How did I ever think that the Dark Lord's friend, the beautiful man, would be the most charming thing I come across today?

I continued gazing at Him. His torso, upper and lower limbs perfected what should no doubt be labelled 'exquisite masculinity'.

And atop his face - his breathtaking face - was his rare silver hair that I thought would make Him look terrible. Instead, it made his face, look like an uncommon masterpiece, that every painter would gladly fight over just to be the first to paint it.

I licked my lips. Mother of Light. How could one mortal alone be this stunningly attractive?

And then, he looked at me! And I would be lying if I said the thought of raw, primal, sheet-clawing sex didn't just run through my mind.

Xemein! Get a hold of yourself!

This is not the time for the stories, Cousin Bella snuck out of Marjol's adult bookstores to influence your mind.

"Get a grip on yourself" I muttered to myself.

I was here to kill. And not to love.

We maintained eye contact but then, I had to look away (for the sake of my own sanity), but that was not before I noted that he was younger than I had assumed at first. Younger than thirty would be my guess. But his eyes - those eyes of his - were much worldlier. Harder. And icy cold.

"Greetings, Your Highness" Eleanor and the guards bowed, after they had recovered from the shock of the lightning incident.

"We were not expecting you" Eleanor said. "Sincere apologies for our ignorance".

The Dark Lord did not reply. Not a single word, slipped out of his lips. And the silence which followed, was the kind I imagined would occur, when a lion was contemplating whether or not, he would eviscerate the prey in front of him.

Then the Dark Lord suddenly spoke "Bride. Come, let's go".

He said it so calmly. And with conviction. Like a man who knew that all he had to do was spit words and he'd be obeyed.

And the truth was, I would have acted instantly on his order ('cause of his reputation), had it not been that the fear I felt for Randall (the fear of losing my country) was by far greater than the fear of whatever punishment I felt the Dark Lord would dish out on me. So, I chose to remain where I was. With King Randall's people. Until a decision was reached.

"Your Highness, my lady is not allowed to..."

He arched his brow "not allowed. By whom?"

"King Randall" Eleanor raised her chin as though saying Randall's name shielded her "the king ordered that we arrive along with your bride to your castle".

"And he says 'no'. He doesn't want the rest of you, besides his bride, in his home" the Dark Lord's friend, the beautiful man said, still grinning. And showing off his dimples.

Why did I have the feeling that this beautiful man, even when in grave danger, and fighting a battle to save his life, would still have a smile on - either for himself - or to mock his enemies.

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"You-" the Dark Lord looked at Eleanor and the guards "will not reach my manor today" the Dark Lord declared with finality.

Wow! So much courage. To go against his own father. I love him!

In Armalith, very few people could be bold enough to contradict Randall. And when you did, all I can say is, lovely things don't come knocking at your door.

Eleanor snarled. Bared her teeth. Fangs protruding slowly. She was Transforming! Against the Dark Lord? My eyes bulged. The insanity of this woman!

Along with me, everyone Randall sent here, had a task to perform. Eleanor's, was to continue to pose as my maid at the Dark Lord's castle, while she kept watchful eyes on both the prince and I. Reporting our movements, as she has done, with reporting all my activities for the last six years.

And as for the guards, when they reached the castle, they were to try to obtain either the hair or scale of the Prince's dragon, before returning back to the Capital.

Eleanor bellowed "we have our orders! We are coming to your..."

The Dark Lord moved like a blur. Along with his lightning Gift, could he also move at the speed of light?

And at the next moment, the Dark Lord's gloved hand gripped Eleanor's thick fat neck "I see you are Gifted" he said. His eyes on the tattoo of Ucatus (the wild beast Eleanor Turned into) on Eleanor's neck that proudly announced that she was a Gifted shifter.

"Well, I'll tell you this" the Dark Lord said.

"No Gifted has ever fought me and won. So, before you Turn and try to intimidate or tear me apart, just ask yourself, if I'd be able to hit you with just a single bolt of lightning before you fully Transform into your beast".

Eleanor closed her mouth. And bowed, showing submission to the Dark Lord's will. He maintained his grip on her neck for another minute and then, freed her.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to see Eleanor being reduced to this submissive state. For years, she bullied me. Twisting my words and actions, so, she could hit me. And strike me like her little dog. Yet not harming my face, 'cause Randall needed it for his 'marriage' plan to succeed.

"I know what you are" He said, looked at Eleanor and the guards. From the way he spoke, I guess he was referring to the fact that he knew my maid and the guards' complete loyalty was to Randall, and so, they coming into his home, was like he, inviting possible spies to dwell with him.

I like him! Smart man.

"You'll return back to the Capital at once".

"I've accepted the bride He decreed for me. So, your task here is finished" He turned away from them.

Faced me "come".

With trembling legs, I moved towards Him. And with my hands shaking like leaves in a storm caused by a Gifted, I placed my right hand in his outstretched clothed arm.

For a minute, I thought I'd feel that lightning shock, but what, I felt was something different. Something unique. An invasion of my nostrils with his smell. His exquisite smell. I inhaled. Damn...He smelled sinfully good. Not apples. Nor perfume. Or strawberries. Whatever it was, it was mouth-watering. Making me want to lean into him and take...

Xemein!

I blinked out of my semidaze.

I won't fail my loved ones.

And as I stood beside the Dark Lord and watch Eleanor and the guards leave without me, I realised something. My usually over-burdened heart felt lighter. 'Cause for the last six years, I spent every second with Eleanor watching me but now, for the first time in a long long while, she was not close by.

Damn! I felt like, I could breathe in again. Without feeling like my windpipe was blocked with clogs. And that I could smile, without it being reported.

I laughed. So loud and 'freeing' was my laughter that the Dark Lord and his friends turned to look at me.

Strange. That the person who made me feel this less-burdened was the Dark Lord.

He mounted his black horse. And with those intensely blue eyes of his that made him savagely gorgeous, he stared at me once again "it's not everyday that I am greeted by such a beautiful lady" He said, raising an eyebrow as he helped me mount his horse.

Did he just flirt with me?

And as we rode away, continuing our journey to the North, I turned back to look at the carriage once more.

Now no one watched my every step, what lied ahead of me?

Months of love in the arms of a husband I find devastatingly attractive? Or months of pain and heartbreak.

And if love was all was in front of me, would I let it consume me?