The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 36

Emerald presses her lips to Hunter's and bravely kisses him in front of everyone, Annabelle scoffs whilst the crowd murmurs however none of that matters; all that matters is that Hunter's lip is against Emerald as she feels the flames and heat of her Dragon's mark. Emerald thinks, 'this is for my protection, but it also feels like a confession, am I... imagining that?.' Annabelle says, "my priest, this announcement is completely uncalled for, the timing is-." The high priest says, "it's the King's right to take a courtesan whenever and however he likes, and it seems this one is more than willing." Emerald says, "yes, it is my honour." Emerald turns back to kiss Hunter again as he lets out a pleasured growl before saying, "if you don't mind, my mistress and I will be leaving for the night." The high priest says, "by all means." Hunter lifts Emerald in his arm and carries her back to his tent before placing her down and closing up; she says, "Hunter, this is... dangerous." Hunter says, "it was the only way to keep you from being destroyed, why did you jump into that pit?!." Hunter's wrathful eyes pierce insides Emerald's soul as she feels a wave of guilt saying, "I had no choice, I could not let Lily of all people die like that." Hunter says, "if you'd given a second to think I could have saved her without risking-." Emerald says, "you can't save everyone all by yourself, Hunter!." Hunter says, "neither can you, Emerald!." Before Emerald can answer, the entrance to the tent is blown open with black fury as Annabelle storms inside. She says, "you made that pathetic fucktoy your royal courtesan? In front of everyone?." 

Hunter says, "don't talk about her that way." Annabelle says, "you forget that I have far more power than you, Hunter. I know what you did to Damian." Hunter is left pale by Annabelle's words as she strides up to him and says, "you killed your friend, you murdered him, Hunter." Emerald says, "that is not true, it was all me." Annabelle says, "that may be true, but Damian never intended to kill Hunter, because he loved him like a brother." Annabelle points to Hunter saying, "you enjoyed it, didn't you? watching him die." Hunter replies, "no, n-no, I-." Annabelle says, "you bathed in his blood, laughed as he died, he was your friend, Hunter! he was like your brother! You disloyal, traitorous murderer!." Annabelle raises her hand to strike Hunter and to Emerald's shock, Hunter does not move. Emerald thinks, 'he's frozen, she's breaking him.' Emerald steps in front of Hunter saying, "Don't touch him!." Hunter snaps out of his thoughts saying, "Emerald...." Emerald points her finger at Annabelle saying, "you have no right to say that to him, you were not there and if you think for one second Damian deserved to live, you are a worse monster than he was." Annabelle scowls angrily saying, "I'LL....I'll kill you!." Hunter pulls Emerald's back saying, "you won't touch her!." Annabelle asks, "what are you going to do to stop me? don't forget I have you extorted! I will torture Emerald; however, I see fit- in here, in front of the others-." Hunter says, "you seem to have forgotten Annabelle, I just named her my paramour." Hunter straightens, his strength renewed by Emerald's action as he forces Annabelle to halt her move. Hunter says, "in her new position, Emerald is no longer a slave, she has a much higher station, and I am still your King." Annabelle says, "but I can expose you, you killed Damian!." Hunter says, "no one will believe you right now, they will assume you are making the accusation to get revenge on Emerald" . 

Annabelle's jaw drops wide open completely lost for words. Emerald smiles thinking, 'Hunter's got her, this is over.' Emerald says, "Annabelle don't let the door hit you on your way out!." Annabelle asks, "what did you say?!." She lunges to attack Emerald however Hunter blocks her path with a dangerous glare saying, "I believe she said have a nice night, you'd do well to return the polite gesture and get the hell out of here!." Annabelle storms out as Emerald sighs whilst Hunter's shoulders ease. Emerald asks, "did you really mean what you said? as courtesan, I'll be... of a much higher station?." Hunter replies, "yes, Annabelle is still a Dragon and will be Queen, but you will have far more power and status that you did, it also means you will have to play your part as my paramour, sit on my lap, eat from my plate, allow me to touch you in public...." Emerald's heart skipped a beat as she says, "that's sound manageable...." Hunter says, "good, it's a small price compared to dying in a duel with a Dragon." Emerald says, "right...." Emerald remembers Hunter's word earlier about the bond and about the Dragon Mark feeling each other's emotion. She says, "I am sorry, if I had died in that fighting pit, you could have also died." Hunter asks, "do you really believe that's why I am upset, Emerald?."