Ella’s POV
“Don’t lie to me, Liam. It’s an order.” I said to him.
I could see the look in his eyes and knew that he was going to deny it even though it was obvious that I knew what I was asking about. He was wondering at the moment how I knew but that wasn’t why I was here. I wanted to know explicitly what the deal was about so I could know how to deal with the fire on the mountain since Kevin wouldn’t tell me anything.
He would insist that I shouldn’t worry about anything as he didn’t regret exchanging his life to find me. How could I not when it was about his life that was on the bargain?
I needed to know the truth. I needed to know what really happened so I could find a solution.
He swallowed, thinking of his choices. I allowed him to make his choices, staring at him. I wasn’t going to pressure him into telling me the truth but I wasn’t going to let him lie to me as well. I could see that he was debating his choices. He couldn’t lie to me as I had handicapped him when I had told him that what I said earlier was an order and he didn’t want to betray Kevin who was the alpha and his immediate master. I was his master as well but only by the marriage relations I had with Kevin. He wasn’t actually subject to me but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to find a way to worm the truth out of him.
“Your highness,” he sighed, trying to escape from the dilemma he was in.
“Liam, the truth.” I insisted, unmoved. “I want nothing but the truth.”
He sighed. “The alpha would have to forgive me.”
I smiled at him. His walls were already breaking down and I was willing to let it crumble to the ground. “He would forgive you. I will make him do that. He is my husband, after all.”
He sighed. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
I snorted. “You don’t have to say this in my presence.”
He blushed, realizing what I meant. “I wasn’t trying to insult you, my lady.”
“I know you aren’t. Tell me the truth and I would put the insult behind me. You can always tell Kevin that it was an official order and I made it difficult for you to lie if he gets mad at you.”
“He exchanged ten years of his life to the witch for information about you. She wouldn’t tell him anything unless he made the trade.”
I was relieved that it was only ten years but I wasn’t happy about the deal still. I wasn’t comfortable that he had to live below his years because of me and I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that I had to do something about it.
“Tell me how I can find the witch.” I ordered him.
“Your highness.” He gasped, realizing what I was about to do.
“Tell me, Liam. It’s an order.” I cornered him.
“Don’t make me do this your highness.” He cried.
“Liam, it’s an order.” I repeated, wishing he would talk on time. I didn’t have the time for this.
“Let’s get inside. You will need to have it written down.” He said, looking at the door that led into the house.
“I have a good memory. You don’t have to worry about me.”
He shook his head. “There is no way I wouldn’t worry about you, your highness. I worry about his majesty more than he worries about himself. That’s my duty.”
I smiled, knowing that he was right. “I know that but you know as well how smart I am so you should trust me with the address and let me have it.”
He nodded. “I know you are smart but that doesn’t mean I will stop worrying. Can we agree that it has become my nature to worry about the royal family?”
“I don’t want to go in because of your sister.” I said, latching on to the excuse as I hoped that he would give me the address quickly so I could go on my way and do what I wanted to do.
He smiled, looking amused as he stared at the house. “I’m sure she isn’t around. She hates you, your highness so I know she wouldn’t stick around while you are here. She would have found somewhere to go to or locked herself in the room so she wouldn’t have to see you.”
I chuckled. “That is a comfort to hear.” I said, unable to hide the sarcasm dripping from my voice.
He chuckled. “I’m sorry you have to deal with her.”
I shrugged, feeling uncomfortable that he always had to apologize to me on behalf of his sister. “You didn’t make her the way she was.”
“The address, your highness.” He said, stretching his hand towards the door.
I nodded, knowing he wasn’t going to get me the address unless he had it his way and I needed it. I noticed how he quickly talked about the address instead of apologizing more for his sister. I guessed he didn’t like talking about his sister like I didn’t.
“Let’s go.”
He smiled as he led the way. “I don’t doubt your intelligence, my lady, but knowing what you are about to do, I would only feel assured if you have it on paper and not at risk of forgetting it should something scare you while you are traveling.”
“I understand.” I smiled, walking after him. I would agree with anything as long as it got me what I needed and could get me started on the journey I itched to go to.
I sat in the living room while Liam walked into his bedroom to get me the address. He came back with a piece of paper and handed it to me.
“Promise me that you wouldn’t do anything rash with this, your highness.” He said as he handed the paper to me.
I wondered if he thought that I was going to talk to Kevin about the journey I was trying to embark on as that wasn’t going to happen. I nodded to assure him so he wouldn’t have to worry and have a good night sleep.
“I wouldn’t do anything rash with this.”I said to him. I didn’t have to do anything rash as I had thought of this well before coming to meet him.
He exhaled a long breath oozing with relief as he let go of the paper. I almost felt pity for him and wished I could tell him that I had lied to him. He thought I wouldn’t leave immediately but that was exactly what I planned to do.