Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 120974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120974 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
But it does me no good to stand around imagining the joyful results of my dangerous quest—I must embark on the quest first in order to reach the happy ending. I am about to step out of the shadows and confront the beast when his deep, rumbling voice speaks.
“I know you’re there, Princess,” he says. “I can smell you from here.”
3
VALEN
I smell her long before I see her. Her scent—rich and feminine but also laced with the sharp spark of magic that defines the Royal family of Theravan—teases my sensitive nose. But I smell more on her—I’ve been locked up here for so long, I’ve forgotten what the outdoors smells like, but this princess brings it with her.
Perhaps she’s been wandering in the meadows and forests outside the castle—free as the air since she has no chains upon her, holding her down. Perhaps she’s simply been standing out on a balcony, taking in the sunshine while a breeze swirled through her hair, caressing her face with a taste of freedom. She is able to come and go as she pleases for no chains bind her and no manacles hold her in place.
Gods, how I hate her.
I hate them all—the whole fucking Royal family of Therevan! Ever since Prince Kellis drugged me and put this fucking magic collar on me, I’ve been trapped. He’s kept me locked in his dungeon for what feels like an eternity, and I’ve had nothing better to do than to try and escape and plot his demise once I do.
But the magic of their family is too strong. It’s one reason my people stay well clear of Theravan—the Royal Family has always been dangerously powerful, and this princess is even stronger than the prince who captured me. My nose can detect it easily, for the sharp scent of magic stings my nose as she draws closer to me.
“Show yourself, Princess!” I snarl, daring her to appear from the shadows. “Why do you hide? Do you fear me? Because you fucking should!”
My words seem to prod her to action for at last she emerges from behind the pillar where she was hiding.
She steps into the light and my breath catches in my throat. She’s tall for a female—though still quite short compared to me—and she has luscious curves. Her full breasts are on display in the silver-green gown she wears and her waist dips in and then flares out again into wide hips, perfect for gripping. I can’t help envisioning thick thighs under her skirts as well, just made to wrap around a male’s head.
Her eyes are the same disarming shade as her dress—a poisonous silver-green—and long golden-brown hair cascades around her shoulders.
Her beauty only makes me hate her more.
“What do you want down here in the dungeon, little Princess?” I rasp, for my throat is suddenly dry. It’s been so long since I drank from a female and her scent torments me—makes my fangs itch and throb with the desire to sink into her flesh and taste her sweet blood.
She lifts her chin and takes another step towards me. I can tell she’s trying not to show her fear, but she might as well save the effort—I can smell it all over her—she’s terrified and yet she’s not running away for some reason.
“I have come to command you,” she says and her voice is surprisingly low for a female and quite musical.
“Command me to do what?” I ask flatly. What does she think she’s playing at? “I’m fucking chained to the wall,” I point out to her. “Command all you want, sweetheart—I can’t do a fucking thing.”
She doesn’t answer in words—instead, she raises her hand and I see two things. First, she’s wearing a thick silver ring on her forefinger—just looking at it makes the collar around my neck flex like a live thing. Second, she’s holding a silver key—the key to my freedom.
“I have come to command you,” she says again. “And you will obey me.”
I stare down at her.
“That remains to be seen but you have my attention,” I tell her, my voice coming out in a hoarse growl. “Now what the fuck do you want?”
4
IRENA
“What the fuck do you want?” he growls in that deep, guttural voice and for a moment, my breath catches in my throat and I can’t answer. He’s so big—so overwhelming. Even chained, his power leaves me breathless and his eyes—glowing like two angry red coals—glare down at me through his tangled black hair.
I feel as though I have a lump of cold lead in my stomach and my palms are sweating but I must continue—how can I tame him if I can’t even master myself?
Gathering my courage, I look up at him.
“I want you to bear me on your back across the Poison Desert, all the way to the stronghold of the Sorceress of Thornmere Forest,” I say in a rush.