I stopped just before entering in the Baruna looking at its beautiful nature, there is this calm feeling around it or it is calm before the storm. "What happened?" Caleb asked stopping in his track and looking at me, I just shook my head and resumed walking. "I am just worried about others because of me you are all in danger" I said not liking the fact that my friends are in this situation because of me. He put both of his hands on my shoulders "Its not your fault, we choose this for us and we all will be fine" he said taking me in a brief hug. I sighed but my anxiety not lessening a bit. Every bone in my body is telling me that something is about to happen. Maybe I am just over thinking it. What wrong can happen, we just have to find the Gem and get out of there.

I didn't know that time how wrong was I thinking that.

"Eyes open, Senses alert, this place is dangerous" Chase said from the front as we entered in the forest. Suddenly environment change, calm feeling I was having a while ago looking at this place long gone, it was now replaced by dark aura. A shiver went down my spine when I saw bright blue eyes shining in the darkness of bushes, I can imagine whatever creature is that smiling at us thinking of us as its food. I blinked and the eyes were gone, they no longer were there.

Am I imagining things?

I quickly went beside Chase because he is the only one who can give me comfort in this situation. He looked at me raising his eyebrow but seeing the expression on my face, he stopped himself from saying anything. "Get your dagger out, I can sense creatures lurking around us" he muttered not looking at me, I quickly got my dagger out ready to pounce if I find any danger.

"Why are you feeling anxious?" he asked all of a sudden sparing me a glance, I frowned "How did you-" then I stopped myself remembering he accepted the bond. "I am just worried" I said biting my lower lip "I won't let anything happen to you" he said the same words again, I don't want to trust him, he is still my kidnapper. "I am not worried about myself" I said, he looked at me with raised eyes brow "Then?" he asked, I was about to respond, just then I saw shadow creature jumping at him.

"Look out!" I yelled pushing him away and stabbing my dagger in the creature chest directly, he growled and clawed at my hand drawing blood. In a second, he became smoke in front of me, Chase standing in front of me raising his sword. I clean my dagger from the gooey substance on my clothes, well they were already dirty. His eyes black and his focus was on my wound, blood was leaking from it. "I could have handle it on my own!" he snapped taking my hand in his. I rolled my eyes at him "Yeah, yeah, you have everything in control" I said sarcastically to which he flicked my forehead, I huffed "Did you just flick me like a kid?" I asked staring at him shocked, "Well you act like a child so I have to treat you like one" he said getting a black silk cloth from his pocket and pressing it on my wound, I hissed in pain "Its not deep, you will be fine" he said tying the cloth on my hand, "Thank you" I muttered examining my hand. Then I remember we weren't alone in this forest. I looked around me for my friends but not even a single soul was in sight. I frowned, "Where are they?" I asked, my body tensing, I looked around my surroundings.

They were here a minute ago?

He stared at me calmly "This place is enchanted, illusions everywhere, do you think it would have let us stay together" he said taking my hand in his, "We have to hurry, To break the spell we have to find the Gem".

I snatched my hand away from him "We have to find them first" I said turning the way where we came from, he growled "This forest is spelled, only way to find them is to find the Gem and I am not interested in wasting my energy in fighting those useless creatures" he said gritting his teeth in annoyance. I barely raise my eye brow "You go find the Gem, I will find my friends" I said stubbornly, he glared at me "Are you this insane or you have always been like this".

I growled at him "I am not heartless like you!"

He started chuckling "You are calling me heartless, I came here risking my life, my brother's life, my girlfriend's life, just because I wanted to save your life and don't peg me as fool, I know what's your planning after you get your powers back" he said, clenching his jaw. My eyes widened in astonishment, I never told anyone this, then how did he find out.

"I am not a good King for no reason" he said and started walking forward fully knowing I will follow him. I had to if I want to save my life. What about my friends? They will be fine. Katherine is best in her offensive technique, Caleb and William are great fighters as well. Alyssa is qualified witch and I know about Alex fighting skills. They will be fine, I hope they will. We walked in silence, me following him. I heard him growled and he suddenly stopped walking, I frowned and looked around me.

Is there any danger?

He turned around and walked towards me, taking my hand in his "I am not losing you, besides this place is full of surprises" he stated without looking at me, dragging me with him. A smile appear on my face. So he does care, he has weird way of showing this. His large hand fit perfectly into my small one's, tingles spreading on my arms by his touch. I don't know but it seems like he is changing in the past few days- from the aloof arrogant King to showing some emotions. Maybe, just maybe it can work. Maybe we can try to be mates.

What the hell are you thinking Emerald!

He kidnapped you.

He imprisoned you.

He wanted to use you.

People like him can never feels anything but their own self needs.

Stop these thoughts.

My rational mind reminded me, I was too lost in the feeling of mate bond that I forget why we were here in the first place. His hand looked burden to me now, I tried to break free from his grip but he tighten his hold and stare at me "What is it?" he asked without stopping.

"You don't have to touch me to keep me with you" I said tugging at my hand again. He rolled his eyes at me "Don't think so highly of yourself, I am not least bit interesting in touching you, I am just holding your hand because we are in unknown territory and illusions are at every place" he said without any emotions, I stopped my struggling after that. He does have a point. I can't fight alone because of my condition, I need him as much as I denied it. 

"Where are we going?" I asked because with the speed we are walking , he has some place in his mind and I thought he never been here before. "We are going towards lake" he replied staring at me from the corner of his eyes. I frowned, how does he know about that unless...

