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I wasn’t in the woods anymore. I didn’t know where I was.
Fresh, sweet-smelling red-and-gold sheets and tasseled pillows covered me, cocooning me in warmth. Long-stemmed candelabras loomed over me, casting soft candlelight on the bumps, cuts, and bruises on what used to be the fairest, most unblemished skin in the east.
My face heated as memories tumbled through my head, each more shameful and scandalous than the other.
Alisdair Shadowsoul ravished me. I wished there was another word I could use. One that didn’t make me sound like that soft little peach torn apart by a beast. But there was no other word, because that’s exactly what he did.
Alisdair took me like an animal against that tree all night long. Pounding me in every position known and unknown—extracting so many orgasms out of me that my well ran dry. His did not.
Nothing slowed him, tired him, or filled him with mercy.
I rolled out of bed, biting hard on my lip. My whole body was one big ache. My only saving grace was that even though I was a maiden, Emiana obviously was not. If it had been her first time too, neither of us would’ve walked for a week.
I waddled across the room, wincing and bobbing side to side. “I’m barely walking now.”
With difficulty, I made it to the wash basin. One touch confirmed what the steam told me. It was wonderfully hot, proving someone had brought it in minutes before I woke. Was this the life of a prin— No, a queen? To have my needs anticipated before I opened my eyes in the morning?
If only Emiana hadn’t let fear and ignorance drive her to ruin my life and run away. She would’ve found herself no less pampered and catered to in Castle Riagin.
Gazing around, I wondered at this life I’d fallen into.
High ceilings painted with scenes of battle looked down on me. All the gaudy golds, diamonds, and silvers adorning the castle hadn’t made it into this room. The simpleness of the small wash basin, black-stain nightstand, and a bed half the size of Emiana’s—made it all the more grand.
Next to the wash basin was a stand with towels, soaps, scents, and oils. Beside that was a tall clothing rack carrying no less than four dressing robes. I chose the longest and fluffiest, wrapping myself up tight.
Of course I was freezing, the bedchamber only had three walls.
I crossed the room, padding over red tiles with flecks of coudarian blue. The wall gently sloped down, giving way to a small ledge that tipped off into the free, cold air.
Slowly, I inched as far as I dared, gazing down, down, down to the sleepy town and thick forest, and rolling mountains spreading out before me.
Amazing. Truly, the most amazing view, and still not worth the sacrifice of a wall.
I scrambled away, heading straight for my bed and warm sheets. I would have to tell Aeris, or anyone, that I needed a new bedchamber. Or even a cot next to a fireplace would do as well. The people of Elva were summer fae. The cold wasn’t meant to live in our bones.
I rounded the headboard, getting the first proper look at my bed, and screamed.
Clapping my hand over my mouth, my eyes were huge, looking upon the—
“Monster.”
Thick, black horns burst from his scalp and curved down to his shoulders. Long claws sunk into the remains of a pillow, and a large, furry mass slung over his leg.A tail. Its nose was smashed in, but its maw the size of the basin—terrifyingly long, lethal fangs refused to be contained in its face. It’s hideous, disfigured face.
It was huge. Twice the size of a bear with half the fur. Most of it covered its back, legs, and forearms, leaving its chest bare.
I stilled, fixing on a familiar rune on his stomach.
“Shadowsoul?” I whispered, backing away.
I hadn’t imagined it. All those times it seemed like his claws were smaller, or his fangs were longer. The reason why he looked so close to fae while his subjects were succumbing to the curse. He was using magic to hold the beast at bay. This was the true him, and he looked like...
“Taken.”
I ran.
Bursting through the doors, I collided with a hard body.
“Oh, Queen Ana.” Aeris set me back on my feet. Nose wrinkling, she backed away a pace. “Are you all right? I was just coming to fetch you. Your baths are read—”
