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10. Sense Of Devotion.
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2025-04-03 02:15:26~DAHLIA~
Our eyes are trapped into each other, but my senses are so alert and aware of his delicious scent of spicy bergamot, intense patchouli, cinnamon, and subtle hints of dark chocolate and sea salt that makes me feel like I am mentally drowning in an endless sea. My breathing trembles, and I fight desperately to keep my eyes locked onto his golden gems, not daring to look down past his sculpted waist. But I am itching to. No, focus…. “Oh Dahlia,” Azraelyrs draws close enough for his lips to brush my ear. I force myself to remain like a statue, even though my traitorous body is tempting my hands to touch him. “You dream too much, Princess.” I stiffen. The title makes my fingers tighten at my sides. Princess. That is what I was. What I should have replaced with a queenly Velmiran crown upon my head. But I am not here as a ruler. I am here as a tribute. A queen offering, sent against my will. A pawn in a game I did not choose. But that does not mean I will remain a pawn. Azraelyrs is a king. A dragon king. A force of power and destruction. And he is my dearest husband-to-be. My greatest tool for vengeance. "I am here at your request," I speak smoothly, keeping my low voice steady despite the pounding of my heart, "If you called me here only to test my ability to withstand your... lack of clothing, I fear you will be disappointed." He chuckles against my ear, causing shivers that race down my spine. Then, just as suddenly as he had appeared before me with his inhumane powers, he pulls away and turns his back on me as if the moment between us never happened. And instantly, I can't stop my greedy eyes from feasting directly on his firm, perfect ass as he walks towards a nearby table and finally reaches for the robe there. Naughty Dahlia.… I watch as he slides into the black robe lazily and doesn't bother tying the robe belt properly at his waist. The embroidered fabric clings to his still-damp skin, but at least, I can now breathe a bit properly even though much of his chest and abdomen are still exposed. He turns back to face me. I swallow hard. “You are something, Dahlia," his molten gold eyes gleam as he speaks, "And just so you know, I did not call you here to test how well you can resist me. I called you here to tell you that our wedding will not be held in this fortress. Come," he says, gesturing towards the seating area near the fireplace. Despite feeling thrown off by the abrupt change in our conversation and the news he just dumped on me, I settle down and make myself comfortable on one of the two soft leather seats near the burning fireplace. He sits across from me, and once again, I force myself to focus and not ogle at his chest. “Why won't our wedding be held here?” I ask. “It will take place in Aepolis, the Capital City of my kingdom.” he answers. Aepolis. The heart of his kingdom. “We leave tomorrow morning,” he continues, leaning back and relaxing in his seat. “I trust you are comfortable in your temporal chambers here?” “Yes I am.” As the words leave my mouth, my mind is already shifting elsewhere, calculating. I voice my thoughts before I can stop myself. “Is that why there are no dragons here? Are they all in Aepolis?” Azraelyrs nods, “Yes. I can see you've noticed. In Aepolis, you will see them regularly. My people cohabitate with dragons. It is our way of life.” His voice is steady, but there is something more behind it. Something caring and kind that I keep noticing even as he continues speaking. “Our dragons are bonded to noble bloodlines, but they still serve the kingdom as a whole, protecting my people.” There it is. The sense of devotion that is woven into the way he speaks is right there in his words. He loves his kingdom. I find myself watching him, drawn to the way his golden eyes seem to slightly darken with unspoken pride. He is not just a king. He is a ruler who deeply cares for his people. A dragon king who sees himself as their guardian. I remember our deal yesterday. The favor he asked of me that I don't know about yet. What favor could such a powerful king possibly want from a human princess like me? Before I can dwell further on the thought, Azraelyrs straightens up on his chair. “You may leave now,” he says simply. “Unless you wish to stay with me?” The teasing edge in his voice makes my pulse spike up a dance inside my veins. Without a word, I stand up and spin on my heel towards the doors, refusing to steal a glance back at him. The last thing I hear before pounding my fists on the doors and stepping out of the room is the low sweet sound of his chuckle stirring a burning sensation inside me.….
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