"You went into my head" I said gritting my teeth glaring dagger at him. When I was unconscious I felt some presence in my mind but I let it go thinking it was my imagination because of my poor health. We have stopped walking and I was glaring at him. He started massaging his temple "Not now, we don't have time" he muttered annoyed, I growled "You invaded my privacy!"

Does he know about me being the Princess of Sabriya.

"Yes, I invaded your god damn privacy" he snapped with blank stare, I stare at him in shock "You know why because you were dying, you were trapped in your own mind and if I didn't get you out you would have been dead" he yelled making me speech less.

Chase P.O.V

I glared at her, for every single thing she blamed me. I am trying to do something right here and she always questioned me. She always defied me. Whatever decision I made, she always oppose it. I am playing a gamble here and I don't need her bickering right now. She is so annoying when she is not in control of her mind. I can see the dark circle under her eyes, red veins are being more prominent now quickly spreading towards her heart. Because of the lack of energy she is feeling irritated, irrational and angry. I can understand that but I also have my limits which she is pushing time to time. She stopped her ranting and closed her mouth. Finally!

"Shall we go?" I asked gesturing towards the way we were walking, she just nodded in response. taking my hand in her and started our journey again. She is unaware of what she made me feel. I have never felt anything like this before. Her small soft hand fits perfectly in my large rough hand and the tingles I felt whenever I touch her is bliss. That's why I always try to find a reason to be close to her or to touch her because she made me calm and peaceful. I can feel her tiredness through the bond. She is pushing her limits.

We have to take a rest.

I stopped walking making her stop as well. She raised her eye brow in question, " We are stopping here to take some rest" I said, there was a cave and I already sense that it is free from any creature. She sighed in relief but quickly composed herself "We don't have time" she said, I chuckled, always stubborn as hell. "Well, we can make some time for this" I said and tugged her hand walking to the cave, she reluctantly follow me. "Is it safe?" she asked looking around, we have a little light from the entrance. I hummed "I have checked it".

She quickly sat against a wall and closed her eyes. I can feel her tiredness in the air. I quietly sat opposite her and stared at her beautiful face. She has an innocent face resembling an angel.

My Angel.

She is different from others, she is not afraid of me nor she blindly obey my orders. Even Annalise had a hard time defying my command. But I can't think of a future with her, she is Sabriyan and I hate those bastards. Their King killed my father not giving him any mercy. One day I will take my revenge but first I have to get out of this mess. After all of this is over, I will send her free. She will be free to go wherever she want. Yes, I wanted an heir and my mate can only give me that but I can't forced myself on her. I can't hurt her. Whenever I saw pain in her eyes, I feel pain erupt in my chest which I know due to the mate bond and I have accepted the bond so I feel it intense. My hollow heart is slowly feeling with the emotions which I have never felt before. I hope I will forget her after this is over but only thing that is making me restless is the voices inside her head which said that saving her will be our doom.

I was lost in thought as I stare at blank space, I turned and  looked at her sleeping face, her breathing was normal, I don't think she can destroy this world. She is a savior not a destroyer and I figured it out in a mere one month I spent with her. We just have to find the Gem and that's that. I was guarding the entrance while she get some rest. 

I heard about Baruna, creatures lurking at every corner but why we haven't encounter much. Only one shadow creature and nothing else this made me suspicious. This place is full of tricks. I have to keep an eye on everything. 

About Alex, he will be fine, he already knew the danger ahead so I don't have to worry about him and he will keep others safe. Suddenly I heard whimpering coming from Emerald, I quickly went by her side, she was whimpering in her sleep. I touched her forehead, it was hot, she is burning up and her arm turning green where that creature scratched her. Damn it. She got infected and I know nothing about healing. I shook her tried to wake her up, after some struggle, she opened her eyes and they were frighting to see. Her one eye was blue and other was green.

What the hell!

Then she blinked and her eyes went back to her natural green color. I frowned and quickly took her in my arms, she was protesting but it was weak. She doesn't have energy to fight against me even verbally. I quickly walked out of the cave with Emerald in my arms, her head rested on my chest, she was breathing heavily. I growled and quicken my pace getting us to the lake I saw in her mind. It was same as I saw it, clear water surrounded with thick trees, I carefully dropped her body in the clean water and she sighed going under water.

After a minute or two, I got her out, her eyes were fully open and her temperature was normal. At least for now.  "Thank you" she murmured drained of her energy, I just nodded and sit beside her, my clothes getting damp. "Can you feel it?" I asked focusing her. She cocked her head and looked at me confused "Gem, can you feel it?" I asked again, she frowned and shook her head. 

"I am not feeling anything besides pain" she said wincing, looking at her wound. I put my hand on her shoulder and she stared at me wide eyes "Concentrate Emerald, that Gem is part of you, you can find it" I said giving her encouraging smile but she shook her head. "I don't feel anything" she said again, her eyes becoming vacant. I frowned "you can, you have to try!" I pushed and suddenly she growled at me, her eyes turning blue in color.

"You have lost" she said menacing and I quickly stood up, she followed suit.

"Where is she?" I yelled looking at the shape shifting creature in front of me. She smirked and morphed into her real face. "Trapped forever" she snicked and started walking backward. I growled and quickly got my sword out pointing at her. "We just needed time to distract you and when you were thinking about her, we took her away" she started laughing. I was confused when did they take her? 

She smirked staring at me "In the cave, your powers sense no danger there because we don't have scent".

I growled finally understanding it. This sly creature tricked me. I should have been more focused. I was outraged and with one flick kill the creature in front of me slacking it into million pieces. They don't know who they have messed up with. I will burn this forest down to get her. They are trying to awaken the beast which I have forced into darkness long time ago.   

Its time to get him out of his sleeping state.