Sold to a Prince!

228  She is mine and I am hers Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You!" Frederick's voice boomed across the clearing, commanding the attention of all present. His tone was a mix of authority and a dangerous calm, one that promised consequences should his forthcoming questions find unsatisfactory answers.

"Explain yourself. Why does a demon's aura surround you? And why do you hold my daughter in such a state?"

Facing the powerful draconic aura, Mikel was absolutely overwhelmed. He was already prepared for this and yet there was nothing he could do. He could only stand still in obedience in front of such a mighty power.

But that didn't mean he was going to give up just yet. He was already prepared to go to any length today and he was not taking no for an answer. He stared back at the draconic king despite his entire being threatening to disperse under the weight of the aura.

He then opened his mouth and with great difficulty answered. "I am your daughter's mate."

Immediately, the situation became exponentially worse. The statement hung heavy in the air, the surrounding atmosphere growing even more tense, if possible.

The draconic king's aura flared with an intensity that made even the hardiest warriors among the onlookers take an involuntary step back. The very ground beneath their feet seemed to thrum with the power of his barely contained anger.

Frederick Akhekh's eyes, previously narrowed in suspicion and authority, now blazed with a fire that was both metaphorical and almost literal, given the draconic nature of his being. The air around him shimmered with heat, and for a moment, it seemed as if the king might unleash his full wrath upon Mikel.

"You dare?" Frederick's voice was a low growl, the menace palpable.

Before anything terrible could happen, Roman stepped in front of Mikel and shook his head at the draconic King. "Your Highness, we wouldn't be alive right now without this man's help."

Frederick Akhekh paused for a moment. "You claim such a bond with my daughter, yet you carry the taint of demonic energy? Explain yourself, and choose your words with care, for they may very well be your last."

Mikel, despite the overwhelming pressure, stood his ground. "Yes, I dare," he responded, his voice steady but showing a hint of the strain he was under.

"I have been away, fighting battles that Sylvia herself was not aware of, battles to ensure the safety of not just her but of all realms. The demonic aura you sense is a consequence of the sacrifices I had to make, the powers I had to wield to protect what is most precious to me."

Mikel's gaze landed on Sylvia as he said that but the next second the woman in his arms disappeared, appearing in the King's arms instead.

Mikel could only sigh at this. After all, this was also something that he had already foreseen. He bowed his head and continued explaining.

"The creatures the demons made a pact with are called voidlings. They are mysterious creatures that walk the line between living and dead. They hold powers that are beyond our capability."

"Ever since I came to know about this ambush, I searched the annals of the demon king's library and found out about these creatures. I also managed to craft a rune to poison it just like how it was described in the annals."

Frederick Akhekh narrowed his eyes and his face did not soften one bit. "And I am to believe that you did all of this for my daughter? Who is to say that you didn't orchestrate the whole thing just to get back into the good graces of my daughter."

By now Roman had already telepathically filled him in on everything and with Mikel's explanation everything became clear. But was it enough?

Mikel sighed again. "I didn't do it for her. I did it for me. I cannot live without her."

Roman shook his head helplessly as once again the King's temper flared. He had to firmly stand rooted in front of Mikel to prevent him from getting scorched alive. "Do you have a death wish?" Roman warned him not to test the King's patience.

But Mikel did not seem to care. "Your Highness. Look here. The proof that your daughter has already claimed my life." He opened his shirt to reveal a mark etched deep into his skin, a mark that was unmistakably draconic in nature.

It was a bonding mark, one that could only be formed through a deep, mutual connection between two souls. The mark was glowing faintly, pulsing with the same rhythm as Sylvia's heartbeat, a clear indication that their lives were intertwined, bound by something far stronger than mere affection.

The sight of the mark caused Frederick Akhekh to pause, his fury momentarily giving way to surprise, and then, slowly, to a grudging acceptance. The draconic aura around him subsided slightly, though the air remained charged with his power.

"This mark..." Frederick's voice trailed off as he examined Mikel more closely, his gaze shifting between the mark and his unconscious daughter in his arms.

The implications were profound and undeniable. Such a bond was sacred among their kind, not entered into lightly, and almost impossible to forge without true love and commitment.

The presence of the bonding mark changed everything. It was a testament to Mikel's sincerity and his intentions towards Sylvia. It also indicated that Sylvia herself had accepted Mikel, and had chosen him as her mate, a choice that even a king would find hard to refute.

"If Sylvia has chosen you, then it is her choice I must respect. However, your actions... demonic taint, and the secrets you've kept will need to be addressed."

Mikel nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I am prepared to face any consequences, Your Majesty. All I ask is for a chance to prove my worth."

The King did not respond. He also did not hand over Sylvia back to Mikel as the entire entourage started their journey back to the blessed lands of the beasts. The journey back was a lot more uncomfortable than the previous journey as everyone was deathly silent.

Only one man was smiling and that was Mikel. He was finally going to Sylvia's home.