CHAPTER III

Wind whizzed and whirled in the room. A whirlwind was formed and it carried everything in sight to join the whirl.

Alexa held on to the window. She would die if she joined the whirlwind that had taken her chairs, beds and broken pieces of mirror.

Alexa screamed. Her scream caused the wind to disappear. Everything crashed down. She was shaken. But with all that happened, the golden statue was still in her hands.

She heard a clap behind her. She jumped and turned to see… him.

He was beautiful. She had never seen such unworldly beauty in her life. Not even a vampire’s handsomeness could match with his beauty.

His lips were like no other. Looking at them alone could enchant her into kissing him. His glassy red eyes were like never before. She’s never seen anything with red eyes before. His hair was dark… darker than black.

His figure was dangerously unique and exquisite. He wore a white prince shirt and free black pantaloons. If this was the devil, then was the storybook lying. What about the golden statue?

“You?”

He smiled when he compared the five year old girl he met once to the beautiful damsel in his front. 

Alexa was confused. “What do you mean by you?”

He snapped out of his trance and shook his head. “I never expected it to be you but, okay?”

She eyed him. “What do you mean?”

He scanned his eyes round her body, making her nervous. “Wow. Such beauty,” he said, with the most glorious smile.

“A-are you him?”

“What was I thinking? I forgot I can’t kill royals so easily. I definitely won’t want to kill you.” He bowed before me. “I’m sorry your majesty. I forgot you were royalty.” Alexa gulped. He moved like flash, appearing here and there within the twinkle of an eye. He sped to her back and held her waist. She whimpered. “I know everything about you and I know what you want,” he whispered in her ear. “I know you want me.”

She pulled away from him. He smiled… a deadly smile.

Alexa wanted to be strong, she was a Queen after all. “If you know what I want then you must tell me what you want in return.”

“Right. Strictly business. Show me what you have.” He raised a brow. “By the way, call me…”

“Lucifer?”

He laughed. “No. Elliot.” She put forward the golden statue. “I already know you have that. I was talking about something else.” He winked.

She slapped him. “How dare you?!”

No doubt, Elliot liked her. She was different. He loved her long black hair, her emerald eyes, her sexy curves, her sharp tongue, but most of all… her blueberry lips. It had been a while since he tasted lips. He almost forgot the taste.

“The devil doesn’t forgive but I’ll make you an exception.”

“You might be an all powerful demon but I will not take this attitude from you.”

He smirked. “Feisty.”

“What did you say?!”

He shook his head. “Nothing at all.” He studied her more. “I love that blue dress of yours but it’ll look better off you.”

Alexa took a deep breath and controlled her anger.

She wanted to get him out of her hair as soon as possible. “I need you to help me win a war. I’ll give you the statue if you help me win the war against Kiteirah.”

He couldn’t take his eyes off her hips. She was too beautiful to be human. “Are you human?”

She rubbed her face. “I don’t think I heard you well. Isn’t it obvious?”

“I’ve got to say…” He walked closer to her. “… You are gorgeous.”

Alexa was still a teenager and her hormones were kicking in fast. “Shut up! Now will you help me win the war or not.”

He licked his lips. “It isn’t that easy, Alexa.”

She shone her eyes. “I didn’t tell you my name.”

“Well… a little bat did.”

She sighed. “Tell me what you want from me.”

He looked her from head to toe. “First, you’ll give me the golden statue. Second, I want human blood. Give me three of your prisoners if you don’t want to give me a civilian. Third…” He looked at her again.

“What is the third condition?”

“For so long I’ve been looking for someone to make me click. You’re an amateur but from today on. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Alexa was confused. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

He sped to her. He released his sharp canines and pierced it into her neck’s skin. He had never tasted such delicious blood. He would have sucked her dry but he needed her for more important things. 

Alexa held unto him tighter. The pain and pleasure was unbearable. He controlled himself and let go of her, looking deep into her eyes. She was weak and drained. 

Alexa locked her eyes with his. “What have you done?”

He had to give her some energy. He rested her on a chair and called unto his trident. He pointed it at her and cast a spell.

Alexa sat up afterwards. She felt for the scar by her neck. 

She glared at him. “What did you do to me?”

“That was the third thing. You are now my mate. I have marked you. You can never die except the mark kills you itself. And if you die, you’ll wake up in another time. The same way you are now.”

“Why did you do this to me? Why?!”

