Smitten

"Wow, I must be in paradise!" The female human exclaimed as she peeked below.

Her brown, round eyes gleamed in wonder as they beheld the beauty of the mythical land underneath them.

The land boasted of a marriage of rainbow hues, congregated in the greens. Flowers that she must have never seen before bloomed in different corners, cascading a large painting in the soil.

Everything seemed to be moving, alive and vibrant, thanking God for creating them as they are.

The waters were crystal clear, revealing the beauty of the ocean floor. Sea creatures as large as whales and sharks could be seen from underneath, making her squeal in delight.

King Leandro and the lady were on their way to the Castle. It was already late in the afternoon. It was safer and speedier if they would ride Draco.

Draco was the King's favorite of the Dracus species. Dracuses were huge serpentine creatures with flaring heads and a huge tail, which they often use when they need to travel at a quick pace.

It was her first time to set foot in the land of Gaea. He doesn't want to scare her away. Traveling on land was too dangerous for her.

There were creatures that could mistake her for a meal. Other species might treat her as an enemy.

However, it was too late when he realized that the lady was too frisky, like a child who was in a new playground.

He wouldn't know if he would get angry or amused.

Getting out of balance while riding a Dracus could kill anyone.

And she was not an immortal.

But he finds her reaction charming as well.

Or maybe he was just so used to Gaea that he already lost the desire to admire its beauty.

He was more enamored with the foreign attraction in front of him.

"Watch it. You're still not used to riding a Dracus," King Leandro growled, making her return to her previous position in a flash of lightning.

As she did so, her head bumped with his chest in a loud thud.

"I'm sorry, your Majesty," she apologized as she massaged her head.

Then she grinned at him in a sheepish smile, softening his countenance. He couldn't help but gaze at her.

The moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew that she would be The Chosen One.

His heart thumped like a hammer, banging on his chest. It was a feeling that he has never felt with other creatures before.

The Great Theos said that he would know her immediately. He would be smitten with her.

He was just wondering why she would appear at such a time like this. He has a lot of tasks at hand!

As much as he wanted to control it, he knew that his face couldn't hide the fact that he was captivated with her.

She was a little smaller in size compared to him. But she has a perfect body figure, just as he imagined.

She has long black silky hair, but they didn't manage to cover her beautiful curves, her porcelain complexion and her pretty face.

He would never forget how she looked the first time he saw her. She looked so pure and innocent.

His big powerful hand went to her petite waist, pulling her up to a more stable position, the one nearer the head of the Dracus.

"Stay still!" he ordered her in his authoritative voice as his brawny hands reached for her shapely waist.

It seemed that she didn't mind as she replied, "I'm just bewitched, your Majesty," she continued to explain as her eyes continued to dwell in the majestic land design further down.

But her head was not peeking down anymore. Perhaps she was now aware of the danger her naughty habits might bring her.

She pulled her wavy hair to her side as she babbled on, "I've been to different picturesque islands. But this is the crème of the crop. Where exactly am I? Is this a magical land? Am I dead? Am I in heaven? Or in hell? Or in between?"

He wanted to snicker at her wild imagination. But he understood. She just came out of a life and death situation.

He cleared his throat as he explained in his deep orotund voice, "You are not dead. You are in The Kingdom of Gaea, milady. It is a hidden realm on earth where no humans have ever entered."

It was true. She was the first human to have stepped foot on Gaea. Or rather, the first human that the Great Theos allowed entering.

Gaea is a magical land where humans who have no supernatural powers could not thrive. That is mainly the reason why humans aren't allowed to enter.

She must have contemplated that too as she asked, "Oh! But why am I here?" Her round eyes widened in surprise.

He clamped his lips as he thought about whether he would answer that one or not. How could he tell her that she was destined to breed his offsprings?

He decided that he would just allow Theos to talk to her. "You will know about it soon, milady."

"I hope I won't be a slave or anything like that. To be honest, I really want to go back," she sighed, her lips went downward.

"Should you have died then?" King Leandro answered her, with a slightly softer tone than his usual dark and foreboding voice, distracting her from her thoughts.

His voice had a hint of sadness in it.

Her doll-like eyes widened in response. "Oh right, I was supposed to die." Her finger flew to her jaw-dropped mouth.

Then her face suddenly went pale. She looked like she was reliving her traumatic experience underwater as she held on to her neck like something was choking her.

Anxiety glinted in his eyes as he saw what was happening to her.

In a flash of lightning, his huge hand held on both her temples, allowing his healing energy to flow through her.

As he did so, it seemed like the constriction subsided, making her breath normally again.

"T-thank you, your Majesty. By the way, I'm Aisha," she uttered with a smile of gratitude as soon as she regained her normal self.

"Aisha," he repeated to himself. Such a lovely name for an equally lovely lady. A corner of his lips curved up.

He wasn't used to saying his name to anyone. But he didn't know why at that moment, it just seemed natural for him to introduce himself.

"I'm Leandro. But the creatures here call me the King," he responded, though his tone was still commanding of anyone's submission to his authority.

Since he was at her back, she swiveled, so she could shake his hand

As she did so, she didn't realize that she was so close to him.

Since she was sitting on the neck part of the Dracus, their heads almost collided with each other. His soft plum lips almost touched hers.

King Leandro's heart beat as fast as the galloping horse that suddenly was loosened from its tight reign.

Her pink lips looked so soft and irresistible. He couldn't stop himself from craving to press his lips to them.

He drew near to her and was about to do his uncontrollable desire when Theos called out to him, "King Leandro."

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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched.

They must be felt with the heart.