"Rebel, what happened? Are you okay?"
I turned my head, and my gaze zoomed in at befuddling Axel, who was scanning me head to toe in a disorganized manner.
Perplexed, Danu, Ash, and Harley were gathered at the entrance as they examined me and then Femme with lost eyes.
"I'm fine," I muttered, and Axel narrowed his eyes at me and then at Femme. The same gesture was different for the priestess and me.
"Axel," she mumbled with shaky hands.
"From now on, you, Femme, the priestess of the dragon clan, are freed from your duty."
"WHAT?" Femme's hair stood on her head as her jaw dropped and her eyes watered.
Wow, I didn't expect that. Well, things were going pretty well for me.
In the next second, Axel made Femme blast in the air.
"Axel! Did you kill her?" I asked the king with a baffled look.
"Nah, just avoided her pretences by sending her to the other castle." He smiled down at me, and I wrinkled my nose. "I'm sorry, Rebel. It's my fault. What did Femme want from you?"
Considering that Femme suspected something, it was for the best if I avoided her.
"Um… Femme just," I had to be smart. "Announced that she fucked you, and I ripped her gown. It was useless anyway."
I stated nonchalantly, and Axel quirked his eyebrows while the boys laughed as Ash advanced towards us. I thought that they appreciated my advances towards their priestess.
"How do you feel about me fucking Femme?" Axel asked with that annoying smirk spread on his face.
I was sulking over his words that added to my fury. Yep, I was definitely jealous. Like, did stunning kings rain from the sky?
That jerk knew the answer all too well. I noticed from my peripheral view how Ash tilted his head at Axel in distaste.
"We agreed that I would adapt to that fact since I had no intention doing that stuff with yo-"
"Fuck," Axel corrected. His amusement was evident in his eyes as they sparkled with playfulness.
My face twisted in antipathy as I imitated vomiting. Axel stared at me intently while Ash chuckled lowly.
"Yeah, fuck you."
"Oh?" Axel lifted his eyebrow as I smacked his shoulder.
I shoved his hand away and stood up, followed by the two males straightening to either side of me.
"I feel," I fixed my pants which were sticking to my skin so tight I felt sweaty. "uncomfortable," I stated and gazed up at Axel.
"You are an idiot." Danu threw something at Axel as he caught it in a flash and squeezed so hard it shattered.
"What were you doing with my brother?" Axel inquired as he shook his hand and crossed arms on his broad chest. Ash whistled, and then a smile covered his splendid face.
Axel was infantile and utterly stupid. How did he expect me to lay open my private life? Friendly reminder, Rebel – Axel = your future husband. Damn it!
"That isn't your concern."
"Harley?" Axel went on stubbornly as his eyes never left mine.
"Nothing serious, just-"
"They had a measly argument."
Someone cut in as their voice wasn't natural. I couldn't decipher who it belonged to, woman, man or a child.
Danu and Harley moved to either side of the entrance to let the source of the voice in.
I was flabbergasted as my jaw hit the ground.
"Fuliko!"
A little fox appeared behind dragons as he stood on his two feet and beamed at us with a cheerful expression plastered on his cute face. He had dark red fur and the same colour glowy eyes. He wagged his tail feverously as he rubbed the back of his neck with his paw that had accentuated fingers similar to humans. The green shorts were only a piece of clothing he was wearing.
This creature was so adorable!
Axel looked amazed as his eyebrows were raised and his mouth gaped. "When did you arrive?"
The raven-haired man cheered up as he walked to the fox called Fuliko.
"This morning, sir." Fuliko smiled politely and extended his arm to shake Axel's much bigger one.
Axel crouched as he pulled Fuliko in a hug. The fox's eyes shot open, and his arms trembled, but soon the gentle smile took place on his face, and he wrapped arms around the king. The crew surrounded Fuliko with warm greetings and gestures.
Hey, I wanted to pet Fuliko, too!
Only Ash remained by my side as his voice shook me out of my thoughts, "Fuliko is a kitsune, Rebel."
"Kitsune?"
"Yep. They are magical foxes with unique abilities. For example," Ash motioned at Fuliko with his head, "Fuliko's element is heaven. That means his goal is to purify the impure and guide our souls."
"Wow," I was speechless as the new information was instilled in my mind.
"Rebel," I didn't catch a glimpse as Axel had neared me. "Meet our dear friend, Fuliko."
"Nice to meet you, my lady." The little creature stood in front of me with his head bowed. Fuliko only reached my knees with his height as his tail was stuck between his legs. In fear?
I squatted and patted his head as I notified him, "Call me Rebel and never bow at me."
My statement made him stare at me, baffled as his glossy reddish-orange orbs sparkled. Then the little guy grinned at me, showing off his fangs in an innocent gesture.
"Call me Fuliko, Rebel."
"Those dragons that flew around my head. Was it your doing?"
"Yep," Fuliko murmured and started scratching his left leg with his right one, fidgeting in his stance. WHY WAS HE SO CUTE?!
"Fuliko, Rebel is about to become my queen," Axel affirmed as Harley dropped his arm on Axel's shoulder.
"Oh, how old are you, my lady?"
"Rebel. Sixteen."
"Sixteen? Isn't she too young?" Fuliko faced Axel as he sighed and answered:
"That's a long story, Fuliko. I'm sure Danu will be more than glad to fill you in." Axel flashed a mischievous smirk at Danu, who narrowed his eyes at him but then clapped his hands and led Fuliko outside.
"Tomorrow is another fight," Harley announced, and Ash nodded.
"What about Femme?" The golden-haired inquired as he turned to Axel.
"Go visit her," I replied instead and every eye in that room laid on me. They all looked intrigued as they waited for me to go on. So I did, "It will be for the best. You can cover any distance without sweat, and it would be more….um… tolerable for me."
Axel studied me for a second as his penetrating gaze burned holes in my eyes.
"I don't want to interfere," Harley uttered as he withdrew few steps with a bent body."But I didn't forget what you did, princess." He lifted his eyebrow at me.
"I'm sorry," Ash put his hand on my shoulder as he offered me understanding eyes.
Axel growled and attracted our attention. He had bared his fangs as Ash as his blue eyes went golden, and Ash obeyed his unsaid words as he left with Harley.
"I want to read." I declared with coldness dripping from my tone.
"I'll show you our library. Rebel-" How could he transform from beast to considerate man?
"Just lead the way."
Axel seemed displeased with the current situation as I heard the sad melody played on a violin.
"What's that?" I inquired as Axel's eyes widened.
"Did I mention that Fuliko is a prankster?"
"Nope."
As I was about to step from him, Axel grabbed my elbow and made me face him again.
"Be ready. Tonight." Playful glint played in his blue orbs.
Axel's hot breath ghosted my lips as I stared shamelessly at his ones. That's why I blushed. The corners of his lips twitched upwards.
"Why?"
"We have to talk about something."
I sighed as his eyes flashed in golden colour, and his grip tightened on me. Something feral was awakening in him, and I had no clue what I wanted from him right now.