Elvira

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In my sleepy state, I felt something soft and feather-like brushing my skin. It was ticklish and pleasing. Everywhere it touched me, warmth would explode like fire, and tingles would crawl all over my skin. The sensation had woken me up, but my eyelids were still too droopy to open.

There was a sweet smell that was currently invading my nostrils. It smelled so nice that I inhaled deeply to get as much of it into my lungs as possible and let out a quiet sigh. I felt at peace. My head wasn't hurting, my body wasn't aching, and my once sore muscles were now tender.

I turned around and twisted my body closer, wanting to be as near this new source of comfort as possible. It was warm and gratifying, sending comforting thrills through the fiber of my being.

I had no idea where I was, all I knew was that I was lying on what felt like the softest bed I had ever been on and it felt really good, everything felt good. This must be a dream because there was just no way I'd be experiencing something this nice; as a servant of the palace no less. But if it were to be a dream, then I have every intention of enjoying it before Madame Matilda's frog voice interrupts it.

I was in the middle of snuggling my body closer when I felt a hand wrap around my waist followed by what sounded like a sigh of contentment. I froze.

The thing behind me was actually a person, someone else was on this bed with me. The sudden recognition hit me like a wave, and I popped my eyes open.

Mere inches from my face was a dark cherry-red eye peering straight at me. The eye contact made sparks fly through me like my very soul was being engulfed in flames. For a moment I forgot to breathe, I forgot to panic; I forgot to run, and I just lay there and returned the gaze.

I stared into those lovely shades of red that reminded me of the wild cherries I always saw in the garden. They always had this pleasant smell to them, just like the man in front of me. He smelled way better, though.

"Hi," he said in a deep throaty voice that resonated.

The sudden voice drew my mind out of the nether realm and back into my body, breaking the spell that was momentarily placed on me by those cherry colors. I scampered off the bed, putting as much distance as possible between me and the man. It was Mr. Red Hair from yesterday.

He chuckled at my action, his straight-lined jaw flexing with the motion.

"Darling, if you run from me like that, it only makes me want to give chase," he said, with an amused look.

His voice gave me a familiar feeling of shivers. One that brought back memories of being hugged and cradled by him.

He slowly stood up from the bed, and it didn't escape my notice that he was shirtless. Fuck.

The man had no ounce of fat, every part of that lean body of his was jacked up with muscle. His chest and biceps expanded and contracted with each movement he made. His chest...that very same chest I had been lying on yesterday. I gulped, thinking about it.

Wait. What the fuck was wrong with me yesterday? I willingly gave myself to this man without so much as a fight. I was practically throwing myself at him, too. It was ludicrous. I get that he saved me, but what if he had other ulterior motives?

He was now completely off the bed, as he started to make his way to me. The entire situation was giving me a sense of Déjà vu from when he found me. I can’t let him get close, we have already established that whenever he was within certain feet of me; I become dumb as a rock.

I scanned around for something to use as a weapon, but everything was either too close to him or too far from me. So I settled for the only thing I could get my hands on. A pillow. The pillow had fallen from the bed when I jumped off of it. It may not be much, but if I swing heavy enough, it should cause some damage, right?

Picking the pillow up, I raised it in a defensive stance and said, "I dare you to come further." The man paused and cocked his brow. The shadow of an amused smile was lingering on his face, but it was also restrained like he was trying to contain it. Good. He shouldn't let that smile break out because lord knows I’ll fall back to my yesterday's disease of stupidity.

"Fleur, I know you mean otherwise, but daring me like that does nothing but excite me." He said, running a finger through his hair.

I was stupefied. Here I was trying to fight for my life, and this man said it was exciting.

He took a step forward, and I took one back. Forward; Backwards. Was our little momentary routine. The rouse kept up until my back was hitting the wall. He smirked when he finally had me where he wanted, then used his hands to cage me in.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I was trapped, but I wasn't going to give him the impression that he won. So I squared my shoulder and stuck my chin up. It was supposed to give the daunting image of a strong woman. A woman who won't let herself be defeated, but little did I know I was setting myself up for failure.

My shirtless and impossibly gorgeous opponent smirked at my action, the mirth in his eyes grew.

My ears started tingling and I wanted to rub it so bad.

He brought his hand to cup my jaw, and my stance wavered instantly. The crack in my defenses gave way to more attacks. His thumb caressed the outline of my jaw, then my neckline, and then it slowly came down to my chest, stopping dangerously close to my breasts. I could feel my nipples perk up in excitement as if they were calling for him and pleading to be felt up by his gracious palm.

His gem of an eye became hooded, as his heated gaze traveled all over my body, eating me up from head to toe continuously like I was a meal that could satisfy his huge appetite.

The lust and desire on his face made me feel exposed, and I crossed my arms over myself to provide some sort of cover. But something felt different, the fabric of my clothes felt softer and looser. Where were the frills of my servant's apron? The familiar rough but soothing texture of the fabric?

