The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 5

Hunter looks at Damian for a moment before replying, "we accept your invitation, Damian, thank you". Damian bows and smiles before walking away as Hunter does his royal duties before pulling Emerald's arm to the chamber. Emerald shrugs Hunter off as he gives her a cold look; she asks, "are you the Dragon King?". Hunter replies, "that is not important right now, you try to escape and run especially after I instructed you how risky it would be". Emerald gave Hunter a sharp look not feeling remorseful saying, "yeah I did, and you know what?! I would do it again". Hunter says, "you better not, you were fortunate that you were not killed this time, you need to learn to be more submissive, Emerald". Emerald rolled her eyes saying, "I bowed my head, didn't I?". Hunter says, "you did but you also tried to flee, you should learn to do better if you are to survive here!". He comes closer to Emerald as she takes a step back against the wall. Emerald thinks, 'what is he going to do to me?'. Hunter says, "take off your clothes". Emerald was shocked saying, "excuse me?!". 

Hunter is about to raise his hand as Emerald covers herself saying, "Hunter, don't you dare touch me! p-please, don't!". Hunter stops as he senses Emerald's fear saying, "look I only wanted to help you change out of your clothes". Emerald still felt worried as Hunter turned before grabbing three dresses from the wardrobe and laid them on the bed. Emerald asks, "what is this?". Hunter replies, "they are options for the feast tonight, it's vital you look the part, for your own sake Emerald". Emerald says, "what do you mean by that?!". Hunter explains the significance of the dress within the royal households. He says, "how you look, and dress is how the people will address and communicate with you". He points to a purple dress saying, "this one for example is made from the supreme materials, it also upholds the colour of my royal house, if you select to wear it all will know you are mine and won't try to mess with you". 

Hunter takes the dress and gives it to Emerald as his fingertips brush against hers; he says, "the decision will be yours, Emerald but do feel free to choose whatever colour or style dress you like". Hunter stepped out as Emerald turned to look at the dresses wondering, 'how I dress will impact how I am treated? Therefore, I will choose...'. Emerald takes the purple dress as she changes feeling the fabric like silk. Emerald looks at herself in the mirror thinking, 'wow this feels so lovely, I've never felt so beautiful before'. Hunter comes back inside as Emerald sees his reflection in the mirror Hunter says, "you look...". 

Emerald notices Hunter is speechless as he checks her out and sees how the curves of the dress make her look extra gorgeous; he then remembers himself and straightens up saying, "you look pretty". Emerald says "thanks". She feels a small breeze at the back of her dress as Hunter sees in the mirror the zipper is low. Emerald tries to tie it however Hunter comes closer and spins her around. Emerald does not feel the zipper going up before saying, "is there a problem?!" however Hunter didn't reply but simply stared at Emerald's back; he touches the scars deep within her skin asking, "how many times, Emerald?". Emerald asks, "w-what?!". Hunter's eyes deepen with anger asking, "tell me how many times did they beat you?!". 

Emerald clutches the dress as she remembers the webs of violet in her memory as the fresh purple scars and bruises around her back. Emerald steps back from Hunter and grabs a jacket saying, "I do not need your pity, Hunter". Hunter says, "I know you don't but please just tell me, how many times?". Emerald tries to fight back the tears however they begin to drop from her eyes sadly saying, "I've lost count, my twin brother Jasper was murdered when we were younger and my parents blamed it on me, they have been taking their anger on me ever since, but I never did it, I would never do that to my brother, you see I passed out when it happened, I don't know who was responsible for it but it was not me... I-I...." 

Hunter comes over and pulls her gently into his arm as she slowly takes deep breaths. He says, "I am so sorry, Emerald." Emerald feels the words of Hunter soothing her as he rubs her head softly saying, "I am sorry to know that you have only ever encountered and felt agony." Emerald looks deep into Hunter who caresses her cheek softly thinking in her mind, 'when...w-when was the last time... I was in someone's embrace and felt safe?' .