Chapter5:

Dimitri walked across the room and lay down on the bed, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. He remained silent 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 with your 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 beginning to raise more questions.

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

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

Then, to my astonishment, he got up and started removing his clothes. I turned to the window, feeling a rush of discomfort.

"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 protest, but when I turned around, I froze at the sight of him stark naked. His arms were strong and his skin pale, a fine layer of hair covering his chest, and his abdomen was sculpted with muscles. Below his waist, his member stood 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 at his words.

Consummation in front of everyone? I didn't know much 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 recalled what he had said to the king.

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

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

I turned to Dimitri, who was lying in the tub. When our eyes met, he knew. Immediately, he rose from the tub, pulled on his pants, and ran to the door, blocking it with the wardrobe. Then he turned to me.

"Close your eyes."

I closed them, and he threw me over his shoulder and ran with me. But I opened my eyes just 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 somehow managed to land on his feet. He took me to Chase's horse and threw me on top of it.

Before he could mount the horse, a voice interrupted him.

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

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 retorted.

John glared at him, but I noticed his expression suddenly soften. He took a deep breath as if he was too tired, as if this argument had happened several times before.

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

Dimitri shuddered slightly, then 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, rendering me 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 at least speak, but it felt as if I wasn't even 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 issued a strong command, demanding that I confirm his statement. I used all my strength to try to disprove him, but that battle was already lost, gone a long time ago. Just as I was about to open 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 wouldn’t be a surprise, since I was your opponent."

Commander John was mocking Dimitri, mocking the truth. In that moment, I realized that Dimitri knew he wouldn't beat him in the tournament, which is why he resorted to 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 breaking chain was strong enough to shake my whole body, causing me to fall off the horse. The commander moved with unusual speed, catching me in his arms just as I completely lost consciousness.