Page 1 of The Time Of Queens

1

DISCOVERED

KEIRA

Iwas cold.

I was miserable.

And I was alone.

None of which helped with the pity party I had going on. And let’s just say that I was partying hard, because I couldn’t seem to stop the bitter tears from falling. It was so bad that I had half a mind to just walk back into the house, throw my hands up, and shout,

“You win!”

At least I knew that option came with a bed and not the stone-cold floor I was curled up on, cocooned the best I could in my stolen cloak, with the hood thrown over my head. I couldn’t have gotten any closer to the small wall that edged the pavilion if I tried. It was the only protection I had against the cutting wind. The rain had calmed but that didn’t mean to say the weather was on my side.

Because it wasn’t.

And it fucking sucked!

I was close to admitting failure and making my way back to the house to save myself from freezing to death. I just couldn’t seem to stop my teeth from chattering. But no one had found me yet, so I knew it was the safest place to hide. Most likely because no one was foolish enough to hide out here in this weather, that’s why.

I was also utterly exhausted, but with the cold biting at my skin, there was no way for me to sleep. In fact, I was just about to sit up when I suddenly heard a noise, making me freeze.

Had someone found me?

Half of me was relieved. The other half of me wanted to run. In the end, the part that won was the strength in my last name.

Draven’s never gave up. Meaning the second I heard footsteps approach, I held myself at the ready, crying out when a hand reached out and grabbed me.

“There you are.”

I swiped my foot out quickly, taking the person off guard enough that he fell. A move Draven had taught me, and one I was certainly thankful for. The second the man landed, I was up and jumping over the small wall. I knew the person wouldn’t be down for long, but I didn’t dare look back as I ran for the trees. I also didn’t know who it was that found me, only that it wasn’t Draven, as I would know his gentle voice anywhere.

Which meant that he obviously had others out looking for me as clearly my kiss had made an impression. But did that mean he knew who I was to him, even without seeing my face? Was a kiss all it had taken? Well, it was too late to consider that now. At the time, I had just reacted without too much thought other than my potential escape.

I heard my pursuer gaining on me, making me grit my teeth. I knew the only chance I might have was to hide again. Besides, it was getting harder to run in between the trees as I could barelysee in the dark. I couldn’t risk getting too deep into the patch of woodland that I knew would only lead to open farmland.

I was out of options, so I slipped behind a tree, one thick enough to hide me. This was when I heard the man who was stalking me slow down also. Because he clearly knew that I had no chance at out-running him. However, the next time he spoke, I found myself hold back a gasp, as I finally recognised his voice.

“Easy, girl, for I have no intention of causing you any harm.”

I covered my mouth with both hands, and my eyes widened at the sound of none other than Vincent. Jesus, I had been in half a mind to step out and welcome him, forgetting myself for a second. Of course, I believed that he had no intention of hurting me. Instead, he only wanted to take me back to his brother and replay the history I just came from.

“Come out now, for you have nowhere to run to,” he added, and I could tell he was getting closer. No doubt he would have found me quicker had the wind not been making enough noise to hide my breathing.

“It is cold out here, come to the house and I give you my word you will be cared for. We know you are the one who broke in, but have no fear, for you will not be punished for your crime.” I would have scoffed at that had I been free to do so. Because I might not have been punished, but his brother intended to put me in a gilded cage all the same.

After all, this wasn’t my first time-traveling rodeo.

But I also knew that, eventually, Vincent would find me, meaning I was on borrowed time here.

“You are hurt, yes?”

I looked down at my hand when hearing this, seeing the cut there from the glass I had fallen on. They had found the piece, found my blood, it was the only way they knew.

“We can offer you aid, fix that injured hand of yours… wouldn’t you like that? A nice hot meal by the fire and a cleanbed to sleep in?” he said, and I swear I nearly moaned aloud at the thought of it. Damn, he really knew what to say to tempt me but then again, isn’t that why they assumed I had broken in to begin with? Some desperate woman willing to steal food or, worse, steal something to sell. If only they knew the truth of what I had actually intended to steal.

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