They were after her

" Vincent!" She screamed when she saw him slicing his sword into someone's chest and her eyes almost popped out. 

 " Take her away!" Vincent ordered and the huge net dropped down on the ground as a group of men rushed towards her.

 Clattering of swords filled the air as Minerva tried to stand on her feet. " Vincent," she called, but his men were the ones there.

 " Young Miss, come with us, it's for your safety." One of the men with red eyes said and grabbed Minerva's arm to pull her towards a safe distance.

 Minerva was adamant about leaving Vincent to fight the enemies. They were after her and not her father. Why would they set a net trap for her?

 Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, a huge fire burned through the trees with great intensity and screams of strange animals were heard.

 Minerva couldn't see what caused the fire but she could make out the sound that was slicing through the air like thousands of roars.

 " What are you still doing here, I said you should take her away," Vincent's angry voice reached her ears as her vision turned hazy. Seeing he was fine, she blackout.

 ***

 Minerva opened her eyes to find her body resting against a hard surface. Her body ache and her throat hurt so badly she wanted water. Struggling to stand up, a strong hand pulled her gently back and it was then she knew her body was resting against Vincent's.

 " Relax, I'll ask someone to get you water." It was Vincent who spoke.

 " Where are we?" Minerva asked and snuggled into his arms, finding solace in it. She was surprised by her actions but he didn't care.

 Vincent let her lean against him as he gestured for one of the men on stand to come.

 " Bring water and food. Tell Stan he should come here immediately after disposing of the bodies."

 The man nodded before rushing away, leaving both people in peace. They had seen how their commander cared for the girl which was unlike him.

 " We're far from your town but it won't be called far because the enemies might catch up to us anytime."

 Minerva raised her head to look at him, then she got a clearer view of his face. Midnight glossy black hair, thin brows, midnight blue eyes which could drown one's soul into an abyss, high cheekbones, well defined hard jawlines, his lips were neither thin nor thick, just the way she liked it.

 Vincent chuckled and whispered in her ears, " were you fascinated by what you saw? Hmm Minerva?" He asked and saw her turn red like boiled shrimp.

 " Yes. I did," she replied with a light blush on her cheek and amusement beamed in his eyes. " So daring."

 Few minutes later, the food and water arrived and Minerva downed it in one go. She was severely hungry and exhausted after everything that had taken place in one night which was yet to be over.

 Staring at the camp fire burning far from where they were sitting, Minerva breathed in and out as the cold touched her skin.

 " Do you know why those Pirates attacked your town? Who's your father apart from being a butcher?" Vincent asked. He removed his leather jacket and placed it on her shoulder.

 Minerva wrapped her body with the jacket which was a lot bigger than her.

 " My father is a butcher, that's all. After my Mom…died, we moved here eight years ago." Minerva couldn't recall any other incident apart from her mother's death.

 " Do you think it was my father who they came for? Why would they set the net trap using my dog as bait?" The way her father had pushed her away was significant.

 This question was the same question swirling in Vincent's head. Could there be a misunderstanding? He has known all this time that it was her they came for and not her father. The pirates were just to fool them.

 " Tomorrow at noon, we'll arrive at RedShire. You'll be safe there." He encouraged her.

 RedShire? She was going to that place her father had always wanted for her. Now, he wasn't alive to see her excel more than anyone.

 " Does your kingdom have a King or Queen? I heard there are hundreds of dragons dwelling there," asked Minerva in curiosity.

 " You think so? Do you know about shifters? There are no dragons in RedShire, they are dragon shifters. Having the ability to shift into dragons," he said, making her understand. 

 The gentle night breeze blew some of her blazing red hair on his face and he smiled while inhaling the scent. Vincent couldn't imagine a girl could fascinate him this much or perhaps she was different.

 When he felt her weight increase, Vincent let her lay comfortably in his hand as she slept off.

 ***

 Stan finally appeared before Vincent when he saw the girl was fast asleep. His stoic expression has increased to a greater coldness while looking at the duo.

 " Your Highness.” He bowed.“She's dangerous. Why are you risking your precious life because of her? I can't stand her or any more threat to your life…"

 " You won't touch even a strand of her hair, Stan."

 Stan was yet to finish his sentence when Vincent's solid voice made him shut up.

 " Did you find anything from them? Who were they after?" Vincent asked the sulking man while running his fingers through Minerva's hair.

 Stan's frown became deeper as he wondered if the girl fed Vincent something that made him turn like this. 

 Vincent was not a fan of women; even the ones his parents had brought for him were all rejected. 

 " Keep frowning and you'll grow older than my father."

 " Alright. They were after her, that's why it's dangerous bringing her to RedShire. If we spend more hours here, they might attack again." Stan was used to being the commander's favorite but now, this girl has taken the spot.

 " Alert the riders, it's best if we leave while she's yet to wake." Vincent then raised the girl before carrying her towards where his other men were sitting.

 Just then, one of the men on guard ran towards the camp, " they're coming. More of them."

 ***

 The day was clearer as Minerva opened her eyes. The sun might have gone up the sky a few hours ago and she wondered what time it was and how long she had slept.

 Rolling to her side, she was laid on a sharp cool rock by the side of a rocky spring. " Where am I ?" She questioned herself before sitting up.

 A huff sound made her turn her head and her eyes grew wider in awe. Perhaps she had woken up in a dream, Minerva thought and looked at the creature that was standing near a huge rock.

 The creature was a dragon and Minerva was certain of it but it was slightly different from what she had heard. People say dragons are black and ugly but the one before her was nothing ugly. So blue and beautiful.

 " You're awake," someone said and Minerva immediately recognized the voice.

 Composing herself, she stood up to look across from where she was standing to see him. 

 He was standing there, like a Greek god Minerva had heard about because of their handsomeness. Minerva couldn't imagine such a beautiful man exists while she was hoping to befriend Noah, the most handsome boy in Blueshead.

 " Come over here," his voice reached her ears and she blushed for a few seconds before moving.

 Vincent watched the girl closely as she walked towards him with clumsy steps. An amused grin on his face while looking at her.

 Coming to stand before him, Minerva has never felt so hot in her entire years. Him staring at her was enough to ignite a fire inside her which she didn't know was there.

 " Here I am, where are the others?" She asked while tightening the jacket around her petite body, avoiding his eyes.

 His finger came to land on her chin as he pushed her face up to look at him, clearly seeing the red stains on her face.

 " Are you scared of me?" He asked while evaluating her gaze despite knowing what was going through that tiny mind of hers.

 Minerva shook her head with a false smile and she breathed a no from her lips. She has a feeling he knew what was happening to her.

 He was too beautiful and breathtaking. He was the prince charming in reality with those shiny black hair of his dancing to the cool breeze.

 " Are you alright? Why are you so hot?" He asked and a smile curled up in his lips.

 " Stop it! What are you doing to me?" Minerva couldn't stop herself from blurting out. She has never drool on a man like this and it was so embarrassing he noticed. 

 Vincent's sweet laughter reached her ears and she couldn't stop herself from looking at him again. Why won't he laugh, even their heights were laughable.

 " We're in RedShire and the others have left for the Castle. Just you and I are here feeding her," he tipped his chin to the b

lue dragon that was drinking from the spring.

 Minerva looked at the whole place with astonishment in her eyes before looking back to him. " Are you a Prince?" Her next question came.