We walked along the hall to the library as I stole a few glances at Axel. He was smiling to himself, and let me tell you something- when someone gave away any expression, my overthinker ass thought it was connected with me.
Suddenly, Axel pushed me to the wall as he aligned his arms on either side of my head.
"What the heck, you creep?" I protested as I was about to punch him in the guts, but Axel leaned forward and made me cringe away. His eyes were flickering as the corner of his lips tugged upwards.
"Imagine as the high walls erect in your mind."
"What?"
"I'll ask you private questions and read your mind if you don't shield it."
I felt panic rising in my stomach as I envisioned some very inappropriate questions he could ask. And the worst part? MY ANSWERS WOULD FEED HIS EGO!
"Rebel, focus!" Axel's demanding voice snapped me out of my daze, "Feel like your thoughts are in an unbreakable glass ball."
I needed this. For my sake. For my mother's sake.
"Okay," I breathed out.
Axel bit his lip, and my concentration crumbled like a burnt hovel. Damn it! It was his tactic before-
"What are you hiding?"
WHAT?
Axel narrowed his eyes as his body shifted in a predator's stance. I was so screwed! H-How did he suspect something? Gosh, Rebel! I had to stay guarded. I imagined as the huge glass ball absorbed all my thoughts and blocked external force from bursting inside.
I shut my eyes, and wholly fuck! I saw purple waves crashing into my barrier and trying desperately to intrude.
As the force was getting unbearable to block, it faded away and let me exhale a breath I was holding in all along.
"Not bad, princess."
I jolted as a hot breath ghosted on my ear shell. I was shadowed by Axel's sculpted body and felt engulfed by him.
"Do you enjoy being near me?"
Yes. What?
Axel chuckled as he couldn't restrain it and then dragged his hand to caress my cheek.
I was so dumb! How couldn't I guard my mind? Why did I answer it immediately? I was surprising myself every passing second.
"Do you have shields all the time?" I asked to change the subject.
"Yep." He responded smiling, "You will adapt to it, too."
His warm hand remained on my face as my body wasn't going against it.
"I have no doubt!" I retorted as his smile widened.
"Why do you object to sleeping with me?"
Block!
I summoned energy as I felt it clouding my mind before forming into a sphere. My thoughts sank at the bottom, and I felt relieved. Before I could sigh, my mental shields collapsed as I felt a twinge in my head due to Axel clawing in the sphere. My breath quickened as dismay enveloped me. I fought and fought, but it was like Axel played with me. Something smooth and brisk slithered in my mind.
'Stop!' I thought as I winced.
Instantly, the pain subdued, and I steadied myself on Axel's chest. His hand that was on my cheek came to my waist. Axel was so overwhelming as his hand on my lower back made me feel safe and heated my face at the same time.
"Never drop your guards until the mental war is over."
I panted, trying to catch my breath. Axel looked unaffected as the seriousness in his eyes made me prepare myself for another round.
Of exercising, you pervert!
"Are you attracted to any of my friends?"
Block!
The transparent sphere imprisoned my cognition. Axel dug deeper with the claws of a… Dragon! It was a dragon that snaked around my mental shield.
"Good." Axel complimented, but I didn't surrender to relaxation just yet. I could almost vision his smirk of approval.
Then Axel's dragon evaporated and left me alone in the murmur of my thoughts.
I opened my eyes and shut it again quickly as Axel poked my forehead. "Good girl," he growled and let chills run up and down my spine. His rough fingertips glided my prickled skin as I couldn't force myself to stare up at Axel.
"Open your eyes," a honey-dripped low voice filled my whole being as no other sound was entering my head.
Warily, I fluttered my eyelashes and came across a pair of deadly golden orbs.
"Is it your dragon eyes?"
A nod.
"Are you a purple dragon?"
Nothing.
"Black?"
A smirk.
Axel's devilishly handsome face was terrifying me now. His eyes were gleaming and twinkling while his fangs grew in size.
"You are beautiful," I said and raised my hand to touch his face. He was.
Axel glanced at my hand before boring into my eyes and anticipating my next move. My fingers almost grazed his sharp jaw, but suddenly I felt intimidated. He was so big and powerful compared to me; perhaps he would mock me afterward. My hand froze in midair. And Femme was another case. Axel just seemed unreachable for me.
Axel's growl made me jump as he clasped my hand, and his nose wrinkled like a wolf's.
"I won't mock you."
"Sure."
I snatched my hand from him and crouched as I slipped under his arm placed on the wall.
Another growl escaped his lips.
"Why are you so warm towards me all of a sudden?"
A firm hand on my arm suspended me again.
"And how I was before?" I couldn't decipher Axel's emotions as my own took over me.
"Mocking? Actually, you weren't that bad. My family still outplayed you."
"You will never meet them again."
I shrugged at his statement.
"Let go."
"Where are you going?"
"I know where the library is. I just wanted you to accompany me. But now I just want to lock myself up in a bathroom."
A growl.
Mental shields!
His overshadowing and formidable figure made my body itch to hug him.
"You were good," at last, he sighed and looked more like a human as he freed my arm and straightened. "But you will train to go without the signaling words and shutting your pretty eyes."
Axel gave me a wink before his smile dropped, and he strolled in the shadow.
I felt butterflies in my stomach due to my closeness to him. And I learned how to guard my thoughts. I continued plodding towards the library as I pushed the doors open.
The dark, gothic hall was vast and daunting. The golden walls were only a façade for the visitors. From the inside, the palace was shadowy and gloomy.
But what was that noise of books falling?
I snapped my head towards the threat as an arrow was shot at my head. I ducked and grabbed a book, which I hurled at the attacker. He dodged and came out of the shadows.
"Lee?" I exclaimed, shocked.
What was he doing here, trying to kill newcomers? Or was he trying to kill me? Impossible!
"Lee!" I recognized Penum's voice as I turned around but was late as the sword came crashing down on me.