"And one more thing. I really am Annan."
Annan guessed Black Pearl would not believe him that easily, so he revealed his identity to distract her.
"Don't insult my Annan!"
Black Pearl's roar blasted Annan's cheeks until they rippled and swept his hair back.
No one could insult Annan Reeves. Not even Annan Reeves himself!
Annan said nothing. Once the foul wind subsided, he quietly peeled the strip of flesh from his face and waved a Portal open.
The Guard on the other side was about to speak when he saw a Black Dragon clutching his lord. "Lord Annan, you're... uh... is this a new princess?"
"Besides me, who else could open a Portal to Free City whenever they liked?"
Annan could not even cast Mage Hand, but not even an Epic could open a Portal as effortlessly as he could.
Black Pearl said nothing, but her Vertical Pupils, each large enough to swallow Annan, and her dragon claws began to tremble.
She remembered her bold confession to Annan, the things she had said to him, and how rude she had looked...
"There, it's all right. I won't hate you for it." Annan stroked Black Pearl's claw, comforting her instead.
As he stroked it, he sensed a change in Black Pearl's gaze.
This isn't good. My tenderness is making Black Pearl want to play the Evil Dragon who carries off the prince.
Annan showed no awareness that he was still in her claws. He took out a Summoning Crystal and toyed with it. "Black Pearl, there's no Anti-Magic Field here."
Black Pearl wavered. Whether in the past or in the future, she would hardly ever get a chance this good again—one with Annan held tight in her claws.
Annan's tempting whisper came then. "Want to come back to Free City