From that day on, Zane could not help but see her again. Little by little, he discovered aspects of the beautiful woman. She was brave. She did not like to attract attention. And she cried every time she left the battlefield. Thus, little by little, he became captivated.
Finally, when the war reached its most critical moment, Zane appeared before the ruler of Aelamar. He offered help but asked for something in return. Yes, he had negotiated his intervention with the mortal rulers: the victory in exchange for Liara Esteria. The rest was easy, and he got them both.
According to his allies' instructions, Zane had led his elite group to the North. He had accepted cause the north front was the most dangerous place. But mostly because she was there. Zane wanted to meet her. He wished to seduce her. And he would do it. No woman had ever resisted him. That way, she would probably go willingly with him to the immortal realm. However, when he arrived in the North, he found that those from Esteria had been sent to the Eastern Front. Thus, he missed the opportunity to introduce himself and meet Liara.
"You have no right to keep me here," Liara told him, bringing Zane back to reality. She was trying to contain herself, but anger exploded in her eyes. Something always gave her away to him.
Those furious eyes! Zane restrained himself from provoking her further. Perhaps if she lost her temper, he could let himself go too and give free rein to his desires. He thought for a few seconds. However, Zane immediately dismissed such banal ideas.
"Give me an opportunity, Liara." It was a reasonable proposal. "Just give a chance to my realm. Let me show you my world."
She gave a small snort. That gorgeous mouth remained half open, and Zane was about to swallow dryly.
Liara ran a hand over her face. He was now trying to persuade her, and just a minute before, he had acted as if he owned her. Good gods! But she wasn't going to give in.
"You are not going to persuade me, Milord. I don't belong here." She said trying to sound reasonable. "Do you want me to reach your heart? Now?"
"Reach my heart?"
"People think I can extinguish souls with my hands, but that's not the case," She started. "My gift is about the blood and the hearts. It's a terrible thing but I have power over both. I can control them and I can also finish them." She hoped she could at least put the immortal on guard. With that, Liara raised a hand and moved her index finger in gentle circles.
The handsome lord's eyes looked at her with admiration. Uh? She expected to see something resembling suspicion or at least surprise.
"You are just wonderful. Do you know how long it's been since I felt my chest beat? Since I achieved the ascension and became a high one. More than two hundred years ago, Liara."
Gods... So Liara was the one who ended up breathing heavily. Did she have no power over him? Thinking like this, she tried to squeeze his heart. Just a little. Just as a warning.
"Exquisite…" The immortal murmured. He was the prince of Nephil himself. By Megalo!
Liara thought she was going to have to resort to more drastic methods. At least to show him she wasn't something he could acquire just because. And much less that he could control her however he wanted. So, Liara raised the other hand and prepared to shock his blood. He wouldn't be able to breathe for just a few seconds.
Liara did it.
"I knew you were awesome. However, I hadn't judged you fairly."
What?! Liara took another step back until she collided with the balcony wall. The immortal approached her, cornering her in the corner.
"Liara, I know you are not cruel." He said. "You are brave and compassionate. And now you are mine."