Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 515: Sandalwood ()

’A deep earthy scent... rosewood, and something akin to the dying embers of a wildfire...’ Neveah’s mind revisited that enticing scent for the hundredth time.

She had only realized in this moment of silence that she had taken such detailed note of his scent.

’ Was that always what His Grace smelled like?... Why had I never noticed it? Such an enticing scent was hard to miss...’ Neveah thought to herself in a mix of awe and disbelief.

It was an intoxicating mix of scents that had somehow etched itself into Neveah’s mind and Neveah had tried to shift her thoughts to more pressing matters, but for the life of her she just could not tame her own mind.

’What had Alessio’s scent been like?’ Neveah found herself wondering.

Neveah could hardly even remember it anymore, she realized.

Least of all now, when another scent completely clouded her mind, so vivid in her memory that Neveah could practically smell him at this exact moment.

"Veah." King Jian’s voice startled Neveah out of her reverie.

Neveah’s eyes fluttered open to find King Jian indeed stood just a short distance away from her, watching her in silence.

Neveah had not even sensed his approach. She had picked up on his scent, but given that her thoughts were centered around him, Neveah had concluded it was a figment of her imagination.

Only that, it was not and heaven alone knew how long he had been watching her for already.

"When... when did you get here?" Neveah stuttered out as she stood up straight, clearing her throat afterwards in a bid to regain her composure.

"A moment ago. You did not tell anyone you were leaving." King Jian replied, his brows furrowed in suspicion as he walked over to Neveah, coming to a stop with just a few inches between them.

"I... I needed to clear my head." Neveah replied quietly.

King Jian breathed a sigh, his gaze not moving from Neveah.

"I understand that, but you must know you are no longer the same person as you were a day ago. Many have witnessed your ability...it is not safe for you to be out alone."

"And if you absolutely have to be, is it not wise to be observant of your immediate environment?" King Jian questioned.

"You did not even sense me, what were you so distracted with?" King Jian asked.

Neveah’s eyes widened slightly at King Jian’s question before she shook her head.

"Nothing... nothing in particular." Neveah replied quickly.

"You heart rate says otherwise." King Jian pointed out.

Neveah had no words to argue with that, King Jian’s senses were very keen and it would be hard for anything to escape him.

Neveah decided silence was the best response, however that decision did not seem feasible when King Jian took another step forward, staring down at Neveah.

King Jian’s aura was as imposing as always, impossible to ignore.

His eyes were slightly narrowed and his gaze was questioning, those mismatched orbs of his presented a gaze so intense, Neveah diverted her eyes quickly, unable to hold King Jian’s gaze.

With King Jian so close, his scent became all the more overwhelming and Neveah’s senses were as sensitive as always, amplifying the effect even further.

Neveah’s breath was caught in her throat and her heart trembled within her chest.

’This damned mate bond...’ Neveah thought to herself.

Neveah had a previous run with the mate bond, she knew just how insistent and hard to ignore it could be, especially in it’s early stages.

And the fact that it was working overtime at this very moment made it more apparent to Neveah that the bond she and King Jian shared had grown substantially after they shared strength.

It was no wonder Neveah had been unable to get King Jian off her mind and actually focus on figuring their situation out.

"If you left Dune castle and worried everyone to come out here and think about it, it cannot be nothing...tell me." King Jian said, his tone making it clear it was not a request.

"Or what?" Neveah blurted out before she had even properly considered the response.

Her first reaction being to oppose King Jian as she had done many times before.

Old habits they said, die hard. The moment the words were out, Neveah regretted having said them.

"Or I will give into this overwhelming urge to taste your lips... I am more than willing to lose this battle of will." King Jian’s response was completely unexpected.

Neveah blinked in shock, staring up at King Jian and in his eyes, Neveah found he meant every word he had just said.

Neveah gulped audibly, cursing the presence of the tree behind her that did not provide any possibilities to retreat.

"You said...you would give me time to sort my thoughts." Neveah reminded in a voice barely above a whisper.

"You should not have left with no word then...or stirred a suspicion that you had run for the hills to escape me..." King Jian accused.

"It was not a pleasant thought... Veah. I had to consider, how I would punish you if I find that it was true..." King Jian continued, his tone thick with possession and dominance.

Neveah had never seen this side of the Dragon King before, she was not even sure how to breathe properly anymore, not to mention how she would respond to him.

"I... I didn’t... I wouldn’t..." Neveah stuttered out in her defence.

"And the thought did not cross your mind? To hide from me so you would not have to deal with our bond... and what it means for you... us?" King Jian asked again.

"I... I..." Neveah trailed off.

She could not deny that the thought had cross her mind, once or twice... had she been slightly more cowardly in nature, she would already be riding across the White Dunes.

"I see. So?... What will it be then? Will you tell me what was on your mind? Or shall it be ’Or what’?" King Jian asked in a low tone.

"Sandalwood!" Neveah exclaimed immediately.