The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 47

Emerald sadly thinks, 'after all she's done, it feels like Annabelle is winning.' Her threats ringing in Emerald's ears as her promises were dark for her future. Emerald says, "if this is my last chance to get even with her, before everything changes." With an invisible smile, Emerald pulls hard on Annabelle's wedding dress as she stumbles with a shriek, and the crowd gasp; everyone except for Hunter, who bites back his laugh. Annabelle says, "what in God's name-!." Annabelle rounds on Emerald, shocked and dismayed by her bravery. Emerald says, "sorry, my lady I must have tripped." Annabelle slowly gets up to her feet as Emerald smile defiantly whilst Annabelle's hands twitches with the desire to hit Emerald as the high Priest coughs pointedly saying, "we must continue, my lady." Annabelle scowls saying, "arrgh... fine!." Annabelle rips her wedding dress from Emerald's hand and stomps down the rest of the aisle as several onlookers chuckle. Emerald thinks with a smile, 'I will treasure this memory, forever.' The ceremony is long and painful as she tries to drown out the high Priest's words and Hunter's vows to Annabelle. The high Priest says, "now, as it is tradition, the groom will mark his mate." Emerald was shocked thinking, 'here? Now?!.' She can feel her heart pounding in her ears as she watches Annabelle kneel before Hunter, bearing her shoulder to him; his fangs extend, and with strength and poise Hunter bites down on Annabelle. 

Annabelle says, "Ah!." She gasps in sadistic pleasure, arching her back theatrically as his venom courses through her body but she stops herself when his mark does not appear on her body. Annabelle says, "what? but why...?." The crowd murmurs, confused as Hunter's eyes meet Emerald and her Dragon's mark burns hot and bright. Emerald decides to not care about the consequences and takes several steps closer to Hunter. Annabelle follows his powerful gaze and sees her, then it all seems to click into place for her saying, "YOU!." Emerald stops as she sees Annabelle pointing at her with a dark expression, as before Emerald is about to say something, an earth-shattering explosion of Dragonfire sends the whole wedding up in smoke; Emerald thinks, 'what is going on?!.' Through the spray of debris and thick black smoke, a figure appears, a man who looks exactly like Hunter. The voice says, "it's been too long, brother." Hunter says, "Cole?." The smoke slowly parts way as Cole's figure emerges saying, "it has been too long, brother." Emerald thinks, 'Hunter's twin brother? But he is supposed to be dead... he can't be real....' Hunter says, "but- but how?." Cole says, "nothing, not even your weak attempt at murder will keep me from my birthright." Emerald sees that is real as the High Priest holds up his palms, darkness gathering there as though he is building a powerful weapon; he chants a word however Cole grabs the Priest's hand and with no strain at all, crushes them as the High Priest hits his knees. He cries out in pain, "Ahhhh!!," Annabelle and the rest of the crowd scream and run from Cole but Hunter does not move. Emerald thinks, 'is he frozen?.' Emerald says, "Hunter, you can't allow him to hurt us!." Emerald's word seems to shake Hunter from his trance, but it's too late as Cole grabs him by his throat. Hunter says, "Nngh!." Cole asks, "do you remember that day? The day you tried to kill me?." He squeezes Hunter's throat so hard that Emerald fears it will snap as he says, "the day you betrayed your only brother and stole his throne?!." Through their bond, Emerald feels something shatter within Hunter, he drops his hands, no longer fighting Cole off. 

Emerald thinks, 'NO, has he lost the will to fight?.' Emerald says, "Hunter, this is bullshit! Don't listen! he is just manipulating you!." Cole's dangerous draconian eyes snap at her, he cocks an eyebrow saying, "I see you have collected quite the bounty in my absence, when I take my throne back, I will be sure to take your treasure too." Hunter says, "E-Emerald...run-." Hunter chokes the words out, squeezing his eyes shut, Cole shakes him; he says, "that's right, don't fight, you pathetic, cowardly, false King," he squeezes Hunter's throat harder, a trickle of blood spills from the corner of his mouth. Emerald yells out, "HUNTER!!!." Cole says, "tell the truth before I kill you; you wanted me dead; you sought my power!." A tear falls from Hunter's dull eyes, the Dragon's mark burns with all-consuming guilt and self-hatred from Hunter's feelings. Cole grins triumphantly, his eyes flashing bright red as he raises a clawed hand at Hunter's chest saying, "I will be taking my power back now, brother." Emerald grits her teeth and squeezes her eyes shut as she does her best to reach Hunter through the Dragon's mark and bond. Emerald thinks, 'please Hunter, do not do this to yourself!.' She calls out to his mind, his heart and soul desperately to reach him. She says in her mind, 'I know this hurts, I know it is a massive shock, but your brother is not speaking the true, not at all, you are far stronger than him!!.' Hunter's eyes flicker open as she feels his agony ease slightly through the bond as he says, "Emerald...." Emerald says, "if you can't do this for yourself, do it for me! FIGHT AND BE BRAVE HUNTER!!." Cole says, "too late, little girl." Cole's deadly clawed hand swings down at Hunter's chest but miraculously Hunter catches his wrist.