Chapter 36

Chapter 36

"I know it’s you... Princess Elisaria," Zander said with a sinister smile.

Before I could scream for help, he swiftly pressed a handkerchief over my nose. The sharp scent of chemicals filled my nostrils, and within seconds, my eyelids grew heavy, plunging me into darkness.

When I finally opened my eyes, towering trees loomed above me. Their thick canopy of leaves blocked out the bright sunlight. I attempted to stand, but my body felt weak and sluggish. As I glanced around, I noticed a group of men huddled together, loudly playing cards. My senses sharpened, and I suddenly recalled Zander's sinister smile just before I lost consciousness.

I had been kidnapped! Zander had taken me! But why? What could he be planning? And more urgently, where am I? Where is Mariel?

I swallowed nervously, realizing we were in some sort of camp. Tents and wooden benches were scattered about, making it seem like we were deep in the forest—or somewhere equally remote. I had no idea where exactly, but I knew one thing: I had to escape and find Mariel! If anything happened to her, I’d never forgive myself. I was the one who dragged her into this mess, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

"Where’s Zander?" I demanded, glaring at the men still engrossed in their card game. They froze at the sound of my voice. I tried to move, but my arms and legs were tightly bound to the chair. The rope was tightly tied to me.

Before they could answer, I sensed someone standing behind me. The scent was unmistakable—it was Zander.

"Glad to see you're awake," he said with a chuckle. "I was starting to think I’d have to throw some cold water on you. You’ve been out for the entire two hours you’ve been here!" I clenched my teeth. Two hours? That meant I'd been missing from Urzua Kingdom for over two hours now.

"Where’s Mariel?" I demanded through gritted teeth. Zander stepped in front of me, and I glared at him as soon as he came into view. He was dressed in his royal attire, a stark reminder of how I once thought he was a good man, someone who had helped me back in Tyreese. Little did I know, his kindness had a hidden agenda all along.

"Your lady-in-waiting? Don’t worry... she’s in good hands," he said, his tone mocking. My fists clenched in fury. If I wasn’t tied up, I’d have slapped that smug look right off his face!

"Don’t you dare hurt her, Zander!" I spat, my voice laced with venom. "If you so much as touch a hair on her head, I swear I’ll kill you!"

He smirked darkly. "Relax... I'm not a monster, Princess Elisaria. I only want one thing," he said, stepping closer. He reached for my chin, pulling our faces dangerously close. I tried to pull away, but he gripped me tightly.

"I want your mate's throne, Princess Elisaria," he whispered with a sinister grin. I pressed my lips together and glared at him. So, he was after Troy's throne? I had suspected it, but I hadn’t realized just how desperate he had become.

"Why? Is it because you crave power? You're a prince, Zander! Isn't that enough—?"

"Being a prince doesn't equate to power, Princess Elisaria," he interrupted, his eyes cold and serious. "There’s so much I can never have, simply because I’m Troy’s cousin—a prince born to a servant mother. Tell me, does that sound like power to you?"

"You may sway half the citizens of Rema Kingdom, but you'll never convince the council!" I shot back. He smirked and released my chin, casually pacing in front of me.

"That’s exactly why you’re here," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. "With you by my side, I can convince the council that I’m the rightful heir to the throne of Rema Kingdom."

No... I couldn’t let that happen. I had to stop him. But how?

I tensed as he moved closer once again, his face inches from mine.

"Why did you ever go to Troy? You could have stayed in Urzua Kingdom, living the life of a pampered princess. You should’ve left Troy without a mate," he said, his words sending chills down my spine. He leaned in even closer, his voice a menacing whisper. "But I'll stop at nothing to destroy Troy and claim the title of Alpha King of Rema—even if it means… claiming you as mine."

My eyes widened in shock. What did he mean by that?!

"Fuck off—" I spat.

Zander’s voice dripped with malice as he spoke. "How do you think Troy would react if I kissed you right now? Would he spit blood? Or... would he be rejected?" His words were laced with darkness, and my lips parted in shock at his twisted plan. If he kissed me now, Troy would probably spit blood because we had already consummated our mate bond.

There are two ways a mate bond can be rejected: either when one kisses another before the bond is consummated, causing an automatic rejection, or by mutual declaration. But in our case, the bond wouldn’t break that easily. Since Troy and I had already sealed it, the only way to sever it would be by choice. And if Zander dared kiss me, both Troy and I would know, as one of us would spit blood—a sign that someone had violated the bond.

"I won't let you do this..." I vowed firmly. Zander chuckled darkly.

"How can you stop me?" he sneered. "You’re tied to a chair, helpless. No one is coming to save you. You’d better accept it... because from now on, you’re mine," he declared, slowly leaning closer.

As he moved nearer, something caught my eye—a mark on one of his men's necks. They were standing behind him, silently watching. And for some reason, in this tense moment, Alpha King Phoenix's words echoed in my mind.

‘But then, a witness came forward and claimed she saw the murderers. They all had the same tattoo on their necks,’

‘It’s a knight’s sword’

This can't be happening...

Zander was just inches from my face. I had no idea how to avoid his kiss, but I knew I had to stop him. I couldn't let his vile plan unfold. My mind raced, desperately trying to come up with a way to prevent Troy from being hurt. I didn’t want him to feel the pain of spitting blood or think I had betrayed him with another man's kiss. But how could I stop it?

Tears welled up and fell onto my lips as Zander's hand gripped my jaw, pulling me closer. Just as he was about to press his lips against mine, a powerful force slammed into him, sending his body flying across the room.

At that moment, as had happened so many times before, Troy had come to my rescue.