AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Naya ran through and her pursuer grunted behind her. No doubt he was fighting off the branches trying to close-in from behind.
Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn’t see anything specific, but the dread that had begun to grow simmered away. If this was one of Papa’s tests, she was going to win. However, if this man was truly trying to harm the imperial princess, he would soon find out what a mistake that decision was.
Extending her will again, she directed the magic to lift her into the air, a few feet from the forest floor, and shoot her through the opening forest branches at a faster speed. She twisted in the air so she flew facing her pursuer and created a ball of light, sending it out so she could finally see him.
The blue orb bobbed behind her, lighting up the tangled branches on either side of them.
The Alpha’s face slowly illuminated, along with the rest of his body.
Naya’s dread returned, more terrifying than before.
His dark eyes struck her first. They shone with anger, indignation, and a disturbing enjoyment, as though he was taking pleasure in this chase and had no fear he was going to lose. He was huge—bigger than she’d imagined.
Long dark hair whipped behind him, propelled by each forceful step. A snarl twisted his mouth, baring gritted teeth in a squarish, bearded jaw. His nose was just a little too wide for his face, but it suited him.
Everything about him was charged with dark, sinister intent.
Naya swept down the passageway ahead of him, pushing harder to encourage the forest to close quicker behind her so he’d be caught in its branches. But he ran faster, his whole body in furious motion, face contorting with the effort. The way he moved was captivating. He was like a force unto himself, just as wild and natural and unstoppable as the forest magic itself. Naya could help but watch him, excitement infusing her fascination.
He slipped a hand down to his hip and then held something up in front of him.
Suddenly, her grip on magic slipped.
Her back slammed into a tree, a sickening crack shuddering through her body. Her breath tore out of her lungs and a sharp agony carved through her body. Dazed, Naya dropped down to her feet, trying to blink away the blur in her vision.
The Alpha approached her, his chest heaving. He lifted her chin and examined her face. Naya tried to push him away, but pain seized her. Her whole body felt like it had been battered repeatedly against a wall.
The darkness in his eyes deepened. “Hhe rimarta shti, tmot zmia.”
Naya frowned. That language didn’t sound familiar. Dizziness took hold of her and she blinked rapidly trying to clear it. He uncurled his hand to reveal a strange type of rock, and he continued murmuring.
The trees behind her disappeared and then she was falling.
Naya hit the ground. Heat enveloped her and a bright light seared her eyes. She squinted, groaning at the pain. Maybe she’d broken her ribs. Turning, she dug her fingers into the dirt to drag herself along the ground, away from her attacker, but her fingers burrowed into something hot and silky and smooth. She lifted a handful of dirt and watched gold spill through her fingers. Sand?
His massive hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her around onto her back. He stood over her, slightly shielding her from the bright light behind him. Sand and Light? Where was she?
Bending down slightly, he pressed an acrid-smelling cloth to her mouth, sending a sharp kick to the back of her throat.
Naya fought, clawing at his hand and trying to drag herself away along the sandy ground. But within moments she was choking, and the dizziness worsened until darkness rushed in.
CHAPTER SIX
Pain held her in its grip, joints stiff, limbs achy, torso shredded. Her head throbbed and her neck hurt. The pain was too severe to be from sparring or training. It felt like her whole body was screaming.
Naya cracked her eyes open and then widened them in shock.
She was suspended against a wall, her whole body pressed again it with her feet dangling and her elbows bent, arms by her head. Her robe and shoes had been taken, but she still wore her night tunic and undergarments. That was a relief.
Thick strips of fabric had been wrapped from her wrists to her elbows and around her neck, and another wide band of the same material had been wrapped around her upper torso and hips. The fabric pinned her against the wall but she couldn’t tell how.
Her memory of the man who’d chased her came rushing back. He had somehow taken her out of the forest and then drugged her.
She scanned her surroundings but it was too dark to see much of anything. A small ball of light flickered a few feet away in a strangely designed lantern carved with intricate patterns in an unusual style. It sat alone on a similarly designed wide table.
Wherever she was, it was too quiet. No wind or carriage wheels or voices; the air was warm and thick, like Vamore in summer. Maybe that’s where she was?
Peering at her forearms, she tried to examine the fabric. Bands were wrapped repeatedly but with no obvious tie-off that she could grip with her teeth. She pulled her arm away and found a powerful resistant force pulling on her arm to keep it in place. At the same time, the fabric tightened the farther away she pulled.
