AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We failed to protect you. The undead shouldneverhave been able to reach you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Tarron. How was anyone supposed to predict that would happen? Your men did their very best. Kharuk is…” I remember seeing him get carried away, his armor pierced through in the chest area, a small trickle of blood coming from the wound.
But he was alive. I saw his eyes, open and filled with awe.
“He’s alive,” Tarron says solemnly. “The tree—yourtree—did something to him. Staunched the bleeding with little fines. He’s with the physicians as we speak. They reckon he’ll live.”
Relief surges through me. “When he’s well enough to talk, please convey my gratitude. He risked his life to protect me. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I’ll go and visit him myself… er, when I can.” I try to move my arms, but the tree simply tightens its grip on me—as if I’m a precious object that it doesn’t want to ever let go.
“I reckon he’d appreciate that. Just don’t stay up there too long, all right? I don’t want His Highness to tear me a new one because his betrothed has gotten stuck in a giant tree.”
I laugh; I can’t help it. The ridiculousness of it all is just too much. “You have nothing to worry about. Corvan won’t be mad. He’s seen worse.”
The faint blush on the horizon turns into a warm orange glow.
The sun is rising in the east.
My body is tingling all over, filled with wild, dancing energy.
I feel like I could lift the entire world.
Soon, the whole world is going to see me; an anomaly, an oddity, an baron’s daughter from Ruen—unladylike and outspoken—who fell into the arms of a vampire prince and found out she was a daughter of theDryadaeline.
And together, we grew… and became entwined.
What will they make of me—ofus?
He’s coming back to me… isn’t he?
“Tarron, you may leave me now. I’m honestly fine up here. Take some well deserved rest and stop fretting.”
“I appreciate your consideration, my lady. It’s just that… His Highness gave us orders. We have to guard you and ensure your welfare at all costs. He’d be livid if anything happen—”
“Do you really think a gigantic magical tree that destroyed two undead beings in an instant would let anything bad happen to me? Nothing can hurt me now. And if Corvan takes you to task, tell him thatItold you to stand down. Sometimes, my orders overridehis, you know.”
Tarron stares at me in disbelief. “If you insist, my lady, then there’s really nothing else we can do.”
“There’s really nothing else youneedto do, Tarron. Just leave me be.”
“Very well.”
And with that, the men of the Imperial Elite Guard bow deeply and quietly depart from the inner garden.
After the chaos; the terror, I have a sudden need to be alone.
The only person I want around me right now ishim.
Suspended high above the Imperial Palace, looking out across the mysterious glittering lights of the capital, I feel safe. The tree makes me feel this way.
But I’m not yet fulfilled.
Anticipation and hope swirl in my chest.
Cocooned by night, the tantalizing blush of dawn beckons.
Come home to me, Corvan.
64
