Page 39 of Claimed By the Alien Prince
“Just remember,” she adds, eyes narrowing slightly, “this isn’t just about bringing her back. You need to figure out who or what is behind this poison.”
I nod, acknowledging her words but feeling a tug of defiance stir within me. The bond between us feels stronger than any political entanglement or accusation hurled in councilchambers. Carys is not merely an assignment; she’s… something else entirely.
“Don’t let sentiment cloud your judgment,” she warns as I guide my steed forward.
With one last glance over my shoulder at Aran’tha, I kick off into the forest. My heart pounds with each beat echoing in time with the thrum of the ground beneath my steed's powerful legs.
As we plunge deeper into the underbrush, sunlight dwindles like fading embers. Shadows lengthen and twist, creating a tapestry of darkness that both excites and unnerves me. The forest breathes around us—its primal heartbeat quickening as I navigate narrow passages and low bridges woven from ancient vines.
I know these woods well; every turn and every dip in terrain becomes familiar under my touch—yet today feels different. Today, it thrums with energy—alive and watching.
Carys may have a day on me, but speed is on my side. I urge my steed faster, each stride carrying me deeper into the labyrinthine wilds that seem intent on swallowing all light whole.
The air grows thicker—the scents shift from damp earth to rich loam mixed with something sweetly decaying. My instincts sharpen; something lurks here—something primal that gnaws at the edges of consciousness like a hungry beast.
I press on, weaving between towering trunks that seem to stretch endlessly upward toward a canopy alive with muted colors—glowing tendrils pulsing softly against the darkening sky.
A rustle in the brush snaps me back to focus. I pull back slightly on the reins as tension coils tight within me. A moment passes before silence envelops us again—a stillness so complete it nearly vibrates with expectation.
The forest wraps around me like a shroud, thick and suffocating. I can’t shake the memories of Carys—her laughter bubbling like spring water, the way she bites her lip when she’s focused on something. The taste of her mouth haunts me.
I push my steed faster, each stride matching the frantic pace of my thoughts. I need her. The desperation claws at my insides like a wild animal trapped in a cage, thrashing against the bars. No woman has ever stirred such raw need within me. Not even close.
Her scent lingers in my mind—earthy, sweet—a reminder of the chaos that swirled between us during our stolen moments. I can almost feel her body against mine again, every curve igniting fire along my skin, making me crave more than just her presence. My head between her thighs—that thought sends a rush of heat through me.
I’m not a fool; I know what this is—what it means—but acknowledging it feels dangerous. With each pulse of longing, I remember how deeply our bond reaches, stretching across every thought and moment spent apart.
“Carys,” I whisper to the empty trees around me, as if saying her name could summon her back to my side.
I scan the shadows dancing at the edges of the path ahead. The silence presses in on me; every rustle makes my heart leap into my throat. This place hides secrets beneath its layers of vines and leaves, and I won’t let any threat take her from me—not again.
I grip the reins tighter, teeth clenched against frustration. “I will find you,” I vow aloud to no one in particular, feeling an almost primal determination surge within me.
If it comes down to it—if it means setting this entire forest ablaze—I’ll do it without hesitation. My people may call for blood after what happened with the envoy; they may demandretribution—but nothing compares to the burning need to have Carys safe beside me again.
The earth thunders beneath us as we charge through dense underbrush that fights back like it senses my intent. Vines whip against my arms; branches claw at my shoulders, but they mean nothing against my resolve. All I see is her face—the way those amber eyes spark with mischief and defiance—and that fire inside only grows stronger.
Each minute that passes feels like an eternity spent in agony; memories of our moments together flicker in and out like shadows dancing across twilight.
When we reach a clearing bathed in dappled light filtering through leaves above, I pull back on the reins abruptly. My breath hitches as dread knots tightly in my chest—the realization crashes over me: what if she’s gone?
CHAPTER 31
CARYS
Ijerk awake with an abruptness that sends my heart racing, an urgent squirming itch on my leg igniting a surge of panic that spirals through my entire body like wildfire. The sensation feels foreign and unwelcome, a prickly urgency that demands immediate attention. My pulse quickens, echoing in my ears as I instinctively lift the edge of my robe. But when my eyes finally catch sight of the source of the itch, a scream rips from my throat.
Leeches. A slimy cluster of them writhes across my skin, their bodies glistening in the muted light. Panic spikes; the cold dampness of the swamp sinks into my bones as I swipe at them, my fingers finding their slick forms, the disgusting texture making me gag.
"Ew! Ah, fuck! Ew, ew!"
I rip them off one by one, flinging them away with disgusted cries. They splatter into the murky water like tiny dark bullets, leaving behind trails of viscous slime that cling to my fingers. I shudder, wiping my hands against the mossy ground, but the sensation lingers.
“Todd!” I yell, heart racing as dread tightens around my chest. “You had one job! You—You're supposed to keep watch!”
The drone hovers nearby, flickering in and out like a faulty bulb.
“Low-power mode activated…” he sputters weakly.
