Page 23 of My Demon Desire
I move past Thorne to go inside and see Annalise for myself.
There's something about her and I haven't determined if it's a really good bewitchment spell or her own natural charm that is drawing me toward her. Or maybe that it's her bravery in facing off with three dark fae and her not cowering in fear and screaming like a banshee that has me drawing to her like a moth to a flame. It's deadly and I tell myself I shouldn't care. That maybe Kaden was right to push her away, to get her out of our house and on her own.
The queen can't punish us for having a human if she's gone. Yet, the thought of Annalise hurt makes a pain twist in my chest. No, I need her here with me, with us, no matter the cost. Maybe it's her naïveté that has me wanting to protect her.
Or the lust that has me wanting even now to kiss her, taste her, sink into her hot, wetness.
I shake my head, not understanding what is happening to me. My mind reels with the implications of why and my stomach clenches with dread.
Thorne grabs my arm and my pulse spikes. "What's going on?"
Thorne takes a deep breath, his face hardening. "There's something you should know... about Annalise... on her arm."
"The scar?" I raise my eyebrows. "Yes, I saw it and there's some kind of magical protection thing around her. I think whoever it put in place left the mark behind."
"Yes, but not in the way you think."
I pause, my chest tightening. "What?"
Thorne is silent for a moment as if considering what to say next.
"Annalise isn't just human." His deep voice is a mix of awe and apprehension.
The breath catches in my throat and a chill runs down my spine. "What is she?"
Thorne takes a deep breath, his gaze meeting mine. "She bares the mark of royal blood. True royal blood, not like the usurper."
Hearing Thorne say the words sends a shockwave through me and I hiss out a breath. "You're mad. The true queen died when she passed the portal years ago. Annalise can't be her." She is too young and although her hair color is similar to the dead queen's she doesn't look like her much. Different bone structure, different eye color.
"I think she's half-fae and half-human." He runs a hand over his broken horn and my heart thuds as his words sink in. "I think she's the real queen's daughter."
Realization slams into me like a sledgehammer and it takes a moment for me to catch my breath. My mind races. The truth of his statement slams me like a physical blow. My stomach churns and I can feel the heat of panic rising in my chest. I can't let the queen find out about Annalise, or we're all doomed.
Then a sick feeling washes over me. "Does Kaden know?" No, he couldn’t have or he never would’ve sent her out into the forest alone.
Thorne shakes his head, and his jaw twitches.
"We have to keep this a secret," I growl, narrowing my gaze. "No one outside of us, not even the fae court."
"Of course. We will keep her safe no matter the cost."
A chill runs down my spine. "We won't fail her."
“What about Kaden? Do you trust him with this?”
“We don’t have a choice. And if there is a chance at all that she’s the real queen’s offspring, then we need to guard her with our lives.” I refocus on Thorne, filled with determination.
"We have to keep her here. Safe," I murmur, looking up at the house and my bedroom window. She can't know she's fae or she'd have hinted at that fact. But one way or another, I intend to find out how much she does know.
My jaw clenches, my fists clench, and my will to protect the fae royal family hardens like steel. Nothing will deter me from helping Annalise— not even death —I vow silently feeling the resolve deep in my bones, in the very marrow.
With her in our care, we're harboring a criminal. It should make me quiver with fear— but instead, it's just another reminder of what I swore to do and I will keep her safe.
And if what Thorne believes proves true, then it explains how I feel the urge to keep her safe. Before we three gave up our position with the fake queen, our vows as the royal guards binds us to her.
Her very existence could shatter their false rule.
I will surrender my life before I let them take hers. No matter the cost or consequence, I swear to fulfill my purpose: protect the true heir, until my dying breath.
