The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 147. Stubborn.

Chapter 147: 147. Stubborn.

{A day after Barak returned from the battle with the orcs.}

"Why in hell would you want to see the orcs?" Barak asked for the umpteenth time. "Do you even understand what you are saying Neriah?" She had been frustrating him all because she wanted to see the orcs that they had brought back with them and were holding prisoners.

"All I ask is to see an orc with my own two eyes. How hard can it be?!" She followed behind him like a spoiled five year old throwing a tantrum. She had been on his neck all through the day and just because Reg had let the information slip out of her mouth. He thought she would quit eventually, but she was persistent! She had been following him around all day long!

"Neriah, listen to me. The orcs are not creatures for a lady’s eyes. Especially not a princess who happens to be my wife." He said as he picked a book from the shelves that held hundreds of books, only to place it back because he could not remember why he had picked up the book in the first place!

Hell, why was he even in the library?!

"Oh please do not give me that excuse! Your dear best friend is a Lady! And yet she followed you to the battle and she has seen the orcs so why can’t I?" She pointed out with both her hands akimbo and her neck pushed forward, defiantly waiting for his answer.

Barak could not believe she just compared a commander to a princess! "Neriah, can you just listen to yourself?" He pinched the space between his eyes as he stared, trying to calm himself. "Regina is a commander. She is a warrior at heart and mind. She was born a warrior and has fought countless battles. She has faced and fought many beasts far worse than orcs. You are a princess for Narcissus’ sake. A princess..." He paused and stared at her with a little amused and muffled laugh.

"The only beastly thing you have ever really had to fight is me." He said and as her eyes and mouth opened in a shocked but silent gasp, he fought heaven and hell to hold back his laugh.

He was telling the truth though, she had been pampered and secured all her life. She had never really faced any threat to her normal daily life except for him. He was the only thing she had had to fight... And she did so vehemently.

"You are crazy to compare a princess to a warrior." He concluded, hoping this would end the entire thing, but it was just wishful thinking.

"You take that back! You take that back right now!" She walked toward him and poked his chest. "You are not the only wicked thing I have had to fight off! Have you forgotten those beasts inside that accursed forest back in Avelah? What would you call that?!" She was all up in his face, the little woman.

Indeed,he had forgotten that incident, but if he was recalling correctly then, "I remember all you did was run and then cry while crouched on the ground. I was the one who fought them." Again, her eyes and mouth opened with disbelief! And this time, he could not hold it back, he laughed.

"Hmph!" She turned away from him with a pout.

He moved closer to her and touched his chest with her back, wrapping his hands around her body. "There now, my Spitfire..." He purred into the air and all she did to resist his hold was another hmph and the rolling of her eyes.

"You should know that somethings are better left upon the pages of your books. If you want, I can tell you more about the orcs and how this husband of yours slayed tens of them." He boasted and again she rolled her eyes.

"I can even tell you about other beasts I am certain you have never even heard of." Gently, he turned her in his arms and her eyes remained at his chest. He placed a hand under her chin and lifted her head to meet his gaze. But her eyes refused to turn to him.

"But," His voice became a low guttural growl and slowly, her eyes turned and they touched his. "I cannot put you in danger by bringing you anywhere close to them just to feed your curious mind." He was serious. She could see it.

The laughter in his eyes had vanished, all she could see was stern superiority mixed with something... something warm, but not yielding.

"Ask anything else," He said and his hand on her chin moved to her cheek and stroked the side of her face as he spoke, "anything within and outside my power and I shall give it..." He paused and the corner of his lips rose as he added, "as long as it is reasonable." and she eyed him wickedly.

"I do not want to hear of this again. You are not going anywhere near those beasts." His words were final and authoritative. She could not remember any time when he had spoken to her in a tone that he used with his knights. So she knew he was dead serious. He really was not going to allow her see it.

"Now, I heard Barni has been looking for you." His smile returned. "Why don’t you go have some brother and sister time with him, while I try to remember why I came into this library in the first place."

At that moment, Neriah decided in her head. He was stubborn, but she was twice as stubborn as he. That very thing he didn’t want her to do, she was going to do it! Only difference was she would not ask for his permission this time around. She would find her own way there.

By any means possible, she would satisfy her curiosity! And more importantly, she would defy his orders! Because she was not one of his men that he would give orders to!