Torturous

Shortly after, Esmeralda reunited with Ophelia and Rhaziel, and they soared back to the mountain's surface, where they encountered Nikolai, Lev, Sasha, and Vladmir.

As soon as they landed and her wings disappeared, Ophelia leaped into Nikolai's embrace and he gracefully lifted her up, chuckling deeply.

"You made the mountain tremble with your presence, my love." Nikolai cooed, spinning her around.

Ophelia smiled. Her husband did not underestimate her. At least not always.

She looked at him. Those whirling scarlet eyes met her golden ones with such insane tenderness. "You were worried."

Nikolai's mouth quirked. "I have every right to be."

Before the unexpected attack to the mansion, he was waiting for her and Esmeralda with slight impatience. And when the mansion began to tremble with dragons crashing in from all directions, he decided to use his connection with Ophelia to teleport her out of the mansion.