I gulped as Mira's provoking grin evoked nausea in my stomach. I had to get out of here.
"Mira, why am I still here?" I faced Mira with flattering hands. Rema was giving me goosebumps as he seemed ruthless with his promises.
"Princess," he groaned out, and I had to shun from that scene.
"Your power will not affect this place," Mira meant my teleportation. She was right. I had no clue where I was, so teleporting was a skill I couldn't use right now. One had to be aware of her surroundings for that technique.
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound resonated in the hallway as Mizu emerged from the darkness and ran towards us.
"Mira, it's the dragon, run!" He threw words at us as Mira groaned but surrendered and called out to Rema.
"Rema, quit it!"
I almost jumped in delight as Mizu's words dawned on me.
"Leave Rebel alone!" Abigor appeared behind me as I tried to jab him, but he grasped my wrist and twisted it.
I screamed as a bone-cracking sound rang in my head. A sharp pain surged through me.
He broke my wrist!
I slumped down with a hiss while Abigor shouted at Rema, "Rema, we are leaving! Now!"
Rema moaned out his release as the woman followed with a scream of his name. Soon her shriek made me forget my pain as I faced the crew. What did Rema do to that female?
They circled Abigor as he smirked at me, "Don't forget our deal, sweety. We will meet soon."
"Don't betray us. We will know, princess." Rema warned me with a snicker as he adjusted his pants.
Abigor, Rema, Luke, Helio, Mira and Mizu. After that, they vanished in thin air.
"Rebel!"
"Danu!" I jumped up and turned around to inspect the men I craved to see.
Harley, Danu, and Axel were racing to me while Fuliko stomped on fours.
"Rebel," Axel engulfed me in an embrace as my toes parted from the ground. His hug was so consoling I ignored the scorching pain in my wrist.
"Can't we follow them?" Harley asked as he suspended his growl. Desperation and restrained rage were evident on their faces.
"They teleported. I taught you about teleportation, Harley," Danu explained, "You can't detect their whereabouts if they teleported."
Axel's eyes were flaring with animosity I had never seen before.
"Axel," I murmured but winced as he clasped my hand.
His eyes searched mine for an explanation. "What's wrong?"
"Her arm, your majesty," Fuliko joined as he stepped forward.
Axel placed my hand on his palm and sent something itchy through my bones as new pain entered me.
"Axel!"
He was healing my injury.
"Let's head to our palace," Fuliko uttered.
***
I had dinner in Axel's room as the matters they discussed for hours were unreachable for me.
Abigor was a real thing. He wanted me to delude Axel and gather information about the beast. I couldn't say I was against it since my aim was the same as Abigor's from the very start. But my plan didn't cover cooperating with him. He was definitely working with that beast. If Axel's powers wouldn't benefit him, it meant he was on the other side.
I halted my debate with my thoughts as the black door opened slowly but confidently.
Axel stepped inside as he flashed me a charming smile. God damn it! I had to sleep with him from now on. How?
"You hide your thoughts well." He declared and ripped his shirt. Hey, hey! Stop there!
"You know there are buttons for a reason."
"Yep." He ignored my question as he sat on the bed. "Is there anything I should know, Rebel?"
Block!
I should keep my guards up. Playing a double game would lead to a painful end. The only thing I could do was go for a lesser tormenting outcome.
"He wanted to kill me. If winding up the mating bond would lead to you regaining your powers, it makes sense."
Axel contemplated my choice of words as I carefully constructed every sentence. His blue eyes studied me before he squinted one and sprawled on the bed. He laid his head on my lap, and I gaped my mouth in surprise.
"How is your hand?" His arms rested behind his head. What a jerk!
"Fuliko healed it. Thanks for asking, your majesty." I gave him a fake grin as he blinked at me.
"I'm glad, your majesty," he offered me my own medicine and pursed his lips to avoid laughing.
"Axel?"
"Rebel."
"Today is the ball, isn't it?"
"I am going to postpone the ball."
"Don't."
His eyes flew to mine as they became a shade darker.
"W-What?" I stuttered at his reaction.
"Are you that eager to become my queen?" Axel asked with a seductive smirk.
I leaned down and returned a naughty expression as his muscles tensed.
"Maybe I am eager for another thing." Gosh, I was so risking my virginity.
I couldn't even blink as Axel kissed me, and I would straighten involuntarily if not for his hand on the back of my neck. Axel's kiss was a formidable fruit because once you tasted him, you would never be able to separate from him. My lips collided and moved in sync with his.
My back hurt, and as if he felt it, swiftly he sat, hoisted me in his arms, and laid me beneath him. Axel removed bedsheets from me and, like a starved animal, attacked my lips again. Having him half-naked like this sent me into delight as touching his hard stomach was another level of a turn-on.
"Rebel, your coronation will be today," Axel managed the words between kisses.
I smiled in a kiss causing him to rise and eye me.
"You are beautiful."
"Pft, tell me something I don't know."
"So you will officially become my wife?"
"Yep."
Guilt filled me. Something sank in my stomach.
"I will kill Abigor."
Change of an expression followed by his words slapped me.
"What? Hey, hold on. He's your father. Are you sure?"
Axel sat on his knees as he shoved his slender fingers in his raven hair, "Nobody touches what's mine."
"Stop referring to me as yours."
Axel quirked his brows, and I prompted myself on my elbows.
He smiled and stood from the bed.
"What?" I asked, half-smiling, intrigued.
"I will make those words leave your sweet lips."
Axel was handsome beyond the words. I couldn't help but admire his well-sculpted body. Every inch of him was solid. Yep, E-V-E-R-Y.
He was smirking. Wha- Damn it!
I rolled my eyes as his beautiful laugh filled my ears. I was gawking. Again!
"Get ready. I will order Olivia to start the preparations."
***
Dark maroon dress with black laces and dragons imprinted on it. That was Ash's present for me as he stood at the threshold with his side leaning on the frame of the door.
My brown hair was formed into an eye-catching hairstyle. My luxury, big red dress accentuated my green eyes. After I left the River kingdom, they had changed. Sixteen years old child had grown so much. Tears made their way to my eyes. Mother, please hug me and hinder those obscure plans from hurting me. But that thought never reached my hands, nor my mouth. Everyone around me schemed plans against each other and used me as their tool. It was the time to end their reign over me.
Penum with his deals, Axel with his glorious purpose, Abigor's and his people's ominous duress.
"Good job, princess. I can't invade your mental shields, and you don't even look to be trying." Ash's melodic voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
Ash was gorgeous. Wrapped in the suit dragon clan hated so much. But he dressed formally for me, and I respected that.
"Princess? Why did you want to call me that?"
He smiled and gazed down before landing his eyes on me. "It's the last time I'll be addressing you as the princess."
I sighed. Ash was a good man.
"You had to grow up so early. It hurts me I can't ease your burden. But remember," Ash walked to me with his hands stuffing his pockets, "Great pleasure demands a great pain."
My eyes remained glued to his honey ones. I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut at his words, but his gaze captivated me. Somehow he sympathized with me. What had you gone through, Ash?
"Let's take your fucking throne!" Ash rocked that smile. It was the time I rocked my throne. I had plans. Oh, I had some awesome plans.