443 Goodbye (1/2)

He placed her sitting down on the snow, knowing that her legs were injured.

”Where are you going?” she held onto his arm before he could move to rise.

Zeke sighed, closing his eyes.

”I didn't know that the witch queen-to-be would actually be defeated by falling rocks,” he said, avoiding the question and causing Alicia to frown at him.

”I got drained from trying to keep your men alive!!!” she retorted. She couldn't believe that those were the first words this man would say to her.

”Well, you did do a good job keeping them alive,” he nonchalantly answered. ”Now let go. I have to go.”

”Wait… where are you going?” She clasped onto him even harder. ”Are you going to that woman? Please, explain all this! Why? Why are you doing this?”

Zeke looked up for a while, watching the rare white aurora dancing above them. Alicia looked up as well. The sky was truly beautiful. It almost looked like Alicia's silken silver-hair being spread over the night sky.

When she looked at him again, Zeke was touching some strands of her silver hair, playing them with his thumb before he lifted his face and looked at her.

”Why?” he echoed before the corner of his lips curved up. ”Because I'm the bad guy here, witch princess.”

Alicia almost held her breath because of the intensity he exuded as he said those words. But she didn't flinch and she narrowed her eyes.

”Bad guy?” she shook her head. ”Why would the bad guy save me then? Who are you trying to fool, vampire prince?”

Zeke smirked at her answer. But his smirk soon faded as she blinked. He let go of her hair and pinched her chin.

”Listen...” he replied, serious. He was looking into her eyes with extreme pressure. ”All you need to know is that I'm the bad guy, Alicia. Understand?” he pressed, before he held her hand. ”Now it's time for you to let go.”

Alicia bit her lips. She looked back at him, returning his intense gaze.

”Do you really expect me to believe that after saving me?” She shook her head. ”But I understand. I knew there must be a reason why you're doing this,” she added as she hesitantly let go of him.

Zeke averted his gaze and he immediately rose and walked away. Alicia watched him silently until he halted. Thinking that he was going to leap away, Alicia diverted her attention to her injuries. She looked down, lifted her skirt and saw the huge gash that started from her thigh down to her ankle. She wouldn't be able to walk if she didn't heal it.