Lissa opened a portal and appeared in Azrian's garden. He looked up. "My darling Lissa. You've finally come to visit me again." He tried to hug her, but Lissa darted away. "Lissa, what's wrong?"
Lissa told him softly, "I think we should break up. When you die, I doubt we'll be able to see each other and you deserve to be happy. I shouldn't have appeared before you after I died. This is all my fault."
Azrian's eyes grew angry. "But I don't want anyone else! I want you, and nobody else can have you."
Another portal opened and Christian fell out. He shoved himself up and glared at Azrian. "I believe the lady said she wanted out." He slipped a knife out of his jacket sleeve. "So respect her decision."
"And who might you be?" Azrian growled angrily, not noticing the knife.
"I'm the guy who's had a crush on her since before I died," Christian replied.
Azrian growled, "I remember you now. Christian Ozera, that kid who killed his entire family."
"Lissa, go back to the castle," Christian ordered. He opened a portal and Lissa ran through it. "Now that she can't get hurt, let's see who gets the chance to win her heart."
Azrian leapt at Christian, but Christian dodged him easily. Christian told him, "I may not have murdered my family, but that doesn't mean I haven't killed people." He pinned Azrian to the ground and held the knife to his throat. "It's been a pleasure killing you." He slit Azrian's throat and disappeared through a portal.
Lissa was sitting in the kitchen when he appeared. "You didn't have to kill him," she whimpered.
"I was ordered to if he ever attempted to harm you," Christian explained. "Believe it or not, the Queen cares about you."
Lissa shook with fear. "Really? Or is she just trying to keep me isolated?"
Christian muttered, "Ask her yourself. She's right behind you."
Rose was standing there. "Christian, that bastard's still alive. What should we do?"
"I'd rather not kill him unless he makes a move to harm Lissa or the royal family," Christian answered. "I think I scared the shit out of him, so he won't make a move against us for a while. Hopefully your child will be safe and sound before he does anything. Now I believe Lissa has a question for you."
Rose looked at Lissa explectantly. "Why are you trying to isolate me?"
Rose started to laugh. "I'm not trying to isolate you. I'm trying to push you towards the guy who actually loves you and who has a nice personality."
"And who is that?" Lissa demanded.
"Let's let him seduce you instead of me telling you," Rose answered.