Page 54 of Fire & Ice

Charlie smiled and nodded slightly, gesturing for me to close my eyes. Swallowing hard, I complied.

The next thing I felt was a rushing wind as the ground disappeared beneath my feet and a dizzying vibration filled the surrounding air. I held onto Charlie's arm tightly, terrified of losing him in the sudden gale… and then we were standing on solid ground again. My opened and I gasped—we were no longer outside the palace. Instead, we stood in an unfamiliar room filled with bookshelves and deep velvet curtains framing massive windows.

Charlie grinned at my expression of shock and disbelief. "Welcome to my home... away from home," he said with a hint of smugness in his voice.

Warily I took it all in, on high alert now that we were alone. How had we gotten here? What other powers did Charlie possess? And why had he never mentioned any of this before? Before I could ask any questions, he took hold of my hand and led me further into the room.

"The view here is stunning," he said. "I think you'll appreciate it."

He swept back the curtains with a flourish, and I gasped. We weren't inside a house at all, but rather a stone tower perched atop a jagged cliff. As far as the eye could see, a tangled forest stretched into the distance, its canopy a sea of emerald-green under the fleeting light of moonset.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, momentarily enchanted by the view and for a moment, my heartache eased, overshadowed by wonder.

Suddenly the soft touch of Charlie's hand on mine caused me to jump. I tried to pull away—but he held tight.

"Not as beautiful as you," he murmured, his voice low and full of longing.

"Charlie, what is going on? Why did you bring me here?" I asked hesitantly, heart hammering in my chest.

"I thought it was time we had a heart-to-heart," he replied, edging closer. "You see, Tempest, I have feelings for you."

In shock, I gasped, desperately looking for an escape route. "What are you talking about? I'm mated to Beau."

Seething anger darkened Charlie's face. "Beau doesn't deserve you. He's not worthy of a queen like you."

"That's not true!" The protest angrily slipped from my lips, as I struggled against Charlie's iron grip on my hand. "Beau is a good man and a great leader. He loves me and I love him. There is nothing you can say that will change that."

Charlie tightened his grip even more painfully making me wince in pain. His eyes smoldered with anger and passion as he stared down at me. "You're wrong, Tempest. You're meant to be with me. Together we can rule the world."

Panic rose within me, sending fear coursing through my veins like liquid fire. His words seeped into my consciousness like poison, trying to turn my mind away from Beau and our love for one other; while all the while his hands moved up and down my body possessively tightening around my waist in a vice grip when I attempted move away from him.

Terrified, my lips parted to scream in protest but before any sound could leave them Charlie pressed a forceful kiss upon me, probing deep into my mouth with his tongue until it tasted like bile and disgust invaded every inch of my being.

I could feel his arousal pressing against me, and my disgust grew. My fire power surged through my veins, but I knew it wouldn't work against him. Charlie was immune to my flames, just as I was immune to his. I was trapped, with no way out.

Charlie smirked—his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You can't escape me, Tempest. You're mine now."

My heart pounded in terror as Charlie's lips descended on mine again. I tried to scream, but his mouth muffled my cries. I felt violated, used, and powerless.

"Charlie, please.... I thought we were friends... why are you doing this?" I pleaded trying to understand what was happening.

"Oh, come now Tempest, have you truly never seen how much I love you, adore you? I was with you every step of the way through our gifted years, more of a friend to you than Sara."

"No, Charlie... you introduced me to Beau at the Blood Moon Ball... I've..."

"Ah... yes, well that was a mistake that I suffer with every moon. Had I just said I did not know you and allowed him to meet you the next day - sure you both would feel the attraction, but being mated- that would be null and void-It's okay though-I have a way to remedy that and free you from Fate’s so-called hold."

"I don't want that... I want Beau and I know he wants me... something is wrong."

"He wants you Tempest... Really? didn't look like that in his study when he had your good friend Sara pressed up against the wall. It looked as if he was seconds away from sticking his dick in her cunt and his fangs in her neck," " Charlie sneered, his eyes growing dark.

"It's just not right Charlie... something is not right."

"How about his..." He trailed off, suddenly contrite as he realized his rudeness. He bowed low before her and begged forgiveness, offering a gift of a long golden chain adorned with a dazzling ruby pendant. "I will escort you back to the palace, just take this gift as a part of my sincere apologies."

"It's okay Charlie really..." I stammered and tried to back away, but for every step I took back he stepped forward until I felt the cold stone wall pressing against my back.

"I insist Tempest." He said firmly as he held the necklace up and slipped it over my head, letting the chain settle upon my neck. His fingers traced along my collarbone, making my skin crawl in revulsion.

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