Page 2 of Foretold

“What?” I call after him as he starts rushing around the cottage, putting food and clothes in a satchel. “August, I don’t think you’ll want to come where I’m going.”

There’s only one place I can go.

I lift my hand and stare at the bracelet my half-brother, Axe, gave me. He told me that if I press on the diamond in the middle and say the Incubus King’s name, he will come for me.

“I’ll follow you right into hell, you know that,” he replies, heading into the bathing chamber, probably to wash the sex off him.

I open the door to my old room—the tiny room August and I shared before his mother died—and take in the small bed and wardrobe. It might not be much, especially after living at the castle, but I have nothing but good memories here.

August comes out freshly changed as I close my bedroom door and turn to face him.

“Did he hurt you?” he asks in a low tone, a muscle working in his jaw.

“Not physically,” I reply, wrapping my arms around myself. “He just wasn’t honest about everything going on. It was good until it wasn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” he responds, sounding like he genuinely means it. “I told myself I’d let you go so you could be happy with your prince…” he swallows hard, “… no matter how hard it was. But now you’re here.”

“Now I’m here…” I nod, biting my lower lip, “… bringing more shit to your doorstep.”

“Our doorstep,” he corrects, raking a hand through his hair, which has gotten a little longer. “Should I get Bear ready?”

“You still have him?” I ask, my eyebrows raising.

“Yeah, they gave him back to me when they let me out of the dungeons,” he explains, searching my eyes. “How long do we have until they get here?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve been offered safety in the Incubus Kingdom, so I think that’s where I’m going to go,” I say, smirking as his eyes widen. “You don’t have to come—”

“I’mfuckingcoming, Star!” He growls the words out while lifting his hand to cup my cheek. “And maybe you can tell me how this all happened on the way.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, swallowing hard. “What about your girlfriend—”

“She isnotmy girlfriend.” He scowls, his eyes flickering. “She was just a fuck. And yes, I’m sure. Let’s go now before they find us.”

Lifting my hand, I press down on the bracelet’s diamond. “King Zython, I need you,” I say out loud.

And then I wait.

Not two minutes later, Zython zips into our living room, sword in hand, ready for battle.

“Princess?” he says, his strong hands seizing my wrist with confusion sweeping his brows. “Are you okay?”

“Can we take you up on that offer,” I ask, swallowing hard. “We don’t have anywhere else to go.”

His eyes move to August before he lets go of me.

“This is August… he’s my best friend,” I explain, shifting on my feet.

August bows, and I realize I should have done the same, even if the male in front of me is my father.

“And where is your prince?” he asks, sliding his sword into his belt. His green eyes shine with a curious light.

“If we don’t leave soon, he’s going to be here with his tracker at any moment,” I explain, panic starting to fill me. “And I justneed to be away from him right now.”

He nods and offers me his hand. “Let’s go then. You are both welcome to stay in my kingdom as long as you want.”

A sigh of relief escapes me, easing the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. We stand in a triangle, holding each other’s hands before we zip away into a throne room.

“Are you okay?” August asks me, and I nod.

---