Page 73 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

We sat in silence for a long while, listening to the world around us. Then I heard shouts of anger not too far from where we hid. Swords clashed with each other, and grunts and bellows pierced the air. I heard many footfalls racing toward the skirmish. The scent of overwhelming sunshine and dandelions. A trickle of sweat slicked down my spine.

There are too many summer fae warriors. They’re going to outnumber the guards.

My grip on Melodina tightened. She then turned around and sat on my lap, listening to the sounds of battle. It only lasted for a few minutes, but in those minutes, it seemed that time had stretched on forever. Then, a final cry as a sword cut through flesh. Afterward, all was silent.

I licked my lips, the tiny hairs on the nape of my neck lifting. I heard claws slice out and looked at my hands. My claws weren’t unsheathed. My eyes snapped wide as I saw claws sprouting from Melodina’s fingertips, her hair bristling to resemble a wolf’s pelt. Her inner wolf was pushing to the surface under the threat of danger. I couldn’t help the small seed of pride that bloomed inside me.

Several pairs of footsteps then began to sweep up and down the corridors.

Far too close to our hiding place.

Muffled voices undulated from the other side of the wall, but my sharp hearing could pick up what they uttered.

“We’ve searched every inch of this palace,” one of the warriors said. “They must be here.”

“But are they?’ Another male snarled.

“They must be hidden somewhere, a secret room or something,” a third warrior spoke up. “You know, like our own palace has.”

Silence.

My eardrums rang with the pulse of my blood.

“Search the walls! Look for anything suspicious that might lead to a hidden room.”

I slowly stood up and placed Melodina on her feet beside me. My inner wolf skimmed beneath my skin, ready to be called upon. One of the summer fae came dangerously close to the entrance of our hiding place, his fist thumping on the wall.

Melodina gasped softly and shrank back a step. The floorboard creaked under her movements. Then, the pounding ceased.

“Hey!” One of the warriors called to the others. “I think I heard something.”

My heart dropped. I whirled toward Melodina and dropped to my knees before her.

“Melodina, you have to teleport,” I whispered urgently. “Teleport as far away from here as you can.”

“But I’ve never teleported more than just me,” Melodina whispered. Tears sprang from her eyes. “I don’t know how to teleport you, Momma.”

I shook my head. “That’s okay. I didn’t mean for you to teleport me. Only yourself.”

Melodina’s blue eyes filled with terror. “Then what about you?”

I grabbed Melodina’s shoulders and smiled at her. “I’ll be fine.” A lie. There would be retribution when they cameacross me and not my daughter. The pounding against the walls increased as the warriors tried to find a way to breach the wall. Any moment now, they’d hit the spot to unlock the hidden room.

Tears spilled down Melodina’s cheeks, and she shook her head. “I don’t wanna leave you, Momma,” she cried. “Can’t we hide in the other secret room?” She pointed to the tapestry.

I shook my head. “No, sweetie. They’d just discover that one too.”

“But, Mama?—”

I shook Melodina’s shoulders. “You must!” I hissed desperately. “Teleport now!”

Melodina looked into my eyes for a long moment. Then I saw the darkness shimmering around her. A dark violet vortex opened up, and Melodina was sucked inside, out of my arms. The last thing I saw was her tear-stained face; her hand outstretched toward me before the wall opened up.

The vortex winked out of sight. I spun around as the summer fae warriors stormed in. They promptly surrounded me. But instead of fear, all I felt was relief consume my limbs. Melodina was safe.

One of the warriors stepped forward, his green eyes bright with rage. “Where is the girl?”

I snarled at him in response. Calling upon my inner wolf, I shifted. Once on all fours, I pounced on the summer fae. He darted to the side, but not before my claws caught his hip. Blood sprayed the air. He screamed out in pain. The other warriors moved as one. They slashed and thrust their swords at me. I managed to bring a few of them down before asword speared me in the back. I howled in agony. Another sword slashed at my legs, and I crumbled onto my belly, my eyes slammed shut.

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