He answers to me. Not the other way around.
And I will not allow anyone to think I’m weak. I won’t allow them to test my authority either, especially not in a world that still assumes power belongs to men, and that a woman who rules can be questioned, pushed… played with.
I’ll remind them. Every single one of them.
And if someone has to lose their head for crossing me, so be it.
If Markev thinks he holds more power than I do, then I’ve clearly been far too lenient. If he stands at my side, it is because I allow it.
And if, by some miracle, we ever manage to exist as anything beyond what we are now—which is unlikely—he needs to understand his place.
He needs to respect me.
I don’t need him fighting my battles.
I fight beside him, not behind him.
I drop the note onto the mattress, feeling irritation spread through my body.
He must have exhausted me thoroughly last night. I didn’t hear him leave, and I usually hear everything.
I never sleep deeply.
Ever.
Yet somehow, tangled up with that psycho and fucked senseless, I missed every sound.
I don’t know if he plans on coming back soon, but I have no intention of waiting to find out.
I move quickly and head straight for the bathroom. I run through my morning routine on autopilot, then layer a bit of makeup onto my face. I brush my hair back, smoothing it until it falls into loose waves.
I’m already moving towards the wardrobe, stepping into my clothes in record time. I pull on my UGGs, grab my phone, and unlock the screen as I walk.
Adriano’s location lights up immediately. He’s on Elaris Isle.
Maybe theyaretogether.
I don’t have a tracker on the psycho, so Adriano is the only lead I have.
I hope to hell Markev called him, and not the other way around.
I shrug into a jacket. It’s mid-March, but the air on Elaris is still cold and damp.
Back in the living room, I pause to open a drawer and strap two blades to my body.
There’s no time for breakfast.
I’m out the door in seconds, card key, phone, and car keys already in hand.
The lift takes too long to arrive, so I take the stairs.
In my rush, I collide with someone near the exit. I look up to find Adelaide scowling at me.
“Watch where you’re going,” she snaps, her eyes narrowing.
I roll mine. “Someone’s in a good mood. As usual.”
I don’t wait for a reply. I’m already outside, crossing across the grounds towards the academy car park.
