26 Obstacle

A goal can be imagined as a straight line when it is conceived, but getting there takes a very curved path because a goal is a destination.

Ophelia knew her goal. She was going to learn the extent of her and Nikolai's bond. But to do that, she had to remain in Celestia and reside among lycans of pure blood. She was already full from the meal she had eaten and the drama, but for some reason her tongue tasted bitter.

"Go." Nikolai, who was ogling the dramatic kneeling guard dully, received a commanding hiss from Alexander.

Nikolai raised a brow. "Why?"

"You dare to question me?" Alexander sounded aggravated.

Nikolai scoffed. "Danil is here," saying that, he grabbed Ophelia's wrist and pulled her out of the dining area.

Ophelia groaned and let Nikolai lead her back to his chamber, but as soon as they reached the door, she snatched her hand away from him and glared at him.

"What are you doing?" She sharply asked.

Nikolai simply glanced at her. His expression and gaze said nothing, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. He cocked his head and looked intently into her bright eyes, where he caught a glimpse of himself.

"Taking you to my room,"

"You said you'd take the title."

Nikolai laughed softly as he mocked her conceit.

"So?"

"Are you a moron?" Ophelia snapped, tightening her teeth. "Clearly, you are blind."

Nikolai jaw clenched at her words that always cut deep. "Insulting me even after telling my whole family that I belong to you?"

Ophelia was taken aback and immediately averted her gaze. "I have a goal, I do not want an obstacle in my way."

Nikolai smirked. "An obstacle to get to me?"

Ophelia snapped a strong glare at him that triggered a twisted smile on his lips. He took a step towards her, closing the distance between them and then, leaned his face close to hers.

"You are already have me, Fire Storm,"

Ophelia's heart skipped. She opened her mouth and closed them. He returned her gaze with eyes that were calm storms. Crimson darkened, twisting and whirling, like they were telling her that she had nowhere to go and wherever she went, he would be right after her.

"We are not as close are you think." Ophelia warned and took a step back, creating a distance between them.

"This is where you are wrong Fire Storm, you feel it yet you deny it, but I won't judge, I just have to work hard." Nikolai softly said.

Work hard? Rolling her eyes, Ophelia put her hand on the doorknob.

"Go and solve the problems of your home Nikolai, I can tell that you are running away from your responsibilities. It doesn't matter if you just got out of prison after three hundred years. If your father is dead set on giving you the throne, then you deserve it. I'm sure you can see that there are beings drawn to the throne and position that are destined for you."

"You know nothing." Nikolai placed his large hand on her small hand, yanked it away, and grabbed it. He admired her hand, stroking her tiny, frail fingers and moving his thumb up to her knuckles.

The heat of his touch had a significant impact on Ophelia, causing her to exhale shakily.

"You are correct, but you still know nothing." He added, his dark eyes shifted to her equally darker ones.

Nikolai was waiting for her to stab him again, to run away, away from his room, his castle, his kingdom and never look back. Everytime he spoke with her, everytime he watched her movements, he wanted her to do just that.

"I don't need to know anything to comprehend what I've seen." Ophelia softly said.

Families of powerful pure blooded lycans like the Novikovs had a strong bond that made them unstoppable. They held each other in high regard and possessed traits that symbolized their connections. The Novikovs were obviously ripped apart by the individual goals of each member.

"I don't want you to get involved with my family." Nikolai said. "We aren't saints."

"Are any of us saints?" Ophelia laughed despite the fact that his touch on her fingers had set fire to her insides. "I guess we are alike in that aspect."

"You are a deity, My beautiful Storm." Nikolai firmly remarked, "You are not despised; in fact, you are a treasure to your family, but the approach is hostile."

"In another word, they despise me." Ophelia murmured watching as he intertwined his large hand with hers. It looked perfect.

His thumb gently and delicately caressed her skin as he cradled her cheek with his second hand. Her dark lashes quivered, her gaze met his.

"I doubt your view of hatred." Nikolai whispered. "Your family trained you to become a strong force that can clear any obstacle that comes their way because they see you as a gem that they can't bear to lose."

Ophelia's heartbeat quickened. She wanted to distance herself from him. From his touch to his gaze to the tone of his voice—they were all too alluring. She was like the only woman in his life—his long-sought treasure.

Her stomach fluttered, her skin ached for more of him. A recognizable warmth built between her lips as she pursed them.

She held his wrist, whispering, "Go Nikolai."

Was he trying to seduce her? He was good at it but she was greater.

Nikolai tilted his head, capturing his lips between his teeth as she batted her eyelids innocently at him. He gulped. It was obvious that she would cause his demise.

"You are my obstacle, Fire Storm, do you know that?"

Ophelia raised a brow. "What?"

Nikolai smirked. "Like I said, you know nothing."

"This is why we can't be friends. We are both snakes." Ophelia muttered, while still maintaining eye contact with him, stroking his wrist slowly.

"You are the snake here, a big winged snake to the exact."

Ophelia let out a laugh. "Says the dog."

Nikolai chuckled darkly. He seized her waist in an instant, pulling her toward him. Her hands shot to his chest before raising to his powerful, broad shoulders. In response, he drew her closer still, pressing their chests against each other.

Taking a breath, Ophelia's eyes instantly changed into their characteristically menacing golden reptile appearance.

"Did I utter a mistaken phrase?" Her lips twitched as she asked feigning innocence.

Nikolai clenched his jaw, gritted his teeth, and flashed his eyes. He clutched her waist tightly, and she could feel his melting touch through the fabric of her shirt.

"Partially." He inhaled and smiled while admiring those lovely, enticing pink lips of hers.

"Nikolai, let go." She said, clenching his shoulders.

"Kiss me, and I'll do it." In a warm, playful voice, he said.

"I'll do it when you get wings," Ophelia spoke while slowly shaking her head. "Or if you make water droplets come from the sky."

Nikolai paused before forming a menacing grin. "Oh?"

Ophelia went cold. He couldn't possibly grow out wings right? He couldn't make rain. It was impossible.

All of a sudden, a sharp clearing of the throat could be heard behind them. Rhaziel was standing there with a lifeless expression, and Nikolai and Ophelia's eyes snapped to his direction.

Indifferently, he spoke up. "I found the perpetrators of the attack in the southern region."

...

A/n: Steady updates coming soon ಥ‿ಥ