[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/fWpmWD76/ba126c5312a21eb9b6823aa5d6245506.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=6ecff6][h3][u]Ashkevron Residence, Askavi, just outside.[/u][/h3][/color][/center]

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Even though Mikhail's mood wasn't exactly good, the words Faeril had to tell him would make it even worse. While he knew he had a contract with Faeril herself, the second she revealed that Fatima was in fact... a Queen and she expected him to be a part of her court, Mikhail's expression changed for the worse. That explained the strange pull he felt towards the woman but that fact also made Mikhail very worried. He ended up involved with the very things he always avoided... Queens and political struggles. As Faeril revealed that most of the things happening were in fact, part of her plans, the tension on Mikhail's expression was almost tangible. Not only his current situation was already bad, but despite Faeril saying that he could walk away, he was already too deeply involved for that to be an option, not only that, but Faeril's words, especially after she mentioned the consequences that would happen if he didn't stay also made him think.
Before he could reply to her though, Faeril's exhaustion finally caught up with her, making her fall asleep immediately after her last words.

Meanwhile, Mikhail caught a glimpse of Xandar going through the bodies and quickly grabbing something, putting into his pocket. A very suspicious action from someone Mikhail had absolutely no trust in. His cold eyes were analyzing every movement the man made as he came towards where the group was, quickly taking Faeril from Fatima's arms and saying he would take her to rest before disappearing inside the Eyrie.

Mikhail's mind was already a mess, with many questions appearing as he tried to think about many situations and possible outcomes even before Xandar took such a suspicious action, but to make things even worse, Fatima apparently wasn't done with her emotional outburst, as she growled to Mikhail after Xandar took Faeril away. This time, as she spoke with him, Mikhail wasn't kind and understanding as he was before. The expression in his face was no less than disturbingly cold. In his eyes, there was no anger, no hostility... Instead they were simply cold, the eyes of a cold, calculating man as he thought about countless possibilities and situations. There was no time for emotions. His situation was already way worse than he already liked, having to deal with queens and political struggles, things he always avoided.

[color=6ecff6]"I don't have friends, Fatima. I've [i]survived[/i] this long only because I'm careful with what and when I do or say anything. I always think before acting. The risks involved, the consequences of my actions and possible situations I might face. Things neither you nor Faeril seem to be capable of."[/color] Mikhail started, in a cold monotone voice.

[color=6ecff6]"It is exactly because I think before acting that I adverted both of you. You both made extremely dangerous mistakes. Luckily, things went well for you, but seeing how things are progressing, things will get even more dangerous. And when they do, if you make these same mistakes again, things might not end as well as they did now."[/color] he said, in a rather ominous warning.

[color=6ecff6]"Xandar is a liability to my own objectives. He is an unwanted and unpredictable element that needs to be dealt with, lest my objectives be put in risk due to his actions."[/color] he continued, despite Fatima's words, stating that she didn't want to discuss that matter at the moment.

[color=6ecff6]"You are unable to protect yourself, [i]'queen'[/i]. In fact, you must be severely delusional if you think that Xandar's actions are the best and most effective way to protect those around him. I have absolutely no obligation in protecting you. The only one I care about is Faeril and only due to her being the only one able to heal my condition. If you think your life matters for me, you are severely wrong. Even though I might feel the pull due to my instincts, I am no beast. Ignoring it is but an easy task for someone who endured a broken and shattered mind for so long as I did."[/color] Mikhail finished. The odd combination of his emotionless eyes, the cold tone on his voice and the cutting words he said were a glimpse of just how much on edge Mikhail was with the entire situation.

Now that he knew that the only reason he tried to protect Fatima was due to the pull he felt for her, he was even more against doing anything for the woman again. He knew just how crafty and manipulative queens could be and he hated himself for not knowing that he was acting according to the pull he felt towards her, like a pathetic puppet, dancing to the sound and movement of the strings... That said, even though he still had to keep Faeril alive. At least until she completed his treatment and their contract was complete. Still, after what happened, he wasn't sure if he could trust even Faeril anymore. There was absolutely no proof nor nothing holding her back to simply manipulating Mikhail's own memories and mind and making him into her puppet without him knowing...

[color=6ecff6]"Worry not, [i]'queen'[/i]. I promise you, you wont hear my voice again. This was the last time I did or said anything to warn, help or save you. After all, just as you said, my words holds no weight here, does it?"[/color] Mikhail said, finally turning around and heading towards the garden, specifically towards the tree where Xandar was on, resting in one of it's branches.

[color=6ecff6]"You have something... something you got from one of the corpses. Show me."[/color] Mikhail asked, looking to Xandar with a cold, serious tone... Even though Xandar wore a jewel a shade blacker than his, Mikhail was an assassin. He didn't have to fight him... He had only to [i]kill him[/i] if he proved to be too much of a threat to his own plans...