Page 51 of Drama Queen

It’s now or never.

I only make it two steps before he stops me.

His long fingers wrap around my biceps, spinning me back toward him with enough force that I probably would have fallen over had he not been right there. Instead, I slam into him, our chests colliding, knocking the wind from my lungs as I look up into his red eyes that stare at me with such intensity that I have to fight the urge to look away.

“Did you think I would let you leave without saying goodbye?” he hisses through clenched teeth. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out as his eyes narrow.

“I–I,” I stammer. I know I need to say something, but it’s as if my mind's gone blank. How do I possibly explain that I can’t say goodbye to him? Originally, I’d asked him to draw me a map to the door. I’d known the general direction, and while it wasn’t ideal, I’m sure, given enough time, I would have been able to find it.

He’d refused, even though aiding me in this could get him in just as much trouble, if not more. His father isn’t the king, and can’t save him the way mine can. I can’t save him. He was upset then, too; mad that I’d been willing to go it alone, but just like then, I can’t voice the reason even as it sits heavy on the tip of my tongue.

My distress must be clear on my face because his eyes soften, and his lips twitch up in the barest hint of a grin before he closes the distance between us, sealing our lips together.

For a second, I freeze, still lost in my panic, but the feel of him quickly washes it away as he wraps me up in his arms. His hand glides up my back, tangling in my hair and deepening our kiss. My toes curl in my shoes as I wrap my arms around his shoulders and melt into him.

I might not be able to say goodbye, but I can do this.

By the time he pulls away, my lips feel swollen, but I can’t stop the smile that pulls at them all the same.

“I’ll be here when you get back,” he says, his voice husky, giving away our kiss's effect on him as well.

I nod, not trusting myself to form words yet.

“Whatever happens, I’ll be here. I’m not sure how long I can keep your absence hidden, so be quick,” he says, falling back into his serious knight role, worrying about my safety.

Leaning in, I cup his cheek with my hand, and he leans into my touch.

Fuck, I’m going to miss this asshole.

His concern finally loosens my tongue. “It doesn’t matter how fast I am, Z. We both know there will be consequences. There's no way around it, so don’t get yourself in trouble, too. It’s not worth both of us facing them.”

His eyes snap open, and I see he wants to argue.

“Besides, you don’t have a dad in high places that can keep your ass alive like I do, so let me handle it,” I tease, forcing a smile.

We both know there's only so much my father can do. It’s not like I’ve never been at my stepmother's mercy. But keeping me alive is all we need, and as fucked up as it might be, that’s not a guarantee for him.

“I need you safe when I get back. Who knows what these mates will be like? I need someone I can tolerate,” I joke, and this time, he shakes his head at me. With a chuckle, he presses a soft kiss to my forehead that makes my knees weak.

“Go on, get out of here before I change my mind and steal you away to keep you for myself,” he says, nudging me toward the door.

I hesitate, stealing just one more moment to soak him in before I turn and head for the little red door. In search of themates I need to survive the mess that will be the next four years of my life.

Three

EMORY

Somehow,I thought walking through the veil between the realms would be… I don’t know, more? Mostly, it’s just loud and kind of smells weird. The air doesn’t stink exactly, but it’s not as fresh as it was, even though I still stand surrounded by trees.

Aside from that, I can’t find it in myself to complain as I feel the pull of my mate bond stronger than I’ve ever felt before.

They’re here!

Knowing this trip isn’t for nothing fills me with so much excitement I’m moving through the trees without thought, running in the direction the bond leads me. It doesn’t take but a few minutes before I hit the edge of the woods and come to a grinding halt.

What the hell is this place?

Where I was surrounded by trees as far as the eye can see a moment ago, I now stand with the trees to my back, facing out at what I can only assume must be one of their cities.

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