Chapter 53

" There are many ways the southern province can be attacked, some soldiers would be sent as spies into the territory. The night before the way, others will stay at the four gates. I'll lead north, Julian south and you will go to the castle, Claudia, to face the king yourself. I hear you have all the powers in the world. By the way it's the king's order." Raleigh said.

We were having a meeting in my study. The training rooms were too occupied so we had to have it here in my chamber.

"you will inform the soldiers Raleigh and prepare them. Thank goodness your here. I and Claudia would prepare the legion—make all weapons ready."

Julian added. This meeting isn't making sense to me.

" Besides all the soldiers should be out. I hear your father has a very strong army too." I addressed Raleigh. "Every warrior in this castle should be at war, even those at the dungeon. Some of which would be at the walls of the castle to protect it. Pass on the information Raleigh."

"That's new." Julian arched a brow. He might have sensed I have a reason for saying that. "The soldiers at the dungeon can't leave there. It's never occurred in history."

"Cmon Julian. Things change." Raleigh attacked him "we'll surely do as you say Milady." he rose up to go. "id better get going. See you soon Milady" he picked up my hand and kissed it.

Julian looked flustered for some reasons I can't admit I know of.

" He's nicer than I thought." I said as soon as Raleigh walked out.

Looking deflated he gasped. "huh?"

I stifleda laughter. "i mean Raleigh. He's cute and he has a good heart."

"focus Katrienair." his face burned red as he buried his head in a book—studying maps.

"is the map that complicated Joel? "i teased on. 

"why do you think?"

"you're all red." I laughed.

"Shut it commander! Focus!" he finally raised his head. "I'm thinking..."

" About the war..." we echoed.

"you first" he said. I hesitated. " ladies first c'mon."

" fine ." I hissed. " I think we should take advantage of the war. That day...at the dungeon, I saw something. It's familiar. I have this strong feeling... This fealing that something precious is hidden there. I saw my stone there. I need to visit that place again."

"oh wow" we were silent for a while.

"that dungeon, I know only a little about it. I know that the people captured there are powerful people. It's quite obvious. It took those guards a lot to get them there."

"your turn. You wanted to say something."

" yeah, I was thinking. That war...we should find the key. That's the only chance we have to get what we want from here."

"you have any idea of the place it's kept?" I questioned.

His face darkened." no. I left this place as a child. There's a lot I do not know about."

"but I read in there that only the chosen one can lift it with easeand even use it." I gestured to a book on the table. "i have two places in mind. The king's private room or that sacred part of the dungeon. I believe there's something hidden in that house."

"youre still very smart commander" he grinned. "there are ways we could get through to that place without passing the main gate. The king's courtyard. There are some rituals he does there every fortnight. It's really a sacred place. I've been there once for the ritual with my father before I..." he trailed off.

"only the royal family can enter?"

"apparently"

"well, we have Raleigh, don't we?"

Julian arched a brow, looking like a predator on sighting his prey.

"Hei, just joking..." I chuckled.

"careful commander, he's not who you think he is. I see you're getting obsessed."

What the heck?! I've never seen him this angry. I walked over and held up his chin.

"Joel, why do you hate your nephew so much?" he was silent, starind into me as if lost. "hes a nice guy seriously, just a flirt."

I'm beginning to regret ever leaviymy seat. I left him and turned to go when he grabbed my hands. His touch, so heavenly but his look didn't change. He's angry with me.

"just a flirt huh?" he closed the distance between us. I could feel his breathe tease my face. I felt caged. All I could do was close my eyes, staring into that crimson eye might get me tripping over. " I know he was here yesternight!"

My eyes flew open."what?!" I gasped realizing how long I've held my breathe. "you snoop!" I snorted. Be strong, I whispered to myself. You're not going to make you feel vulnerable."So what?!" I forced myself to say.

He brought his face closer to mine. His face caressing mine and the feeling immeasurable. He was flirting with me and it took me a lot to push him away.

" what do you think you're doing?"

He came closer again. I move backward until my back hit the wall and I saw him grin.

Oh God, Joel, you're killing me.

I forced a laugh. "I'm totally not attracted to you. So don't try..." I had to stop. I felt like I was blabbering. My head and heart aren't agreeing.

Another step forward on Julian's side, and my back was against the wall. "You're lying."

"And you're overconfident." I inhaled, but all I smelled was him, my stomach flustered. "i do not get attracted easily...at least...not ones like you..."

Julian placed his hands on each side of my head and leaned in. I was trapped in his arm. And when he spoke, his breath danced over my lips. "Every time you lie, your cheeks turn red."

"Nuh-uh." Not the most eloquent thing I'd ever said, but it was the best I could come up with. "you...uh...messing up with your commander..."

His hands slid down the wall, stopping beside my hips. "I bet you think about me all the time. Nonstop. Commander."

"You're insane." I pressed back against the wall, breathless. "let go or..."

Our eyes locked again, green locking crimson stating clearly the difference between us. I'm a rogue hybrid and he isn't. I like to talk and he don't. I hate serious feelings but he does. But one thing is certain, we both love this moment.

His eyes searched mine as if requesting a permission. Adrenaline rush. So much of it that i nearly forgot to breathe, eyes jumping from his lips to his eyes, my heart a ticking bomb.

His lips enveloped mine. His fierce tongue searching, savouring, felt like an explosion of hidden feelings thousands of years ago.

Holy Mother of… I gave in, parting my lips only to feel his pressing like an artist's brush against its canvas, intense, smooth but contained until my hands, with a mind of their own, took hold of his hair and everything accelerated.

 I held on to his hair -- it's silkiness being all I've always craved for.

His thumb was throbbing at the hollow of my neck, rubbing up and down, pulsing warmth as his tongue conquered the depths of my mouth, hungry, consuming, to the point of near brain death.

But then something clicked, this isn't right. Emiliar warned. I withdrew myself and backed him. Like he had all the courage in the world, he wrapped his hands around my waist, his breathe teasing the back of my neck. My heart shrank and knees melted.

"katrienair" his husky voice came.

" let go and forget all these.... it's..." I paused to breathe. " it never..."

"It did. Just shut up"

"no you shut up!" I hissed. Of only he knew what that does to me.

"Raleigh, why was he here last night?"

"Shut up!"

"Answer me Katrienair." he planted a kiss on my nape.

" Joel, stop!" I gasped. " let go this minute and leave!"

"No!"

"Shut up and leave!"

"No, I can't."

"why?"

" There's a lot you need to know Katrienair." he paused. "especially about us"