95 TAKE ME WITH YOU

"I-I beg your pardon. Can you say that again, please?" Raigon stuttered as he asked Zoe to repeat her request. Or should he say, 'command'?

"TAKE ME WITH YOU," Zoe drawled on every word so Raigon could understand it. 

She was composed and determined as she said it. Even though within the walls of her brain was a boxing ring where a heated debate was happening whether to push forward with her bold decision or not.

'Are you crazy, Zoe Cheng? The man just told you that his homeland is a terrorist zone. Do you want the boodle fight to be your last supper?'

'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to know about your past. Besides, this man will certainly take you under his wings no matter what you encounter along the road.'

'But God has already given you a lot of good fortune to live again. During that day when your mom and dad died, you were spared. And even just under the waters a few days ago. Why would you risk your third lucky break now?'

'Would you continue to live with regrets or die without one?'

The last thought made an impact on her heart. What's the sense of living anyway? She had no parents to live for. She had accomplished what she wanted. 

Yes, she could do more. Yes, she had new friends or potential love interest and tried out new experiences she never had when her nose was on her books. But she couldn't be free to do all those things until she cut herself loose from her haunting past. 

Zoe sucked in a lungful of air. Even though her heart was pumping wildly against her chest, she repeated what she said.

She stared at Raigon who dropped his bag and outstared her in a horrified look. Hearing his catastrophic account a while ago, she understood why he would look that way regarding her request.

But she didn't know that it was more than that, as Raigon contemplated on whether to pass phase two or not.

He would risk her life, lose his household and crown, and expose the city to danger if he would agree with her! Except if no one would see her, which only has a 1% slot of probability. 

Raigon turned his back and walked away. 

Zoe's shoulders drooped as she watched him faint out of her craved decision. Or so she thought. 

Raigon stopped walking and put his hands up in the air and rested his head behind his palms. It seemed that he was just pacing so he could ruminate better on what to do with her.

She tried to help him out by stepping forward and coming closer to him. But she was still a few feet away. 

"You want to earn my trust, am I right?" She spoke from behind him in a soft voice that will not disturb anyone who will happen to pass by but loud enough for him to catch on.

Raigon heard it loud and clear. 'She was right. I would not trust anyone who could not disclose her identity either. Besides, this is an opportunity for us to test the waters if I could really be with her in my territory.' 

After a few minutes which seemed like forever for Zoe, Raigon finally dropped his arms. Drops of sweat formed on Zoe's forehead as he pivoted to approach her again. It seemed like he has already made a conclusion as he advanced towards her in an unperturbed manner. Zoe gulped in anticipation. 

Raigon drew a little too close as he was just a few inches away, towering over her with the colossal height that he has. He seemed to intimidate her with his proximity as he stared at her with his dark blue fiery eyes.

"You know how dangerous it is to be with me," He probed on her resolution with a rich and sultry voice.

"Yes, I know. And I'm ready for the consequences." Zoe defiantly answered as she placed her hands on her ample waist. She would not back down. She has undergone too much to be swayed. And she was not the coward and misery-stricken little girl anymore.

"You're also risking my entity, my family, and my city, you know," He continued to grill on her, trying to disturb her inner peace as he gently put a wisp of her lustrous hair that was swept by the evening breeze behind her ears.

But Zoe didn't flinch. She gazed at him without batting an eyelash. "You have fenced yourself, your loved ones, and your city from harm for fifteen long years. You kept an eye on yourself for me during your phase one. I know you will and can protect all of us."

Raigon was taken aback by her abrupt and heart-piercing response. Even though he knows that Zoe was just defending her choice, it was the most gratifying remark he has heard from anyone. His ears have never heard of anything that complimented his effort to stand guard for them for fifteen years, not even his own relatives. And no one has ever told him that she trusted him to secure hers and others' lives.

But he will not allow Zoe to have her way just yet. He still has one more thing to ask her.

He raised up his fingers and tilted her chin up so he could see her face clearly under the light of the full moon.

"You trust me now? It will be easy for you then to obey my one condition before taking you with me." 

Zoe passively lifted her chin to look at his face under the moonlight. With his facial features revealing his determined conclusion, he seemed to be bent on the idea of that one condition. And if she will not oblige, she will lose this chance of a lifetime completely.

"What is it?" She breathed in a whisper. 

Raigon wasted no time and answered her abruptly as he put his mouth near her ears sending shivers down her spine. "As long as you are in my land, you will do EVERYTHING I command you to do."

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Take the risk or lose the chance.

It's only one or the other.

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