Page 95 of Tricky Princess
She’d gotten almost halfway through the book by the time he finished with a kiss on top of her head.
“How’s your father?” Closing the book, she crawled into his lap.
“Fine; misses you, of course,” he said with his powerful arms wrapped around her. “Did you learn anything new today?”
“Only that all wolven seem to be the same and none seemed against Sam and Devon being a couple.”
She had worried there would be family politics, fights to be in charge, and several other things.
“Most of the wolven here are from Sam’s generation and don’t share the same ideals as their elders.” He yawned the last few words and then laid down with her, tucking her to his side.
She magicked a blanket on top of them and shimmied closer to his heat. It was getting so cold at night; she missed the warmth of the castle with its roaring fires in every room. He pulled her in tight, grabbing one of her breasts in his large hand, and she smiled.
“Goodnight, Ros.”
“Goodnight, Ellea.”
Ellea’s heart raced as the cold, wet ground chilled her naked skin. She beat against the walls in her mind to wake up. She needed to take in her surroundings and figure out how she got here. Her arms twitched, then her legs, and finally, she could roll over and stand on two shaking legs. She ran to the closest tree, pressing her back against the rough trunk. Blinking rapidly, she was thankful for the clear moon that lit the surrounding woods. She was still in Glenover, and from the rough boulders that peppered the forest floor, she was in the northern part of the town. It was where she and Ros would travel on his bike to picnic or train with Sam.
Ellea shivered as a breeze blew through the trees, carrying the cackle of two men.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
How did she get here? Why was she here? The voices grew louder, and Ellea scrambled as quietly as she could, searching for a spot to hide so she could conjure clothes and a weapon. She cursed not having the same magic as Ros; she wanted to portal back to bed. There was a boulder about fifty feet in front of her, if she could just—Ellea froze as the two men came into view.
“Fucking wolven… They’re finally gone, and we can move in tomorrow night,” a man said, walking in her line of sight but not noticing her.
She stood there, trying to conjure anything to cover herself, but her magic didn’t answer.
What the fuck?
“Want to make sure they’re far enough away that they can’t be called back,” the other man added.
Ellea ducked around a tree as the two men walked past.
Vampires.
She could see their pale skin, elongated doubled fangs, and their thin stature. Could they not see her? Was this a dream? She pulled at her magic again, but nothing answered, which was beyond weird with her magic being stronger after her time with Ros. This had to be a dream.
Fuck it.
Ellea jumped out from her hiding spot, but neither vampire noticed.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” the first one said, licking his lips.
“I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces,” the second one replied, rubbing his hands together.
Ellea trailed after them, waving her hands and throwing rocks, but nothing got their attention. She suddenly heard the wicked snap and crackle of burning trees behind her and whipped around.
The world was burning at her feet. It was her old dream. When she turned around again, she could see the two vampires walking on the same path.
No, no, no.
Ellea ran as hard as she could after the vampires. The world slowed around her as she gained no ground, practically running in place, until everything tipped and she landed on her back. Her mother loomed above her, and Ellea screamed.
Her screams continued as she shot straight up in bed, Ros by her side with a dagger in his hand.
“Ellea!” he called, grasping her face, searching for her for injuries.
