CHAPTER 6

"Darius, you're playing a risky game." Like smoke, Lysander's final words stuck to the atmosphere, wriggling, twisting around my mind, and refusing to go away. His charges and covert threats echoed in my head as I stood motionless. As I battled the storm inside me, the room felt oppressive, with the walls closing in.

I knew things could go apart due to the past Lysander alluded to. At my sides, my hands clenched into fists. Weakness wasn't an option, but my armor was starting to reveal its fractures, especially now that Maya's presence was becoming an irresistible pull.

"Darius."

Her stern yet gentle voice cut through my stress. I turned to face Maya, whose eyes blazed with defiance and a gentler side she would never reveal. With her shoulders set, she challenged the room as if I dared to ignore her as she stood in the doorway.

"Maya, what do you want?" Although my tone was harsher than I had intended, she had perfect timing and always knew when to make fun of me.

She leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "What is causing you to brood so much? Do I need to worry?”

I turned away, letting out a laugh devoid of humor. "Little wolf, you should always be worried. This isn’t a place for comfort.”

Even though she was walking lightly, I could feel the atmosphere change as she approached. "Darius, do you think you are the only one with scars? Perhaps you have forgotten that I understand what it's like to flee from a haunting past.”

I tensed up. She was right, but I didn't like how easily she could see through me. "Don't act as if you understand." I lowered my voice to a low growl.

She stepped into my personal space and said, "Don't act like you're untouchable. You're not as icy as you like to think. Every time you gaze at me, I see it.”

We exchanged words, and I wasn't prepared to accept the challenge. The fire in her eyes dared me to reject her claim as I turned to face her.

"Maya, do you think you know me?" The sharpness was still there, but my voice grew softer. I moved in closer as her aroma filled my nostrils. "You haven't seen anything. And you'll give up trying to find out if you're smart.”

Her breath caught, and her eyes flashed with vulnerability before she covered them with a scoff. "Are you aware that you are a hypocrite? Always pulling, pushing. Darius, do you even know what you want?”

I didn't respond. To be sincere, I didn't. Or perhaps I did, but I wouldn't be strong if I admitted it. And Maya Rivers was dangerous because she made me feel things I had long suppressed, not because she threatened my rule.

"You should go." I expected her to comply with the command.

Instead, she cocked her head, examining me. "What's causing your fear?"

Her questions struck me more forcefully than any charge Lysander could level at me.

Before I could stop myself, I confessed, "You."

She opened her mouth in amazement, but I cut her off before she could say anything. She was drawn to me as my palm cupped her jaw. I wanted to chastise her for reaching into areas of me that she had no right to, but I was powerless to stop her.

With a raspy voice, I said, "You make me weak," against her lips.

With her breath blending with mine, she answered, "Then stop acting like you're invincible."

Subsequently, there was no more room or pretense. I planted a kiss on her lips that was anything but tender. It was a battle of wills as much as a surrender; it was fire and rage.

Her hands tangled in my hair as if to anchor herself, but she refused to back down, matching my ferocity with hers. I couldn't stop craving her flavor and how she pressed against me.

But reality smashed in as fast as it had begun. My chest heaved as I retreated, fighting to control the mayhem she sparked.

"Darius," she murmured in a shaky voice.

I said, more to myself than to her, "This cannot happen."

She looked into my eyes, briefly flashing with pain before she steeled herself. "Why not? Is it because of your past or because you're too coward to confront it?”

She was telling the truth, but it was also a slap.

I stepped back and said, "You don't understand."

"Then explain things to me." Frustrated, she raised her voice. "You're hiding behind this wall of yours and excluding me all the time. Let me in, Darius, if you want me to stay. Otherwise, let me go and quit playing these games.”

Keeping her close felt like a death sentence for both of us but I didn't want to let her go.

With a final tone, I added, "I can't give you what you want."

The fire in her eyes dimmed slightly as she flinched. "Then, if you are unwilling to return anything, stop stealing parts of me."

She turned and walked away, leaving a gaping hole I was unsure how to fill.

I remained there for a while, my hands tingling from her contact. Then I threw my fist into the wall, the sound reverberating across the room as I growled in rage.

Maya reminded me of everything I would never have; the past had already taken too much from me.

However, I was more afraid of losing her than I wanted to acknowledge.

And that made her the most deadly thing of all.

The door to my study creaked open once more at the cliffhanger. I turned abruptly, anticipating Maya returning and giving another scathing scolding.

Instead, It was Lysander. His eyes gleamed with delight and hate, and he smirked without regret.

Strolling in as if he owned the place, he drawled, "Trouble in paradise?"

I growled at him to get out, but he ignored me and leaned against the desk while sporting his enraged grin.

"Oh, Darius. We both know that no matter how much you try to push her away, you will never be able to let her go. And that's going to be your downfall," he added, his voice fading to a menacing murmur.