Did he want her? An immortal! Was it because of her terrible gift? Or perhaps because of her appearance? Liara knew that she couldn't hide her beauty, even by wearing rags or hiding her face, she always made herself noticed. Even slaying monsters in that war with terrifying ease, she had become famous for her features and her figure.
By Megano! May the good gods forgive her, but her appearance had only been a source of unrest and vicissitudes.
The Angis stood up from the couch, exuding the same magnificence as the rising sun in the east. Liara froze in place, and she could just look at him. He was so tall. She took one step back.
"What business do you have with me, my lord."
He came closer and closer until he was just some scarce centimeters from her.
"My lord?" Liara flinched as he lifted his hand and then gently touched her face. Then she gasped when his thumb caressed her lower lip.
"In our culture, it is considered shameful to wear makeup." Saying this he caressed both of her lips with a little more strength. "Are you using red lipstick?"
Liara stepped back before responding. Her voice nearly trembling: "No, my lord. I'm sorry but that's... that's just my... I'm not wearing any makeup, sir."
A heart that doesn't beat. A beautiful man that she couldn't read at all. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking. Liara took a breath before speaking again:
"My lord, I don't mean to offend but, could you answer my question?"
She just wanted to come back home and enjoy the peace they had earned. But, here she was completely lost and taken aback.
"I formed an alliance in exchange for the Red Witch."
"I rather dislike that nickname. I'm sorry, my lord, but I am not a witch."
The great commander suddenly reached her again. "I apologize then, Liara."
How did he know her real name? And what had he said? Exchange?
"If I may ask, who exchanged who, my lord."
"Esteria and Aelamar, of course." He said. "They both committed to give you to me."
Liara started to feel dizzy. Then she remembered Cala's words: Liara, you... are what was promised.
No… Her freedom. Her dreams. Her home. After everything she had done. After all the things she had passed in that damn war. Absolutely no. Something inside her froze.
"I want to go back to my home," She demanded. Her tone changed instantly. Then, again, Liara put on the cold mask she had worn in battle. That same cold expression and her fearsome don had earned her the infamous name of Red Witch.
"Liara, you are home." He said with a cold smile.
"You can't retain me here. I don't belong here." She raised her voice a little but spoke with total composure. Letting a bit of arrogance creep into her tone.
"You are mine now."
He told her as if nothing had happened and she trembled. What did he want from her? Which of the two options would it be? Or it would be both. Had they seen her as a threat and wanted to kill her? Or maybe they planned to imprison her for life. No, those last options were unfounded given the treatment they were giving her. It was her power or her body. Well, whatever it was he was wrong. She didn't care how handsome or how powerful he was. She was not a toy. And not a deadly tool either.
"I won't let you lay a finger on me." Commander Angis's expression did not change. He continued looking at her with those unfathomable eyes. "And I won't let you use me as a weapon."
Then something flashed in his eyes. Fury? Liara didn't know for sure.
"You don't have to worry about that," The immortal said calmly. "I don't take women against their will. Besides, you're not my type, I don't like cruel and proud women. At Nephil we value delicacy, gentleness, and purity above all."
Those words shouldn't have hurt her, but they did. However, Liara was very careful to show that she had been affected.
"On the other hand," He continued."I have no intention of using your power as my personal weapon. You see, I am already powerful enough."
Liara bit her lip thinking that maybe she had been too quick to judge. She had lost her composure and had rushed. Maybe he just needed something from her. Perhaps soon she could return to Esteria to laugh at this misunderstanding.
Then he spoke once more:
"However you must know this, Liara Esteria of Mégano: Your people betrayed you. They made a trade for you. And now you belong to me."
Liara found herself trying to suppress her tears. She had no choice but to hide her trembling hands behind her back.
"What do you want?" She dared to ask trying to sound composed.
"I want you to help me feel. With your gift, I want you to touch my heart."
Liara nodded at the immortal, conceding for the moment. However, this would not be the end.