Super Villain Boyfriend: Lycoris 2 (special preview)

“You’re batshit,” Chalcedony gripes.

“What’s going to happen?” You ask, packing a bag. “He doesn’t have his powers anymore.”

His frown was palpable, even from across the room. “He's a very intelligent man. Whose to say what he’s been doing on that star all these years. Thirteen years and all he’s been doing is tending to a garden? I think not.”

“Then come with me,” you say filipantly.

He rolls his eyes. “I understand you want to test your limits, but think about those limits. Dark Lord Lycoris has it out for your family.”

“A family that no longer exists, that is only mine through reincarnation and vaguely explained magic.” You wag your wand in the air. “I am not that princess anymore than this tote bag is a bunch of plastic bottles.”

Chalcedony sighs heavily. “I understand why you want to do this, dear friend, but I used to know Lycoris back in the day. He can be dangerous even without his powers. I just want you to think about things.”

You sit down on the foot of the bed and look Chalcedony in the eye. You know he’s just as exhausted as you are. He’s been trapped in this role as mentor most of his life, and now that he feels his usefulness run out, he’s struggling with his place in the world too. He’s just decided to be a cat is all. “I’m tired of thinking,” you sigh. “I am exhausted with being the leader, the responsible one. My team is scattered and living their lives now. I no longer feel the need to follow the whims of some fate set for me before I existed. I just want to let go and go my own way.”

“Into the arms of a former enemy?”

“Exactly, former.” You stand up and finish packing your bag. “We made amends.”

Chalcedony grumbles under his breath. “Just keep yourself alert is all I ask.”

“We made a pack,” you reply. “During the exchange of these three wishes both of us are protected.”

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around why you chose him, of all the monsters in the galaxy. Why Lycoris?”

You tie your hair back and catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. “I think he understands more than anyone what it’s like. My past life’s family dicked him over royally in a way they dicked over me. Besides, he’s nothing like Darius.”

Chalcedony huffs. “Explain that to me.”

“Darius was always kind of the damsel in distress, you know? It got to be a hassle as I got older. He had powers like I did? Why was he always getting brainwashed and kidnapped? Lycoris had his people, had his forces, but he could fight for himself and them.” You spray on some perfume. “He always fought for me, but never for anything. Just whatever I stood for. Lycoris had passion for his goals. And really? What was he doing? Stealing gemstones from earth to power his forces? We do that with fuel and cars everyday. He just wanted his own kingdom outside my family.”

“Why did you never tell me these things?” Chalcedony sighs.

“Because I thought I was supposed to do all those things. I thought Darius and I would be together and that was it.” You pick your wand back up again. “I know this may be ridiculous, but I need to explore this while I can. If I don’t, I don’t know how I can just be me and not the child of the cosmos.”

Chalcedony gets up from his spot and jumps down to the floor. “As long as the fridge is stocked for this weekend of yours.”

“It is, went shopping when you took that nap in the flower bed this morning.”

“Be safe, dear friend.” He yawns as he goes into the living room.

You smile then take up the pose and recite the chant for the magic wand to be happy. You appear inside Lycoris’ castle again, catching him just as he’s tending to his garden. He doesn’t pay you notice until he’s done pulling the last weed. He tosses it into a bucket then stands and presses his hands to his back while he arches it until it pops.