As a wild rose.

You are not my type! Really? Had he just said that! What was he doing? I don't like cruel and proud women? How had he told her that!

More importantly: how could he fix it? The truth was that in those very moments he, the great Zane Ren Magnus, could only think about touching the woman in front of him. In exploring her white skin as pure as the sky. Adore her red lips, and caress her hair which was as beautiful and scarlet as a wild rose.

"Is this something temporary?" The young woman spoke.

By the heavens! He knew she wasn't cruel. Thinking this, Zane stifled an angry curse that was trying to rise up his throat. Unable to resist, he took a step towards her. However, Liara moved back two.

Immortal hells!

"If I can help you feel," She continued. "I will be able to return to my home, right?"

That was out of question, but Zane had to endure whatever response he had for those words.

"I'm afraid I made a bad first impression. I apologize, Liara. I think we got off on the wrong foot here." He started. By the immortal breath! He had never denied himself anything and now he had in front the only woman who had fascinated him. "I am Zane,"

"Zane?" The young woman gasped, warm breath escaping between those full, small lips. Her mouth was like a small rose. One that he wanted to devour. "Zane... Magnus?"

She knew who he was. Good. Zane thought. For a second Liara's eyes reflected her surprise, however, she recovered very well.

"Zane Ren Magnus, Commander of the Angis legions. Head of the principality of Magnus regency of Nephil the Inmortal Kingdom." He said softly. Then made an elegant courtesy salute.

It seemed Liara needed a moment to rethink things. So Zane waited patiently.

"My Lord…"

"Please, call me Zane."

"My Lord, if you allow me I would like to return to my home…" The young woman cut her words as soon as Zane reached her and caught her chin in his hand. Immortal hells! He hadn't been able to stop.

"I already said that this is your home from now on." Patience... Zane told himself as he was entranced by those big hazel eyes of hers. "Liara, you will have everything you may want. Whatever you ask me. Except abandon Nephil."

"My lord, you have to understand that this is not what I want." She defended herself again.

"Remember, whatever you ask except to stay away from me." He blatantly ignored her words. Then fury appeared in the young woman's eyes. His woman. Because she was already his.

"You!" Liara obviously stopped herself, appealing to her patience. Oh, that furious, indignant expression in her hazel eyes had ignited something in him.

"I don't understand you determination to return to a country that exchanged you and abandoned you." He provoked her, still using a cold and calm tone.

And, as expected, now she was furious. The anger made her eyes shine brighter. Zane discovered some golden flecks in those irises that looked like honey at times.

Suddenly Zane remembered the first time he had seen her. He was taking a stroll through the mortal realm. No one, not even Johanes, knew of his escapades into the kingdom of the man.

As soon as Zane learned of the war Aelamar had started, he had personally gone to investigate. So he had headed to the northern front, the most dangerous place of all. Then one day in the middle of the battle, he saw her coming.

Zane had already heard rumors of the Red Witch, but nothing had prepared him for the reality.

The men were losing the confrontation. Their ranks were being easily decimated in plain sight. Then Esteria's party arrived. They were the famous humans with gifts given by the gods themselves.

And she was coming in the front.

The woman was indisputably beautiful. And although beautiful features were already boring to Zane, the image of the red witch stirred him from head to toe.

She was dressed all in white. A perfect target among the sea of dark uniforms. Her long, loose scarlet hair swayed in the wind. Her locks looked like gentle sea waves of the most dazzling red.

Composed, the woman's gaze encompassed the battlefield. At first glance she seemed to be cold as the snow under her boots, but Zane could see how her hands trembled almost imperceptibly. She was agitated. Maybe even scared. However, fear did not reach her eyes. Fascinating. Zane had thought.

"Liara!" A fellow warrior woman had screamed.

Liara. A beautiful name.

Then, Liara raised her hands and closed her fists as if she were holding the same wind in her hands.

Two things had happened then: the monsters began to fall one after another and Zane's frozen heart shook in his chest.