The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 59

Cole says, "you." Emerald says, "it's a shame you picked solid gold for your crown, Cole. It's soft enough to slice right through, kind of like your ridiculous claim to the throne." The assembled crowd whisper at her appearance, those whisper only gain strength when Hunter steps up beside Emerald. Hunter says, "you can't take what's not rightfully yours, brother." Cole says, "I was firstborn, Hunter, it is rightfully mine." Emerald says, "you gave up that right when you lose your power, when you killed my brother." Cole says, "when I...what?." Emerald says, "that's right.. you slaughtered an innocent person... you burned a small boy in order to prove your might, well look at how mighty you are now, you are the husk of the King you could have been." Something clicks for Cole then as a memory takes shape in his mind saying, "you... you were the little brat in the barn, with that boy I burned." 

Emerald says, "that's right, you ruined my life that day!." Cole says, "I'm terribly sorry, how can I make it up to you?." Emerald replies, "you can die the same way he did, you murderer." A slow, unnerving grin stretches across Cole's face, far too wide as his eyes darken saying, "if you insist on calling me 'murderer' I best live up to my title." He walks to the captured slaves, grabbing the youngest one by the hair, thrusting her face close to the fire. She says, "No! p-please, don't!." Emerald says, "Cole.. she's a person." Cole says, "exactly, she's human, she means absolutely nothing! It's time you learned your place," with that Cole raises the girl's face over the fire, its spark spitting dangerously as she yells, "PLEASE! HELP ME!." Emerald summons her strength as she grips the sword at her waist and charges head-on at Cole, Cole thinks she's going for him, so he thrusts the slave girl in front to shield himself however he was never Emerald's target. Emerald yells, "Rrrahhh!," she spins and slams the blade intro the chain, holding the humans captive, slicing it clean in half. Cole is shocked as he says, "What?!," the chain splinters beneath her sword and the freed people scatter, thanking Emerald gratefully. Emerald says, "I may be human, Cole but I am anything but weak." Cole clenches his fist saying, "You-!!." Cole's eyes spark blood red and he lunges for her, the might of his attack is sure to send Emerald flying however Hunter catches him by the throat in mid-air and slams him to the ground, the marble cracks beneath him. He says, "you won't hurt her again." Cole says, "I am sure you believe that Hunter, but can you really keep me at bay?." Cole raises his threatening hand, the same way he did the last two times he tortured her, but this time Hunter knows what it means, he bites down hard on Cole's hand as he screams. Hunter says, "try it again and I rip the damn thing off." Cole angrily says, "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!."

Cole grabs Hunter and they descend into chaos, throwing deadly blows at one another and wreaking havoc with their powerful bodies. Annabelle says, "you, you ruin everything you touch, EVERYTHING!." Emerald says, "if you are referring to this sham wedding, I'd do it again I will never let you know happiness at the expense of human lives." Annabelle says, "then I will have to make sure you never live to see another day." Annabelle lunges at Emerald as she thinks, 'her strength, she's unbelievable.' Annabelle says, "you look surprised, Emerald what's the matter? Did you forget I am a Dragon too? How very unkind, here let me show you just of what I am capable!." Emerald tries to run however Annabelle grabs her arm, pulling back on it until she feels it snap out of place; pain explodes through her shoulder as Emerald drops to her knees, sensing her sudden surge of agony, Hunter turns away from his battle to find Emerald. Emerald thinks, 'oh my god! this hurts like hell.' Hunter calls out, "Emerald!." Emerald looks at Hunter saying, "Hunter... I'll be fine, worry about yourself." Annabelle says, "yes, Hunter I will take good care of her, don't worry." Annabelle wraps her bejewelled nails around Emerald's neck before sinking her fangs in her neck releasing her venom. Emerald thinks, 'NO!.' Searing pain worse than a thousand stab wounds rips through Emerald as she screams and writhes in pain. Hunter says, "you cold hearted bitch, I will kill you!." Hunter races for Annabelle but Cole blocks his path saying, "going somewhere, brother? But we are not quite finished yet." As Emerald twist in unspeakable agony, Cole lashes out at Hunter nearly slicing his eyes, he has no choice but to fight him. Annabelle says, "poor little Emerald, all on her own." Annabelle licks Emerald's blood from his fangs, savouring it like fine wine she digs her sharp nails into Emerald's wound and making her vision blur in her suffering. Annabelle says, "you think you are in pain now? oh, my fear I am just getting started, see...." Her eyes glint, delightfully cruel, as she whispers into her ear saying, "I want to make all of Damian's dreams for you come true and then some more, Emerald." Emerald thinks, 'I need to get away from her,' with the last of her stored strength, she grabs Annabelle's finger which dug into her wound and snaps it like a twig.