Page 17 of Dark Captivation

“You know what? I think I’ve realized something.” She dropped her hands to her lap. “The only reason you like me so much is because of your fond childhood memories of me. But news flash, I’m not that child anymore. I’m a grown woman and you have no idea who the adult me even is. The sooner that fantasy bubble you’re trapped in pops, the sooner I’m hoping you will change your mind about this senseless war.”

My booming laughter spread across the palace grounds.

“Sunny, there is no amount of trouble you could cause me that would ever change the way I feel about you. As a matter of fact, I look forward to getting to know the new versions of ourselves and having fun as we do.”

My fist balled tight, I drew back and punched the backseat window, shattering it. Bewildered, Sunny gazed at me, open mouthed.

“Is there anything else you’d like us to do together?” I beamed at her.

“No!” She snapped.

“Well then, in that case, I’m having a picnic prepared for the two of us this afternoon. One with all your old favorite foods.” I announced, and one of her brows shot up, her carnivorous expression said she wanted to bite my face off.

“Well, look who’s here just in time.” I turned to greet my assistant, Sam as he strolled up to the jeep, clipboard in hand.

“Sire, did I hear you say you wanted to confirm the picnic plans for this afternoon?” Sam removed the pen from behind his ear and started to jot down notes.

“Yes. I was just about to call for you. We’ll be having the special menu I gave you last night. Also please make sure to bring extra fuzzberry jam. It’s my Sunny’s favorite.”

“I don’t even know what fuzzberry jam is,” she complained.

“You don’t remember, but it was your favorite as a child. Trust me, you're in for a treat,” I chirped, and she was visibly displeased.

This didn’t discourage me. I know how to make her happy, and knew things about her she’d long forgotten. It wouldn’t be long until I made her smile again. I just needed to help her remember little by little, who I am and who we were.

Sunny went quiet for a moment as she fell into what seemed like contemplation.

“Fine,” she nodded slowly. “I’ll go on your picnic. But only if I get to ask you some questions.”

“I’ve already told you everything. But ask away, I have nothing to hide from you.” I gave a confident shrug and the nefarious glint in her eyes gave me pause. What plot was stewing in that beautiful head of hers?

“Ehem, Sire, about that update you requested.” Sam interjected pointing his thumb at the patch of green to the left of the driveway.

I politely excused myself from Sunny’s presence, and Sam and I strolled several feet away where we were just out of earshot from her.

Sam’s head dipped low as he whispered, “I reviewed the security footage and I can now confirm that it was three intruders who attempted to break into the palace grounds last night, not five. And they were in fact the three demi-god alphas in beast form. They were the largest demi-god beasts the officers had ever seen, they only narrowly escaped without casualties.”

“And? Did the officers manage to capture them?” I whipped my head back to make sure Sunny hadn’t followed us. She was still by the car, only now climbing out.

“They fled our forces and remain at large, but we have every available tracker on the case.” Sam flipped through the pages on his clipboard to read from the third one. “The team is led by Glen Williams, one of the most highly decorated soldiers in your army. He’s determined and will not fail you, Sire.” Sam pointed concerned eyes at Sunny. “In the meantime, you might want to keep an extra close eye on your bride. They will try to make contact with her and take her if given the tiniest opportunity.”

Those three demi-gods had held my Sunny captive for five weeks. Those vile monsters killed her parents and dared to call themselves Sunny's fated mates. My bride’s mates… As if there were any man in this world more made for my Sunny than me, let alone three.

The idea of them staking a claim on her boiled my blood and darkened my soul. I yearned to show those so-called fated mates why I was the most feared man on earth. For them, there would be no mercy, their punishment would be so ruthless that even my Sunny couldn’t bear it. I promised her vengeance, but her heart was too soft for the retribution I had planned.

An evil grin snaked along my cheeks as I contemplated what I would do if I were the demon to confront the demi-gods first.

“Oh, I’m not worried about them trying to take Sunny,” I said to Sam. “I’m counting on it.”

CHAPTER SIX

LIVY

When Malek invited me to have a picnic with him in the forest, I expected a red and white checkered blanket on the grass, some soggy sandwiches in a basket and a few thousand mosquitoes eating us alive as we ate.

What I didn’t expect was a spread big enough to feed an army, laid out beautifully on an extra-large checkered blanket. There were Indian curries in silver bowls, perfectly cut cucumber sandwiches on a silver platter, roasted pig, complete with an apple in the mouth, and an array of sides, drinks and sweets.

There was even a fluorescent bug zapper perched a few feet away from the food. It fried a new bug every ten seconds.

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