(adj.) Wicked, villainous and sinful.

Zane looked at the elves under his charge. He did not know what games the people of Gwahan were playing, but they have been relentless at sending warriors - great warriors in Zane's view - to their domain. He could not fathom why the kingdom would waste such great men, but territory was territory and those men were best off to forget everything than to die. Valiant warriors sent by a king that might have gone mad did not deserve death, blood feud or no.

"Are you sure that she is the princess of Gwahan, Nuat?" Zane asked his captain.

Nuat bowed his head in response. "I am positive, your highness. It is Princess Raneem and her escort, the Captain-General of Gwahan. We must send them away as soon as we can."

Zane turned away from him to think. "Why do they come here? I cannot see why they would go to such lengths to take the Elixir from us. Do they not know its significance?"

"They are fools, my lord," Nuat answered, "We must make them know, that under no circumstance will we give up even a drop of it. They will never soil us again."

Zane turned to Nuat and regarded him. He knew his hatred. It was Nuat's sister that had been the victim of the human's insatiable lust. Yes, humans were nothing more than animals who are slaves to their own lusts. And the only reason they have extended clemency to the Royal Line was because of their own elfin lineage.

Humans are all the same, but perhaps, he should hear from the Princess herself.

"Capture the Princess and her escort," he finally decided. "Perhaps this time, it would be wise to know the state of our enemy. If they are planning anything, we better be ready."

"Yes, my lord." Nuat turned to the people under his command. "We move."

"And Nuat?" He waited for Nuat to face him before continuing. "Bring her to the Ollan. I want her alone. The escort, you can bring to the normal hold."

Zane wasted no time to see if Nuat would object and headed for a high vantage point where he could see the clearing where they camped. The princess moved about as if she knew what she was about, helping the middle-aged escort break camp. He always knew Gwahan's Royal Line to be spoiled and delicate, taking more after their human lineage than their elfin one. It caused him to be intrigued with her. He could not believe she was the princess. She was too spoiled to leave the safety of her luxurious chambers. Just like all the women of Gwahan.

The man stiffened and Zane smiled. He knew the man sensed the presence of his small force. From where he was, he could hear the princess declaring who she was and what they have come for. He could not help but sneer. Why should she think they have no knowledge at all of who she was and what they came for?

He saw his captain's mouth work, mouthing the words of the spell and he knew it was over. He got down from his vintage point as the princess screamed for her escort to run. It was over, and they did not even stand a chance. It would only be a matter of time before his debut with the princess.

Zane debated with himself what he should do to get information from her. Humans were a tricky lot and he knew that they could shut their minds off and he would not be able to breach them. Not without harming them. And he could not do that to the Royal Line. There had to be a way to make her tell the truth and confess to him everything he needed to know.

The elders would be able to answer his questions. They have lived among humans before they retreated to Treliron. They would be able to give sound advice.

The lake was empty, saved for one elf, sitting on a rock in the middle of it. Zane stopped at the edge waiting to be acknowledged.

"Prince Zane, make your question quick. I am in the middle of a thought." he said as he sensed his presence.

"Elder, I wish to know how to make humans tell the truth."

"There are many ways to make them tell the truth," amusement tinged his voice, "But if you need something to quickly make them tell the truth, there are only two things. Giving them what they want without them knowing it and seducing them. They are more likely to say things in bed. Is there anything else?"

Zane's brows knit. How would he know what she wanted? A princess had everything. What else could she need? Perhaps he could find out in the first few moments. People's body languages give away so much in the first few moments. He would read her and give her what she wanted. If he could not, seducing her would not be a problem.

The Ollan was guarded by two of his men and he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

"She is secure, my lord."

Zane nodded at his man's advice and entered the Ollan, mouthing the wards that would protect him from the effects of the hold. The room was dark with only the soft glow of the moss on the ground giving off the faint light inside. At the end of the room was the Princess, held on the wall by her wrists, eyes fluttering as she fought for her consciousness. Her light hazel eyes tried to adjust to the dimness as she looked through the black long waves of her hair. He moved close and confirmed that her skin was sun-kissed. He could not think where she got the calluses on her hands from, but she was definitely someone who got her hands dirty. Perhaps she was trained in tracking?

