Did that scumbag son of my aunt think he could keep me from finding Liana?
Or was he trying to trap me? That fool!
How naive was he or did he take me to be that naive and hot headed?
I had already summoned my guards. They would be here in no time but I was too restless. I could not possibly wait for back up while the scent of Liana's fright was filling my nostrils,fuelling the anger that was already simmering within me.To top it off, I could sense Damian as well. That fool must have followed Liana's essence again. He did it when he went missing from the dragon realm for the first time as well. Those two had some weird connection. It took me time to figure out that Liana was missing and track her as well. But my son was in the dragon realm. Yet he reached her faster than I could. It was indeed incredible.
However what worried me was his feeble breath. Was he captured as well? What kind of a gruesome death wish did that Nemesis have to dare to harm my heir?
As I stormed into the enclosure, I could see that it was a dark and dingy place, fit for nothing but the likes of the scum who had dared to lay a hand on my son and his cousin's mate. My eyes adjusted quickly to the dim lighting, and I could make out the shapes of the perpetrators huddled together in one corner.
But wait! Those were just mere humans. Were they in league with Nemesis or was Nemesis using them for distraction?
I was trying to analyse the situation logically but my focus was on the figure of Liana, huddled in the opposite corner, tied up and worn. As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened with recognition and a glimmer of hope shone through her fear. I could see that she was battered and bruised, but she was alive, and that was all that mattered to me.
I approached her slowly, my rage barely contained. I didn't know if she had realised The lies that she was told.I didn't know if she knew my reality at that moment.
The men in the corner tried to make a run for it, but I was too fast for them. They were nothing but insects to me, easily crushed underfoot.
" Noooo! Don't kill them. They are just being used by the one that took me from your kind. They are all harmless humans. "
She knew everything now. My kind and her kind. She had drawn the line.
As I reached Liana, I could see that her eyes were filled with tears, but she held her head high, showing the same strength and resilience that had drawn my son to her in the first place. I could sense Nemesis' presence nearby, but I focused on Liana, gently lifting her into my arms.
For a moment, I simply held her, taking in her scent and reassuring her that she was safe with my soft pat. I tried to cuddle her and contain her whimpers but my rage was still burning hot, and I knew that those who had dared to harm her would pay dearly for their actions.
With a growl, I turned to face the men who, I thought, had taken her captive, my eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. They cowered before me, realizing too late that they had made a grave mistake in crossing a Dragon Lord.It was more like a teaser. I wanted to show Nemesis what I was going to do with him next.
I didn't hesitate as I unleashed my fury upon them, my flames engulfing them in a blaze of destruction. The stench of burning flesh filled my nostrils, but I felt no remorse.It was pleasant. They had brought this upon themselves, and they had paid the ultimate price.
But when I turned towards Liana, she was distraught. She tried to shove me away with what felt like hatred.
As the flames died down, I turned back to Liana, holding her close to me as I took her away from that place of darkness and pain.
Her hands started hitting my chest with soft force.
" Why? Why? Why? "
Her voice was breaking, " I told you they were innocent. Does human life have no meaning for you? "
With that question, it felt like we were back at square one.
Just like our first encounter.
I could see that she was not scared for us, just like she wasn't the first time. What bothered jer more was my morality.
I cupped her face to read her eyes.
I needed to know if what I was seeing was indeed affection or guilt.
As I held Liana's face between my hands, I was struck at the back from either side.
I turned around to see the Halfling, with a wicked grin on his face, his claws still in my flesh. As I tried to pull away, his female accomplice, whose name I didn't even know, attacked me again from the other side.
I let them think, they had me, while I let them pay with my body for the time being. I needed to expose my body to lure them out. Those cowards.
"Traitors!" I growled, my eyes narrowing with fury as I caught the woman's throat with one hand, the moment she was about to strike me with another blow.
Nemesis just laughed, his grip on me tightening. "You were always too full of yourself Draco. It's time for someone real to take charge."
Liana looked at me with concern in her eyes, her hands clasped together as she watched the fight unfold. "Careful, Draco," she whispered.I smiled. That was all the reassurance that I wanted.
I snarled, my anger rising again. "Don't worry, my love. I won't let them hurt you."
With a sudden burst of energy, I broke free from Nemesis's grip, tearing my back away from his claws. I lunged at him, using my own claws to attack him with all my might. He dodged and weaved, his own claws flashing in the dim light of the forlorn place.
"You're not as weak as I thought," he said, grinning. "Maybe you'll give me a good fight after all."
I snorted. "You wish...cousin." I smirked.
I launched another attack, this time aiming for his head. He blocked me with ease, his scales glinting in the light. I felt a sudden burst of pain in my shoulder as his female accomplice struck me from behind. I whirled around, ready to strike back, but she was already leaping away, her own claws dripping with my blood.I brushed off the blood as I sealed the wound with my saliva and yielded my fist at her.
With a wide smile I said, "You'll pay for that," Then growled, my fury mounting.
Nemesis just laughed again. "You're so predictable, Draco. Always so quick to anger. It's your downfall."
I snarled, my eyes flashing with rage. "You're the one who's going to fall, cousin.Fall to the pits of the Netherworld."
With another burst of power, I launched myself at him, my claws extended. We collided in a burst of fire and smoke, our bodies twisting and turning as we fought for dominance. I felt his claws scraping against my scales, his breath hot against my face.
They thought they had the upper hand. Little did they know that this was all part of the plan. A little warm up till my guards arrived to drag them back to the dragon realm. To their personal hell.
With a roar, I pushed him away, sending him crashing to the ground. I stood over him, my eyes blazing with fury.
"Give up, Nemesis," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "Or you'll regret it."
He snarled, his eyes glowing with anger. "I'll never give up, Draco. I'll always be your rival."
I felt Liana's hand on my shoulder, her touch calming me. "Let's go, Draco," she said softly. "We've won this battle. We can't stay here any longer."
There was an unusual fright in her eyes. Was she worried for me?
She was literally in the middle of our battle ring, tugging at my sleeve.