Chapter 5

Dimitri walked across the room and lay down on the bed, took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He stood there silently, eyes closed for several minutes as I watched him.

"Then? Don't you want to ask any more questions, princess?" he asked, breaking the long silence.

I walked over to the window, trying to keep some distance between us.

"Why are you kidnapping me?"

"I'm not kidnapping you, you're running away with me because you're in love."

I glared at him in frustration.

"Okay, Princess, you don't have to make that sad face. I am kidnapping you to become my wife."

"And why didn't you fight for my hand? There was only one man missing and you with that gift that makes people obey you, he wouldn't stand a chance. It's not too late to earn my hand honestly," I said, the diplomat in me coming to the surface.

He sat on the bed and faced me.

"If John Chase were an ordinary guy, princess, I sure as hell wouldn't need to be kidnapping you."

I took a few steps closer, sensing that the conversation was starting to throw more questions into the air.

"John Chase is no match for you. Unless he's like you."

"No one is like him," murmured Dimitri, and I saw the frustration on his face. "Now enough questions, I need a shower."

Then, to my astonishment, he got up and started to remove his clothes. I turned to the window and heard him smile.

"It's no big deal, princess, there's no need to be nervous. But when we get to Corvo Island, the first thing I'll do is claim your body."

Hearing those words, I couldn't resist the urge to turn around and protest him, but when I did, I froze at the sight of him stark naked. His arms were strong and his skin pale, he sported some hair on his chest, and his abdomen was full of muscles, and just below his waist, his member was completely rigid.

I looked down at his bare feet.

"What if I don't want to marry someone as forward as you?"

"Your other option is John, and if you're under the impression that I'm daring... Well, remember that in Corvo Island tradition, the commander consummates the marriage in front of everyone."

I shuddered as I took in his words.

Consummation in front of everyone? Of course, I didn't know about the traditions of Corvo Island, but this was absurd.

"In his inscription he said we would not live on Corvo Island, but on Ankesth, where he has his lands," I remembered what he had said to the king.

"I'm kidding, princess!" he exclaimed and laughed out loud.

Then he left my field of vision, and I could hear the noise of his body entering the water. I turned to the window, thinking about these discoveries when I saw a man arrive on horseback at the inn. I froze as I saw John Chase dismount from a black horse and enter the inn.

I turned to Dimitri, who was lying in the tub, and when his blue eyes met mine, he knew. Immediately he rose from the tub and pulled on his pants, ran to the door, and blocked it with the wardrobe, then turned to me.

"Close your eyes."

I closed them, and he threw me on his shoulders and ran with me, but I opened my eyes in time to see him launch himself through the window with me on his shoulders, and I screamed at the top of my lungs.

When we hit the ground, it was not at all how I imagined it. Dimitri managed in some supernatural way to land on his feet. He took me to Chase's horse and threw me on top of him.

Before he got on the horse, a voice interrupted him.

"Dimitri, you rogue cheat!" screamed Commander John Chase.

Dimitri turned to the man in front of him and smiled, raising his arms.

"I cheat? An Alpha competing for a princess against a bunch of humans, and I'm the cheater?!" Dimitri accused.

John glared at him, and I saw his expression suddenly soften. He took a deep breath as if he was too tired, as if this argument had already happened several times in the past.

"Brother, stop trying to diminish my authority on the Island, or I may take the advice and behead you in front of everyone," John Chase said it with a scathing voice.

Dimitri shuddered a little, and then he looked at me, and I saw something change in his face.

"It's too late, I already own her," he declared with all the malice he could muster.

I looked at him scandalized by his false statement, but again he closed that door inside me, and I was unable to defend myself.

John Chase narrowed his eyes and glared at Dimitri.

"I'll have to take the test, then."

I shuddered involuntarily. Take the test? Like this? I wanted to scream, to speak at least, but it was like I wasn't there.

"Is my word not good enough?" Dimitri asked.

Chase snorted.

"Your word is worth shit," he declared, then his gaze crossed mine. "But I'll settle for hers."

Quickly Dimitri turned to me and sent a strong command telling me to confirm. I used all my strength to try to disprove him, but that battle was already lost, gone a long time ago. Before I opened my mouth to lie for him, the commander held up a hand.

"When she's out of his influence, of course."

Dimitri snorted.

"Stay here and catch your boat in the morning, you can go back to Corvo Island. I inform you of your withdrawal from the tournament; it would not be a surprise, since I was your opponent."

Commander John was mocking Dimitri, mocking the truth. At that moment, I realized that Dimitri knew he wouldn't beat him in the tournament and that's why he used tricks.

The man who had kidnapped me took one last look at me and strode back to the inn. When he pulled away, I felt a chain break between us.

That chain breaking was strong enough to shake my whole body and made me fall off the horse. The commander moved with unusual speed and held me in his arms as I completely lost consciousness.