"Princess," Zane lifted her chin gently so that her eyes met his. Their fluttering stopped and he found himself looking into fierce bright eyes. He could feel her breathing deepen, but nothing in her face gave anything away. She did not speak, and neither did she flinch. He waited, but all they did was stare into each others' eyes.

"Tell me, you are here for the Elixir. Why? You know we will never part with any of it." he said, fury in his eyes.

Her mouth opened to reply, only to let out a moan, her eyelids closing for a while. They flew open once again as she sucked in air. He knew the Ollan was affecting her. It was heightening all her senses, magnifying everything she felt, smelled and heard. The human mind would not be able to take the sudden change in.

"I-my stepmother needs it. She is dying."

"Death is a part of everyone's life. Deal with it. We are not giving the Elixir to fulfill your selfishness."

"You-" Her struggle to speak was apparent. "You do not understand." She took in a deep breath. "My father cannot take her death." She gritted her teeth suppressing another moan unsuccessfully. "She could die a million deaths and I will not do a thing for her. But my father-he has already survived the death of my mother. He would not be able to take the grief her death would bring." She moaned again releasing her head from his fingers looking away. "Please. I do not need much, but I need my father. Please.."

It was easy to know what she wanted. She wanted her father alive and she would do anything for him. "Alright. I will let you take a piece of the Elixir, but you must tell me everything about Gwahan. I need to know the powers in it and the plans of your kingdom. I will know everything.'

Her head whipped to him, her lower lip trembling. "Why?"

"For Treliron's safety."

Her jaw clenched and she closed her eyes groaning. "I will not betray my country. I know you elves. You will destroy us with the slightest provocation. I will not give you our secrets. I will not have my people destroyed."

So, it was protecting her country and her father. He wondered which outweighs more in her heart. "You choose. Your father's life," he ran a finger down her cheek, "-or your people's."

"You-you think you are so righteous! But you are no different from us who you condemn to be ruthless and wicked," she hissed the words out. "Blackmailer!"

He quickly retreated his hand and said, "I do not see that you have a choice, Princess. Your father's life hangs in the balance."

Her eyes closed. "I hold my father's blood on your hands."

Zane held his surprise. He had thought she would give into her human nature. That her selfish side would prevail. He stared at her, looking for any other signs of weakness. Her eyes were fiery even through her labored breathing. He searched, but there was no other weakness he could find. There was nothing to exploit and so he bought time staring at her. And for a brief moment, he saw it. A hint of fragility, and if he was not mistaken, a look of lust passed through her eyes. He could not be sure if it really was there, but if it was...

Raneem continued to glare at him and he closed the distance between them, his mouth a hair's breadth from her ear. "You will," he whispered, "-won't you?" She responded with a shudder that racked her entire body and let out a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth which almost sounded as a hiss.

Zane grinned. So it was not just sensory overload that was assaulting her. His own mating scent was affecting her. It was his year to mate and he knew his scent, amplified by the Ollan, affected her and brought out in her raw animal lust.

"You fiend..." she said less confidently than before.

He stepped back staring at her. Staring at her as she bit her lips together, he formed a thought. The elder did say that humans talked more in bed. And yes, it was easy to seduce her, but of course, he would make sure she was a willing party. Besides, she was quite attractive for a human. Exotically so.

"Alright, I will let you have a taste of Elixir," Zane said. "But in exchange, you would have to remain a prisoner here. Your escort would have to deliver it back to your country on his own."

Raneem's eyes went wide. "And how long do I have to stay for?"

A sinful smirk formed across his lips before he said, "Until I get what I want."

"You cannot! My father-h-he would want to know that I am safe and well."

Zane nodded. "And know, he shall. He may visit you at the edge of our border if he wants to know your state."

"But what of the succession?"

"Then you will return when he dies." Zane crossed his arms beneath his chest watching the rise and fall of her chest. "This is the only way I will agree to letting you take a part of Elixir."

Raneem hung her head in defeat having no other choice, "I-I accept your terms."

If you guys liked this chapter, be sure to comment and vote. And don't forget to tag your friends to share this story!

It's 4th of August and its my birthday today! I am so happy. If you're reading this, don't forget to wish me. Sorry for sounding so desperate. XD

Thank you so much for reviewing this chapter ccreationz