A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Eighty–Three As soon as the words had left my mouth though, I slowly started to take in what I was actually seeing before me. 

Because it was Cai, but... true to the excuse he‘d provided, he really didn‘t seem well. 

I could recall how he‘d appeared worn out the last time we’d met, however this was on an entirely different level. 

He looked pale with dark circles under his eyes, perhaps having even lost some weight. The difference in his appearance was almost like an entirely different person from the man I‘d first met all those years ago. 

“Aria,” he greeted, his voice having a rasp to it that hadn‘t been there before. 

And, inside, a pang of guilt hit me. 

It seemed I really had dragged him out of his sickbed. 

“Take a seat,” I said, gesturing to the chair on the other side of my desk, and he complied. “I appreciate you coming here to meet with me.” 

“You didn‘t give me much of a choice,” he replied. 

I simply nodded in turn. “Well, you can‘t blame me. Your pack is still refusing to join the alliance and you can probably figure out what that means given my current position.” 

“I‘m not refusing you anything, Aria,” he argued, a cough following his words. “I‘ve been too sick to be involved with politics; something that has lasted for months now since no one can figure out what‘s wrong with me. Yet, despite sending word to you of that very fact *multiple times*, you still insisted! come here.” 

“You won‘t be able to sit idly by in your bed if your pack is being killed outside your doors,” I replied harshly, my eyes narrowing. “Apologies for dragging you out here but surely you can understand the very precarious position we‘re in right now. Only you can help convince your father to join back into the alliance.” 

“Really, Aria? Not even five minutes and already you‘re threatening a war?” 

“Do you even understand the full gravity of the situation, Cai? There are only two options for me here. Either you join our alliance again... or I‘ll have no choice but to declare war. You already know I would rather avoid the latter.” 

“I came here only because you said you needed me, Aria,” he said, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering intensity. “Needed *me*. Not my title.” 

And, suddenly, just like in the past, I could start to feel that magnetic energy form in the air around him, wanting to draw me in and listen to him. To give in to him and try to make things right. 

Only I knew exactly what it was this time. 

And it had nothing to do with what ** wanted to do. 

the influence threatening to

what I was looking for, it was easy to tell when he used it. And it definitely wasn‘t natural. Internally,

frowned, confused by my abrupt

what? I‘m just telling you the truth,” he said slowly. “Using me for what I

Chapter light bree 

I‘d had

doing that thing,” I replied, gritting my teeth. “It might have worked to get me into

hell are you on about?” he said,

believed him. It looked as though he really didn‘t know anything about

anything. The fact of the matter was that it was definitive confirmation that he‘d been influencing me during the times we were together. Now I would never know if what I‘d felt during those moments was even real or just a byproduct of an

your father about joining the alliance, I, in return, will let you speak to Elder Luke. There are things about you that, apparently, you don‘t even know about yet, things that would

he said, his frown deepening. “You want to withhold access to someone who might have vital information to potentially cure me... on the condition I serve your agenda for

I need to do for

that, evidently, was the final straw

finished here,” he said, standing up, and began walking to the

and followed behind though, trying to make

a second,” I said, finally catching up. “Cai! Think about what you‘re doing. About what this means

my words, his hand still on the handle, and looked down at me. It was as though he

found something before he

coldly, “...but you‘re not the girl I met all those years ago in

flinched at his words if it hadn‘t been for the sickening discovery I‘d just made myself.

couldn‘t believe I‘d failed to distinguish sooner.

though, it had been hidden behind him the entire time, difficult to discern.

chance to leave, I then snatched his hand away from the handle and, with m y other hand, I grabbed his throat, pushing him back up against the door behind

in surprise, struggling to pry away

he was significantly weaker in his condition. He wouldn‘t be able to escape me no matter how

is she?!” I demanded, my body instantly ignited in a rage I hadn‘t thought possible. “Where

who you‘re talking about,” he wheezed.

grip in response, his denial only further angering me. There would be no way out of it this time. I would finally get

you! You think I don‘t

now had enhanced senses from my shift, I hadn‘t initially

it. No mistaking that overly sugary sweet smell that made my