Page 22 of The Stolen Bride

My gaze landed on the woman, and I gasped, slammed by a bolt of pure shock. Impossible! And yet, I saw her with my own eyes. Or rather, me. I saw me. My doppelganger stood with her back pressed against the shifter’s chest, his big, clawed hand poised at her throat.

Trembling, I fluttered my hand to my mouth, but my doppelganger didn’t move. Like me, she had dark hair with hints of red. The same gray and brown irises. Same delicate yet defined bone structure, with the same single dimple in her left cheek. She wore a gilded gown that caught the light; the silk swirling around her feet like liquid gold.

Astonishment radiated from her as she looked me over, as if the hologram were actually a live feed. But thatcouldn’t be right. Technology wasn’t there yet. Unless it was?

What did I know about anything? Nothing I’d experienced so far should be possible, yet here we were.

“Who are you?” we cried simultaneously. Wow! We possessed the same tone of voice, too, with the same overflow of bewilderment infusing every word.

What! That hologram was, in fact, part of a live feed. “I’m Clover,” I said at the same time she said, “I’m Juniper.”

Malachi had mentioned a sister. She must be my twin, separated from me at birth.So many questions. Even more emotions. Mostly delight, a sense of rightness, and an instant heart-bond I couldn’t explain and didn’t wish to end. Finally! I was made whole.

Viktor looked between us, understanding dawning in his eyes. Relief followed. “You cannot teleport.”

“No.” I wish!

Deco laughed with a dark glee. “Now this is an interesting development. I knew she had a sister, not that they were twins.” His purring voice scraped my nerve endings raw. “We’ll talk again soon, V. I promise you. Tootles.” The image vanished.

No, no, no. I rushed over, not yet ready to lose sight of her.

“How is this possible?” I demanded as I snatched the ring off the king’s finger. Lightweight. Hot to the touch. No discernible button to push. “Where is she? Will Deco harm her?” I must, must, must reach her. Now, now, now. I had no pride. There were no lines I wouldn’t cross. “Take me to her. Please, Viktor. Please!”

He snatched back the ring, unfazed by everything else. “Mine.”

Fine. No problem. Focusing on him, I cupped his shoulders. “Please,” I repeated. “I’ll do anything.”

Chapter

Six

All Out War: When Your Last Resort Is A Battle-Loving Beast

–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER

By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce

“You are here, but she is there.” Gold rimmed Viktor’s pupils, which constricted to needle points as he looked between me and the ring. “There are two of you. She’s your twin.”

“Trust me, it’s a shock to me, too.” I fisted his shirt to gain a firmer hold as my insides sang with joy, fear, and resolve. I truly had a sister. My other half. Juniper. Separated from me at birth.

Takenfrom me.

Longing and fury collided. Longing won. All my life, I’d missed her as if I’d lost a limb, I just hadn’t known it until now. I’d bet she’d felt the same. Who would do such a cruel thing to us?

My adoptive parents had always yearned for morechildren. No way they would have refused to raise my precious sister. And shewasprecious to me. I wasn’t just bonded to her; I loved her with the whole of my being.

“Will Deco harm her?” I asked again.

“Deco is a shifter,” Viktor replied. “Malicious. Untrustworthy. Insidious. He is especially motivated to take out anyone suspected of being my firebrand. He won’t play nice.”

A whimper left me. Screw Malachi. I’d considered recruiting Viktor to go after the guy, but here, now, I didn’t exactly care about the other king. I preferred to have Deco’s head on a platter.

The decision to work with my captor solidified. “Viktor, I officially sign the roster to join your team.” He might not be sane at times—or ever—but he was strong and capable. With my help, he could get this job done and save my sister. “Now, prepare yourself. I’m going to say something you may not like, but I need you to hear it. Are you wearing your listening ears?” I gave him a little shake for good measure.

A bemused glaze overtook his features.

I continued. “Help me rescue Juniper. Please! If you refuse, I’ll strike out on my own. And before you rage about losing the firebrand you haven’t exactly claimed but hope to keep, don’t. Just say yes. When you do, I’ll return the favor by helping you find your precious. That’s your key,” I clarified, in case he couldn’t connect the dots. “If there’s something else you prefer, now is the time to name your fee. I’ll pay it.” I’d meant what I’d said. There was no price too steep. I didn’t care if I wasted bargaining power. The outcome was too important.

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