing slightly. "Oh, just nonsense, Alpha, apologies."

His gaze found mine again, and I bit back a gasp as I thought I saw light flash in his eyes. His smile brightened slightly. "It's an honour, Your Majesty. I'm Adyl."

"Thank you for helping me, Adyl."

"I serve to be able to help, ma'am." Adyl bowed again slightly, before he took a step back and stood beside Finnigan.

My eyes moved to everyone else standing behind Adyl and Finnigan and suddenly I grinned.

The mantra 'Be stronger for them. Be stronger for them' repeating in my mind as I tapped my palm on Romanov's hold and broke away, walking calmly into Marsha and Aunt Meryl's joined embrace. Both their hands caressed my hair and where I smiled, I held them as they stifled and sniffled quietly.

In the beginning of this year—although I was probably a thousand times safer than I currently was. Even though I was probably one of the humans who didn't know about this whole new world. I didn't have these many people caring about me.

Now—I felt like I had a dozen more family members ready to fawn over me after Aunt Prue and Grandma Liz.

Suddenly I felt sadder — I missed Letty.

"You all right, dear?" Aunt Meryl sniffled again as she finally moved back. Her hand still holding me and Marsha at a distance. Marsha moved back as well as if to view my response.

I nodded solemnly, "Yes, I'm good! Now you two wipe those tears—I'm hungry. Let's go eat something!"

Seeing me rub my tummy, Marsha shook her head as she chuckled and turned towards Aunt Meryl, "I suppose we should get headed to the kitchen then, shouldn't we Meryl?"

A wink sent myself from Aunt Meryl, she responded, "I'll make you some Chocolate Banana Pancakes. Let's go Marsha! Sophia dear, Rose!"

Turning my gaze towards the two girls, I smiled brightly at both a waving Sophia and Rose before watching them walk away with Marsha and Aunt Meryl.

Seeing an entry Grayson and Dominic sneaked in beside me and put their arms around me—pulling me in an embrace as they walked towards Romanov, who thankfully looked calm. Almost relived as he looked at me interacting with the boys as we walked towards him.

"So, it's settled—we're going out for dinner tomorrow. The whole gang." Dominic announced just as we reached Romanov, and Grayson nodded his head vigorously beside me.

"KFC, please!" He almost yelled, pumping up his fist in excitement. I laughed at the stars in his eyes.

Romanov on the other hand looked extremely confused, "They have KFC here in Germany?"

My mouth fell open.

"Oh my god, yes!" Grayson exclaimed, this time throwing both his hands up in the air.

"I'm not even from here and I knew that!" Matthew spoke up as he walked down the stairs. The smile on his lips seemed odd, and I took a few second to watch him as he tried to maintain a steady smile.

"We have a meeting with all the Alpha's in an hour, don't we?" Matthew commented slowly as he stopped beside Romanov, his gaze levelled on mine and he smiled with his trademark warmth—leaving me feeling really confused about the expression I had just seen a few seconds ago.

Still, I smiled back at him.

"Oh yes, we should get going." Romanov replied, his gaze also on me. He looked conflicted, and that was the last thing I wanted him looking, conflicted between work and me.

If I was being honest, I wanted him close. Nothing felt scary with Roman there. But I couldn't make him compromise with his duties, there were far too many people to criticise him. I'd seen a lot of documentaries and shows. There was always someone who wanted to dethrone the king, kick the CEO out, buy out the stock shares instead of the company's heir. Although at various levels of power, it was always the same concept. Someone had a position. Someone else was always ready to fight dirty for the same position.

"Ah yes, I have to set out a new patrol chart." Grayson sighed thoughtfully.

"And I have to have a meeting with the Chief of Police." Dominic acknowledged right after Gray.

Sorry eyes met mine and I couldn't help but want to hug even Gray— for the first time.

It was sweet how everyone felt obliged to be around me. It felt good to be cared for. Genuinely, and not for my inheritance.

Pushing aside the fear, I focused on the part of me which was amused and grinned at the men standing around me, "I'm going to be all right. Plus, now I have Adyl and Fin, don't I?"

Romanov let out a small sigh as he stepped forward and bowing down a little, wrapped his arms around my middle, straightening slightly as he held me against him. Causing my feet to leave the ground for a bit.

"You sure?" He whispered into my ear, now beginning to sway me slightly in his embrace. "—Keep me on speed dial. Please don't keep your phone on silent too. I'll call to check up on you, okay?"

I beamed at the man holding me, thanking God for the hundredth time for keeping him as my soulmate, "Okay!"

"Don't worry, Rome. Grayson has kept his best special tasks warriors as Olivia' guards. I went through their records with Grayson and Dominic during their first promotions period." Matthew eyed the two-man standing behind me calmly. I felt the both Adyl and Fin bow at Matthew.

Sweet Matthew. Can win anyone's heart.

"Okay, I'll see you in the afternoon, okay? Let me know if you go somewhere, just in case."

"I will," I nodded, hugging Romanov back before breaking the hug and taking a step back, waving him away.

He really needed to get going if he wanted to be on time for the meeting in an hour.

~^~
"If you could tell us what your plans are for today, ma'am." Finnigan spoke as Romanov and the men walked out of the room.

