Elvira
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I stood rooted to my spot and studied the new presence. The cloaked stranger was around my height, only a little bit taller. Their fingernails were a tad bit longer and sharper than the regular ones. The hood of their cape was drawn all the way forward, casting a shadow on the stranger’s face, making it indiscernible.
The knife they held was glinting in the pale, late evening sunlight that was coming through the curtain.
They seemed to be paying me no mind as they scanned the room, almost like they were looking for something or someone. Were they looking for signs of Adelio? Well, they’re in luck, he isn’t here right now.
I took the opportunity of the stranger’s distracted attention to sprint towards the bedside. There was a knife on the little table. If I could just get to it...
The stranger noticed what I was doing and snapped their attention back to me. Their body jolted forward like they were about to chase after me, but it was too late. I had already grabbed the knife.
I wasn’t restrained this time, which meant I was capable of defending myself to some extent. Sword fighting - or in this case knife fighting - may not be my fort, but I was stellar in archery. All I have to do is imagine a target on this stranger’s body and hit. At the very least, I could immobilize them long enough to escape.
The cloaked person paused for a minute upon seeing the knife, then started to move slowly, like they were finding a way around my defense. Their steps were extremely light - almost in a tiptoe manner - like they were trying to make as little noise as possible.
Huh? The way they walked felt familiar.
Bringing the knife up into a jabbing position, I readied myself, while also planning ways to escape.
The person’s body suddenly jolted, and they snapped their head towards the open door as if they had sensed something. Whatever it was, made them throw caution to the wind, as they started running towards me, ignoring the knife I was holding.
They were so fast that before I could register their movement, they were already so close to me.
Just as they extended their arms toward me, a huge looming shadow appeared out of nowhere and blocked my entire view. I stumbled backward a little and drop the knife from surprise.
Exposed beautiful feet, long slender legs, tall brooding bareback, and reddish-ginger hair, were what graced my eyes instantly.
Ambivalence filled my heart as I recognized who was in front of me. He didn’t leave yet, he was still here. He was still with me.
Adelio grabbed the cloaked individual by the neck, lifting them off the floor. Little groans could be heard, and one could tell they were in extreme pain. However, Adelio didn’t look like he cared one bit, he spared no empathy for the stranger, as his aura became increasingly tense.
The person struggled for quite a bit. They tried to punch and hit Adelio, but their arms were too short to reach and so they just looked like a child flapping and wailing in the air. Soon they started wheezing from the lack of oxygen, and the knife that was in their hand fell to the floor.
“Hm? A dainty fox scrambling around in the human kingdom. How interesting.” Adelio said, bringing the person’s face a little closer to inspect. “From your smell, I can tell you’ve been among the humans for quite a while now.”
I couldn’t see Adelio’s face, but the aura emitting from his back and voice was extremely cold. It wasn’t the gentle, calming one I was used to. This one was laced with venom and bloodthirst.
“Care to tell me what you want with my El?” He snarled. Goosebumps stung my skin from the killing intent that filled the entire room.
To go by logic, I should be scared right now, terrified even. However, my body felt oddly calm in this moment. My instincts were defying my brain, and telling me that this man wouldn’t hurt me. I felt no fear as I stared at the bloodthirsty beast in front of me.
Wait a minute. He said a fox...could it be?
And then I heard it, a familiar voice. Although strained, the voice was unmistakably that of someone I knew. It was Mira.
No wonder the way she walked felt familiar.
“Let me go” she managed to croak out. But her pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Little runt, I have no clue about your life history, but you sighed your death waiver when you stepped foot in here,” Adelio said. His hands tightened as if they were ready to snap a twig in two.
Panic instantly struck me. If he continued like that, she would die.
“Stop!” I yelled, unsure of how much he was willing to listen to me. To my surprise, his body went rigid and his movements halted.
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Wow, that was easier than I expected.
Adelio’s wicked gaze glided from his half-suspended victim and fell on me. The moment his hard gaze found mine, they immediately softened and his hands visibly relaxed.
“Please don’t hurt her,” I requested, taking the opportunity to interfere.
Adelio looked at me, then returned his gaze to Mira. “Is there a reason I’m not killing this little runt, El?”
Something in me ticked at him calling Mira a runt. “Her name is Mira, and she’s my friend from the castle.” I proclaimed.
“She’s your friend?” he questioned.
“Yes, she’s my friend. So let her go...please” my reply came rapid.
Adelio looked at my pleading eyes and instantly released his grip, prompting Mira to fall with a thud on the floor. The hood she had over her head fell off, revealing her full gorgeous cocoa hair that framed her pretty face. Her sharp canines came on full display as she panted and wheezed for air, and her cocoa furry ears twitched.
The moment his first victim was done with, he set his sights on his second: Me.
Under his intense gaze, I was tempted to retreat a little, but I knew I couldn’t leave Mira half passed out on the floor, worse still, I couldn’t risk exciting this man even more with the thrill of a chase. So I just stood there and maintained my ground.
He was now in front of me, his aura more intense than before. Eventually, I caved under the pressure and tried to move back a little, but he quickly caught me and pulled me flush against his skin. “Adelio, let me go, please. I - I have to go to my friend” My breath staggered.
