ೋ......................................................................................................... ೋ

Alena's P.O.V

Alvin's army retreated once Ahavah rushed away from us. I kneeled next to Leon's wounded body and slowly touched his handsome face.

"If I didn't know better, I would've thought you cared about me," he laughed bitterly.

"You're a fool who doesn't know anything,"I hissed back. I left Leon only after I've made sure that he was fine.

Later on, when I woke up that night, there were no warm masculine arms to shelter me from the cold. My toes were numb and I couldn't feel my arms. I sat up, staring at the thick fog surrounded me. With pained eyes I glared at the stranger around me.

On the other side of the campfire, Leon's knights were resting. Leon's men didn't look like knight right now, they looked like drunk men.

Slowly, I climbed to my feet and gazed nervously into the dark skies, wrapping the blanket around my shoulders. The starless sky was casket black and brooding. It was as if I was the only person alive in the entire universe.

Until my eyes met his.

Leon stayed away for a few feet without so much as a thick cloak to cover him. I eye him sharply as I saw the long rope that was tied around his wrist, I followed the rope slowly with my eyes until I saw it tied around my ankle. The rope was not tight, but it was to rouse him from his slumber.

I shook my head as a small smile started to cover my lips. I knew that Leon would never trust me even if I saved his life. However, I could no longer afford to risk being punished by this man.

I was aware of Leon's snare, I smiled again and instead of moving away from him, I found myself drifting toward him.

I couldn't help but to think how long had he been sleeping out here with no roof to shield him from the cold. His constant exposure to the sun already turned his skin to burnished gold.

Even when Leon was sleeping, there wasn't a hint of softness in his features. His mouth was compressed to a firm line.

I signed. Even though Leon gave me his blanket, but I was still chilled to the bone. I couldn't help but to remember how cozy it was to curl up against him, it felt so right.

Another piercing growl came again. I moved closer again to the sleeping Leon. I had no idea what was that. Was it a wildcat? Bears? Wolves? Dragons? For all I knew there was something wild moving around us.

I stole one last look at Leon before, I fell into deep slumber.

ೋ......................................................................................................... ೋ

Leon's P.O.V

I had no idea what happen earlier with the men's in woods, but I knew that Alena was the one who saved me. I lazy smile started to cover my lips.

When I opened my eyes, slowly from my deep sleep. I realized two things right away. There was a thick fur covering me and there was a woman beneath this fur who hadn't been there when I went to sleep.

Alena was facing me, only a small space separated our bodies. I felt I sharp pain in my heart Alena didn't trust me enough to curl up against me. All I could see that she was cold, lonely and miserable.

I knew that controlling the ancient maze would take a very long time, but when I did this I wanted to burn Alvin by stealing his bride. However, I was so wrong. I was the one burning here, looking at Alena was the worst torture.

I knew perfectly that Alena was mine and mine alone, yet I felt that she didn't love me at all. I was forced on her. I was her chance to safety and salvation.

Even the old woman in the woods begged me to keep her safe, but can I do that? Can I really make her love me?

ೋ......................................................................................................... ೋ

Alena's P.O.V

I woke up the next morning feeling well rested. I almost felt as if I spent the night on my soft, warm feather bed instead of the cold dirty ground. Thick furs were covering me, but Leon was no were in sight.

I climbed to my feet, yawning and stretching my body. Leon's knights were gathered around the other side of the campfire, preparing their horses for the coming ride.

I moved to the other side of the campfire as I was starving, but once I reached it, I couldn't help but to hear. Art's words.

"I told you, man! There isn't enough food left for us!" He whined like a child. "There would be enough if one of us was not here," He said when he spotted me.

I eyed him and slowly started to move back to the other side of the campfire, but stopped dead on my track when I heard Ardal.

"Watch your step, my lady."

I looked down and smiled back at him, but when I looked back up, I saw Art glaring at me.

"What are you going to do now! Steal my other boot? Or are you going to steal my food?" Said Art bitterly.

I took a deep breath as I stared back at him before I spoke. "I didn't steal your boots Leon's did, you should talk to him."

Snorting, Art dropped his food and pushed it toward me, "Go ahead take it, I don't want you to use your fire on me."

I wasn't sure if I should take it, Art wasn't a kind man at all.

"Come on, I didn't have the time to poison it at least not yet."

I was starving and accepted the food, I couldn't hide my annoyance it was cold and it tasted so bad.

"Do you have any more?" I asked as my stomach rumbled in protest.

"You are such a greedy woman. I wouldn't expect less from Alvin's bride."

As Art was about to eat his food I snatch it out of his hands and ate it right away.

"Really?" Shouted Art.

"You're a dragon go hunt a squirrel." I hissed at him.

"The only thing I'll hunt will be you," but he didn't have the chance to finish as Ardal stopped him.

"That's enough Art! Go now." He said pushing him.

Ardal moved away sitting on a rock, I moved slowly toward him.

"Why are the knights are behaving like this?" I asked in a low voice. "Are they scared of me?"

Ardal laughed at my words. "No offence, my lady, but you're not the one they're afraid of, but Leon. He made it clear that if anyone annoyed you they'll answer to him."

