"Your Majesty, take my hand!"
The loud echo of urgency flung her back from the daze she was held captive by.
"Sister in-law, this way," happy to find help before the situation gets worse, Marionette swiftly gripped Marlowe's hand and pulled her towards the familiar powerful male voice that came to their rescue.
Still amazed—terrified, of the gigantic mythical creature that blocked their path, Marlowe was oblivious of when she was being towed the other way.
Her eyes still locked on his.
Dark onyx eyes that seemed to have an unending depth within.
She felt spellbound just staring into those depths.
When she was being ripped by the Princess, the creature gave a low, yet threatening growl that invited fright to her being.
Yet she allowed herself to be hauled away by Marionette's grip.
The brewing storm had buffered, immediately the gigantic midnight black creature, set its feet on the ground, and relaxed its enormous wings.
Behind it, stood who Marlowe least expected at the moment.
The one whose voice yelled out towards them.
Lord Zethan.
Meanwhile, the third Princess couldn't wait to leap to him to be rescued as she yanked Marlowe along.
The frightful clangor could still be heard in the bushes—familiar noises. And this time it sounded louder, and swifter.
It appeared the approaching monsters had perceived another predator in their territory after their prey.
But to Marlowe's stupefaction, the huge black creature's reaction to the noise was a loud snarl.
Just in time, they ran reached the point Zethan stood with his magnanimous sword wielded skillfully in his hand.
His expression held grave warning, but to who…?
It was unknown.
Nonetheless, he didn't as much as offer them both a glance—his watchful eyes were gummed to the vibrating leaves and echoing ground.
The monsters of the woods were approaching, and they were approaching fast!
The royalties jostled as they watched his fingers inadvertently tighten on his jade sword.
They gulped down in tremor, but It was benign, only because they knew they were protected and safe–in the Lord's hands, that is.
Another bloodthirsty growl erupted from the gigantic, mystical being Marlowe had ever set her eyes on.
She fearfully realized one thing; the beast bore no hostility towards them and it seems…it seems it was in cohorts with the cold Lord?!
Throwing an astounded glance at the Princess's white face, she spotted the lack of apprehension from the Princess towards the mystical beast. Though it was there, but barely minimum.
"Growl!!!"
"Arggghhhh!!!"
Their screams echoed through when a launch from inside the thick groove scared them and interrupted Marlowe's thought.
A large hideous beast stood at the exact place they sprinted from, making the Princess nearly wet her undergarment, and Marlowe almost to lose her footing by the apt approach.
Its ferocious growl was met by the very lethal one of the regal mystical being that appeared to be on their side?
Regardless, she couldn't let her hopes high. She was still terrified.
The two beasts were visually having a tough conversation that only them both could comprehend.
Though Zethan still stood fiercely with his hand not leaving the position of his sword.
Obviously, the two couldn't come to an agreement as it was evident, the ugly beast of the lumber was super adamant in having the Royal and Noble for dinner tonight.
And of course, the regally prideful creature wouldn't let that happen…not under his dangerous eyes that could kill without an attack.
Marlowe spotted the look of calmness in the Lord's still stiff body, but he was still as alert as ever.
It's evident, he had trust in his overly sized pet.
A pet? Is it even wise to address such a wild creature as a pet?
Before the next course of action could be calculated, the unsightly beast of the woods made a blastoff with its thick long claws aimed for the Lord's ally.
Ally. Yes, ally it is.
But not even Marlowe had expected the varmint's counter attack.
Until the ugly beast was engulfed in a burning flame of fire…not just any kind of fire…horrendously blue flames that instantly burnt the ugly beast to its extinction.
Shakened, Marlowe moved a step backward from behind Zethan.
The creature made its howl of victory.
The pride in his perfectly, slit scary eyes were visible, and did nothing than invite horror to one's soul…Marlowe's soul.
"Great job, Midnight," a sudden praise from the cold Lord confirmed Marlowe's earlier speculation…it was indeed Lord Zethan's pet.
Oh…if she knew how wrong she was.
The regal beast made a gruff sound—filled with pride and arrogance, before looking away.
Not even acknowledging Zethan's words of commendation.
In response, Zethan smirked at it, before turning his now stiff and indifferent face to the two Royalties whose asses he had just saved.
Without even caring to formally greet them according to their title, his rigid tone resonated, "To the Castle, now!" it was an order, and there was no mistaking that.
He took fast paced steps after hitting them with the order; which should be seen as disrespect, but in this case, no!
Marionette wouldn't even dare see it in that manner.
Sparing a hidden guilt look at Marlowe, Marionette gestured for her to follow suit with Zethan. Which she did after sending her a nod.
It was obvious the fear of the occurrence still flowed in her veins like a venom being implanted…no, it was far worse.
Before Marlowe could make a step according to Zethan's suggestions, the loud growl of the mystical being echoed again, as if in disagreement.
Making them all stop in their tracks, with Marlowe going frozen.
Her fear for the beast was so alleged
Zethan turned to the creature with a breathy sigh that sounded…helpless.
"What now?" he asked with a bit of annoyance.
And the mystical being spared no effort in replying to him the same way, snarling arrogantly at the cold Lord.
There was a moment of silence with the two Royalties looking at the both of them in confusion, and of course evident glint of trepidation.
"Fine," another resignedly sigh slipped out the Lord's lips as he gave in to whatever whims the mystical creature had thrown at him.
Only for Marionette and Marlowe to be startled as the Lord looked at their direction—Marlowe's exactly.
And she could feel her heart stop beating in her ribcage while she internally prayed…'Oh God, not that look again,'
"Your Majesty, he wants you to ride on it back to the Castle,"
"What?!" came an exclamation from the third Princess as she stood, jaw dropped. A mild glint of jealousy.
Whilst Marlowe stumbled backward from shock.
'I…it…it…wants her…t…to…ride—it?!'
Did she just hear it fine? Or all the earlier chaos is messing with her hearing?
She! A village maiden, ride an enormous regal Dragon?
This must be a horror play!