Let go!

Nikolai's eyes shimmered with complete amusement as he watched his fierce mate. She was making his heart pound with every motion, and she wanted to kill his people without remorse. How impressive.

Why was she so desperate to see the princess? How was the mole in the castle related to the princess of the dark fairies?

She gasped in surprise as he grasped the hood of her coat while shaking his head and clicking his tongue incessantly, just as she made a step forward.

"What are you doing?!"

Nikolai glared at the approaching warriors warningly. However, despite the terror he could smell in the soldiers, they continued to swarm closer to attack Ophelia and, of course, him because they knew he would want to enter that tower with or without their permission.

He removed her hood and threw his arm over her stomach, drawing her closer to him and allowing her back to relax on his chest. He heard her pulse miss a beat, her breath shakily lowering, and he gazed at the fiery sword in her firm hold, which was reflecting in her eyes.

"Pain." He called dully.

"What?" Ophelia asked confused.

The tiger phoenix abruptly materialized in front of Ophelia. He extended his wings while giving the warriors a lethal stare and letting out a low, terrifying roar.

Ophelia's jaw fell. She could tell right away by the creature's aura that it was a guardian beast. Beasts that, from generation to generation, guard their masters' familial bloodline, particularly the firstborns.

She pushed herself forward in an attempt to jerk free of his hold, but as a warrior charged and yelled, the tiger phoenix jumped on the warrior, and before she could see it tearing off the warrior's head, she blinked and they were inside the tower, which was illuminated by the fire torches placed at each corner.

The sword's flames disappeared when she quickly closed her eyes, and it reverted to its original form—a dagger. Her lips parted, her heart still racing owing to their current proximity. She gulped. Hard.

"Y.. you can let go now, we are in the tower." She managed to say.

"Let's wait for Rhaziel." Nikolai muttered, his voice velvety soft as usual, making her heart skip a beat.

He clutched the cloak on her stomach, drawing her closer to him, her back against his chest, his face nuzzling in her hair, attempting to pick up a scent from her. He pouted his lips, sulking like a child as he was still unable to capture her pure scent.

She trembled in his arms. The heat. At this rate, she won't need a cloak to keep her warm in the cold. His touch alone was a fire capable of melting ice. And she was a fire dragon!

"Nikolai.."

Nikolai let out a dark laugh. She pronounced his name in such a peculiar way. He wanted to hear her yell out his name while pleading, screaming it, and moaning it.

"Let go!" He instantly freed her as she yelled out in frustration.

Ophelia let out a heavy sigh as she calmed herself by encircling her body with her arms. She could feel the tension rising. It was something she would be powerless to stop and something she couldn't ignore. But when she turned to face him, he was smirking and immediately, grabbed her hips by the side, pulling her close to him.

Out of impulse, she positioned the blade at the side of his neck, staring at him with wide eyes as he smiled ominously. His ears, which had three black rings, caught her attention. Nikolai was clingy.

"You feel it, don't you?" Nikolai questioned, with a lowered voice. He crushed his body against hers and smiled widely, when the dagger penetrated into the skin of his neck.

Ophelia's face paled. Her hand trembled. She didn't do it on purpose! He caused it!

Her lips began to part and tremble at the sight of the blood gushing forth. She let go of it and started to attempt to free herself from his hold. Gasping at the noise the dagger made as it hit the ground.

"Nikolai let go!"

However, he wouldn't budge, so she was forced to give up. She coughed and covered the bloody wound with her fingers, shivering as she felt the hot blood drip over her hand little by little.

She couldn't believe how her feelings had changed from wanting to kill him to regretting hurting him. She only felt this way because he saved her life, thus it was nothing. Right? Indeed! There was no other explanation.

Gold and red clashed. They are igniting a fire. A fire so big it could actually burn them.

Nikolai grinned heartily. He actually had a forbidden fruit in his hand. She was a bird who was compelled to conceal her emotions, but she was gradually showing them. His snare. To have her, he must set a trap. He desired to take over every aspect of her life until he was her only thought. Nobody else to rely on but him. He lacked empathy. He was aware. Still, it was worthwhile.

"You are nuts." Ophelia shot him a glare, succeeding in hiding a worried expression.

"Says the insane dragoness." Nikolai smirked, clutching the cloak on her waist.

Ophelia snorted. She really was insane. For not killing him when she had the opportunity since doing so would have sparked the war she was attempting to prevent.

"Why on earth do you have a guardian beast?" She asked, her thumb unconsciously carressing the smooth skin of his neck.

Dark light glistened in Nikolai's eyes. His body reacting to her touch. That little touch had risen something drastic.

"Fuck!" He breathed out, caught her wrist and Ophelia gasped when she felt her back collide with a wall, just next to a hanging fire torch.

She blinked at him innocently. He stared at her hungrily.

"Ni.."

"You feel it, don't you?" Nikolai grunted, his voice hoarse.

Ophelia violently yanked her hand away from the wound, which was now clean skin that had been bloodied. He had healed. But his blood was all over her palm, and his hold on her wrist just grew tighter.

She made an effort to present a cool, detached demeanor. However, as soon as he freed her body, he grabbed her other hand, locked both of her hands to the wall, and then covered her body with his.

"Do you feel it, or not?"

"I.."

"Ophelia,"

Her eyes grew wider. Her body reacted to his soothing voice calling her name, and her face turned bright crimson.

"Y..yes."