Hey peeps! Sorry it's taken so long to update this, I've been kinda brain frozen!! But finally, I thawed!! Yes!! Anyway, here it is, Chapter 23 - Sweet Seduction. (P.S. not smut!! So don't worry!!) Um, hope you enjoy!! And roll. . .

Chapter 23: Sweet Seduction

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Krystel wandered the gardens once more, searching for something to do. It had been a week since the incident with Gaeina, and though her wounds were healed, the feeling of hesitation still surrounded her. No one knew whom to trust anymore. Suspicion lurked in the eyes of every individual in the palace. No one had heard from Dezir or his army throughout the week, so uncertainty lay like a blanket over the moods of the people of Fanelia.

The same feelings crept through Krystel as she drifted through the trees, into the forest. She was heading for the stream. Reaching its trickling waters, Krystel sat down on the grassy bank, as thoughts of Dezir passed through her mind.

He was a strange character. There was a certain something about him though. Something that made her want to find out more. When he had held her prisoner, he had treated her differently, as if she were special. To him. Could he know about the amulet, or maybe her Draconian heritage. Whatever it was, Krystel just knew he was hiding something. But what??

So deeply encased in her thoughts was Krystel, she never heard the footsteps behind her. But when a hand grabbed her shoulder, she snapped out of it quickly enough. Leaping to her feet, she whacked the hand off her. Turning to face her assailant, Krystel gasped.

'Scaloss' she hissed, hate and fear burning through her.

'My dearest Krystel,' the wizard mocked, 'aren't you happy to see me?' He chuckled as she snarled at him.

'Get away from me, Scaloss.' she whispered. He just smiled, taking a step towards her.

'But my dear, Dezir has asked for you. And well, it's my duty to bring him want he wants. And he wants you, now!' he laughed as he sprung forward, much faster than someone of his apparent age should have been capable to. Grabbing her around the throat, enveloping her mouth in his hand to silence her, he whispered in her ear.

'Say - bye bye!' he said, and he disappeared in a puff of purple smoke, taking Krystel with him.

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Dezir paced around the cave. What was taking so long! What was he thinking, trusting Scaloss to get her? Who knows what might have happened! He needed Krystel badly for what he was about to do. It would change his life, and hers. Now all he needed was her! He was just about to leave in search of them, when Scaloss appeared behind him. Holding Krystel.

God, she was beautiful. Her hair rained down her back in golden curls, emerald eyes sparkling with fear as Scaloss held her silent. Her pale skin was flushed, and her long, white dress swished as she struggled. She looked stunning, and Dezir could barely take his eyes off her, until Scaloss called him out of his lustful daydream.

'Master, if you don't mind me saying, this is really not the time. If we could, perhaps, proceed . . ?' he mocked, chuckling at the boy's reaction to the struggling beauty in his arms. Ah, sweet seduction, the wizard thought. Seeing the look on the old sorcerer's face, Dezir coughed abruptly, embarrassed, and glared at Scaloss.

'Um, yes, quite. If you could leave us for the time being. Your help is not needed, just yet.' he hissed, and Scaloss released Krystel, taking his leave of the cave. Krystel just stood there, frightened, but determined not to show it, as Dezir sat down on a boulder.

'Why have you brought me here? What do you want this time?' Krystel whispered. For some reason, she wasn't angry with him, just curious. She could see he meant her no harm, but why else would she be here? Dezir sighed.

'Krystel, please, sit down. I . . . I need to talk to you.' he looked at the floor as he said it. For some reason, he was being kind, almost gentle. And so Krystel sat, opposite him, on another boulder.

'Dezir, what is this. We're supposed to be at war, and yet, you wish to talk with me?' she said softly, encouraging him to talk.

'As you can probably tell, this is rather awkward for me, so if you could do me the favour of not saying anything as I say this?' he said. Krystel just nodded. This was all somewhat odd, though, she thought.

'Since the day we first met, I always thought there was something about you.' Dezir talked on, as Krystel listened. 'You, were different. But I never knew what that something was, until the time I kidnapped you. One night, I was just sitting there, watching you sleep,' Krystel was quite surprised at this. He watched her sleep? ' when all of a sudden . . . your wings burst out.' He paused, watched Krystel's shocked reaction. 'Yes, I know about that.' But Krystel frowned.

'That's not why I'm here though, is it?' she asked curiously. Another sighed issued from Dezir.

'No. No, that's not why you're here. Krystel, when your wings came forth, I saw the pain, the pain you were in,' he muttered as he got up, and knelt in front of her. ' and seeing you like that, well, it hurt me too. I cared that you were hurt. I don't know why. I've never cared for anyone, except . . .' he trailed off, sadness looming deep in his eyes. But he turned back to her abruptly, shaking away whatever memories had caught his mind.

'But . . ?' Krystel asked, afraid of what was to come.