"What about Art? He is a trouble maker." I said in a low voice.

"Will, that guy does not understand anything at all, he's a typical dragon... Feed him and he'll be happy or send Winter his way. However, if you were harmed trust me Leon would kill whoever would touch you."

A disbelieving laugh escaped my lips. "Leon told me he consider his men his brothers. Do you really think that he will kill one for me?"

"Yes, he would, but don't worry he wouldn't try to harm you. He made it clear to us that you are not his woman and that doesn't change anything at all."

Leon's woman.

If I heard what Ardal said days ago I would've been terrified to death. Now his words sent sharp shivers all over my body.

My attention was fixed on the hot stew in Ardal hands as I asked my next question.

"Has your Leon had a lot of women?"

Ardal surprised with his deep laughter, "Any man with his face can have as many lovers as he wishes."

I kept my eyes on the food, but then I understood that Ardal didn't answer my question.

"Have you got more stew and potato's?" I asked.

"I got some," said a voice I've never heard before. "You can have mine, I don't need it," He added.

I shot Ardal a confused look before I took it from the other man's hand. "Why, Thank you so much-"

"Cavan, my lady and you're welcome," he said before he left.

"You're prince told me about your castle, Ardal. I'm sorry about that. I might hate Leon, but I can't ignore what Elmer did to your family." I said in a hushed tone.

"What happen to my father was ruthless and barbarian as for Leon, he's just and caring. He would never take anything that wouldn't belong to him." He whispered.

"Even kidnap another's man bride?"

Ardal looked away refusing to meet my eyes.

"Why are you speechless, Ardal? What are Leon's reasons? Why is he doing all this? Why would the son of Leonidas do such a thing?" I took a deep breath gazing back at him then moved my eyes until they were fixed on Art. "Is that why Art was speaking so low about me? Was he trying to wake the sleeping dragon? Did he want Leon to tell you everything?"

A muscle in Ardal's jaw twitched, but he kept his gaze on the campfire. "Leon always had a sharp temper," he said with a smile covering his lips. "Just like both his parents. King Leonidas was a nightmare alone, but can you imagine when his darling Queen joined him?"

When Leon came striding back into the camp he found his knights gathered around me and eating their food slowly.

"Would you like to have something to eat Leon?" I asked him innocently. Leon took the food, with doubt filling his eyes as he kept eyeing me warily.

"Our dear princess cooks like an angel," said Art with a mouth filled with food. "If she wasn't already interested in someone else, I would've married her myself."

"Why? Thank you so much, Art. But I thought you were in love with Winter." I teased.

"Oh my, dear... That woman is as cold as a dead Winter."

I lowered my eyes to avoid Leon's sharp gaze. I knew that fate was playing a cruel game with us. Leon ordered his men to get ready as they were going to visit a woman called Mary.

It didn't take long before we approached a cottage, the wooden door swung open as if it was by magic and soon a beautiful black woman stood near the door.

"Leon, my darling." She said facing him then her eyes were fixed on me. "You don't waste any time do you?"

"There is no need for this Lady Mary... You know that you're still the most beautiful lady. I've been in love with you since I was a little boy."

Mary giggled like a schoolgirl. "Will I'm still waiting for you to ask me to be your wife!"

"I would've done that long ago if I thought that your husband wouldn't mind." Said Leon, glancing around.

"It would serve him right if he got back and found a younger lover in my bed... I know he's playing around." She said with a knowing smile.

"Oh, bite your tongue, woman! He would kill anyone foolish enough to miss with his young bride." He said in a teasing manner. This was a side I've never seen in Leon before. "He almost clawed my father when you kissed him, Lady Mary."

She smiled gently, "This very woman had been married for twenty years now..." I couldn't believe it, but she looked so young.

"Where is your old man now Leon? Why won't he visit his old friend Atilius?" She asked.

"Will he's busy, you know my mother, Lady Mary," I said in a low voice. "And besides, I didn't see him for a month now."

Worry clouded Mary's eyes, "Are you trying to tell me that the older devil kicked you out?" She asked.

My eyes widen, Leon didn't say a word, yet she knew.

"Leonidas will never change and you know better not to challenge his words," She said. "Are you safe now? With that look in your eyes, son I could tell that you're being followed? Should I prepare for the worst?" She asked.

"No at the moment, but Alvin's men are after us," He said.

Mary smiled, there wasn't a hint of fear in her eyes when he said his name. Then her eyes were fixed on me. "What do we have here?"

Leon's arms tighten around me. "I was hoping you could look after her while I take care of my knights and dragons."

"Yes, my lord," She said with a warm smile covering her lips.

I stayed with Mary while Leon was away and after hours, he was back, but before I knew it a young beautiful creature with dark glossy hair entered the room. Her eyes lit up when she saw Leon. "Why? Leon Lovell is here, it had been long since you've paid me- us a visit."

ೋ........................................................................................................ ೋ

Did you enjoy this chapter? If you did please show me your support by clicking the VOTE button, leave a comment & follow!

Have a fabulous day!