Zai cuddled me against him in the hotel's bed.
His eyes lingered on me fondly as he ran his fingers through my hair.
"Since I got surprised with a person from your past... I'll tell you about one from mine," he whispered gently.
I hesitated before speaking. I doubt this is a story I want to hear... but it's only fair that I listen after he was introduced to Smoke in such a chaotic way.
"... Alright, I'm listening," I replied.
Zai's POV
This happened almost ten years ago.
I entered the classroom where Giga was already waiting.
The bare cement walls reminded me how bleak life in this castle is, and seeing her face only made it worse.
"You're late," she grumbled as I flopped down in my seat.
"I'm early," I corrected.
She rolled her eyes.
"You're supposed to be here ten minutes early. You're only five minutes early. Therefore, you're late. And what's your excuse?! You were chosen by lightning! You should be able to reach speeds others can't even imagine, yet you dare to drag your feet getting here!"
I tuned out her rambling and began thinking about my life before entering this prison.
I found myself reminiscing about Afaria's crimson red skies…
I wish I could get to see the stars again, just once.
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!" Giga's shout pulled me out of my daydream and back into this gray, miserable reality.
"Why would I? It's the same thing every day with you…" I sighed.
By this point, I'd mastered my element at least to a degree that only a high-level specialist could teach me anything. Giga was that specialist.
King Vetro wanted me to get stronger to fight in his war, but he still needed to reinforce that I am a prisoner. I can only leave if he approves... and if he's mad at me, then he can make my life unbearable.
She took a few deep breaths, visibly trying to compose herself.
"We're wasting time. Let's just get into today's lesson," Giga muttered.
She began reviewing theories and formulas for me to memorize.
Despite studying lightning her whole life, she couldn't actually perform many of the things she tried to teach me.
Her body couldn't withstand the levels of voltage necessary, and she could not become one with lightning. I could.
It was obvious she resented me for being born with the kind of potential she could never reach, no matter how many decades she studied or trained.
So, to annoy her, I always made sure to perform each task she gave me flawlessly on the first try.
I knew it drove her mad.
She hated my indifferent attitude, too.
No matter how well I did or how visibly impressed she was, she'd never admit it.
"That's it for today's lesson… return to your room," she said, organizing her notes.
"Nah." My response made her pause and glance in my direction.
"I'd rather stay here and train some more. But if you're too tired… maybe we can just spend time getting to know each other?" I offered.
That's when I saw it, a flicker in her eye.
Instantly, I realized two things:
One, she had misunderstood my intentions. I didn't want to go back to my room and sit alone in silence, because it was boring. I was not looking forward to spending more time with her, but it was better than my other option.
Two: She was deeply attracted to me.
How had I not noticed it sooner?
"I don't think that would be appropriate," she retorted. Her voice was slightly shaky.
I stepped closer and knelt beside her, since she was seated on the floor. That way we could be face to face.
I wanted to read her expressions clearly.
"Is there a time limit on our lessons?" I asked, meeting her eyes.
Her face flushed the moment I got beside her.
"Not exactly…" she mumbled.
I inched closer. She flinched, scooting away and bumping into the wall behind her.
This is… amusing. Much better than solitary confinement.
"Then… do you have plans?" I inquired.
She shook her head no.
I brushed a lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear and letting my fingers graze her cheek. Then I grinned widely, watching her blush deepen.
"Do you have something against me staying longer? If you don't have plans, I'd enjoy your company. My room's too quiet... I'd rather be here with you."
That part was true.
But I knew my behavior was deceptive. Still, it was too entertaining to witness the arrogant woman I was used to acting so vulnerable in front of me.
"Don't you… hate me?" she asked, slapping my hand away.
Sharp girl. Maybe I didn't hide it well. I don't like her, but... I can't hate anyone, so she's technically wrong.
She stood and added, "I have a few more concepts we can go over… if you still have the energy."
"I've got plenty of that."
I hadn't slept in weeks. I had too much energy.
The next day, for the first time in fifty lessons, she didn't scold me for being late.
Which was funny, because I was several minutes late on purpose.
As usual, I gave my full effort, performing everything as she requested. Defying gravity, reaching near-light speeds, disrupting brainwaves, creating a field of energy to channel my powers through.
She brought in a few opponents for me to try out my powers on. I felt a little bad for them, but I didn't have the power to save them. If I tried, I would be attacked by the guards, and Vetro would increase my punishment.
I'm already isolated from my brothers for acting out, and the solitude is wearing away at my sanity. If I have to endure something even worse, I'd likely snap.
Once the test subjects were dragged out of the room and we were alone, Giga turned her back to me and said,
"You did well."
All I'd done was flirt very slightly. And she's actually giving me compliments? This is amazing.
I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. She gasped, and I felt her temperature rise and her body stiffen.
I electrified the door to keep guards outside from stepping in and seeing us.
"I had a good teacher," I whispered, brushing my lips to her neck.
"…What are you doing?" she aggressively whispered back, placing her hands on top of mine and trying to pry them away.
"I'm… passing the time," I answered.
She took several deep breaths before saying,
"Why are you acting like this?"
Her voice was softer now.
I saw the blush spreading to her neck and ears, and chuckled to myself.
"I'll tell you… if you tell me when you started liking me," I teased.
I could feel her heart racing, and I could see the electricity in her brain buzzing around as she struggled to think of a response.