Contrary to my words, I was enjoying every part of me that brushed against his skin. Every spark that was jumping from him to me, and every breath of his that I caught with mine.
“No.” was all he said in a curt tone, as he tightened both arms around me.
“Please,” I begged again. But instead of a reply, he just dipped his head in the crook of my neck... and licked.
I trembled slightly and grabbed his arms. The pleasure of him sucking on my nape was enough to distract me from my pleas. For a moment I just wanted to forget everything and let him continue his adventures around my neck, but the sound of wrenching coughs drew my thoughts back out of lust-kingdom and back to the present.
Adelio noticed my distraction from him and seemingly increased his attacks. His tongue traveled from my neck to my earlobe, he sucked on it for a while, then grazed it with his teeth and licked it right after. The sensation had gasps leaving my mouth instead of words, and I quickly shut it back down in order not to let out other noises.
"Please" I managed to utter while biting my lips. Unsure if I was begging for more of his touch, or begging to be freed.
He growled a little, then whispered in my ear “Fine. She may be your friend, so I’ll let it slide. But one wrong move and her entire existence will be erased”
The menacing words he spoke to me were so cold, but the arms he held me with were the warmest, loveliest thing I’ve ever felt.
I nodded my head in understanding, as Adelio hesitantly let me go.
“Mira, are you okay?!” I asked, running up to her.
She was letting out fits of coughs and trying to gather herself, but as soon as I was within her reach, she pulled me into a hug. I could hear Adelio let out a low, warning growl. Mira stiffened and got up, picking up the knife from the floor. She dragged me with her, backing up slowly towards the huge window.
Her actions only seemed to rattle Adelio, as his golden eyes glowed, accompanied by a hint of crimson color. His pupil dilated and condensed into a vertical slit. His clenched jaw ticked and he looked like he was about to lunge forward.
“Wait!” I yelled, and he froze once more. His chest was heaving.
“Stay behind me!” Mira hissed, baring her fangs at Adelio as she brought up her knife in defense. Her feet were wobbling and the hand she had on mine was trembling fiercely, with cold sweat wetting them.
I looked at the girl in front of me, she was small and skinny, kneels buckling under pressure and breath staggered from getting choked. She was still trying to defend me, despite her conditions.
“Listen little mutt. Keep your hands off of her and move out of the way.” Adelio snarled.
Mira shook her head and squeezed my hands tighter. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to reassure me that everything was okay, or if she was trying to muster up the courage for herself.
Mira’s defiance did nothing but flame Adelio’s anger. From what Mira told me, wolves can barely stay away from their mates, they get agitated and restless when they aren’t next to each other for a while. I don’t know about dragons, but I could imagine the facts aren’t far off from them too. If Mira doesn’t move out of the way soon, she could get seriously hurt.
As if confirming my thoughts, Adelio said “Move out of the way. Or Die.” Every word he spoke was firm and intense, and we could both feel it from our skin down to our bones.
“Agh!” Mira suddenly groaned. She clutched her head and screamed in pain. The hand she held me with trembled even more, it would release then clench back again. Almost as if she was fighting with herself.
“Mira!” I stepped out from behind her to inspect what was wrong, however, she tried to push me behind her again.
“Elvira don’t, it’s not-” she said, reaching out to grab me. However, before she could finish her sentence, I felt a scorching heat on my back and I quickly flipped my head to look at the source.
There was a massive fireball forming in the air. I was stupefied by the possibility; I wasn’t used to seeing magic. Warning bells went off in my head, and Mira quickly pulled me behind her, using my momentary distraction.
Not again.
I was getting frustrated by both of them not listening to me. My anger reached the boiling point, and I yelled.
“STOP IT. BOTH OF YOU!”
Mira winced at the loud noise and Adelio froze, his fireball dimming a little.
“Oh my goddess Mira, he isn’t going to hurt me, I’m in no danger whatsoever.”
“And you” I pointed to Adelio, “I told you not to hurt my friend. If you dare hurt her, then I - I’ll...”
I couldn’t think of any threat that could hurt a dragon emperor; the most powerful man in our kingdom. So I inhaled deeply and yelled, “I won’t let you touch me anymore!”
I felt embarrassed saying this, but that was the only thing I could think of on the spot. From the way he was always touching and caressing me, I figured he won’t be able to go long without body contact.
It appeared my threat was actually spot on, as Adelio’s golden eyes return to their normal red, and his fireball diminished instantly.
He looked grumpy and pissed that I would even bring up such a thing. His expression felt more funny than scary.
Mira looked from me to Adelio, confusion written all over her face.
I smiled and slowly grabbed her hands that held the knife, hoping she would release it. However, she only clenched them further.
“Mira, don’t worry, he isn’t dangerous.”
“Elvira he kidnapped you and to top it off he’s a dragon.” she said, while giving me an ‘Are you crazy’ look.
Kidnapped me? Suddenly it all made sense why she was so hostile towards Adelio. It would only make sense for her to think I was in danger if she came back only to find out I was missing. Knowing the castle and how rumors fly, they probably said I got kidnapped by Adelio.
I had no idea if it was the adrenaline that had filled my body, or the humor of the entire misunderstanding, but I cracked and exploded into laughter.