"It seems to me that I haven't given you a break" said Zephara and when I turned towards her, she looked furious.
All the soldiers stood up quickly and bowed their heads before kneeling before Zephara.
"Sorry, your majesty, but we just wanted to take a little break to eat," said one of the soldiers in a timid voice before they all returned to their training.
"You stop right there," said Zephara, pointing at Alfonse.
Alfonse stood in front of her, not showing any fear or regret. He was ready to face her anger, even if it meant his death.
" Yes, your majesty, how can I..." He didn't even have time to finish his sentence when Zephara put her sword against his neck. One move from Zephara and she could kill Alfonse without any problem.
"Stop," I said, stepping between Zephara and Alfonse. I couldn't let her hurt him, not after he had just wanted his solders friend to have some decent food.
Zephara moved a little away from Alfonse, but not enough to lower her sword. She looked at me with a fury look.
"How dare you give me orders, little human," said Zephara in a very threatening tone.
"I don't understand you, your soldiers need rest, don't they?" I said, almost shouting at Zephara, which probably wasn't the best solution. I
"Go back to your room," said Zephara even angrier, "Go back to your room and stay there until I come for you."
I don't think anyone has ever made her so angry.
"I don't feel like it and what are you going to do if I don't listen to you," I said, looking Zephara straight in the eye. What a nerve I have. I knew I was risking my life, but I also knew I had nothing to lose.
"I'll look after you later, Alfonse," said Zephara before taking my hand and teleporting us off to my room. She didn't bother to say anything else to the other soldiers, who watched us leave with a mix of relief and fear.
Once in my room, Zephara opened my wardrobe and threw a towel over me.
"Go and take a shower," she said firmly, but I was determined not to listen. I didn't want to do anything she told me to do. I didn't want to give her any satisfaction, any control, any power over me.
"No, I don't feel like it and why are you reacting like this?" I said and Zephara sighed heavily before answering me.
"You got Alfonse's scent on you and I hate that. What have you done with him?" she asked, her voice dripping with suspicion.
"He just gave me a hug, well two, how do I smell like him?," I said, a little confused, although I didn't feel like I was smelling anything else.
"We demons have a much better sense of smell than you do and we demons are used to marking things that belong to us with our own scent. I don't appreciate you smelling like someone else," she said as she pushed me into the bathroom and closed the door. She locked it from the outside, leaving me alone with the sound of the running water.
I quickly took off my clothes, the fabric falling in a heap around my feet as I stepped into the shower. The cold water hit me like a shock, waking me up fully. Who would have thought that Zephara, with her distant demeanor, could be so possessive?
As the water cascaded over me, I couldn't help but replay the events of the past few days in my mind. A few days ago I was in a rather shabby castle with Zara and Zain and now I was living with the demon queen, who clearly didn't seem to like what I was doing.
Once I'd finished and dried myself off, I wrapped a towel around my waist and made my way to the door. I hesitated for a moment, steeling myself for whatever mood Zephara might be in on the other side.
"I'm ready," I called out, knocking on the door.
"Okay" I heard her voice through the door, followed by the sound of the latch being undone. She opened the bathroom door, her expression unreadable.
Zephara had laid out clothes for me on the bed, a dress and some white heel.
The dress is a stunning red and black creation that practically screams elegance. It is made of smooth satin that hugs the curves and flares out at the hem. The neckline is a sweetheart shape that shows off the décolletage, and the bodice is adorned with delicate lace that contrasts with the dark fabric.
The dress has a zipper at the back that is hidden by a row of tiny buttons. The dress also has a slit at the side that reveals a glimpse of the leg. The dress is a perfect choice for a formal occasion, as it makes anyone look sophisticated and glamorous.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Why this outfit?" I asked, turning to look at her.
"I'm planning to go visit my parents, and you're coming with me," she replied matter-of-factly. "I can't risk letting you out of my sight, especially after what happened with my soldiers. But I have to see my parents, so you're coming along."
I sighed inwardly, resigning myself to another day of being shadowed by the queen herself. But then her gaze lingered on me a bit too long, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves.
"Get dressed quickly," she ordered, though she made no move to leave the room.
"I'd like a bit of privacy," I retorted, suddenly feeling the need to assert some semblance of independence.
"I'm a woman too, you know," she said, sitting down on the bed and pointedly looking away. "I promise not to peek. Now hurry up."
I hurriedly slipped into the dress she had chosen, but soon realized I couldn't reach the zipper at the back.
"Um, your majesty?" I called out tentatively.
Zephara was by my side in an instant, her presence sending a jolt of electricity through me. She stood behind me, her fingers deftly closing the zipper, each touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake.
"Your majesty, could you hurry up and close the dress please?" I managed to stammer out, trying to ignore the way my heart was pounding in my chest.
Zephara responded by pressing a soft kiss to my back , causing me to shiver involuntarily. Then, finally, she closed the dress with a flick of her wrist.
"Put on your shoes and then we'll go," she said with a mischievous smile, not even bothering to turn around as she left the room.
I sank down onto the bed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and confusion.
"What the hell just happened there?" I muttered to myself, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that had just swept through me.