Alex raised his hand and delivered a forceful slap to the back of Verge's head. "I specifically instructed you all to bring her here calmly, not to cause her harm," he scolded.
"But my lord, she was about to raise an alarm," Verge murmured.
"Was she alone?" He pondered, glancing over at a sleeping Ava. A smile crossed his face as he realized he couldn't leave her in the hands of Damon, a man who pretended to love her but would only bring her harm.
"Yes, my lord," Verge whispered. "She appeared disoriented."
"Hmm." he brushed a lock of hair behind his ear, a smile still lingering. "And what about the others? What are they up to?"
"After we conquered one of the dragon's settlements, we eliminated any civilians and took refuge in some comfortable houses for the night. We also discussed our next plan," Verge explained.
"I see." This information indicated that Damon wasn't aligned with the dragons. If the vampires were able to defeat one of their villages so easily, it meant that the dragons lacked discipline and desired a lasting alliance. "You may leave, Verge." As his footsteps faded away, I made my way to the reading table and took a seat.
This marks the conquest of the third village. Only five more, and we will have achieved victory before reaching the main palace. "This is turning out to be easier than I anticipated," I mused to myself.
Ava's whimper caught my attention, and I immediately turned my gaze towards her. I watched as she flickered a few times before finally sitting up and staring at me in astonishment. It took her a few minutes to recognize me as Alex. "Alex?"
"Hey," I beamed at her, noticing her hand caress her head and wince in discomfort. "I'm sorry about that. Verge can be a bit confused sometimes. I specifically told him to bring you gently, but he did the opposite."
"You do realize this is kidnapping, right?" Ava exclaimed.
"No, Ava," I replied, smiling as I watched her stand up. Her brown hair cascaded loosely around her face, and her short dress revealed her smooth thighs in detail. "I am reclaiming you."
"From whom, Alex?"
"From that man you believe you love, Ava," I said firmly, standing up and growling. "He is taking advantage of you, trying to manipulate you into thinking he's caring, idealizing, and lovely. But it's all false."
"You've got it all wrong, Alex," she retorted, her expression turning furious. Could it be that she's upset because I spoke ill of Damon? Has she fallen for him? "Damon is far from nice, and he doesn't try to hide it."
"Why are you protecting him?" I asked, taking a step closer. As I moved towards her, she instinctively took a step back. I could see uncertainty in her eyes. Since when has she feared me? I would never harm her, she knows that.
"Do you fear me now?" I questioned.
"I don't think so," she breathed out. "All of this is unsettling, Alex. You should have come and gotten me yourself instead of sending those intimidating men to give me a heart attack."
Suppressing the urge to laugh, I exhaled. "I'm sorry, Ava. The last time I asked you to come with me, you declined. I didn't think you would have agreed to come if I had asked in person." I took another step closer, smiling when she didn't retreat. "Would you have come?"
"No," Ava replied honestly, as always. "You freak me out, Alex."
"Why is that?"
"I fear you might try to force yourself on me."
"I'm sorry if I made you feel that way," I responded gently, meeting the woman's eyes. She reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a comforting gesture. "I promise, I will do my best to maintain control. I never want to make you uncomfortable."
Ava gave a faint smile, appreciating Alex's understanding. "So, does that mean you don't plan on kissing me anymore?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Alex squeezed her hand, pulling her closer and feeling a sense of joy when Ava didn't resist.
"I did miss you, Ava," Alex admitted, her voice filled with sincerity. "The thought of you spending so much time with that guy... it just bothers me. I want you all to myself."
Ava's cheeks reddened slightly, but she growled defiantly, "Alex..."
Alex nodded, understanding her hesitation. "I know it may sound absurd, but my heart longs for you to be mine completely. Will you marry me and be with me, not him?"
Ava's expression became a mixture of confusion and uncertainty. "I'm... I'm just not sure how I feel, Alex."
"That's okay," Zyra reassured her, letting go of her hand and giving her space. She observed Ava's exhale, sensing the anxiety she had been holding. "Take your time, Ava. Spend more time with me, and get to know me better. We just won a fight, so we can take a few days to relax and relieve tension. Stay with me."
"But Damon..." Ava started.
