Olivia’s POV
Andre took me back to my room and lay me on the bed. He planted a soft kiss on my cheek and forehead and told me that he had to go and meet Doran.
I could only manage a small smile and watch him leave the room. I was alone. My mind was restless, and there was so much anticipation that it put me on edge.
The ceiling stared back at me. I gazed at it so hard as if I would find answers to my predicament in its concrete.
I wasn’t sure for how long I was lost in this trance but I soon heard a tapping on my door.
I sat up in alarm and pulled the bedclothes closer to me. It wasn’t Andre. He never knocked.
“Hello, dear Luna.”
The door opened and I saw Doran standing at the door with a big smile on his face. I sighed in relief, and my grim face brightened up. I needed some cheerful company.
“Doran,” I called as he walked into the room and sat down on my bed.
His eye regarded me with intrigue. I was happy to see him and hear from Amelia.
“You look wonderful,” Doran said. You’re a bit bigger because of the baby, but still as beautiful as the first day I saw you.”
I blushed hard. He had a way with words.
“Andre isn’t going to be happy hearing you say something like that,” I said back with a grin.
“Ah, he is always so serious. I mean no harm. Trust me, I fear my wife more than him. She has me wrapped around her pinky.”
He flexed his pinky, and I giggled as I remembered what Amelia told me at the restaurant some months ago.
His eyes washed over me, and his friendly demeanor faded slightly.
“I came to check on you. How are you doing?”
I detected the mood change, and my countenance fell as well.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I…I feel…I don’t even know what I feel,” I said sadly.
Doran sighed.
“I came to support Andre with his attack on the Royal families. He is very ambitious. He’s doing all this for you.”
My voice shrank. I felt a gnawing in my tummy.
“I know. I’m worried about him and I just wish that I could do something to help him.”
Doran folded his arms.
“I guess you and I are in the same boat then.”
“What?”
Doran sighed and stared into a void as he spoke. Each word was laced with worry and uncertainty. It put me on edge.
“I’ve known Andre for years, and he has always been the ambitious type. Always headstrong and getting himself into trouble…”
He chuckled dryly.
“… I can’t count the number of times that I’ve fished him out of predicaments. But I worry that he is getting himself into something that not even I can help him out of.”
My face paled with worry.
“What are you talking about?”
He unfolded his hands and placed them on his lap.
“I’ve been doing reconnaissance for him on Elvis Pine and I can tell you, they are nothing like what he has faced. Their armies are strong, powerful, not to mention numerous.”
“But…but Andre has allies”
I was fighting to keep my worries and fears from clouding my judgment.
“They can be of help to him. He doesn’t have to fight them alone.”
“You are right,” Doran said with a sigh, “but I doubt that they are enough. I’ve run the numbers and done the maths; the armies of Elvis Pine will overwhelm him. It is going to take the Goddess’ grace and kindness for him to win this war.”
I tried to keep my breathing under control. Andre couldn’t lose. I didn’t want to lose him.
I felt guilt crawl in. I had led him to a war that even his Beta doubts he would win. I had walked him to his impending death.
No!
“But…but our fight against Jonas’ family. We beat them. We won…
“We won because we had the tactical advantage. We took them by surprise. Their efforts were invested in capturing you; they didn’t expect a full-scale attack. But now that Jonas is still alive and he knows that Andre is coming for him, he is more ready than before. It won’t be the same fight…”
He placed his hand on mine and squeezed it lightly.
“Olivia, Andre is in grave danger.”
My breathing was frantic and uneasy. I was struggling to pull myself together.
“You have to warn him. You have to stop him, Doran…”
“I can’t. I am his Beta and I have to obey his command. Refusal will seem like mutiny on my end, even if I am just looking out for him as a friend.”
“What do we do?”
I was on the verge of panicking. I was taking deep breaths. I knew I had to calm down. Stress would hurt our baby.
“Olivia, I know that Jonas hurt you and your family, but is it enough to risk everything you have now? I came to talk to you because you are the only one, aside from me, who knows who Andre truly is.”
I was silent. I didn’t want Andre to fight. I didn’t want him to die. I didn’t want to lose him.
I couldn’t even fathom the thought of birthing my child without him by my side.
“Andre always puts you and your feelings first in everything. I know you would do the same for him. I see how much you love him. It’s beautiful, and it soothes his head-strong personality.”
He gave my hand a light pat and pulled away. I found myself floating in limbo, thoughts and doubts swirling around me. Doran’s words shook me. I had never felt so much unease before.
“Sephora tells me that you are getting stronger. I’m impressed.”
His tone had returned to its usual cheerful vigor. His eyes didn’t look as solemn as they did before. It was like he had flipped a switch.
I was caught off guard.
“Th… thank you. I guess that I have very good trainers.”
I tried to match his tone and hide the fear that was cooking inside of me.
“The Alvida told me about your powers-mind control-which is unique and powerful. How far have you gone with that training?”
“Not very. It’s exhausting. But I can use it on command now.”
“Excellent! How many people can you control at a time?”
I bit my lip in disappointment. Alvida said that with enough training, I could control as many people as I wanted. But I could barely control three at a time on command.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t trained enough to find out.”
He squeezed my hand and smiled warmly at me.
“I’m sure you will figure it out. You just need time. Well, I guess I’ll get going.”
He stood up and walked to the door. My eyes followed his gait. He grabbed the doorknob and paused.
“Olivia”
That solemn tone had returned.
“apart from my beautiful wife, you and Andre are the only family I have. I don’t want to lose either of you.”
Those were his last words, and he left. I was alone in my room again. His words carved crevices in my heart and settled there. I was bombarded by thoughts, but one of them was the most glaring in my head.
I couldn’t let Andre die. I had to save him from the mess I caused. I’d give myself up for him if it meant that he would be alive.