Kingdom of isolation - you can't hide

Forty Six - Dual POVs

Alexander

Bare faced, angry freckles dancing under the flames and defiance rolling off her in waves, I take it all back. This little vixen and her methods of annoying me will never cease to exist. It's a part of her being as much as it is breathing. I should know by now that she won't make it easy for me even if I threaten her into it. Her momentary compliance was just a distraction when in reality, she's just an annoying little shit.

Amusing as she is chaotic, she talks like she's in competition with my mirror. Her sass is all over the place, constantly throwing me off with her attitude. I'm a quick learner, but when it involves my little ballerina, I have to take a step back and reevaluate everything I know about her.

"It's tea." I clarify, pouring the warm liquid into a cup for her and extending it towards her. Feet propped against my thigh, although hidden beneath the stolen joggers, she doesn't make an effort to grab it. I wonder what her reaction would have been, had she wandered a little further and stumbled across my armoury closet. Googled for ways to use it on me, perhaps?

"I want coffee."

"You don't like coffee."

"Says who?" She's quick to ask.

Says your fucking shopping history.

"It's not good to be drinking coffee this late. Have some tea instead, it'll warm you up."

I don't stay in this room unless I have to. Last time I was here, so was she. And that's coming up to a year soon. The cold never bothered me, even as a child. It still doesn't make any difference if I have carpeted floors or the fireplace lit at all times.

But this little human beside me was shivering even whilst she slept in my arms, courtesy of Montana's unpredictable weather. Unlike her little princess castle in New Hampshire, the walls here don't warm themselves. My staff pays attention to detail but they also know not to spend longer than necessary in my personal space—even when I'm not there. I'll have to start taking her wellbeing into consideration, starting with preparing hot food to keep her from starving and installing upholstery to retain heat. Such a nuisance.

"Fine. I'll have tea."

"What's the magic word?"

"Starts with the letter f and ends with you?" She smiles, a mischievous glint in those sapphire eyes. My fingers tighten around the ceramic cup, imagining it's that delicate neck of hers.

Don't kill her, don't kill her. Ma won't like it. Think of the mess it'll create.

"I will, soon."

Now it's my turn to smile at the red hue creeping up to her cheeks before she snatches the cup from me in haste. As expected, she sips her tea silently after that and either occasionally glares my way or stares at the clock behind me. She doesn't need to worry, I won't be getting near her anytime soon unless she wants me to. Judging by her attitude, she'd rather be anywhere else but here. Close proximity with me is like the death penalty to her, which is offensive but the least of my concerns right now.

While she continues brainstorming ways on how she can kill me, I scroll through the plethora of documents Killian sent my way. All of them are waiting for my seal of approval but only a handful will make it. Construction deals, loans, shipping docks, business ventures, nothing moves forward unless I say so.

We're almost cordial for a moment and that's because we're not conversing. Oddly, that doesn't sit well with me. In theory, it should. But I find myself wanting to hear her voice even if we're fighting. Not only is she a distraction in my space, she's taking my attention away from important business related ordeals. I can't decide what's more worrisome, her being a tempting distraction or me allowing it to happen. I must be going mad.