Yes, I don't know what got into me, but seeing her, it was as clear as the sky when the sun had first burned that she was mine now. Mine to serve, to plead, to fear… Mine to claim.
"Stay on the horse." I tell her softly as I get off the horse, and a slight tightness spreads across my chest at the loss of the warmth of her body against mine but I fight against it. Maintaining my cold composure as I move around to help in setting up the tents and managing the arrangements.
After a few minutes, the tents were set up, bornfire made, and meat already kept above it to get cooked. "Where do you want the princess to be?" Ethan asked me as he sharpened his sword. "In my tent." I answer shortly, making Ethan pause and look at me.
"And you will sleep with her? Not happening." Ethan said sternly, almost strict as he continued sharpening his sword.
"And why not?" I ask nonchalantly, "Because… I am not having a good feeling of you spending the night there. With her. Alone." Ethan explained with uncertainty, it was pretty odd coming from a joyous person like himself. "Fine, I won't try anything. But I can't promise." I mutter the last part under my breath as I got up and went to my tent after seeing the girl already in. I peep into the tent to spot her, but seeing her sitting on the stone bed, deep in thoughts made the same strange tightness spread through my chest again and oh how much I hated feeling this vulnerable. The last time I felt this way was when my brother had gone on his first biggest war and defeated another dragon troop. I shake my head to clear the storm of thoughts from my head and clear my throat loudly to make my presence known.
Only for her— anyways.
She looks up at me, her eyes widening slightly before her face turns expressionless… She was just like me… my dragon was somehow connected to her…
"What are you doing here?" Her question snaps me back to reality, And oh god her voice… I want to be the only one to hear it, even if I have to cut down every creature's ears. I stare at her for a minute then look down, as I walk closer to her to appear calm and collected. "I came to check up on you." I answer to her question. My voice softening despite myself.
"Why? I am not someone special for your care" she said dryly and looked away. If only could I tell her how special she is to make me this obsessed with her. I clench my fist, trying to keep my composure in check.
"You are going to be my wife—" I try to reason out but she cuts me off with just a single word. "Forced." she corrects me. My eyes darken with anger. If the situation wasn't as complicated I would've made you fall for me.
"Be grateful that atleast I haven't touched you yet. Most women in your place would've thrown themselves at me" I say harshly and step closer, my knuckles whitening due to clenching my fist.
"I am not at your mercy to—"
"Yes you are. At. My. Mercy, little human." I growl and grabbed her chin harshly. I stare dead into her eyes, the defiance in them only making me angry. No one has ever dared to talk back at me, hell even glare my way. And her defiancy is intoxicating- Refreshing and almost intriguing.
"Let. Me. Go." she almost growled, her voice changing. My dragon screams to back away from her immediately—
Dangerous.
The sweetness, innocence in her usual voice turning into a more animalistic voice, like the dragon ones. I narrow my eyes, as I notice her change her voice in a blink of an eye.
She yanks her head out of my grip and shifts away from me. Turning her head away. I watch as her jaw twitches, she was controlling- something- someone- maybe herself? I close the distance between us again, "You did not just—"
"Zaras." Ethan called from the entrance of the tent, his voice strained and tense. I turn around, slowly stepping away from her. "What?" I snap, trying to control my anger.
"Come out for a minute," Ethan said as he glanced at her. "Its urgent" he mentioned and walked out. I look over my shoulder at her.
"You are lucky, this is important" I spat and stormed out. Once Ethan had taken me to a secluded side in the forest, he looked at me, almost glaring.
"What's happening?" I ask, getting impatience. And eventually it was all because of her. She is controls my mood. And that's Dangerous.
"The princess," Ethan started, "She is not Azirid's blood princess." He almost spit out those words. Not the blood princess?
"One of our hiders stayed back, and heard the king and Queen saying about it." Ethan explained. "That means she isnt worth it" he points out. I look into the air, thinking, putting the pieces together. "They didn't give us something precious, they gave us their burden." I mutter, pacing back and forth, "We are tricked."
"What do you suggest we do?" he asks, even though he knows I would only say to kill. "Azirid is definitely going to face the consequences…" I mutter lowly and then it clicks me, her voice had changed during our argument. I turn to him, "find out everything you can about her" I order and turn to leave, "And I am taking your tent" I say, clearly not wanting to be around her right now. I pause, "Send Arieth to get clothes and food for her. Even if she is of no use, she is still going to be my wife." I say and walk away. I could feel Ethan's questionable gaze burning into my back as I disappeared into the dark.
I go to the nearest lake from where I could see the silhouette of the girl from my tent. I bend down to drink from the lake, the water was cool and still. Something I used to be, mere movements before I met her.
"Sherin," I mutter, tasting her name on my lips. Poisonous. Just how I like it. I can't help but let my mind wonder back to our argument, the way her voice changed. Her shallow breathing. It seemed animalistic.