The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 12

Hunter nods saying, "yes, I know it's not much, but it is what I could sneak out from the kitchen." Emerald has a pondered expression on her face wondering, 'how could I be thinking so wrong of him? whilst I was trying to escape he.. why though would he do this? I am nothing more than his slave?.' Hunter says, "have you forgotten? you are also my mate, Emerald and I will not allow you to starve, so please eat." Emerald nods as she begins to eat the fruits before saying, "thank you, Hunter." She soon stops after finishing the last bite and looks at Hunter with a smile saying, "this was delicious and better than anything I have ever eaten." Hunter replies, "really? well you are definitely welcome, are you feeling a bit stronger now?." Emerald replies, "of course I could fight an entire army right now." Hunter laughs before pouring her some wine saying, "I want you finish every last drop." Emerald asks, "should I really be drinking wine this early in the morning?." Hunter replies, "it's medicinal." Emerald nods and slowly drinks the wine as Hunter says, "ah that is much better slave, now when you try to escape, you can actually run away." Emerald spits and chokes a little while looking at Hunter unsure of what to say as he says, "come on, I was kidding." Emerald rolls her eyes as she watches Hunter admiring him past being a Dragon and King to just being a normal person. Hunter laughed at a few things as Emerald admired him thinking, 'he looks so young but being a King, he must be burdened with many responsibilities and duties.' Just then there was a knock on the door as a servant came in saying, "it is almost time, Your Majesty." Hunter nods as he leaves Emerald to attend some matters while Emerald decides to rest in her room; later that evening as Emerald wakes up from her nap she sees three dresses hanging from the wardrobe saying, "wow, I have never seen such gowns like these." 

She feels them saying, "they feel as though they are made of real silk and gems." Hunter appears behind her saying, "yes you are right, some of them are." Emerald is a little spooked by his presence as she is about to slip however Hunter holds her and they share an eyelock before Emerald soon says, "Hunter, you look really handsome." Hunter looks at himself in the mirror saying, "thank you, this is not something I prefer to wear however I am glad you approve of it, Emerald... it seems we both need to make sure we are looking our best for tonight, Damien seems to be locked onto you, I think it might mean he definitely suspects something between us." Emerald asks, "w-why do you have to choose a w-wife tonight?." Hunter came closer replying, "hm, what are you asking me this? are you jealous, Emerald?." Emerald shakes her head replying, "of course not, I am just curious, it seems like a very weird tradition or custom?." Hunter says, "weird, strange? I suppose that is a good way of putting it." Emerald takes a deep breath before saying, "and forgive me, but I don't think you are seeming to get married." Hunter turns away sighing as a grim expression shows on his face before he clenches his fist and says, "I need to have an heir, before...." Emerald wonders, 'what is he hiding?.' Hunter soon composes himself before turning back to Hunter saying, "it is time for you to choose a gown, I would prefer it to be long, Emerald." Emerald asks, "why? what's wrong in it being short?." Hunter sighs answering, "slaves are treated like accessories at events like these, forced into revealing, tight and skimpy clothing but I would rather you look... different like more of an honoured guest, you are of course the King's slave, after all, I want a woman like Annabelle to see that you are more than her and cower in your shadow." 

Hunter turns before Emerald looks at the gown before grabbing one and heading to the bathroom thinking, 'he wants Annabelle to be threatened... by me?.' Emerald changes into a lilac lace and pearl gown and comes out saying, "I am dressed, Hunter you can turn around now." Hunter turns as his expression widen in shock saying, "Emerald...E-Emerald...you...you look." Emerald blushes hearing Hunter calling her name like a whisper in the wind. She twirls asking, "will this gown work? To... terrorise you suitors?." Hunter answers, "Emerald, you... in this gown... you look perfect, and you could definitely terrorise any Dragons." Emerald was doubtful and confused as Hunter says, "just one more thing...." He goes over to the drawer and pulls out something from it which trinkles gently in his hands. Emerald asks, "what is this, you are holding? are you... letting me go?." Hunter shakes his head replying, "I am sorry, but no." He spins Emerald around gently before loosening the thick iron collar from her neck as Emerald feels her neck lighter.