Alex interrupted her gently, picking an apple and handing it to her. "Let him fuss. Let him miss you and come searching for you, just as I have."
"I'm just worried, Alex," Ava admitted, nibbling on her lower lip. "Damon lacks patience, and if he were to find me here, you and your men would be in turmoil."
"Don't worry about me, Ava. I can handle myself," Alex assured her, moving closer and holding her hand reassuringly. "Come, let me show you something I've kept for you."
Curiosity sparked in Ava's eyes. "What is it?"
"Relax and come with me," Alex urged gently, leading Ava into the nearby forest for some seclusion. She smiled as they found a spot under a massive tree,
"Where are you taking me?"
I turned Ava to face me, holding her gently. "Here," I said, reaching into my pocket and pulling out Lara's old necklace. "I kept this for you. I know how much it means to you."
Her eyes widened, and she hesitated before taking the necklace from me. "Thank you, Alex," she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.
"This is pretty but I already have one on me." She said pointing at the necklace around her neck.
"You can just replace it with this instead. "
"No, I'm sorry but I can't take it off."
"Then keep it with you," I said upset about the fact that she chose that stupid necklace over mine. No doubt Damon gave it to her but I didn't want to push it.
"I can't remain here with you, Alex," Ava finally spoke up, her tone carrying sadness. "And why is that?" I asked, feeling a pang of disappointment.
"Alex, I don't share the same feelings you have for me," she explained softly, her eyes downcast.
"That's why I said we need time," I replied, my voice gentle and understanding. "We can figure things out together."
Ava shook her head, her expression troubled. "Damon must be worried about me. I have to go now."
"Shut up," I blurted out, my voice more forceful than intended. Ava looked taken aback, confused by my sudden outburst.
"What?" she asked, bewildered.
"I said shut up!" I repeated, my voice now raised in anger. It frightened even me, causing me to take a step back. "You can't say that to me, Lara. I've waited for over three centuries after your death because I believed you would be reborn, and now you want to go into the arms of that murderer?"
"Alex, you can't force love, and I am not Lara!" Ava protested, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and sadness.
"You're right," I muttered, my anger subsiding slightly as I regained control of my emotions. "Lara would never do this to me." My eyes opened wide, radiating a bloody color as my fury surfaced. It was a side of me that Ava had never witnessed before. "But why is he forcing himself on you? His sick love..."
"He is not sick, and he forces nothing," she barks back, her voice filled with frustration. "What is wrong with you, Alex? Why are you screaming at me?"
"Because I have reached my limit," Alex growls, his voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation.
"Let me go, I'm leaving this place, far from you," I try to reason, my voice trembling.
"You are not Ava. You are never leaving me ever again," Alex quickly grabs my arm, his grip tightening. "I don't care if you hate me after this, but one thing is clear—you are mine, and you will remain mine."
"You have lost your mind, Alex, I…" I start to speak, but before I can finish my sentence, he grabs the necklace around my neck and pulls it forcefully. Panic rushes through me as I realize that I've tried to remove the necklace before, but it never came off. Now, it feels like he's trying to strangle me. "Alex!" I gasp, desperately trying to pry his hands away from my neck. In a moment of desperation, I slap his face, but it leaves only a red mark.
He finally lets go of my neck and retaliates by slapping me hard, sending me crashing to the floor. I cough, tasting blood in my mouth. This isn't Alex—his eyes are different. He's not himself. He would never hit me. But then again, I realize that I know nothing about this man. He might be a horrible person hiding behind smiles. "You want evil, right? I will give you evil," he growls, his voice cold and menacing.
A wolf hiding in sheep's clothing. Now I understand why they say that the devil you know is better than the angel you don't know.
Meanwhile, Damon couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. Exhausted and restless, he didn't even have the energy to return to the palace for a night's rest. He turned to Chase, his trusted companion. "Have you found the maids, Chase?" Damon asked, sinking onto the forest floor as Chase started a fire nearby.
"No," Chase mumbled, his frustration evident. "You know Grant doesn't tell me anything. If he finds anyone, he'll tell you instead. But who do you think would want your woman? Who did Lara upset?"
