AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hurry!” I say to Tia, running back through the castle, out the front doors, and around to the clearing under our bedroom windows.
The vines are no longer climbing up the tower. They slither across the grass, out of sight to the other side of the castle. We tread carefully, following them but not getting too close. They seem restless. Ready to lash out at any moment.
“There,” I shout, pointing toward the mass of vines beating themselves against the outer wall of the castle. “Where is that?”
“I believe that is somewhere in the dungeon. Not the main part, though, that’s over there.” Tia points further down the wall.
“Good enough. We have a direction.”
Going back around to the front will take too much time. The quickest way is through the courtyard where Nyx and I had the snowball fight. I run for it without stopping and rip through the bushes, ignoring the skin being torn from my arms. Even when I reach the other side, I don’t stop. I curse as I jiggle the handle.
Locked.
I turn and grab a massive rock and throw it through the window. I don’t even bother brushing away the sharper pieces and climb through the window.
“Felix, you are bleeding all over the place.” I don’t have time for the female’s worry. My Nyx needs me.
My feet pound down the stairs to the cold, damp dungeon. Elani and Keryth cry out for help. Their thin, filthy arms reaching through the bars, determined to stop me from reaching my goal. One of them grasps onto my shirt and I quickly break their arm to force them to let go. Their shrieks pierce the air, but it only fuels my anger and need to move faster.
How dare he take her down here in this filth? She is far too beautiful for this world and doesn’t deserve to be here. His head will decorate my fireplace for his infraction. And his body will be ripped apart piece by piece and used as fertilizer for the fields that feed the people.
A soft whimper catches my attention. It’s her. She’s here. I found her.
I throw the door open and nearly weep at the sight before me. That cruel mother fucker has stripped her bare and has her suspended by her wrist.
“My, Nyx,” I breath in disbelief.
“Isn’t she stunning?” Dominic’s whiny voice comes from the shadows. “This is how she is meant to be. I had her like this for years. At my mercy. In this very cell.”
“You are the reason for all of her scars!” I seethe.
“Oh yes. But unfortunately, she got away from me before I could finish what I started. I will finish it and own her in every way possible.” It’s almost like he doesn’t realize who he is talking to. Or that he is talking to someone other than himself. “Do you see the white hair? Do you know what it means?” He pauses, watching me for recognition. But he mistakes me for someone who wants to listen to his insanity. “That’s right. She is the lost princess. And she is all mine. Alina is mine!”
Fucking done with his theatrics, I rush him and punch with all of my pent-up anger and fear. His head snaps to the side, and he crumbles to the floor. I am actually disappointed how easy that way. I wanted a fight. To kill him as his screams are heard in every part of the Kingdom.
I lift him by his shirt, but Tia’s hands cover him.
“She needs you.”
I drop the idiot and run to my woman. Carefully, I lift her thin body and remove the ropes from her wrist. I sit, placing her in my lap. She seems so small like this. So fragile.
“Nyx…” She doesn’t answer. “Nyx.” I try louder. But her eyes remain closed. “Please, Hellcat.” I place my hand over her heart just in time to feel the final thump. “No! NO! NO!” Panic seizes me. “NO!” I roar. “You can’t be gone. I just found you! Please, Little Thief. Nyx. MY Nyx. Please don’t leave me.” Her beautiful face blurs with my tears. I failed her. She counted on me, and I failed her.
My beautiful, violent woman is limp in my arms because I couldn’t do what I promised. I couldn’t protect her from the monsters of my race. But then Dominic’s words start filtering in. Alina? I finally notice her hair. It is white. The King had a daughter, after all. But how is she still alive after all these years?
He fed from her over and over again. He changed her! But, no, she doesn’t have fangs. Unless she never completed the change. There is hope.
I tear my teeth through my wrist and force Nyx’s mouth open, letting my blood fill it. I work her throat, trying to get some of it down into her system. It has to work. It has to! I know this probably isn’t what she wants. She hates the Keryth so much. But that is something we will face together.
“You know, Little Thief, back at that inn, I was in awe of you. They way you silently entered all the way on the third floor. Amazing.” Her hand moves and my heart jerks with it. “I love your violence. It’s a work of art how you extract justice.” Her lips curl around my wrist and she drinks from me all on her own. I smile through the tears and brush the hair away from her face. “One day I hope to be lucky enough to be in your webs and at your mercy. It would be so beautiful.”
She lets go of my wrist, her back arches off my lap, and an ear-piercing scream rips from her body. I hold on tight so she doesn’t hurt herself. But luckily it doesn’t last long. Her eyes pop open and latch onto me with a hunger that has my blood thrumming with anticipation.
“Take what you need, my love. Take it all if you must,” I whisper to the gorgeous beast before me.
She tilts her head in consideration. Eyeing me warily. But then she smiles and I am once again left speechless by her. I open my arms as leaps onto me. I groan as her small fangs pierce my neck. She is greedy at first, but then that delicious moan I thought I would never hear again vibrates against my skin. And fresh tears flow down my face.
I cup the back of her head and hold her in place, comforting her, letting her know it is okay.
