Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1700 - 142 : Burning Bright

*Kryzen*

Needless to say, neither of us got very much sleep that night.

Having to stand there while Malpas discussed my mate marrying another man was almost too much for me to handle. I felt rage building up inside me with each word, the energy sizzling beneath my skin and practically begging to be unleashed on the smug demon lord.

Both Briella and I were a bit shaken when Malphas left us alone. I turned to her slowly, ready to wrap my arms around her and comfort her. I was surprised to see the fire in her eyes instead of fear and uncertainty.

Briella was practically trembling with rage. “He’s going to pay dearly,” she said through her teeth. She spun on her heels and stomped further into the room. “Let’s keep training. He’s not going to get away with this.”

“We should rest,” I told her, but I followed her to where she sat on the blood-red rug, immediately getting into a meditating form and shutting her eyes. I sat across from her so that our knees were nearly touching.

I took both of her hands in mine when it was clear she was going to continue to be stubborn and refuse to rest. “Reach out to me with your energy,” I instructed her. “I could feel you touching on it earlier, but it was pretty hesitant. Try reaching out with it in the same way you would run into my arms when I return to our bedroom at the end of the day.”

I grinned with satisfaction when I felt Briella relax at the mental image. It had become our favorite part of the day. With how busy our lives had become, each time we were reunited, even if it was just after a few hours, it felt like a reunion after multiple days.

I imagined one of these heartfelt moments, feeling the anticipation when going up the stairs to our quarters and the way my heart rate still spiked as I neared our bedroom door. The warmth that immediately filled me as I opened the door and was greeted by Briella’s smiling face and glimmering eyes always set my heart soaring.

None of that compared to finally taking her in my arms and holding her close to me. I swore I could feel the energy between us mingling and dancing as if dormant while we were apart. I felt my senses come alive as her scent filled my nose and her smooth skin brushed against mine.

I heard Briella’s breath hitched. My eyes popped open as I looked up at her.

Her eyes were still closed, her hands gripping mine tightly as they started to glow.

My breathing was beginning to become a bit labored as I felt Briella’s energy start to grow, finding where mine rested in my palms. “Yes, just like that,” I encouraged, sucking in a sharp breath when I felt the heat growing in my hands.

The intensity of Briella’s power was rising rapidly, the heat quickly spreading up my arms. I felt her confidence as well as her love. They both burned brightly.

As quickly as it came, it vanished like a taut band suddenly being released. I felt us both jump as the energy disappeared. Briella gasped and then opened her eyes, staring at me with wonder and shock. Her slim shoulders rose and fell as she caught her breath.

“Briella,” I said, hearing the awe in my own voice as I broke the stretching silence. I reached out to cup her face in my palm, smiling widely at her. “That was amazing, love. I have never felt that kind of energy from you.”

Briella managed to smile at me, but she still looked shocked. She stared down at her hands in wonder. “I have never felt that kind of energy from me either,” she said through unmoving lips. “I have never felt so powerful, and here we are, just sitting on the floor.” She giggled an amazed, elated sound that caused a huge grin to spread out over her face.

I laughed with her, insanely proud of what she was able to do. I had a feeling that she was even more powerful than she thought possible. She just had to tap into that dormant part of her.

“Can you do it again?” I wondered aloud.

Briella looked down for a moment before gripping my hands again and shutting her eyes. I felt her energy sizzling up through my fingers again a moment later, but not with nearly as much intensity as the first time. She let out a breath, and it disappeared.

She let out a frustrated breath. “Dammit,” she muttered.

She moved to pull away, but I held her hands tightly. “Try again,” I encouraged. “Don’t overthink it. Just breathe and push out confidently like before.”

My pride soared even higher as Briella obeyed. I quickly felt her energy rising. It still wasn’t as potent, but I could tell she definitely had more control over it.

We trained for just a little longer before I finally ordered us both to bed. Briella didn’t even protest. We dressed quietly in the sleeping clothes provided for us. I clenched my jaw at the skimpy, nearly see-through nightdress Briella put on, hating the thought of either Malphas or Tian choosing it with the intent of having Briella wear the scraps of fabric.

I reminded myself it could have been much worse. She could have been spending the last couple of nights with Tian.

I shut the light off before climbing into bed with my mate, pulling her tightly against my chest, her body flush against mine.

