Chapter 19

Anelisa 

Everything still felt puzzling to me except the fact that my body was being thong aside like a human push as these servants suddenly went on their knees, giving a bow.

However, my eyes were transfixed on the shattered body which has now become fed to a dragon who flew out of the blue to mop the place with its tongue.

Perhaps, the shock in me didn't give rise to consciousness and in a short while, I realized I'm the only one standing.

I had grief, agony steaming up inside me as it seemed like I was in a trance.

My stare returned to the man at the balcony and we locked eyes but I shuddered as a cold metal rested on my throat.

Lowering my gaze, I can see a soldier pointing a sword to my neck and I gulped.

"How dare you stand before the king?" He barks but I didn't move, I didn't flinch as tears streamed down my eyes.

I was wrong, they're heartless people.

Silence as I closed my eyes, trying not to believe any of these were true. I was ready to digest the pain from the sword but suddenly, I felt no pain.

Squinting my eyes open, I realized the soldier was standing adjacent to me and footsteps were approaching.

Those on their knees haven't risen and I felt a hand push me to my knees and my head went low.

A soldier had done that.

The mask man was passing by or should I say, the ruler?

There's a sudden fear associated with his coming, just the way the rumors say.

I can't believe we've met twice and I'm still breathing. I had no emotions in me as the cruelty of this kind only keeps becoming surreal.

He walks past me and it's like fire igniting that my skin tingles and heats up.

"Bring her to the field" his cold voice orders from behind and I tremble tensely that I'm the next victim.

Immediately, a soldier yanks me up by the hair, binding chains to my wrists and pulling me along.

I was made to walk until I arrived at the field and the fascinating, yet horrifying creatures I see made me quiver.

Dragons!

The masked man was far ahead of me, with the soldier behind me, pushing me to walk faster inside the ring-like field.

It's more like a rink, having hurdles where probably these dragons train under and the ground only has sands, which will give a soft landing to anyone who falls from these dragons.

They were huge, mighty and my eyes were looking up and up at them until I realized that I was straining my neck just to look.

Why do I always fall victim to being served as meat to these dragons?

The dragons were chained but they brawl and roar that even the arena breathes fire.

The masked man whose name I might never know signaled to the soldier to leave and he did just that.

Now, it's me again with this man. If he wants to kill, he should be quick. I didn't bow or move, I just stood staring.

Even the dragons go silent due to the aura he possesses.

"Get on your knees"

I can see it, he likes to be respected and down I went as he draws closer to me.

He uses the point of a dagger to raise my jaw just so I meet his tensed gaze.

His eyes danced in the sockets as he says;

"What power do you possess?"

It sounded queer because I am powerless, can't shape-shift and I am weak.

Silence.

I knew I'm drawing in my death as my tongue couldn't even twist out a proper answer for him.

"Don't let me repeat..."

"I have no power" I snapped , hating every second I had to spend with him.

He smirks, possibly stunned I cut him off.

"Lies"

"Why would I lie? I'm useless, that's the only reason why my family will sell me off"

I was quick in answering, nervous and trying to know about his next move.

The sudden surprise in his eyes as he returns the dagger back in his sheath.

Then he takes off the black gloves in his hand, suddenly covering my face with his palm.

It's like he's exhuming everything in me but I used my chain hands to push his hand away.

Why did I do that? More trouble or probably because I wasn't breathing.

"I told you, I have no powers, except if you want to grip my soul" I retorted with a frown on the face, coupled with the fact that my knees were burning.

However, that hand of his grappled my neck that I gaggled. 

His body shimmers, a similar color to one of the dragons.

A navy blue, it's right behind him, letting out a shriek cry that caused this man to snap his hand back like he got a sting.

He steps aside, panting heavily while I cough, rubbing my neck which is literally broken.

He turns to look at the dragon which brawls breaking out of its chain and flying towards us.

It's black, powerful and dreaded as its razor sharp teeth were revealing.

It lets out a ball of fire, certainly for me but this masked man suddenly obstructed me and I don't know what magic he did but that ball of fire was diverted and it hit the hurdles.

I shook, perturbed by the sudden attack of this dragon and is he saving me or displaying some skills?

While he was busy trying to tame that dragon whom I wish consumed him in its flame.

My eyes glanced at the door where definitely will be my escape route. With every courage I could gather up, I stood up, turning running towards the door with chained hands.

I didn't look back.

Fortunately, there were no soldiers guiding it and I unbolted the door, spurring it open to find freedom.

Adrenaline pumps inside me, preparing me for a flight and I knew I ran like my life depends on it but unfortunately, it feels I'm running in circles or returning back to the door I came out of.

One last attempt to leave this arena and I end up falling into his arms. My body melts with his skin, my heart syncs with his as those arms of his circles my waist.

Shoot!

I pant as my heart wants to explode, I couldn't breath either because what I did was just a useless escape.