Chapter 62

I looked between both men in question as I felt an invisible spark fly between them. Cain was no longer ogling the egg and was now leaning back with a polite smile, but I could see the warning behind those half-moon eyes.

The hero didn't flinch or back down. Instead, I felt his large hand on the back of my chair as he leaned forward towards Cain. He stood while Cain sat so imagined he looked incredibly intimidating, but Cain didn't flinch. He just smiled wider, as if to show the lack of effect.

"I can't say it interests me" He looked up with a smile as I furrowed my brows.

You were making love eyes at it a moment ago?

"I like it" I intervened and I could see Cain visibly flinch at my enthusiasm.

I didn't know what a phoenix was, but it sounded rather intriguing.

Kendrick patted my head and looked at me, eyes somehow warm despite their terrifying glow. I felt slightly uncomfortable at being on the receiving end of such warmth, but I figured I should get used to it so I returned a smile of my own.

"Are they dangerous?" I asked him and I could see the surprise pass over his face before he glared at Cain. Cain seemed to look guilty just then. The iron barrier was broken as he glanced down at his desk.

"They aren't no. Well they aren't if they imprint on you, and since it'll most likely imprint on this fellow you should be fine" He said.

"How long will it take to hatch? you must have been carrying it for years, I'm surprised it hasn't died" I queried as I leaned towards the egg.

"That's because not anyone can help the phoenix hatch. You need a specific type of magic. It's quite a rare type of magic so the egg can last hundreds of years without dying" Cain explained, he sounded remorseful strangely enough.

"Not rare enough" the hero pitched in, gaze-stabbing Cain.

Cain let out an exhale of defeat, but not before throwing a glare at the hero.

"Do you truly want it?" He asked me, hand reaching over to grab mine. He didn't look too happy to be asking, but it looked like it was ultimately my decision.

I felt everyone's eyes turn to me and I couldn't understand the tension.

I had been so used to putting myself second that for a moment I was about to say I didn't, but I felt the hero's hand on my shoulder and looked up to him to see him smiling at me encouragingly. I felt my body relaxing at the sight of it.

There wouldn't be any consequences to taking it would there? I mean this man was my father so it should be fine.

I turned to Cain and nodded.

"I - Yes. If it's not too much trouble. I'll try to keep it out the way so it doesn't bother anyone while I'm working and maybe when it's old enough I could make it do chores as well?" I was trying to sell the idea, but I must've said something stupid because I could feel Kendrick shaking from holding in his laughter while Will barked out a laugh. Even Cain was laughing, his hand covering his mouth.

I could feel my face flush deeply.

"I'd like to see you try doing that to phoenix" Will choked between laughs, "Ha Ha - I can't!- the image of a great phoenix cleaning around the mansion".

"Would it be so weird?" I pouted.

Cain calmed down first. I expected him to ridicule me, but instead, he looked straight to the hero and ignored me. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath.

"The wedding will be in the next seven months. That's the most I can give you" He suddenly said and then pointed to my hand, the one with the ring, "The ring is a magical item so you can't avoid a wedding even if you tried and I think you know better than to take this to one of your churches".

Seven months was a long while. That somehow relieved me, but I couldn't but feel unsettled by how Cain didn't look at me at all and seemed to be speaking to the hero. As if he was making some type of exchange I wasn't in on.

The hero grinned.

"Thank you Cain Goldar. I'll make her returns to you by then" His words made me stiffen as I looked to him and then Cain who wore a despondent smile.

"I need at least two visits during then" He added despairingly.

"What's going on?" I demanded.

Cain glanced towards me and then looked away. He didn't look happy about what was happening as he reached into his drawer and pulled out what I recognized as my slave contract. I could see the amount of a trillion glowing a bright red and then dissolving into nothing. Everything started disappearing. All the words began to glow and disappear, as other words replaced them, and below lay a blank space for a signature.

Cain looked at me with a smile, gesturing to the contract.

"Why don't you read it before he signs it" He gave me a forced smile, one that tried to be happy but failed miserably.

I looked at the letter and lifted my brows at the title.

'Freedom Contract'

Just below lay my name. My full name. My actual name.

Lady Isabelle Lydia Anderson.

I stared at it for a few seconds. A strange emotion seemed to blossom in my chest as I raised a finger to trace the name.

"Lady Isabelle Lydia Anderson... " My voice cracked slightly as I spoke. I could my vision blurring slightly and I wiped my eyes as I looked at Cain.

He agreed to this... because I wanted the egg...

Although he looked upset before, he didn't seem to look at it at all now. He smiled at me and then repeated my name.

"Isabelle Lydia Anderson, daughter of Count Kendrick Anderson and Lady Lydia Octavia Anderson".

I could feel fireworks go off in my chest as I stared at his eyes. I could see my happiness reflected in his eyes, the smile on his lips looked as if it were just for me.

"Cain... you- you don't mind?" I stammered. I couldn't have hidden the smile on my face even if I wanted to.

"Not if it makes you so happy" He laughed at me and pushed the contract much more willingly towards Kendrick.

I didn't even notice Kendrick signing the papers. My eyes were drawn to Cain. His every curve. The edges of his face. The red in his eyes, his dilated pupils as he stared back. I could barely notice my surroundings at all. I wanted him.

I heard Will cough.

"Kendrick- Kendrick! Let's give the kids a moment alone" I could hear his flustered voice but I didn't pay it any mind as I stared at the man I loved who stared back at me.

"Wha- I ! - Isabelle we're going travel! - oh - cough - I'll- I'll be outside- far! - but - not that far!" I broke away from my gaze from Cain for a moment and sent Kendrick an absent-minded smile which was returned with a head pat and a sigh. "Hey Kid" he looked to Cain, "No funny business, alright?"

Cain rolled his eyes.

"I'll see you later Count" He snorted, eyes not moving from mine.

The door shut.

We continued to stare at each other. As if we were trying to remember each other as much as possible. Trying to burn the image of one another. Trying to savor each other.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked. I didn't bother glancing at the signed contract.

Cain stood up and moved to stand beside me. I found myself pushing my chair back to stand with him. I wanted to see him close up. He smiled at me, hand playing with the locks that shaped my face before resting on my cheek.

"Do you know how much your eyes light up when you smile? It's like your eyes become amber even though there isn't a speck of gold" He chuckled as he leaned closer to me until our foreheads touched, our eyes like the ocean and the sea meeting, "Dear God you've done something to me, Isabelle. You drive me mad and calm me down at the same time. This is insane".

I laughed at his words. Light and unguarded.

"That makes two of us".

He closed the distance with the sweetest kiss. It was soft and gentle. Cherishing.