Zai's POV
I entered the classroom where Giga was already waiting. The bare cement walls reminded me how bleak life in this castle could be—and seeing her face only made it worse.
"You're late," she grumbled as I sat in my seat.
"I'm early," I corrected.
She rolled her eyes. "You're supposed to be here ten minutes early. You're only five minutes early. Therefore, you're late. And what's your excuse? You were chosen by lightning—you should be able to reach speeds others can't even imagine, yet you have the audacity to be late!"
I tuned out her rambling and began thinking about my life before entering this prison. I found myself reminiscing about the red skies…
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!" Giga's shout pulled me out of my daydream and back into this gray, miserable reality.
"Why would I? It's the same thing every day with you…" I sighed.
She took a few deep breaths, visibly trying to compose herself. "We're wasting time. Let's just get into today's lesson."
She began reviewing theories and formulas for me to memorize. Despite studying lightning her whole life, she couldn't actually perform many of the things she tried to teach me. I could tell she resented me for that—for being born with the kind of potential she could never reach, no matter how many decades she studied or trained.
So, to annoy her, I always made sure to perform each task flawlessly the first time. I knew it drove her mad. She hated my indifferent attitude, too—no matter how well I did or how visibly impressed she was, she'd never admit it.
"That's it for today's lesson… return to your room," she said, organizing her notes.
"Nah."My response made her pause.
"I'd rather stay here and train some more. But if you're too tired… maybe we can spend time getting to know each other?" I offered.
That's when I saw it—a flicker in her eye. I knew, without a doubt, two things:One: she has misunderstood my intentions. I didn't want to go back to my room and sit alone in silence. Not to spend more time with her.Two: she was deeply attracted to me.
How had I not noticed it sooner?
"I don't think that would be appropriate," she retorted. Her voice was slightly shaky.
I stepped closer and squatted down beside her—since she was seated on the floor—so we were face to face. I wanted to read her expressions clearly.
"Is there a time limit on our lessons?" I asked.
She blushed. Maybe because of how close we were?
"Not exactly…" she replied.
I inched closer, and she flinched, bumping into the wall behind her.This is… amusing.
"Then… do you have plans?"She shook her head no.
I brushed a lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear and letting my fingers graze her cheek. I grinned widely as her blush deepened.
"Do you have something against staying with me? My room's too quiet—I'd rather be here with you."
That part was true. But I knew my behavior was deceptive. Still, it was too entertaining watching the arrogant b*tch I was used to act so weak in front of me.
"Don't you… hate me?" she asked, slapping my hand away. Sharp girl.
She stood and added, "I have a few more concepts we can go over… if you still have the energy."
"I've got plenty of that."I hadn't slept in weeks. I had too much energy.
The next day, for the first time in fifty lessons, she didn't scold me for being late. Which was funny, because I was late on purpose. As usual, I gave my full effort, performing all her tricks—defying gravity, reaching near-light speeds, disrupting brainwaves. And once the test subjects were dragged out of the room and we were alone, she turned her back to me and said,
"You did well."
All I'd done was flirt a little. And she's actually giving me compliments? This is amazing.
I walked up behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and electrified the door to keep anyone else from coming in.
"I had a good teacher," I whispered, pressing my lips to her neck.
"…What are you doing?" she whispered back, placing her hands on top of mine.
"I'm… passing the time."
"Why are you acting like this?" Her voice softened.
"I'll tell you… if you tell me when you started liking me."
I could feel her heart racing through the current in her body.
"I… I can't. I don't know."She was telling the truth. Somewhere in the two months we'd been together, it happened.
"I like you like this," I murmured. "Keep talking to me sweetly, and I'll treat you well."
As I spoke, I slipped my right hand into her pants. She tensed, but didn't stop me. Instead, she placed her hands against the wall and spread her legs—to make it easier.
