The Crown's Seduction
Chapter 158: To Die in Zoran’s Hands

Chapter 158: To Die in Zoran’s Hands

"What is going on here?" Dana asked, her eyes wide as the white circle of Lurio’s teleportation spell suddenly turned black and exploded before quickly disappearing.

By the sidelines, Mineah was caught off guard by how quickly things happened. She tried to move, but a strong tightening in her chest stopped her in her tracks. It was as if she was being deprived of air, and she didn’t know how to respond to it.

’W-What was that?’ she couldn’t help but think as she clutched at her chest. ’S-So strong...’

There was only one explanation: There was a strong source of energy nearby, and it had somehow begun to clash with her own power.

"This isn’t good!" Nikolai gritted his teeth as he firmly held Mineah’s hand. He turned to Lurio and said, "Hurry up, Lurio."

"Someone is blocking me from creating the necessary spells. It’s too strong, Your Majesty," Lurio clicked his tongue as he explained, his movements already on their way to cast another teleportation spell. "I don’t understand how someone can block my magic like this, but I’ll try not to let it stop me."

Mineah could only watch as it all unfolded. Judging by the looks of him, she could tell that their white wizard was struggling.

"Mother," she gasped as she turned to her mother.

"It’s alright, I won’t push myself too hard," Dana reassured her daughter. "Still, Lurio needs help."

While her mother could still use spells and magic, it was not advisable for her to reach her limit or it could be fatal. Her divine powers were already compromised twenty-one years ago after sealing all dragon souls in the Forbidden Forest, and her lifespan had been drastically reduced to the point that she lost the ability to heal on her own. She might be a fallen angel, but she was practically like any human being right now that was well knowledgeable in spellcraft.

"It’s Zoran’s magic," Nikolai bellowed. "He’s the only warlock who could do something like this."

Mineah tried her best to compose herself as she panted for air. Something was wrong with her body, and she didn’t know what it was. It seemed like her body was reacting to Zoran’s magic, and it wasn’t reacting in any way that was good for her. Something was off, but she couldn’t point out what it exactly was at the moment. The dagger inside her chest also wasn’t helping as she could only grit her teeth at the pain she was trying her best to tolerate.

"I’d only be able to safely teleport one person with the rate we’re going," Lurio hastily informed as he made another white teleportation circle for a third attempt.. "If we do this with the numbers we have now, then I’m not sure if I can teleport us all safely."

"Take Mother with you. Go as soon as you succeed," Nikolai remarked. "I’ll take care of Mine. We’ll travel in my mist form, and I’m sure Zoran won’t be able to follow us that way."

"Go, I’ll be fine," Mineah quickly said to her mother.

Hearing her daughter, Dana gave out a knowing nod just as the teleportation circle was completed. Lurio had succeeded, but it was already blinking rapidly.

Mineah watched as Wizard Lurio took her mother with him. From there, the circle quickly disappeared.

With their companions gone, Nikolai suddenly picked her up and carried her in his arms. "We need to travel in my mist form," he quickly stated. "Hold onto me tightly."

Nodding, Mineah hugged him by his neck. This time, she didn’t close her eyes as Nikolai shifted just in time before another black blast came to their previous spot.

Nikolai cursed, and Mineah gasped as she watched the silhouette of an army of monsters heading in their previous direction. She saw a man mounted on a dark wolf, and her eyes widened when it released a powerful black ball toward their direction.

"Lai," she muttered.

"Don’t worry, he’s aiming at nothing no matter what he tries to do," he reassured her. "He won’t see nor feel my mist, Mine."

She could only nod, and true to his words, the man’s attacks never hit them while they continued to travel far and away from the danger that was presented to them. Mineah simply stayed silent as they soared through the air, the sphere keeping her floating above the sky protecting and shielding her from harm.

"Are my Mother and Wizard Lurio fine?" Mineah couldn’t help but asked, knowing that Nikolai could easily communicate with his Scions that were left in the camp.

"Yes, Mine," Nikolai hummed. "They’re safe now."

