Page 12 of Tower of Tempest
I crossed my arms. “It wasn’t designed to. And do you have a better idea?” I gestured out the window. “In case you didn’t notice, you are as stuck as I am right now. Not exactly doing much rescuing. In fact, you almost killed me.” I lifted my braid. “Almost pulled my hair right from my scalp.”
He winced and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that. I thought it was a rope.” He mumbled the last words.
“A . . . rope?”
“Your hair is long and brown and I was about to fall to my death. I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly.”
I huffed.
He stood, and it suddenly occurred to me how tall he was, how he towered over me. I might’ve been determined, tough, but he could overpower me if he wanted to. I banished the thought. I wouldn’t let him get close enough to do such a thing.
“In my dream, you said she was taken,” he said. “Who is she?”
My gaze flicked to Gran’s dismantled bed, and even though I didn’t trust this stranger, I hadn’t been able to tell a single soul about this, hadn’t been able to share my pain with anyone. “My gran,” I said softly. “She was kidnapped, and I need to leave this tower so I can find her.”
He straightened, eyes going wide. “Then I’ll help you.”
“What?” I asked.
“I was led to you for a reason,” he said, stepping up to me. I flattened my back against the wall, wings spreading behind me. “Let me help you. You said you’ve lived in this tower your entire life. I know this continent, I have a lot of connections as a prince. So let me use them.”
It made no sense. I had nothing to give him in return. “And if I say no?” I asked, pulse hammering.
His voice dropped low, his eyes dipping down over my body. “Well, I am known to be very persuasive.”
There was that charm again, infiltrating my good sense.
His brows drew together. “If you say no, then it’s a no,” he said simply. “At least meet my friends.” He stroked his clean-shaven jaw. “Well, not friends, exactly. Companions. They’re a little annoying, and they bicker quite a lot.”
I eyed him warily, mind racing with his offer.
“Just meet them and hear us out. If you don’t want our help, then we can escort you out of the forest and part ways.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. Maybe he was right. Maybe his dream had meant something. He couldn’t be lying, couldn’t have known that was what I’d said unless he really had dreamt about me. Or used dark magic, but I had the sense he was telling the truth. “Okay,” I said, then picked up the end of the rope and threw it out the window. I turned to the prince. “You first?”
Chapter Seven
POPPY
We finally made it to the bottom. Prince Lochlan dropped off the rope that dangled over the ground. I glanced down to see him land in a crouch, then come to a stand, looking up at me expectantly.
He stretched out his arms. “I’ve been known to catch many a fainting woman. I’d like to think this won’t be that different.”
I rolled my eyes. I wanted to refuse him and that stupid smug grin. But the drop was far, and I didn’t know how to make a landing like he had. I’d likely break my neck or a leg, and then I’d truly be in trouble.
I swallowed. “Fine. Just don’t drop me.”
The teasing vanished from his voice. “I wouldn’t dare.”
I dropped my satchel first, gold and other supplies inside, then let go of the rope and tumbled through the air. My stomach shot up to my throat.
True to his word, the prince caught me, cradling me gently to his chest, our faces inches apart. For a second, I stared at him, lost in those sapphire-blue eyes. Then a throat cleared, and I scrambled out of his arms.
“Thank you,” I said quickly, picking up my satchel and slinging it over my shoulder.
He shot me another of his heart-melting grins. “No problem.”
I rolled my eyes again. He was clearly used to women falling at his feet. I hated to disappoint—actually I didn’t—but I would not be one of those women.