'Krystel, I hardly know you, and yet, I feel for you. I . . . I think I love you, Krystel.' Krystel gasped as Dezir took her hand. She stood up, backing away slowly, tears filling her eyes.

'Dezir I can't. I love Leon, he's the only one for me. We could never be together! Can't you see. You can't believe what you're saying!' she cried as Dezir came closer and closer to her. She had backed right up against the wall - there was no escape. Dezir bent towards her.

'Krystel, I love you.' he whispered, as he gazed into her glistening emerald eyes with his deep, dark amethyst ones. Krystel's answer was hardly above a whisper.

'But Dezir, I can't . . . I, I don't love you. I don't love you.' she said, as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

When Dezir backed away, what Krystel saw was certainly not what she had expected. He was smiling. But it was a sad smile. He turned away from her.

'Scaloss,' he called, still smiling, ' now please!' He turned to face Krystel once more. 'Krystel, my love, I knew it would be like this. But don't worry, it'll all work out, you'll see. A few weeks under the spell, and you'll never remember who Leon was. It'll just be me and you.' He must have gone mad, Krystel thought. And what spell? Now Krystel was frightened.

At that moment, Scaloss reappeared, carrying a large book in his bony hands. Suddenly, Dezir held Krystel fast against the wall. But Scaloss shook his head.

'Now now, Dezir, no need to be rough!' With a flick of his hand, Krystel was flung to the center of the room by magic, and found she couldn't move. She stood stock still in the middle of the cave, as if frozen, as Scaloss poured a circle of purple sand around her.

As the circle was completed, Scaloss stepped away, taking up his book once more. Ushering Dezir into the corner of the room, and out of his way, he began chanting. Foreign words escaped his lips, and their sound weaved itself around the cave. Smoke issued from the sand around Krystel, as the spell continued.

All the while, all Krystel could think about was Leon. This spell would make her fall in love with Dezir, and forget Leon. She would probably never see him again. Even if she did, she wouldn't know him. That would break Leon's heart. Oh Leon! A sudden tingle on her finger made her look down. It was the promise ring Leon had given her. It was reacting for some reason.

As the spell reached its peak, the ring grew hotter and hotter. The frozen feeling coming over her was slowly vanishing. She could move her hand, now her arm. Maybe she could get away somehow. Scaloss was chanting louder and louder. Purple light surrounded him, and his hand, outstretched towards Krystel, was glowing brightly with the magical radiance. Suddenly, the light formed a great shining ball in his hand, and with great force, he flung it at Krystel. Krystel raised her one free arm in an effort to shield herself, as she cried out.

'Nooooooo! Leon!!' she yelled, as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. But something happened. All the light, the power, the magic, all of it flew in a straight beam, towards the ring. It was absorbing the energy. The ring shone bright purple light, which slowly changed to bright sea blue. 'Leon!! she cried once more, as a blue pillar of light surrounded her, and started to lift her off the ground.

Dezir didn't understand. How could she? He needed her, and she didn't care. He watched her rise ever so slowly up the beam with tears in his eyes.

'Krystel??' he whispered. No, this couldn't be happening. It had all gone so well. Why couldn't she understand? Why?? It wasn't fair. Dezir crossed the room and stepped up to the beam. He tried to reach into it and grab Krystel, but found he couldn't. She was going to go, and there was nothing he could do.

Krystel looked down at Dezir as she floated away. Although she was relieved the spell hadn't worked, she couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. After all, he had said he loved her. There had been sadness in his eyes when he said it though. He's lost someone before, she thought to herself. Wishing there was something she could do, she reached out to Dezir. But she was at the ceiling of the cave, in which the beam had made a large hole, and couldn't reach him.

'I'm sorry Dezir.' she murmured, and disappeared up the beam.

As Dezir stood with a heavy heart, watching Krystel go, Scaloss stood in the corner of the cave. He was not happy at the turn of events. In fact, he was fuming. Shaking with anger, he growled to himself at the young king's mistake. How could he have forgotten the ring? Once someone promises their love to someone, no spell or enchantment can break it. Only the person who promised their love can take it away. Didn't he no that?! Foolish boy. Still, he had been useful so far. The plan was almost complete, and everything was in place. Soon, it would all be over. Very soon.

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Well, wadda ya think?! Not bad eh? 6 and a half A4 pages, not bad. More that I had planned. Still! That was rather sweet of Dezir wasn't it?! I wonder what he's hiding eh? And what about Scaloss?! That was all quite suspicious if you ask me!! But then, I am the author of the story, so I guess I'd know!! Anyways, next chappy's on its way - Chapter 24: Rematch - Dezir and Leon duel it out, and a secret is solved. Gonna be short though. Ah well, see ya next time. Peace, love and happy writings!! Love Alex360 ^____^!!!