Page 120 of Princess of Pride
I flinch with each shot and press my hands tighter over my ears, terrified more than I’ve ever been. Bran huddles around me like a human shield. My body trembles with my hyperactive breathing and my head grows fuzzy, my lips turning numb. The signs are all there—I’m on the verge of fainting, but I can’t calm down.
The firing stops, and the basement door smashes open. My panic spikes hire, my breathing too loud in the silence. Loud enough to give our hiding spot away, but I can’t make it stop.
Footsteps race down the stairs and head in our direction. My head swarms with dizziness, and I can’t feel my body.
“Grab her,” a man says.
I barely hear it as I slip into darkness.
29
I WOULDN’T TRADE HIM
The dream is the kind you don’t want to wake up from. The kind where you’re safe and snuggled in the strong arms of a man who smells like the woods, rain, and a salty breeze mixed into one.
I inhale deeply, trying to make the scent a part of me. The man it belongs to is already a part of me whether I want him to be or not.
But this is a dream. I can indulge in whatever I want and lock it away when I wake up.
Fingers brush across my cheek and warm lips press against mine in a sweet kiss that draws a moan from my throat.
“More.”
A deep chuckle sounds. It’s as soft as the fingers caressing my skin. Dream Lachlan is gentle.
Those lips touch mine again, this time lingering sensually before moving away. “You’re so beautiful in this serene state. So pliant.” His thumb sweeps over my bottom lip. “I should have told you. I should have explained.”
“Explained what?” I murmur and turn my head toward hiswarm chest, my eyes closed. If I open them, I’ll wake up and this dream will end.
“My plan, and how I altered it for you… because of my feelings.”
“You don’t have feelings. Not for me.”
“I didn’t want to.”
“You used me and planned to give me to that monster so he could…” I couldn’t even repeat the words. They were too horrible. “I heard you talking to Wes.” My lips pull with a deep frown, and I turn my head away. Waking up now would be good.
Dream Lachlan touches my cheek and nudges my face toward his chest again. “I said that out of anger after you left me at our wedding. I was humiliated and enraged, but I’m selfish. You belong to me. I never would have given you up. I couldn’t even walk away from you when I developed strong feelings—feelings I didn’t want because they only lead to pain.”
Sadness invades me—for him and for myself. “I don’t think we’re meant for love.” This dream isn’t as good as it started out. It hurts and I want to wake up. I force my eyes open.
A dimly lit room greets me. I know it. The basement? Lachlan holds me as he sits on the couch.
“You’re here,” I say, confused. My body feels weak and cold.
“Fuck, Emery.” Anguish contorts his features. He presses his forehead to mine, his hand in my hair holding the back of my head. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
“What happened? How are you here? Why are you acting this way?” Like he really cares.
He lifts his head. “I came for you. I’ll always come for you, my golden princess. My love. I vow to protect you, and I will with my dying breath.”
This isn’t right. Am I still dreaming?
I touch Lachlan’s face. Blood stains my fingers. I gasp and pull my hand away. “Who’s hurt?” Me or him? Adrenaline floods my system, giving me energy and making me more alert.
Why are we on the couch? I try to sit up, but Lachlan won’t let me go.
“Stop. I need to see who’s bleeding.”
