2- When fire meets moonlight

Fiona's pov

From my position on the ground, there was the sound of doors swinging open, the thudding in my ears rhyming with the heavy boots that stomped against the ground at the command of a furious man.

Through that fury, the scent was more prevalent, evident.

I drew in through my nostrils-an unintentional sniff-something familiar yet different. The scent stung, awakening anxious feelings, yet carried a hint of something enthralling.

He smelt like spiced musk-deep, intoxicating. The hint of leather evoked warmth, and smoky embers sizzled through, making my knees weaker, a slight tremble going through my thighs as the mark hidden within them flamed soothingly against my skin.

He got closer. With each step, each corner he took, he was still a bit far off, yet every action was magnified. Iris, my wolf, purred in my head, panting-anticipating the arrival of our mate. Emotions overrode her, while my excitement caved into anxiety at what our interaction would be like.

I carefully gripped the fabric of my gown, my fingers clutching onto the green material as I kept my head bowed-not by will, but because I was so overcome by the discovered mate bond, as well as fear.

I thought about what this would mean for us. A part of me secretly hoped that this could all be a cruel joke of fate-but alas, how wrong I was.

"Your Majesty," I heard the eunuch and the King's guard greet. In that moment, I couldn't help it. I raised my head.

And then it happened. Two different worlds collided-one of fire and one of fur-as steel blue eyes clashed with green ones of mine. Hate sizzled from him, while curiosity and hope painted my vision.

I beheld him, draped in black, as dark as the disgust emanating from him yet his beauty contrasted that. His eyes betrayed long-held torture. Such a man, as enticing as he was to look at even with the scar marring his jaw line, held much contempt within him.

I didn't tear my gaze away. I slowly let myself rise from the ground, the mark on my thigh burning with intensity as my heart pounded deep within its encase. His scent wrapped me up. My eyes searched for any sign that he found the same recognition in me that I did in him.

That would almost be impossible, as it was forbidden for a wolf to be mated to a dragon and a dragon could feel no such bond. But I hoped. I hoped as something sweet bloomed within me, memorizing his features.

"Mate." I dared to whisper only for my own hearing.

"Filth." His tongue commanded hate in the same breath.

The very first word my mate had pronounced to me was the word filth.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch stepped forward with a bow. "Allow me—"

"No need for pleasantries and formalities, Elric. I am aware of who she is-the traitor's daughter."

His words stung, and so did his gaze, but I bit my lip, fighting back my words. Everything was happening too fast for me to process.

"Your Majesty," The Eunuch stepped in again, "Please hear my plea before you decide on your judgment."

"Go on, Elric," the King gave his approval, "You have my attention."

"She is but a young woman, Your Majesty. A healer, roped into unfavorable circumstance-"

"No. Do not plead her innocence." The King's words came out in a harsh breath. "You know who she is. Her blood taints Velmora. Keeping her would be defying the oaths."

"Your Majesty," Elric continued, "do you intend to condemn her to death?"

"Yes." He pronounced without a flicker of hesitation.

"She has a child, Your Majesty," The man continued to beg.

"Off with both their heads!"

"You cannot do that." My words finally came, lips trembling at the possibility of my daughter's threatened life. "You condemn me unjustly! You tie me to the presumed sins of my father."

"The child is as guilty as what bore her," The King spat back, holding my gaze.

"I saved your men!"

He let out an irritated scoff, taking several steps toward me. "You wielded your black magic in my lands without my approval, shattered your cage-"

"To save your men!" My nostrils flared as I stood my ground, moving a tad bit closer to him, my chest rising and falling. "He who saves a life is owed and spared." I stated, watching as his face twisted in disagreement. "And so, Your Majesty, I saved your right-hand man. You owe me."

"Shut your mouth," he gritted, almost baring his fangs. "In my court, you are no princess. Watch your tone when you speak to me, Your Highness." His tone mocked me at the end.

"Very well then, Your Majesty. But you must remember, a trait begets another in return."

"You—"

"Your Majesty," The Eunuch interfered again, "Per the laws of our ancestors, and that of hers, her words are true."

"You are only doing this because she's a wolf like you."

I turned, stunned at the eunuch. I had never noticed him being a wolf. It dawned on me that he had stayed so long in the Dragon's lair that his original scent had been masked by theirs.

"No," the man bowed again. "I only seek fairness. She saved Ronan and the others. She is a healer-she'd be useful to you and your kingdom. And it would be unfair to strip a baby of its mother. Please reconsider, Your Majesty."

"Eunuch Elric," The angry King growled in a low tone, "If you knew what her father did. What destruction it has led to—"

"My father is innocent!" I stood my ground, drawing his attention again. "I would not have you tarnish his name."

"Be careful with your words, Princess! You should be at my feet, begging for my mercy, yet here you are, contending my words."

"I am free of guilt. Why shouldn't I?"

He stared daggers at me, his gaze cutting through me, while I heard the eunuch let out a sigh at our bickering.

"Reconsider and spare her, Your Majesty," the man begged one last time before pulling away from us.

The King's gaze appraised me. I straightened my shoulders and stood with my head held high.

"I shall give you a choice," he began to speak, his voice stirring up warmth within the depths of me. My wolf purred in return. "Choose between life and death."

"Life."

I watched him smirk at my unhesitated answer.

He closed the gap between us. His hand stretched out slowly, his fingers gripping my chin, burning into my skin, lighting up sparks. Something flickered in his eyes at feeling the sparks. He gripped harder. A sigh escaped me as he pulled me closer, slamming me against him while he stared deep into my eyes. And then I saw something.

It was warmth, followed with denial and a scoff of unbelief.

'I think he can feel it too,' Iris said to me.

And I agreed with her as I noticed the sudden shift.

He bent a bit, bringing his head to the side. His lips brushed my ear, and a shiver ran down my spine at the contact. The sparks went wild, and I pressed myself against him-unwillingly.

"You really are the devil's spawn," he whispered slowly. "I wonder how you thought your little mate trick would work-manipulating me with magic?"

"I am glad you recognize that you can feel it," I replied. "It is no trick."

"Nonsense! Fate wouldn't be so cruel as to choose you for me. Whatever bond you feel or have cooked up, is merely a trick. I'd sooner burn myself alive than take you for a mate."

I had no words. The rejection hit me, stinging me deep but I tried not to betray my emotions.

"You chose life?" he sneered. "Then I will make sure to brand you with shame and make your life a living hell so much that you would hang onto my legs and plead with me for death!"

And with that, he let go pulling away from me and taking steps that took him further.

"Eunuch Elric," he called onto the man who had pleaded for me. "Let it be known that the traitor's daughter is here as a criminal. Strip her of her status and finery. Take her to the slave quarters. She sleeps where they sleep, and eats what they eat. As for the benefits she brings to the kingdom, make sure she serves those purposes with or without her will!"

Those were his words of condemnation before he turned around, storming off in the direction he had come through earlier-his cloak flapping behind him in a regal manner, while my heart was whipped out of shape, breaking into tiny pieces.

How cruel is fate?

The one man who hated my guts turned out to be the one I have been fated with for a lifetime.