Page 20 of Dark Prince's Captive

Her brows pull together.“Who the hell is Laliss?”

I frown too.“Don’t you know your own name?”

“I do, and I assure you, it’s not Laliss.”I’m still considering that when she asks, “If I’m not your slave, why am I here?”The questions tumble from her lips so fast that her tongue trips over the words.“Why didn’t you take me back to Earth?What are you going to do with me?Why did you save me from those lizar—Phaelix?”

She has no idea.Yes, she may feel the pull, and her body may answer to the call of mine, but she clearly doesn’t know she’s my future and fated destiny.

There’s a right way of doing things, a correct order, but nothing about this miraculous day is orderly or normal.

Holding her turquoise gaze, I give her the truth that will change our world even before I’ve asked for her Earth name.“You’re here, my sweet, because you’re my mate.”

Chapter8

Elsie

Hiswhat?

“Excuse me?”I say, my jaw almost unhinging as I stare at the savagely attractive man facing me.

“My mate,” he repeats while crossing his massive arms over the bulging muscles of his broad chest.

I search for a hint of humor in his steely gray eyes or a quirk of his annoyingly sensual lips, but nope.He continues to study me with unwavering seriousness and perfect calm.

Yet behind that serene facade churns a ravenous restlessness.I sense the dangerous desire that lurks beneath the surface.He keeps a tight leash on it.Instinctively, I know this takes immense willpower, and the magnitude of his strength, be that physical or mental, only makes me more nervous.I may not know him from Adam, but anyone with a few brain cells can see that he’s a man of unequalled power and force.

That force both terrifies and pulls at me like a dark magic spell.I should back away.Instead, I find myself stepping closer.He smells so good.Once again, I have an urge to nestle against his chest and kiss the strong column of his neck.The skin of my nape prickles with an unsettling awareness, the fine hairs standing on end.

His eyes narrow in the corners, crinkling with something like predatory satisfaction, almost as if he’s happy with my response.

Wait.What am I doing?Instead of sniffing the air for a whiff of that intoxicating scent, I should be arguing my case.

I blink, trying to clear my head.“You’ve got this all wrong.Whoever you think I am, I’m not your mate.”

He tilts his head, challenging me with the disconcerting silence of a man who’s unshakable in his convictions.

“I’m not even an Alit,” I exclaim, grasping for a logical explanation that I hope will appeal to his reason.“You’re mistaking me for someone else.I’m Elsie, Elisa Barnikoff from Cleveland.”I blow out a sigh of relief as recognition flickers across his face.“See?It’s just a misunderstanding.”

“Elsie,” he says, trying out the sound on his tongue.“Is that what they called you there?”

“Look, I appreciate that you saved me and gave me back all my teeth.I’d love to stay and chat, but my parents must be worried sick about me.I need to get going, so if you could just lend me something to wear and show me to the nearest circle of lights, I’ll be on my way.”

At that, his expression darkens so much that my stomach twists with more nerves.I glance at the exit he’s left open behind him.Maybe if I’m fast, I can scoot around him.

My hope plummets as two men dressed in the same fashion as the one in front of me enter.With black hair and gray eyes, they bear a strong resemblance to my captor.They must be related, if not close family.

“Aruan,” the tallest of the two says, eyeing me curiously.“We came to fetch you.Father has called a meeting.”

Aruan speaks without taking his gaze off me.“And you had to convey that invitation in person?Is your curiosity satisfied?”

“Can you blame us?”the other one asks in a lighter tone.

“Elsie,” Aruan drawls, saying my name as if it’s a rare delight.“Meet my brothers, Kian and Vitai.”He gestures accordingly to each of them.

“Oh.”These are the dudes who healed me and gave me the ability to understand and speak their language.The manners my parents drilled into me dictate that I thank them for their effort even though, technically, I’m still their prisoner.“Thanks for helping me.”

“You’re welcome,” they say in unison.

The sincerity in their voices compels me to try my luck with them.

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