Mineah let out a sigh of relief at the wonderful news. At least that was one thing that she didn’t have to worry about anymore.

"How about we continue the search, Mine?" Nikolai suddenly suggested after they had established a considerable distance away from their enemies. "I’ll drop us off on the mountain you pointed out before."

That offer made Mineah’s heart almost jump out of her chest. "Yes, Lai. Let’s do that," she eagerly nodded. Although, her enthusiasm disappeared just as quickly as she asked, "But won’t Zoran manage to tail you if you do that? You said before that it would be dangerous to try and do the search now since they can follow us. It would also put Ezekiel in danger."

"He won’t, Mine. My men are currently keeping him busy, buying us enough time," Nikolai reassured her yet again. "It will take him a considerable amount of time to track me down as we are now. Also, we’re almost at the mountain so brace yourself."

"Alright. Although, let’s just stop at a considerable distance from here," Mineah reminded him. "Just below the foot of the mountain will do, Lai."

Nikolai affirmed her suggestion, and they continued on with their journey as the mountain loomed ever closer with each second that passed.

"Why is Zoran still hunting you down, Lai," she curiously asked.

She wanted to know what the real deal was between him and her husband. She wasn’t aware of the whole story, unfortunately. She heard some reports about Zoran, but it was still better to know it from Nikolai himself.

Hearing her question, Nikolai let out a mouthful of a sigh before he answered, "He wants me dead, Mine. It’s because of Dahlia."

"I want to know more," Mineah further insisted. "Tell me everything, Lai."

For a second, a terse silence settled between them. Eventually, however, Nikolai responded by giving her a rundown of yet another story from his past

"Zoran and I grew up together. We’re like brothers, blood brothers, even. He’s a human who was gifted with powerful inner energy. He mastered everything through his own perseverance and hard work, and dare I say he’s really a born warlock," he began.

"Everything about us was great, but little did I know that when Dahlia arrived in our life, Zoran also harbored deep feelings toward her. I only found out about it when she died. Zoran tried everything to kill me then, but he failed since Father also never stopped protecting me despite the fact that I was ready to die in Zoran’s hands at the time."

Mineah softly hummed, signaling for Nikolai to continue his story.

"After his attempts, he left the kingdom knowing he won’t be able to harm and touch me so long as Father was the king," he promptly continued. "And then I found out that he had joined hands with the Demon King of Helion, Devon."

She winced as she heard how grave his voice had gotten. She could feel how down he was reminiscing about the man who was once a great friend and a brother to him.

"I felt so disheartened finding out that he turned to the dark side. I honestly blamed myself for that," he admitted. "Why did I let Zoran go on the wrong path? I should’ve stopped him, but I was too broken and in so much pain at the time that nothing else around me really mattered."

Mineah could feel how Nikolai’s chest constantly moved because of all the sighing that he was doing. So Zoran wanted to avenge Dahlia? Was that really it?

"What a stupid man. It’s not like Dahlia will come back to life if he kills you," she scoffed. "And besides, what happened to Dahlia isn’t your fault. It’s Rosela that he should’ve hunted down, but I guess it’s too late for him to do that now."

She hummed to herself as she then suggested, "Maybe you should have a secret meet-up with him and talk things out so he can know that Rosela’s the one responsible. It’s not too late to save your friendship and brotherhood. He just needs someone to knock some sense into him."

It might still be possible, after all. She felt bad that her husband’s friendship turned ugly because of a simple misunderstanding.

"I’m not sure, Mine. Zoran has already changed," Nikolai murmured. "Maybe later, I’ll try to communicate with him."

Mineah nodded at that. It was something, at least. If anything, something might happen that would let Nikolai and Zoran settle their differences.

"We’re here, Mine."

At Nikolai’s announcement, Mineah felt his arms wrap around her body as he shifted back into his human form. He was already carrying her, not even letting her get down on her own as they finally arrived.

"How come you’re not naked when you’re shifting back into your human form?" Mineah suddenly questioned.

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