Beyond(12)

My dad crosses his arms over his chest and studies me. “That was my idea, actually. Dane didn’t want to go but I gave him no choice. Does it really matter who says the vows to you? The outcome is the same.”

Dane didn’t want to go? I wasn’t sure how to process this new information. In my head, Dane didn’t give two shits about me, and sure as hell didn’t want this marriage.

“Why didn’t he want to go?” I ask, aiming for a casual tone.

“He said it wouldn’t be a good way to start off the marriage, even if it was an arranged one. Do you see why I didn’t want him for you initially? Dane is usually single minded and driven. He’s never turned down a mission before. He was in the army you know, before.”

It made sense that he was in the army. His skills surpass any of the other men here.

“So you told him that he has to go?” I ask, looking down at my hands.

“I did.”

“How did you save him?” I ask, needing to know this answer. Dane was so loyal to my father but I had no idea why, and it seems like no one wanted to tell me.

“That’s his story to tell,” he replies absently. “Are you already giving the man hell?”

I tilt my head to the side. “Maybe.”

His lip twitches.

“I just don’t see why the wedding couldn’t be pushed back?” I grumble.

Something flashes in his eyes. “I’m not going to be around forever Olivia. I need to secure your place in this castle and know that you have a future. I’ve raised you to run this castle. Let Dane handle anything beyond these walls. ”

I sigh heavily. I knew the reason he protected me so much. Five years ago, when everything went to hell, we lost my mother. Lilly was a sweet, gentle and loving woman. She didn’t stand a chance. She was bitten and became one of them.

“I’m not mum dad,” I whisper. “I’m more like you than her.”

I was strong. I was a fighter. A survivor. Yes, I was also a little girly, but who said I couldn’t be both?

He ignores me, like he does every time I try to bring up mother.

“I need Dane to go Olivia. No one else will come back alive. Lars will stand in. It’s an old practice and completely legal.”

Legal. Like that even mattered anymore. We made our own rules now. I haven’t missed the fact that Dad liked to choose which old laws to follow, and which rules he wanted to make as his own.

“Fine,” I reply curtly. Lars was good looking. Surely I wouldn’t die having to kiss him one time.

“Olivia,” he warns.

I stand up and nod my head. “I understand.”

“Good girl,” he says quietly. “I have business to attend to.”

I nod and say bye as he leaves.





“You’re attack is much better than your defence,” he says, knocking the stick out of my hands. “You need to work on it.”

I nod then pick the wooden stick from the floor. “I just need a little practice, is all.”

Amusement dances in his eyes. “Kind of confident, aren’t you? For a tiny woman that weighs what? Fifty kilos?”

“Sixty,” I correct. I was petite, but deadly. I could use people underestimating me to my advantage.

“How tall are you?”

“Five feet four inches,” I reply, looking up at him. “How tall are you?”

“Six three,” he replies, grinning wolfishly. “And all muscle.”

I roll my eyes. “Get over yourself Dane. Now’s not the time to be vain.”

“And when is?”

I lick my bottom lip seductively. “Our wedding night perhaps? Oh right, you won’t be there.”

I hit his stick with mine, putting all my strength into it.

“Lars is saying my vows, he’s not touching you,” Dane says, knocking my stick away easily. “The wedding night is being postponed. The second I’m back in the castle, you’re all mine.”

“He’s kissing me though,” I say, trying to get him with a swipe to his knees.

“A chaste kiss,” Dane replies. “Your lips will barely touch.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

“A little possessive for someone that doesn’t want me,” I say, blocking his next hit.

“I didn’t want you but I got you anyway. And now you’re mine. I’ve told you this before.”

We lower our sticks at the same time, the air thickening between us.

“Dad told me you didn’t want to leave, so I shouldn’t be giving you shit.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” he replies in a low tone.

“Maybe you’re not as bad as I originally thought,” I admit, offering him a small smile.