4 At The Dragon's Great Palace

After Alice had cried, Sophie had scolded and lectured me, and my father had ignored my whole existence, here I was, in the swanky silver carriage with the dragon king in front of me.

I didn't want to mention my sister's incident since it left a mark on my life—her heartbroken eyes and wet face indelible in my mind.

But what was wrong with this man? Why was his jaw so sharp? To be used as a weapon?

"I'm sure you are 'pure.'"

I faced him briskly.

"What do you mean?"

"You act as you have never seen a man before."

He mocked me, staring out of the window. He had the audacity to go there. People! He had the audacity to go there! Like this brute didn't know about his exquisite looks!

Pft, watch me, bitch! It was the last straw!

"Oh, sorry, you are a man? I thought you were a boy." I batted my eyelashes innocently before I burst into laughter at his glare.

In a flash, Axel was caging me with his arms on the surface on either side of my head. His delicate nose was centimeters away from my own. I parted my mouth and settled deeper into the seat as I didn't know where to move my hands.

"I'm not in the mood for your gameplays, little girl, and you should know it by now."

I would have cherished the scene before me if not for the current circumstances– his dark blue eyes were boring into my soul, making me as defenseless as never before. At the same time, his strong arms made me feel weak. I was in a vulnerable position. Axel's body shadowed the light coming from his window, and my heart pounded so fast it would burst at any second.

To my horror, he inched towards my neck, and I was petrified he might have attempted something.

"Ass...Asshole..."

"And if you continue teasing me," he growled seductively in my ear as his lips glided my ear shell, "I'll make you call me far more naughty names than that."

I gasped as a cloud of pink dust covered my cheeks. Once again, I shuddered and squeezed my eyes shut for a while.

Axel's corner of the lips tugged upwards into a devilish smirk as he assessed me and let the heat of his muscled upper body seep into me. I thought he was a reptile?

I averted my gaze from his lustful eyes as he undressed me beneath him. He licked his lips, and like a dragon, he could sense blood pumping in my veins. Gosh, he was going to mark me.

I was about to knee him, but he was faster as he slumped back in his seat, looking out of the window.

I let out a breath of relief as I unfisted my sweaty hands. What just happened?

"I won't harm you, Rebel." His voice softened as I snapped my head back at him.

"You? Pft…No! Just make clear who has the power, nothing more!" I could tell my response was crucial for him as he faced me with a gentle expression.

"I swear, Rebel. I just need you to know you must act more mature. You are going to be my people's queen."

"I don't want sex with you."

The words slipped past my lips before I could register them. My eyes went wide, and I couldn't form a coherent sentence to apologize to him.

K.I.L.L M.E!

Why did I have to voice such a bizarre thought! I wanted him but….WAIT, WHAT?! I didn't want him! I got it now. He threw me into a haze with his magic. Of course!

Axel just smirked at me before leaning in:

"Oh, little girl, you aren't my type, believe me."

Excuse you, asshole?!

"Then what's your type?"

His grin widened.

"I like attractive, sexy women, not some little brats." He snarled at me before resting in his seat again.

"You cocky jerk!"

"Brat!"

"Cocky jerk!"

"Brat!"

"Jerk!"

"Brat!"

As his breath fanned across my lips, I came to my senses. We were much closer to each other than before.

"Ugh!"

I groaned and dropped into my seat as his pleasant chuckle filled my ears.

"Your majesty, we are here."

I slid the rosy curtains and felt dreadful as a black castle erected in the forest. When they said Axel was intimidating, I didn't think he lived in a fucking coffin!

Royal ornaments and carvings decorated the facade of the castle. The enormous gothic towers could be seen from a distance while the statues and carvings of dragons and warriors adorned the dark palace. It was sophisticated and elegant, alluring despite the ominous aura.

Axel studied my expressions as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"What do you want, jerk? You pervert! Gawking at me like you didn't force me into this marriage!"

Okay, I overdid it, but his 'seriously?' and irritated face was adorable.

Axel rolled his eyes before gritting his teeth at me:

"Wedding you is the last thing I want, so stop acting the victim. Also, don't call me that in public."

I shrugged, and he growled as he opened the door before dashing out. Rude much? I mustered up enough courage to peek from the opening.

This place was so serene and gloomy, silent but not peaceful. It was dire and grim.

"My lady."

The man I jabbed earlier stood outside the carriage and stretched his arm out for me. I took his hand as he helped me out. Don't look at him. Just pretend you didn't harm him and have no idea why his cheekbone was bruised.

"How may I address you?"

"Grey, my lady. Forgive Axel's harsh manners."

"If you want to make me feel like a useless old woman, keep calling me that."

I grinned, and he looked lost as he gazed at the ground.

"Joking, Grey."

The man had white hair and greenish-grey eyes. He was handsome, and I sighed at my misfortune. I was a hormonal teenager! I couldn't take so much.

"And sorry for punching you."

"No, my lady," he said politely and beamed at me, "your strength and agility is impressive, and you are fit to be my master's wife, our queen."

I cringed at the nickname he gave me. Wife? Hah, me? Who would have thought…

Grey led me to the gruesome palace, and believe me when I say it - It gave me goosebumps.

"Grey, what's with the voodoo hoodoo palace?"

The forest surrounded the high towers, and it seemed impossible not to get lost here. Grey smiled, concealing laughter as he guided me inside.

"My master likes it that way."

"If you call him master again, it will give me the wrong idea."

"What?"

"Nothing."

I ignored my pervy remark and focused on his words. Well, master Axel… Ew!

"My lady, this palace can move anywhere. It needs to have no color to shade itself later on, depending on the circumstances."

I was awe-struck as his words sank in my mind, accompanied by the interior of the palace. The sculpted columns stood tall, the stained glasses with colorful pieces made me dizzy. Everything about Axel was gorgeous and dark, dangerous.

"Are you okay, my lady? I'll escort you to your room."

Grey guided me to my bedroom, and I smiled at him with courtesy before he left. At least I found one decent human here…and punched him… But that's not the point!

You would ask - what are you waiting for? Enter your luxury chamber and sprawl on your king-sized bed. But no, something interrupted me.

Moans.