Page 33 of Angel Unchained

Samantha

Iawoke with a start, nearly falling off a bed. The room was bright whites and yellows. Cheery even. Where the hell was I?

Someone had washed me and changed my clothes, because I wore a golden gown with a rope cinched at the waist. There was a tray of fruits and veggies on a table across from the bed and a balcony that opened up to a gorgeous sky.

I had a dull headache, but otherwise, I felt okay. Had we made it to Knox’s land? How? He’d been so injured. His wings shredded. I touched my fingers to my lips. I'd healed him, somehow. Or he'd taken my energy. Wow.

And we were free. We were here... wherever here was, it was a thousand times better than the Roulex prison.

I scrambled out of bed, my legs shaky, and went to the table. I gobbled up big, grape-looking fruit and slices of a purple zucchini type food. A pitcher of crystal-clear water tasted better than any water I'd ever drunk before. Was this heaven? Had I died and actually made it here?

When I pinched myself, it hurt. Wait. That was for dreams. Did the same apply when you were dead?

The huge white doors cranked open and I leapt up from the table, quickly wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

When a regal-looking woman with white hair entered and not Knox, my heart flopped. But she was an Angeliminir like him. Her wings were white though.

"I take it you have rested and recovered well?"

"Yes, thank you." I dipped into a curtsey not sure what was expected of me. "Is Knox okay?"

She waved a hand. Two more winged men entered carrying swords, but they stood at attention in the doorway.

"Sit, sit. I'm Alva and I have some questions for you. But first, I want you to tell me everything from the time you arrived in the Roulex prison until now."

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I don't even know you. Why would I tell you anything?" I sat down in the chair next to the table.

She smiled, the wrinkles crinkling around her golden eyes. "Knox said you were smart."

I wanted to ask what else he said and ask to see him, but something told me this woman was important. And If I pissed her off, we were in deep shit.

"I am the leader here. Celica, who Knox told you about, is my great, great-granddaughter."

"Oh." I stood up so fast I bumped the table. Half the food rolled off before I could catch it. "So sorry."

"Leave it."

More nervous than when I took my college exams, I spilled my guts out to her. Telling her everything. Well, not about kissing Knox and almost having sex, then having oral with him. I was already shaking all over. What if Celica was here? What if she and Knox were having a reunion and he was kissing her right now.

My stomach lurched. "Excuse me."

"And you're sure you didn't have sex with Knox?"

My mouth hung open. "Um... no... not really. Not all the way. No."

“That’s what I thought.” She stood. “You may stay here until you are fully healed, but then you must leave. I cannot tolerate you here and must honor my great, great-granddaughter.”

Tears pricked my eyes. I felt worse than scum like dried shit on someone’s shoe. “I’m-I’m so sorry.”

She gave me a slight smile and then left. The guards closing the door when they followed her out.

My stomach clenched and I grabbed the nearest thing to me which was the silver dome that lay beside the fruit and hurled my guts into it. When my stomach finally stopped heaving, I felt even worse. I carried the silver domed lid to what looked like a bathroom and after figuring out how to turn on the water, cleaned the lid. I set it aside to dry because I couldn’t find any towels.

Back in the main room, I sank onto the chair. See, Samantha? You did it again. Fell for a married man. But this time, I didn’t think I was ever going to get over him. This time it felt so real. Like I’d truly found love. Truly found my soul mate.

But I wouldn’t ruin his life. He’d made it home and back to Celia. I could be happy for him even though my heart was being ripped out of my chest.

I choked back a sob and walked to the door. It was better if I left now before things got ugly.

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