We only had ten more lessons after that. It was soon declared that she had nothing left to teach me. Giga protested to the Glass King, begging to continue. She lied, claiming she still had more to teach me. But I knew better—there was nothing left. I was just disappointed. Fooling around with her was better than lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling in silence.
A week after our lessons ended, I escaped the castle. I couldn't stand the silence anymore.As punishment, I was banished to Earth—to suffer with RJ.And because the King assumed I cared about Giga, he took her in as a concubine, just to spite me.
"I can't stand to look at you. How can I have faith in you to save our world if I can't even trust you to stay in your room?! You'll understand how gracious I've been when you and my son are on your knees, begging to return. Then—and only then—will I let you fulfill your destiny." This was the last thing King Vetro said to me.
I left out those words when telling the story to Snowe.
She started to cry.
She's always crying for me… I was hoping for something closer to jealousy, but instead, she was overwhelmed with sympathy. As always, she let that emotion swallow the rest.
"Stop crying. I'm fine now," I assured her.
"They gave you nothing to do—locked you away in solitary confinement! Of course you tried to escape!" she shouted, and I chuckled.
It's so hard to stay mad at her.
"The King isn't very smart. And he hasn't been to Earth in ten thousand years. He has no idea how much things have changed… I'm happy here. He'd have a heart attack if he knew I found you."
I stroked her cheek, feeling her warm under my touch as the electric signals in her brain and heart surged in perfect sync.
"You always say cheesy stuff like that so easily," she murmured, eyes half-lidded. "Don't you get embarrassed?"
I leaned in, kissed her lips slowly, then whispered against them, "Every time. I'm embarrassed right now."
She gripped my shirt like she didn't want me to pull away. "Liar," she whispered, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. There was a tremble in her voice when she added, "You… didn't say she was ugly."
"Hm. She wasn't." Her gaze faltered. "When she wasn't around, I never thought of her," I continued. "Touching her never made my heart race. But yes… she was attractive."
"You haven't said how you feel about her," Snowe murmured. "I know it's not hate. You can't hate her."
"You're right. My feelings…" I paused, "...are complicated."
She gasped, pulling slightly away. "Were you in love with her?"
I laughed and shook my head. "I already told you—the only woman I've ever loved is sitting right in front of me." I brushed my fingers through her hair. "Giga was just… something to pass the time. A distraction. Watching her react was like watching a movie—entertaining, but empty. I never missed her. Some days, I even forget she existed. That's the best I can give you."
She softened against me, resting her head against my chest, as if all her tension had dissolved in that one breath. And even now, even after everything, her embrace made my heart stutter in sync with hers. The fire inside me cooled.
"Good," she whispered. Then, clearing her throat with sudden urgency, she continued, "Because… you should know something too."
I tilted my head.
"I've had crushes. I never thought they'd be returned, so when Smoke…" My jaw tensed. "...when he liked me back, I was shocked."
My rage sparked again at the sound of his name, but I said nothing.
"But I wasn't in love with him." She lifted her face to mine. "You're the only man I've ever loved. And I won't—won't—tolerate fighting another woman for your affection."
My lips curled. "How about for my honor?"
She laughed, breathless. "I'll fight for your honor."
Then she began to unbutton her blouse. Slowly. Deliberately. Her fingers trembled, but her gaze never wavered.
"I think we should do this now," she murmured. "I don't know if I'll be in the mood after we meet with my mom…"
Heat surged through me. My face flushed and my eyes dropped to her chest—just as she wanted—and my hands moved instinctively to her waist, pulling her closer.
"You're always in the mood," I teased, my voice low, husky.
She flushed deeply but didn't deny it.
"I didn't like hearing about you being with someone else," she admitted softly, undoing the last button. "I know it's in the past, but… it feels too fresh to me. It's like I can still feel it. I can't help being upset. I feel stupid."
Finally… the reaction I was waiting for.
"You're not stupid," I murmured, drawing her close. "You're mine."
Then I kissed her again—slowly, and this time, when her fingers trailed beneath the hem of my shirt, I didn't hesitate to join her in undressing.