Page 57 of Blooms of Darkness

A simple prayer to nature. One I had a feeling I would be repeating many more times over the coming weeks.

Winding my way through the corridor, I approached one of the main hallway intersections, where one could access the stairs to my chambers, when I heard whispers.

I paused before slowly creeping to the corner of the corridor, peeking around to find who stood in the way of me and my bed.

Lord West and Ryland were standing at the bottom of the stairs. Too close to both my current location, and my private chambers for my liking.

How did they know where to find my room?

“All I’m saying is, if you want to be on the right side of this, you’ll align with me,” Lord West said aggressively, his finger pointed at Ryland’s chest.

The pompous bastard.

First, the objection to Ian being my personal guard, and now trying to form alliances with other contenders? What was this man’s problem? I leaned closer to the corner to try and hear more.

Ryland stood there, haphazardly running his hands through his already-ruffled hair. “I mean, I’m just not sure what you’re saying makes sense.”

“I’ll give you all the information you want if you agree.” Lord West sneered, stepped closer to Ryland.

Why did that sound like a threat?

Ryland snorted. “You think I trust you? A stranger with questionable manners, to what? Agree blindly to following some crusade you’re on without knowing any further?—”

Lord West whipped out a dagger and slammed Ryland into the stone wall behind him.

I gasped, a small shriek escaping my lips. My hands flew to my mouth as I pressed my back firmly against the wall.

“Who’s out there?” Lord West demanded. “Show yourselves!”

He strode toward the edge of the hallway where I so desperately tried to stay hidden. The wild expression on his face as he held the dagger in his hand screamed danger.

The way he moved, his footsteps thudded against the lightly carpeted hallway. Tits and daggers, this couldn’t happen right now.Not right now.

Fates, help me!

A cool breeze swept over my body, but instead of moving past, it lingered, swirling around me, similar to being in a cloud. I cracked my right eye open and discovered I now stood enveloped in shadows.

“Little Rebel, are you in need of saving, again?” The sultry voice in my ear sent tingles sweeping down my spine as Kade materialized before me. His body covered mine, but it wasn’t danger his proximity had me feeling. No, it was safety.

Too afraid to make any further noise, I nodded slightly, barely noticeable except for the wisps of my loosened hair brushing against his chiseled chin. I couldn’t breathe.

Thethudof boots sounded deeply on the carpet.

Closer.

“Hiding will not save you, whomever you are,” Lord West growled.

I trembled. I’d been here before. In this same damn hallway. As a child.

I squeezed my eyes shut so hard my face hurt.

I didn’t want to get lost in this memory now.

“Come out, come out wherever you are Princess.” His voice echoed in the hallway.

I needed to get to my chambers. I didn’t want to go with him again. He was mean. He hurt me. I didn’t want to hurt.

“We have work to do, and it’ll only make it harder if you continue to resist.”

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