"She is too kind to upset anyone," I snarl, staring into the crackling fire. "It's either someone kidnapped her for money, thinking she's wealthy because of her attire, or that Alex bastard."
"Why don't we look for this Alex, then?" Chase suggests, his voice determined.
"I can't," I reply, meeting Chase's gaze. "The last time I encountered him, I sensed dark magic emanating from him. He has a black witch aiding him, and he's intentionally shielded his whereabouts and that of his army with a spell that even dragon eyes can't penetrate."
"He's clever," Chase acknowledges, his brows furrowing.
"He is, and this entire situation is making me regret being born from two dragon parents," I admit, frustration evident in my voice.
"Can't you create a spell to alter your eyes temporarily?" Chase suggests, his eyes full of concern.
"I can, but it will take a few days to perfect it," I explain, sighing heavily. "In the meantime, we must wait."
"You lack sense, Chase," I say, standing up and frowning at him. "Ava is in danger, and you suggest we wait?"
"What do you want us to do, then?" Chase replies, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"You don't have dragon eyes, stupid," I retort, reminding Chase that he isn't a dragon—a fact I seem to have to repeat frequently. Just then, Grant walks in, and I furrow my brows at him. "Neither does Grant. I hate to say this, but I need the two of you to find Ava for me."
"I have the maids," Grant chimes in, his smile unfading. "There are three of them, all crying out that they had nothing to do with your woman's disappearance." He brings them forward, and I notice with displeasure that three of them are naked. I shake my head in disapproval, and Grant simply shrugs. "They're cute, okay? Don't blame me."
Chase stands up, his anger evident. "You can't just take advantage of three girls and tie them up without consulting me!"
"I tried reaching out to you, Chase, but somehow, I couldn't, Maybe your mind is occupied" Grant interjects.
"It wasn't, and don't think you can have these girls all to yourself. " Chase argues back.
"Wait!" I raise my hand, effectively silencing their pointless argument. I turn to face them both.
"Chase, I thought you were committed to your mate," I say, my tone disapproving.
"I was, but Zulu already ruined that for me. So for now, I'll enjoy the company of as many women as I can before she turns eighteen," Chase says, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. I roll my eyes at his response.
"Both of you, enough," I interject, urging them to focus. Moving closer to the restrained maids, I remove the cloth from their mouths. "Where is Ava?"
"I don't know!" one of the maids cries out. "We were all together in the market, and when we turned around, she was gone. We will never try—"
Before she can finish her sentence, in a moment of frustration, I lash out and slash her throat with an elongated finger. Blood sprays on my face as she collapses to the ground.
"Wrong answer," I state coldly, turning to the next maid and removing the cloth from her mouth. Furrowing my brows, I ask, "Where is she?"
Trembling, the maid replies, "I don't know. Please don't kill me... I seriously don't know."
Without hesitation, I cut her throat, blood splattering onto my face once again.
At that moment, Chase intervenes, stopping me with a firm hand on my arm. "What is it, Chase?" I ask, turning to face him.
"Let me handle this," Chase requests, stepping forward calmly and gently touching the maid's cheek. "You're not allowed to speak, correct?" The maid nods in response. "They placed a spell on you?" Again, the maid nods. "You didn't see his face?" She nods once more. "But they sent you to take her out of the palace?" Another nod. "Can't you speak?" She shakes her head.
I raise an eyebrow, questioning Chase's next command.
"Kill her," Chase instructs, his voice unwavering.
" you don't order me, Chase "
" you know what, let me rape her to death " he smiles, that evil smile of his "A little action will be good "
" take your dick out of my face " Grant groans" That's disgusting "
" shut the fuck up Grant " Not giving Chase his heart's desire I pull her head from her body, blood splashing all over the three of us "What the fuck Damon " they both yell
" you two need to think straight and help me out here, I need to find Ava and you two are demons that are not affected by the spell "
" You are not a dragon anymore Damon " Grant comments and I nod.
" I didn't change my eyes " Frowning I look at the sky, " I think time is running out for her, I need you two to start right now, no joking around, no women, just find Ava for me "Looking at the sky I close my eyes " please" they gasp because they know I never say those words but for ava, I can break rules.
Please wait for me, Ava.