The Villainess Just Wants to Study

Chapter 34 ~ The Storm

WARNING: This chapter contains minor scenes of violence. Read at your own discretion.

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Dylan trembled with a strange dread whenever Axil was near her. She once made a list of the things she was afraid of. The list went on for several pages, changing as she grew. The only thing that didn't change was what she wrote at the top each time. Axil de Beaumon. If there was one thing that absolutely shook her to her core—it was him.

She pulled at her captured wrist, but his hold on her remained absolute. She was stuck. She was stuck, and the feeling of his chest against her back made her nauseous. 

Lucas glanced over at them, wiping away his sweat on the sleeve of his shirt. He'd have to keep his own feelings on a tight leash if he wanted to get closer to Dylan. It was obvious she mistrusted him and his affection. He turned away, feeling angry at the thought that Axil had taken his place as Dylan's brother.

"What do you want?" she whispered through quivering lips. Dylan could feel his ragged breath against the top of her head. The feeling made her sick to her stomach.

"You're really starting to piss me off." His voice had turned dark and angry, his fingers tightening around her small wrist. 

Dylan winced, a small sound of pain escaping her trembling lips. He loosened his grip for a second, only to rewrap his fingers around her hand that was still clutching onto her sword. The warmth of his hand bled into hers. 

"Do you really think a lowly bitch like you can take my position?" he asked in a low voice. "It doesn't matter if you're smart, strong or even a genius. Your blood is filthy. You have no right."

Dylan wanted to run. She wanted to move. Despite this, her entire body was totally paralyzed with fear. She was like a helpless deer stuck in headlights. His grip on her sword hand tightened as he moved her arm so the blade of her sword lined up with her own throat. 

Afraid to move her head due to the pressure of the sword against her throat, her lips moved slowly: "I don't want anything that's yours."

'Lucas.'

If she called out to him, would he help her?

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. You can't have it. You can't have what's mine."

She pushed against the firm wall of his chest and tried to twist her wrist free, but he held her in place. The sword dug deeper into her throat as she struggled, piercing her skin. She whimpered slightly from the pain.

"Live like you're dead," he whispered aggressively into her ear. "If you don't, I will kill you."

Axil eased the pressure of the blade against her neck. She raised her free hand and pushed the sword from her throat, lurching forward to escape. The blade of her sword dripped red, like the cut on her neck.

"Oh my," Axil said, louder, "you should be careful." 

At his words, Lucas glanced over at Dylan who was dripping blood from a cut on her neck. 

"It looks like my sister cut herself while practicing," Axil said, eyes glowing with menace. "You really should be more careful, sister. Playing with swords is a lot more dangerous than you think. You could get cut."

Dylan applied direct pressure to the wound as he turned his back and walked away. As she watched his back shrink into the distance, her chest began to hurt and her legs tensed beneath her.