I settled myself on a sofa on the far corner and motioned the boys to take seat when they hadn't seated themselves too for a while.

"I have a few requests I'd like to make before we begin officially, please?"

Both Finnigan and Adyl straightened in their seats, bowing slightly, before I began.

"My requests are just these. Let's be friends, please call me by my name—if it breaks protocol, call me with my name in private?... because I am literally leaving my life in your hands and I am probably younger than you both, makes me feel like too much having you call me ma'am. Also, let's be open with each other— so let's not hide anything, don't hide things from me and only report them to Romanov. I should know too. If you find out something that concerns me, tell me. If you have a hunch about something, tell me. If you feel like there is something that should be done but isn't, let's discuss it? Let's just be open to each other, okay?"

The states stayed on my face for a good moment, before both men blinked and nodded, bowing again, "Okay."

I smiled brightly, "And no bowing."

"Okay," Finnigan grinned in response, the same taking off years from his appearance. Now he looked even younger than me. How old was this guy really?

Beside him, however, Adyl suddenly grew serious. He leaned forward, and I frowned in confusion, waiting for him to speak.

"Since we are being honest with each other... Olivia, have you been to the room after yesterday?"

Last night flashed before my eyes and I felt myself stiffen as I shook my head. "No."

"The truth is concealed behind sheets of history. The enemy is quite near. If you do not mind... may we visit the room right now?"

My jaw fell open.

Is this guy crazy?

"You—you want me going in there? Where I almost got baked alive?"

"Mate I don't think that's a clever idea this time around. She's the queen!!" Finnigan hissed, looking at Adyl with a shocked expression on his face.

Adyl turned towards Finnigan and sighed, "Have I ever been wrong before?"

His eyes then turned and met mine. "We can only learn a way to defeat her once we take a step forward to find her."

"You want to—to find her? Edika?" I blurted out in disbelief. This guy was acting very weird.

Adyl smiled.

"Trust me, Your Majesty. No harm will fall before you today."

~^~
"Are you sure about this?" I whispered at the tall man standing in front of me. The other stood behind me, which was comforting its own—but I'd rather not be anywhere near this room. Even with the two guarding my life.

"Absolutely," Adyl murmured back. The sound of the knob turning, and unlocking clicked in the quietness of the hallway and I felt the flutters of panic begin to take flight in my mind.

This is not a good idea. Run. Run!

I shifted on my feet, my eyes darting towards the end of the hall before I felt a large warm hand wrap around my arm.

"Don't panic. Okay, answer questions for me. How old are you, Olivia?" Finnigan asked as we stood there, I sound of the door open made the hairs on the back of my neck stand and I tried to take deep breaths to stop myself from fainting again.

"Twenty-one,"

Finnigan chuckled, "You're our sister's age. So, you're just like a younger sister—don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to you, okay? Just trust Adyl. I've known him since we were babies... He's gifted."

"Okay, we're going in." Adyl murmured in a hushed tone as he took a step forward into the room. Automatically my feet followed him while Finnigan kept his hold on me and followed us in as well.

The room was a mess. Half completely burnt, half somewhat salvaged— all my belongings in here were gone. My eyes ran down my outfit and I thanked the heavens again having Aunt Meryl.

"Where did she escape from?"

I darted my head from one men to the other, "I don't know. I just heard her laugh."

Finnigan's grip on my arm vanished and he moved in front of me with a grim look on his face, "How did she leave the previous times you saw her?"

"I can't remember. She just disappeared." I groaned as I began walking further into the burnt pile of rubble, slowly watching everything—shivering when I noticed a personal belonging, now completely destroyed.

Stepping over the rubble, I slowly walked further into the room— I couldn't help but cough as I waved my hand in front of my face. The smell of smoke still lingered in the room—it was haunting.

This is weird.

I frowned. The balcony door stood motionless, slightly open, a soft breeze of air escaping the gap and hitting my face. I looked at the gap in confusion... I was sure I hadn't opened the door yesterday.

Grasping the door, I pushed it to the side slowly, and sighed when it began opening.

"Wait. What's that?"

I stopped.

Turning around to find what Adyl was talking about I stilled when I realised his eyes were on me. Or rather the door.

"Is that... " He pointed to the door as he began walking towards me.

My eyes darted to the spot in the door and I felt my breath hitch. "Blood."

"It's still fresh. Just dry." Adyl murmured as he rubbed the blood between his fingers.

I didn't know what to comprehend. What to assume or even conclude from this. Blood. I hadn't bled anywhere near the balcony last night. Or any other night before that. What did this even mean!?

Blood? Ghosts didn't have blood, did they? But there was blood here...

"Do you know what this means, Olivia?"

And blood meant humans... humans... that meant....

"Edika is human?"

"If it's Edika at all." Finnigan exclaimed in a low tone, his own expression set in a serious frown.

I blinked. A thousand questions kept buzzing in my head, a thousand new possibilities. I'd seen Edika, how could I deny that? I'd felt Edika, how could I deny what I felt?

Could a human behave that way?

I felt my heart drop.

Could a... werewolf behave that way?

I didn't how to react anymore. Looking from one boy to another, I scoffed pitifully.

"Does Edika exist or not?"

Suddenly, I didn't know.