Page 37 of Princess Redeemed
I absently touch my belly once more.“It’s okay, baby,” I say softly.
I kick the two skulls out of my way and continue forward, gazing at the tapestries lining the walls.They’re all abstract in dark hues, yet they give me feelings of dread and despair, as if I can’t go on.
But I must go on.
I must.
I force my right leg to take a step, and then my left leg.Each step requires a forceful thought, as if I’m no longer capable of involuntary movement.
Finally, I make it.
Richard’s throne made of iron that is the center of the vast circular chamber.
The throne is empty, and the chamber is devoid of any natural light.
Again I wonder… Is this the ether?Or is this my own world, somewhere underground?
I force my steps, moving toward the throne.Shadows converge and meld into sentient forms, and I can almost hear them whispering ancient, evil secrets.
I shake my head, trying to clear it.
Must move forward.Must move forward.
With everything in me, I take one more step.
21
“Hello, Hannah.”
My stepfather’s voice slides over my flesh like a black widow spider ready to sink its teeth into me and kill me with its venom.
“You’re here,” I say matter-of-factly.“Show yourself, you fucking coward!”
“No one will sit on that throne but me,” his voice continues.“No matter what you, your wolf, or your vampire father say.”
I listen carefully, ever aware, letting my heightened vampire senses tell me what I need to know.
“Your voice,” I say.“It’sweak.You are weak.”
“You won’t get away with this,” he seethes, still invisible.
“Get away with what?”I demand.“I only want Rogan.Where is he?”
“What makes you think he’s here?”Richard cackles.“You already know the truth.”
You’re controlled by nature.Nature has led you to Rogan.But the laws of nature also tell us that what controls us can also be controlled.
Richard knew all along.He fucking knew what my father had done.But does he know why?Because I don’t.
“You never gave me any credit for my intelligence,” I say.“I knew all along.”
He laughs then, a slimy, evil laugh that makes my spine go cold.“Please.You had no idea at first.But you’ve known for a while.You know that wolf isn’t yours.Was never yours.So for you to tell me you know he’s here is bullshit, Hannah.You have no link to him at all.”
Except I do.
I’m linked through his child growing within me, and I heard Rogan.I heard his blood flying through his veins.
And I know he’s here.