I looked down on myself to check what I was wearing, and I was met with an almost naked body. I wasn't in my servant's dress, or any dress for that matter. I was in a white shirt with loose lace that ran from the mid-chest up. The loose lace was practically exposing my breast. I could see my nipple straining against the shirt.

"What the hell? You changed my clothes?!" I yelled in shock.

"That I did," he responded, as if he wasn't so sure why I was shocked.

The audacity. I was so dumbfounded that I couldn't form any words. And so in my anger, I grasped my pillow and began to rain down attacks on him. The whole time I was hitting him with a pillow, he just stood there and took my attacks like I was a little bug throwing tiny punches. He didn't even flinch or budge, and that infuriated me.

I raised my hands higher with every intention of making this blow hurt, but a sudden knock at the door stopped me. Mr. Red Hair didn't make any attempt to get the door, he just ignored it and kept staring at me. The knock came again, and this time it sounded more impatient. Mr. Red's hair still didn't move.

"Your majesty, I'm only here because you instructed me to bring food for the empress. So please don't ignore me." A voice called out from the other side of the door.

When there was still no response, the door burst open and a familiar face from yesterday walked in. It's that man, Milo. He looked a little grumpy and was spitting out random words to the floor as he made his way into the room.

He looked up and froze when he took in the image of my hands paused in the air. His face grew surprised at first, but then it was quickly replaced with amusement.

"Wow the emperor of all dragons getting smacked with a pillow by a girl wasn't something I thought I needed to see," he said as he plunged into laughter.

My eyes went up in shock. Did he just say, emperor?! My Goddess! This man in front of me was the dragon emperor?!

Suddenly, it all made sense. The fireball yesterday, the swirling of his iris, the roars, and the animalistic sounds he produced. I knew he wasn't human, but the dragon king? The strongest man of all the kingdoms. And here I was, smacking him with a pillow like it was nothing. I was seeking death.

As if on natural instinct, a habit from years and years of being a servant kicked in. This person in front of me was royalty. I shouldn't be in the presence of royalties. I shouldn't even look them in the eye. I instantly dropped the pillow and fell to my knees, my head touching the floor to show respect.

I couldn't see the emperor, but somehow I knew his body went rigid instantly.

"MILO, OUT!" His Ire voice bellowed.

Milo didn't hesitate to leave the room. He quickly dropped the tray of food and scampered off, leaving me alone with an angry beast.

The once lax air was now riddled with anger.

"Raise your head, little Empress." He commanded.

I flinched but stayed rooted to my spot. I wasn't about to stand up and meet with a brooding emperor.

"Do not tempt me, little one. I said, raise your head." He commanded again.

I was now scared shitless, but I still didn't move. Call me crazy, but I felt like if I made eye contact with him, I would be devoured.

Soon I felt myself being hoisted up into the air. The emperor had lifted me up; he tossed me on the bed and I could see his large form towering over me.

As soon as my eyes met with his golden-colored one, I quickly ducked my head again. Bad move. It only seemed to increase his anger.

He paced the room, his entire body oozing out steam. I could hear his knuckles cracking, and the grating of his teeth. Then he came to a stop in front of me.

"Look at me," he said, in a much calmer tone than before. When I still didn't look up he knelt in front of me, cupped my face in his hands, and gently raised my head. I complied this time and let my head be guided by his hands. His gentleness was betraying the anger in his eyes.

"Listen, never bow to anyone. Ever. Not even to me. You are my empress, nations are to bend at your feet, and gold and diamonds are to envy you because you shine brighter than them. So never diminish yourself. " He said, more like a command than a statement.

"Do you understand?" He asked, his thumbs caressing my lips.

No, I didn't understand. What the hell did he mean by I was an empress? What logic and reasoning made him come to that conclusion? Everything he was saying was strange and odd.

"I don't hear your reply," he says.

His thumb caressing my lips was too distracting for me to even think. I was too focused on the tingles he was giving me, that I just gave him a small nod without paying attention.

"Good," he said, as he gave me a satisfied smile. Oh gosh, it's one of his smiles. They made his face light up and gave him a whole new look of beauty. The reasoning was slipping away from me as I got lost in his smile.

Hold on. If he was an emperor and he called me his empress, does that mean...!

"Um...emperor?" I said uncertain of what to call him.

The smile fell off his face, as he gave me a scrutinizing look. I was even more confused now. Was I supposed to address him in a different way? But I didn't even know his name to begin with.

"Adelio. Call me Adelio sweetheart" he commanded.

"Adelio" I obeyed instantaneously.

His lips broke into a heart-wrenching grin, and I swear I saw a thread of sparkle run through his eyes as if he had just discovered something golden.

His red eyes turned to a lovely blue. Wow, that’s a new color.

"Yes, love, just like that. My name exists for you to moan after all."

I gaped at him. My jaw dropped, and I was stupefied.

Holy fuck.