"And genius..."

My eyes go wide as I hear the Prince mutter behind me, the power of his being seeping into my veins from the proximity and I find myself gulping, trying to squirm away from the darkness I sense in his being.

Is all Supreme Royalty this powerful?

I mean, sure they would be. But isn't that too much power to hold?

This leads me to think if they ever abused it.

How come the underworld isn't morally insane like the humans think of us to be when such beings live amongst us?

"You think too much," his voice is laden with mirth and I want to slap my forehead but I refrain from doing so cause then Raban would just make fun of me for the remaining days of my life.

The thought brings me to realise Raban is still on the ground and I quickly move my wide eyes towards him for support. His dark gaze accesses the Prince behind me in confusion before they come to rest on my own. I think he notices the panic on my feature because he quickly scrambled to get to my side, engulfing my tiny hand in his much larger one before we turn towards the Prince.

His grey eyes are sharp and unyielding as they fall on our intertwined hands, a scowl falling on his lips before he turns towards our Professor. "I would like for this battle cell to be emptied so I can test. This little pixie has strength and I'd like to test it for myself before I make my decision," Although he talks to the Professor, his voice still booms all over the cell, notifying each individual of his demand. Me? 

I think I'm going to flee.

My breathing picks up in panic at the prospect of being chosen as I turn to Raban for help. The idiotic wizard only gives me a grin like he's won some kind of bet before he tugs his hand out from mine and flees the classroom along with everyone else. But not before dropping a kiss on my cheek and muttering a quick, "You show him, tiger."

As if I could!

The man literally teleports without a portal!

Lili gives me a huge grin and thumbs up before she also follows after Raban. Just as the professor leaves the room, a huge clink resonates in the cell from the door being closed and that's when I realize the unpredictability of the situation I'm within.

He's going to squish me like a fly.

I think as I look up at his tall frame, gulping loudly as he smirks.

"I won't squish you, little pixie." He replies to my thoughts and only then do I remember this creature can read thoughts.

Isn't it unfair though? This being can read thoughts, teleport without portals and possibly do so much more. On top of being absolutely gorgeous and TALL!

So it's just me the Gods were against then?

His chuckle brings me out of my thoughts and my breath hitches instantly when I watch him step into my personal space. A look akin to fondness in his eyes, "Never thought I had it in me to ever say this but you, my darling, are absolutely adorable," he smiles softly as he peers into my eyes and I instantly feel a blush rising in my cheeks.

Way to go, Rise. Now he's also tinking of you as a child too. One more addition to the collection of a few hundred.

"I refuse to be adorable," I speak for the first time to him, finally finding my voice as I talk in pout. 

How dare he consider me adorable!? I'm on top of my combat and strategy class.

His fingers touch my lips at that, a weird kind of spark traveling in my body from the contact. My breath hitches in my throat as I gaze at him with wide-blown eyes. Transfixed as he makes me undo my pout.

Can he manipulate bodies too?

"No, little pixie I can't." He replies to my thoughts and now I should probably slap myself for being an idiot. I think Raban is rubbing off on me. Because why am I still talking in my head?

I pout up at him, getting on my tippy-toes as I swing from side to side, "How do you want to test me, your highness?" I ask in the most casually whiny voice I can muster. On the inside, I'm anything but casual.

"Combat with me?" He asks hopefully, a sort of shine in his eyes that overtake the swirling greys. Well, he looks excited.

That makes one of us.

"Okie, but I'd probably suck against you," I shrug before stepping back, getting into battle stance. And he seems surprised by my acceptance.

What? Did he think I'd refuse a fight with him?

He's Supreme Royalty. Even if I lose badly against him, I'd never lose a chance of showcasing my skills.

Maybe if he chose me as his Warrior for the ball. Maybe I can ask him to hire me. That would be nice.

But being around him 24/7?

I change my mind, I want to be his sister's guard.

"Give more attention in your history lessons, little pixie. I don't have a sister," He replies nonchalantly, studying his nails and I look at him in surprise. For a moment I forgot the most important detail, yet again. HE CAN READ MINDS. 

And now he knows I suck at history. Crap! 

I was so certain. SO CERTAIN WE HAD A SUPREME PRINCESS.

"Well you do. I have a cousin," He answers my chaotic mind and I swear on all cookies, I will cry at this point!

I whine begrudgingly as I create an air spear, aiming it directly in the middle of his chest in the next second. Well, if he won't make the first move, someone has to.

He evaporates into smoke just as my spear is about to strike him. "I think I'm good just watching you get me," he's suddenly whispering in my ear and I whip around before I yield the ground to turn and take him with it.

But now he's suspended in the air.

Without wings.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF INSANE MAGIC!?

"This isn't magic, little one," He speaks as I control the tree vines to whip against him, he misses them narrowly, vanishing into black smoke yet again. "I can naturally levitate," His voice echoes all around me but he's nowhere to be seen.

"Then why d you even need a guard? It seems like you can protect yourself fabulously," I grumble as I look around for him.

"Company, of course," I hear him say and I turn around to see him lazing over a tree branch, his tall frame draped over it like a dark snake.

"Then why not take a date?" I ask as I jerk the tree branch causing him to levitate comfortably once more.

"Then the Underworld would start expecting a future queen. I don't have time for things like that," He says as he steps on the ground, thick arms crossed over his chest as he watches me for my next move.

"That's unfair. You're just playing with me at this point," I say as create an air swing to sipe at him, he ducks at the very last moment, making me huff at yet another failed attempt.

"Isn't the battlefield just a game zone?" He asks contemplative, long fingers curling under his chin, "Besides you're quite entertaining," He tugs his jacket tight around his broad shoulders as I try to wrap the vines around him once more, compelling the ground to create a stone wall around me before I disintegrate it with a gust of wind, putting my best shot out there.

I can feel myself tear up when everything just turns to dust before meeting him, all the energy put into the attack gone in vain. I stomp my feet, clenching my fists as I glare at him, "this is useless, I can't get to you," I sniffle but I don't let my tears fall, blinking my forest green eyes rapidly to avoid crying.

He seems to go soft just a little, arms coming down from their proud fold against his chest as he approaches me. "Well, little one, the goal was never to get to me. It was to show me what you got. And you did great," The praise makes a very dormant part of my heart beat in wild and I blush furiously at the intense way he watches me. 

"I'll send a carriage to fetch you by noon tomorrow, be there on time," He turns to leave and I'm left confused.

"So... did I pass?" I ask in confusion, taking off my helmet so I can scratch my head like a loser.

"You passed even before we started this test, little pixie. See you then," He says as a goodbye, his large frame not turning and I'm left with a weird kind of yearning in my chest. It's almost like the one time I swallowed a heartburn stimulator.

He chuckles, shaking his head as he walks further away and I once again, remind myself to not think.

Rise, don't think.

"Okay, your highness. See you later, alligator," I say lamely and it earns me a parting chuckle that resonates all over the room before he vanishes.

Literally, vanishes.

Again.

And I'm left quelling the butterflies in my stomach down and calling them bats of nervousness to ease the ache in my heart.

***

"Sometimes the warning signs can seem like their butterflies."

Hello, my lovelies!

So I'm back it seems.

Momentarily. I don't know.

I hope everyone is well!

I always promise myself that I will update regularly but sadly, life always comes in the way.

But I hope you guys enjoyed this unexpected little treat. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

KILLEAN IS INVINCIBLE. KILLEAN IS DEFINITELY DADDY.

Okay, Bye.

*