The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 93: Can’t Fix The Door ()

It took Zariah a moment to understand that it was something akin to disappointment and it did not seem directed at Zariah at all but to his ownself.

"I have failed in letting you understand just how much you mean to me, otherwise you would know it clearly that my life already belongs to you Mhíjani...need you still ask me this?" King Askel asked in a pained tone.

’Can I believe his words...?’ Zariah thought to herself, her eyes fluttering closed.

"I know you do not believe me, I feel your distrust... what can I do to gain your trust Mhíjani? What can I do?" King Askel asked earnestly.

Zariah did not reply for a long moment and King Askel heaved a defeated sigh.

"I...I will take my leave." King Askel relented, taking Zariah’s silence as her method of dismissing him.

Zariah heard his footsteps retreat even as she came to her decision.

If she wanted to know King Askel’s truth, then she needed to see it for herself.

She would never believe and trust as foolishly as she did in her past life, she was wiser now, she knew the way of the world now, Zariah was certain she would not be used this time.

Not by the Creator, not by King Askel, not by love...not by anything or anyone.

All this while, Zariah had only ever been considering two options...kill or be killed.

She had believed it was either she took King Askel down or he would take her down but now, Zariah could see the light.

And she knew, if she turned a blind eye to it, she would always be second guessing herself, pulled at every side by unwanted feelings and regrets and spend the rest of her life wondering what she could have done differently,

Just like she had been wondering since she awakened in this new lifetime.

Zariah had decided to forge her own path and this in itself was also a path, she would do what she could but she would never give her heart again and if it turned out there was no saving him...

Perhaps then she could let him go with no regrets and never looking back.

"You just swore to always stand by me... leaving already?" Zariah murmured, her words stopping King Askel mid step.

Zariah lifted a hand as she summoned her magic and with a wave of her hand, the locks of the door unlatched itself and the cell door swung open.

King Askel froze at the sound of the cell door, turning around, he quirked a brow as he took in the open cell door and Zariah still sitting innocently as though she had done nothing.

"And they all believe they have you locked up." King Askel said in amusement,

"Silly of them, metal can’t stop a flame wolf...all magic of the Earth bend to the first blood elementals, all of these are basic knowledge." Zariah murmured with a casual shrug.

King Askel chuckled quietly as he retraced his step and stepped into Zariah’s cell, pushing the door shut behind him.

"My promise to you stands for now and every other day that makes up eternity...so no, I’m not going anywhere." King Askel replied to Zariah’s initial question.

Zariah tilted her head to the side, ignoring how much King Askel’s words affected her.

"You’re willing to serve jail time with me? Isn’t that a little too cheesy?" Zariah asked, watching King Askel roll his eyes as he walked up to her.

"If I get to have you by my side...why not?" King Askel asked as he glanced around the jail cell and then lowered himself to a seat, making himself comfortable beside Zariah.

Zariah’s lips twitched in amusement, her heart skipping a beat at his words.

"Like I would want your company for that long, besides, Luther would have my head." Zariah pointed out as she turned to him,

Zariah ignored King Askel’s gaze and his beguiling smile as she lifted a hand to his head.

Her eyes widened when King Askel’s hand shot up to grasp her hands, his larger hand enclosing over hers.

"What are you doing?" Zariah asked with a raised brow.

"Mhíjani is a flame wolf, why are your hands so cold?" King Askel asked in a worried tone, his thumb grazing over her curled fingers.

Zariah bit her lip, she knew clearly that the cold, damp atmosphere of the sea depths would take a toll on any Flame Wolf and Zariah was no exception.

Zariah could feel the chilling cold seeping into her bones and unsettling her flame core yet she ignored it despite knowing the more time she spent beneath the Sea, the greater the backlash would be.

Zariah knew she could not just up and leave the Sea Kingdom now, not when everything was in such a tense situation...there were things much greater than her at stake, a little discomfort was nothing.

"We’re submerged in water King Askel...of course my hands are cold." Zariah said dismissively, pulling her hand out of King Askel’s grasp and turning away from him.

"Askel... Mhíjani, just Askel." King Askel adjusted.

"Whatever." Zariah replied with a roll of her eyes.

"Weren’t you going to check on me just a moment ago, why turn away from me now?" King Askel asked in an aggrieved tone,

"I was going to check if the sleeping spell would leave any effects on your wolf’s abilities but clearly you’re as agile as ever." Zariah replied, her lips twitching in amusement.

"How would you know? You didn’t even check. I woke up feeling like I had a rock roll over me." King Askel insisted.

Zariah snickered in amusement, turning to face him, she lifted a hand up to his forehead, her hand glowing with her magic.

"Well, I did cast the spell in a hurry so the effects are much stronger than I intended, but they should wear off soon." Zariah assured him with a small smile.

It was only then Zariah noticed King Askel’s gaze fixed on her, an enchanted look in his gleaming gold orbs.

"By the Creator Mhíjani...your eyes... they are the most beautiful...you are the most beautiful." King Askel murmured,

Zariah blinked, unsure how to respond to the sudden compliment from King Askel, she had only decided not to be so standoffish with him,

To give him a chance to show her who he truly was, however when it actually came down to matters of tenderness like this, Zariah was still unsure as to how to react to it.

King Askel seemed to notice Zariah’s discomfort and smiled slightly, leaning forwards and placing a light kiss on her forehead.

His lips lingered on Zariah’s forehead for a moment, savouring the moment and Zariah let him have his way.

After a short moment, he pulled back, brushing back a strand of Zariah’s hair from her face.

Zariah could not understand the feelings his tender actions stirred within her heart and she did not dare understand it either,

"You should leave now." Zariah murmured to King Askel.

"I don’t want to leave you." King Askel admitted in a reluctant tone.

"When can I come to you again?" King Askel asked, Zariah could sense his apprehension as he said those words, unsure of how Zariah would react to it.

Zariah could see he did not want to leave, perhaps for fear that she would revert back to her cold and distant nature and not welcome him again.

Zariah chuckled quietly at his words, tilting her head to the side.

"I can’t fix the cell door you know... what’s broken is broken." Zariah said with a casual shrug.

King Askel’s lips stretched into a rare smile at Zariah’s words.

"You mean to say, I may come whenever?" King Askel asked for clarification,

"King Himan would not take kindly to you frequenting his dungeons, I merely pointed out that the door was open." Zariah murmured, diverting her gaze.

King Askel chuckled but did not press further, he just sat staring at Zariah for a moment before he rose to his feet.

"Darren and Allen sent word, the Fairy Queen has given orders to withdraw the troops from the Eastern Shores, a missive will be sent to the Sea Kingdom soon stating her stance."

"He may consider this as the answer to his questions, as for the missive from the Floral Domain, he may respond as he sees fit." Zariah relayed to King Askel.

King Askel nodded slowly before his gaze furrowed slightly.

"The merman Kristen...you sent him away because it was the only way to save him in time?" King Askel asked in a knowing tone.

Zariah hesitated for a moment to reveal her intentions to King Askel, but considering he had already guessed it, her silence would make no difference.

"Yes." Zariah admitted, watching King Askel frown.

"You are in here because of him...is he worth it?" King Askel asked in a low tone,

Zariah tilted her head to the side, wondering what exactly was going through the mind of King Askel.

"There is no question of worth...the peace of the supernatural realm is worth everything." Zariah replied.

"I understand. I shall convey your message." King Askel said as he passed Zariah another lingering glance, his gaze conflicted before he turned and headed out of the dungeons.