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It’sgrowling. That fact alone makes me smile. Maybe living in my dream world is not such a bad thing. It’s been years since I was actually hungry. Anytime I eat, it’s because I have to force myself to choke down whatever bland food I have in my apartment at the time.
“You said you were waiting for me? Care to elaborate?”
“Ahh, yes. A prophecy was delivered recently; speaks of a fiery woman who will come from another world and will finalize my seat on the throne.”
“So it’s a prophecy about you?”
He chuckles, “Yes. I believe it is about me.”
“And you believe I am that woman?”Interesting plot twist, imagination.
“How can you not be? Your fiery hair, fierce eyes, and mode of arrival all speak to that truth.”
Fierce eyes, huh?“What do you mean she will finalize your seat on the throne?”
“It is believed that she is the missing piece, the one true queen who will help to unite the realm under the current hostile conditions. I believe that she is to be feared; that none will risk crossing her.”
I snort. “I think you have the wrong person,” I reply, dryly. “I’ve never scared anyone in my entire life. Unless, of course, you count the orphanage director and the plastic snake I snuck into her bed.”
“Orphanage director?” he asks curiously.
“I never knew my family.”
He stops walking and turns to me. “You don’t have a family?” Brow furrowed, the guy looks genuinely distressed.
“I’m sure I have one somewhere, but they didn’t need or want me.” The pain is fresh, despite me being in my twenties. It took me a long time to validate myself—to see that I was worthy of affection despite being abandoned as an infant.
I never knew my family, never knew of them, and after one failed adoption following another, I stopped trying to fit in. Stopped trying to be what I thought the families wanted.
“That is…upsetting. How alone you must have been.” Reaching forward, he trails a slender finger over my cheek. The contact is cold, and not at all comforting as I’m sure he’d hoped it would be. “Family is so very important. I wouldn’t be where I am without mine.”
Clearing my throat, I fight the urge to shove his hand away. “I managed.”
Taranus smiles, showing off perfectly straight, white teeth. “Of course, you did. I could sense your strength—your spark—the moment Conary brought you inside the castle walls.”
We resume walking, taking the stairs slowly as if we have all the time in the world. “Have you been king long?”
“No. The world was in a great war that lasted human centuries. There were those who believed they were worthy of the throne, and it took me quite some time to claim my rightful spot.”
“What made you worthy?” The words are out of my mouth, slipping right past my already fraying filter before I can stop them. “I’m sorry, that came out rude.”
“A valid inquiry, my dear.” Taranus chuckles. “I am worthy because I was born to rule this realm and all those who live in it. None can maintain the peace that I can.” After reaching the top of the stairway, we head down a long hall, stopping just before a large, golden door.
I’m not super short at five foot eight, but this thing towers over me. Taller by at least five feet. Taranus’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder, gripping me lightly. “We will speak of all things, I assure you. But for now, enjoy the food we brought up for you, soak in the bath, and rest. I will come retrieve you prior to dinner.”
We couldn’t have been walking for more than five minutes, so when I shove open the door and am greeted with a warm, welcoming bedroom with a tray of what smells like freshly roasted meat, still-warm bread, and cheese, I can’t help but stand in the doorway and gape.
Then, I remember how the man literally disappeared in front of my face and that this is a dream, soof course, the room is ready for me. I step inside and close the door behind me, immediately taking a moment to drink in the plush space.
A huge window opens to the outside, letting in a steady breeze that sends the curtains floating away from it. The large bed is covered in a beautiful green comforter with golden leaves adorning it. But it’s the food that really draws my attention. Or, rather, my body’s reaction.
My stomach growls again, so I step closer and take a seat in the high-backed chair directly in front of the small table boasting the tray. It’s hard to describe how much I’ve missed food over the last few years. Eventually, after the first couple of times it sent me spiraling into the toilet, I convinced myself that I stopped craving it.
But the truth is I never did.
Carefully lifting a piece of bread, I bring it to my lips and nibble off a small taste. My stomach doesn’t clench in response, so I take another bite and then another. The fresh-baked bread eases some of my hunger.
Setting it to the side, I use a fork to bring some meat to my mouth. Flavor explodes on my tongue, the smoky deliciousness so much more than I’ve had in the last half-decade. If this is a dream, kudos to my freaking imagination because this is delicious.