“It’s all in the deal. Besides, it’s not a bad idea.”

Alexa slid to the floor and entered tears. She always thought her prince charming would be… at least a human. Not the devil!

She screamed and threw anything and everything she saw at him. “How could you do this to me?! You’re a beast! You’re the monster everyone says you are!”

He held her from injuring him any further—not like he could be hurt.

She was close to him. She couldn’t ignore the sensation of pleasure she felt.

“Control yourself, Alexa. This is not the time. Not here. Not now.”

“These are the effects of the mark. Right?”

He nodded. “Forget about this for now. I’ll help you win the war. Be glad. All your people will be safe. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

She cleaned her face. “For my people?” She was strong again. “You should leave. I’ll call unto you when you’re needed.”

She attempted to walk past him but he held her hand and pinned her to the wall. Their noses touched. A fire ignited in their eyes.

“Alexa, I didn’t mark you without a reason. I want you to know that I need you.”

When Alexa woke up this morning, she wouldn’t believe the day could turn into this. Her nation was in danger—well not anymore—she met her mother today and the devil was telling her he needed her.

“I don’t know what to say.” 

His blood mixed with hers. She started having feelings for him. She got a grip on herself and ran out of the chamber. 

Elliot could only stay away from her for so long. He needed one of her belongings. He opened her wardrobe. He loved the smell of her scent from the clothes. He could take all of them if he wanted to.

He picked a dress. It had the strongest sent of her. He heard footsteps nearing the door. It wasn’t her. They were maids. 

Before the maids could get in, he vanished with her favorite dress.

***

Alexa was brave enough to talk to her mother. She was brave enough to call on the devil. She was brave enough to face Kiteirah head on. 

She held her head high and fought along with her few soldiers and… mate. That word always made her shiver.

The battlefield was messed up with blood, flesh, weapons and dust.

Only a handful of her soldiers were lost in the battle. Her nation was safe. That was the most important thing.

She laughed. There was a bloody knife in her shaky hands. The remaining soldiers stood at akimbo, waiting for the Queen’s next orders.

Alexa sat on the floor, looking at King Yamma’s dead body. He was such an evil King. The nations hated him. Her nation would be in good terms with the other nations because of this war. It might not be over with Kiteirah but she knew the other five nations would fight for her.

Blood was all over her warrior clothing but there was not a single scratch on her. Elliot made sure of that. 

Alexa breathed heavily. The lives of many flashed before her eyes. So many were killed. She was happy. She couldn’t be any happier. She stood and turned to her soldiers.

“You have all done great work. I give you permission to go into the Palace of Jabs and feast! Go into Halton and tell the people that your Queen has won!” 

The soldiers hailed and used their last energy to run into Halton. They disappeared in the fog while someone… or something else appeared in the fog.

“We did it, Alexa.”

She almost forgot. She completed his first two conditions but was yet to do the last. The last and the worst. They would have to sleep with each other for her to be officially his. She wasn’t sure she could do it.

“I-I…”

“Why are you so anxious, Queen?”

“I thank you for saving my nation. I don’t know what I would have done without you. It means very much to me.”

Alexa knew he couldn’t read her mind now they were mates but she didn’t risk it. She didn’t think of her next plan incase Elliot could still hear her thoughts. She would act on impulse.

“You’re welcome. I’ll do anything for you.”

She breathed out. It may be her last. “But I also have to say that I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

He laughed. “You’re joking. If you decline me, the mark will kill you.” She didn’t change her mind. “Alexa, don’t do this. I need you. Don’t do this.”

“Watch over Halton for me. It’s been my home, my life and my reason to live.”

“Let me be your reason to live.”

A tear escape her eye. “I’ve always been destined to die with my family. Except my time came a little later.”

He sped to her and held her mouth. “Don’t say it.” She used all her strength to push him off her. “How did you do that? No one is stronger than me.”

“You shared your power by marking me. I’m sorry Elliot but I…”

“No Alexa! Don’t! No!”

“… will not be your mate!”

Her eyes turned black. Her breathing was held. Something unknown strangled her. She tried to breath but it was all to no avail.

Elliot ran towards her, not knowing what to do. Even his power couldn’t save her. She struggled for her life till… the struggle was over.

“Alexa! Please talk to me. Speak to me.” He never cried before but he did now. Rain came pouring down on them. He held Alexa’s dead body in his hands and cried out. “I killed you. I will never forgive myself for this. I love you Alexa.”