It was obvious from the start that neither of us was going to get much sleep. We barely had the last couple of nights. This night was going to be the most difficult by far.

I shut my eyes anyway, deciding that I was going to at least meditate and try to rest for the next several hours before dawn. Briella shifted several times in my arms as we both tried in vain to calm down.

“It’s strange,” Briella murmured into the darkness.

I dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “What is?” I asked gently.

Briella was quiet for a moment. “That I am right where I want to be in a weird way. I’m in your arms, yet we’re far from home. We don’t know if we’re going to survive tomorrow, but you’re holding me, and it feels right.”

I knew exactly what she meant. It felt like we had control, considering we could lay together like this as if we were in our own home.

I pressed my nose into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. “My home is wherever you are,” I told her fiercely. “Maybe we aren’t back in our home, but I am grateful that I found you and am able to stand by you to protect you.”

“I’m grateful that you found me too,” Briella said. She adjusted slightly, turning in my arms so she was facing me, and buried her face in my chest. “This is where I belong." Her hand came up to rest on my chest, just over my heart.

My heart warmed at her words and touch. “Try to sleep,” I murmured, kissing her forehead and then her lips. “I’ll still be here tomorrow, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I knew it was asking a lot for Briella to fall asleep while we were being held prisoner, and she was supposed to undergo some dark ritual tomorrow, but if we wanted a chance at my plan working, Briella would need her strength.

I continued to murmur soothingly to her and stroked her long dark-brown hair. Miraculously, she settled and started to breathe deeply, signaling that she had fallen asleep.

I knew I couldn’t sleep when the ritual was just hours away. I wasn’t going to risk someone coming in to harm her. I was going to stay awake to protect her, allowing myself to only shut my eyes and rest while my beloved slept soundly against me.

Dawn was fast approaching when Briella began to stir a few hours later. I had debated waking her myself, not wanting us to be caught by surprise when someone came to fetch her, but I hadn’t been able to bring myself to do it as I stared down at her peaceful face.

I kissed her forehead as she blinked sleepily up at me. “Good morning, love. Let’s get you dressed into something a little less revealing.” I tried not to ground my teeth together at the thought of anyone seeing her in that sorry excuse for a nightgown.

I saw just a touch of fear as Briella started to wake up more fully and remember where we were. We both dressed in some light clothing. Briella was in a light dress I recognized as one she must have been wearing before being kidnapped. I recognized the gown as one from her wardrobe.

We whirled toward the door when it swung open. We were surprised not to see Malphas or Tian but a young woman with empty brown eyes and fair skin. She was wearing a simple dark-blue maid’s uniform with a white, frilly apron. She bowed to us both but didn’t look at us. She held out a black garment bag. “For the bride,” she said. She stepped into the room, set the bag on the bed, and turned to leave without another word.

Briella swallowed. “That was a little creepy,” she said, laughing a little nervously.

I wandered over to the bag and opened it. Briella and I stared down at the surprisingly tasteful wedding gown with intricate beading and a full skirt.

Briella held the dress up. I watched her grimace before she began to undress again.

I had to help her into the gown. There were a bunch of clasps on the back. Briella was quiet as I did so, fidgeting slightly. The clasps only went about halfway up her back, leaving her shoulder blades bare and a good portion of soft skin below it.

I hated how under normal circumstances, I would be thrilled to see her in such a gorgeous gown that brought out her features nicely, but I just couldn’t bring myself to be.

I spun her around so she was facing me and offered her a small smile. “You do look beautiful as always,” I said. I kissed her forehead and then smirked. “They unknowingly chose a dress that would aid in their demise. Tian will be so distracted by your beauty that he won’t see our trap coming.”

Briella smiled at my attempt at comforting her but then frowned. “I wish I could be as optimistic as you,” she said. “I feel like I’m about to be carried out to sea with no way of getting back.”

I squeezed her shoulders, looking her in the eye firmly. “I’m not going to let that happen,” I vowed. “Remember that you aren’t helpless, Briella. You have never been and never will be. You’re a fighter. Let them feel that. Reign your fire down on this place.”

Determination stole over her features. I once again felt pride in her strength.

I hugged Briella when the door slammed open again. Two burly guards with blades stood in the doorway. “It’s time,” one of them said.

I tightened my hold on Briella. This was it.