"I… I can't. I don't know..." she admitted weakly.
I didn't register any signs of deception.
So I knew she was being honest. Somewhere in the two months we'd been together, it happened unbeknownst to even her.
"I like this version of you," I murmured. "Keep talking to me sweetly, and I'll be sweet to you."
As I spoke, I caressed her gently. She clenched her jaw, but didn't refuse me.
So I trailed light kisses against her neck. I heard her breathing hitch, then she whispered my name.
"Zai..."
"Do you want me to stop?" I asked softly as I slid my hand down past her navel.
She shook her head, then squeezed her eyes shut.
I slipped my hand into her pants, then under the waistband of her underwear. Instead of pushing me away, she placed her hands against the wall and spread her legs to make it easier for me to continue.
We only had ten more lessons after that.
It was soon declared by the elite council of examiners that she had nothing left to teach me.
Giga protested to the Glass King, begging them to allow her to keep instructing me. She lied, claiming she still had more to teach.
I was just disappointed.
Fooling around with her was better than lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling in silence.
A week after our lessons ended, I escaped the castle.
I couldn't stand the silence anymore.
Vetro sent mercenaries after me, and after I was caught, I was banished to Earth to suffer with RJ.
It was the best-case scenario.
"I can't stand to look at you. How can I have faith in you to save our world if I can't even trust you to stay in your room?!
You think Afaria is so horrible, try living on that boring wasteland of a planet.
You'll understand how gracious I've been when you and my son are on your knees, begging to return.
Then and only then will I let you fulfill your destiny." This was the last thing King Vetro said to me.
As I finished wrapping up the story to Snowe, she started to cry.
She's always crying for me…
I was hoping for something closer to jealousy, but instead, she was overwhelmed with sympathy.
As always, she let that emotion swallow the rest.
Snowe squeezed me tightly, and I stroked her back to calm her down.
"Stop crying. I'm fine now," I assured her.
"They gave you nothing to do, locked you away in solitary confinement! Of course you tried to escape!" she shouted.
My stomach churned, but my chest tingled with a warm sensation at the same time.
"The King isn't very smart. And he hasn't been to Earth in ten thousand years. He can never leave Afaria and has no idea how much things have changed. He expected me to be miserable, but I'm not. He'd have a heart attack if he knew how content I am now... since I found you," I murmured.
I stroked her cheek, feeling her warmth beneath my fingertips as the electric signals in her brain and heart surged in perfect sync.
"You always say cheesy stuff like that so easily," she muttered, eyes half-lidded. "Don't you get embarrassed?"
I leaned in, kissed her lips slowly, then whispered against them, "Every time. I'm embarrassed right now."
She gripped my shirt like she didn't want me to pull away.
"Liar," she whispered, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. There was a tremble in her voice when she added, "You… didn't say she was ugly."
"Hm. She wasn't." Her gaze faltered. "When she wasn't around, I never thought of her," I continued. "Touching her never made my heart race. But yes… she was physically attractive."
"You haven't said how you feel about her," Snowe murmured. "I know it's not hate. You can't hate her."
"You're right. My feelings…" I paused, "...are complicated."
She gasped and pulled slightly away. "Did you actually like her?"
I laughed and shook my head. "I already told you—the only woman I've ever liked or loved is sitting right in front of me." I brushed my fingers through her hair. "Giga was just… something to pass the time. A distraction. Watching her react was like watching a movie. Momentarily entertaining, but empty. I never missed her. Some days, I even forget she exists. That's everything I felt toward her."
She softened against me, resting her head against my chest, as if all her tension had dissolved in that one breath. And even now, even after everything, her embrace made my heart stutter in sync with hers. Whenever she's close to me like this, it feels like the world around me becomes more vibrant, and I find myself happy I'm still alive.
"Good," she whispered. Then, clearing her throat with sudden urgency, she continued, "Because… you should know something too."
I tilted my head.
"I've had crushes. I never thought they'd be returned, so when Smoke…" My jaw tensed at his name. "...when he liked me back, I was shocked."
My rage sparked again, but I said nothing.
I hope the direction this conversation is going is a good one.
"But I wasn't in love with him." She lifted her face to mine. "You're the only man I've ever loved. And I won't, won't, tolerate fighting another woman for your affection."
My lips curled. "How about for my honor?"
She laughed, breathless. "I'll fight for your honor."
Then she sat upright and began to unbutton her blouse, slowly.
Her fingers trembled, but her gaze never wavered away from mine.
"I think we should do this now," she murmured. "I don't know if I'll be in the mood after we meet with my mom…"
Heat surged through me. My face flushed, and my eyes dropped to her chest, just as she wanted, and my hands moved instinctively to her waist, pulling her closer.
I can't resist her at all...
"You're always in the mood," I teased, my voice low and husky.
She flushed deeply but didn't deny it.
"I didn't like hearing about you being with someone else," she admitted softly, undoing the last button. "I know it's in the past, and you didn't know me yet... but it feels too fresh to me. It's like I can still feel it. I can't help being upset. I feel so silly."
That's it… the reaction I was hoping for.
"You're not silly," I murmured, drawing her close. "You're mine," I teased.
She chuckled lightly, then we kissed, slowly. Her fingers trailed beneath the hem of my shirt. I smiled with my lips still pressed to hers. After the kiss ended, I licked her lips and joined her in undressing.