For the rest of the evening, I was restless and unable to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Elias' hurt expression. Despite telling myself that this was for the best and that eventually we would both get over it, I couldn't stop the pain I felt over how things played out, and that kept me awake until the servants began to move, indicating that it was morning. I had to admit that this perpetual day was taking a toll on me. After all, I was used to the perpetual night back in Allsbrook.Getting up, I hurried to the washroom to freshen up and change. Once I felt that I was acceptable enough, I snuck out into the hall, where maids and butlers rushed around collecting dirty linen and laundry to wash for the day."Good morning, miss." Melanie, a young woman with mousy brown hair and big golden eyes, greeted me as I tried to escape. "Where are you off to in such a hurry this morning?""Oh..." I stammered, realizing that I was busted. "I was just going to go down to the garden for a st
"Come," Tristan said, holding his hand out. "It seems Indigo wants some exercise.""But..." I stammered, fixing my gaze on the beautiful creature that was watching me almost expectantly."Don't worry," he continued, smirking. "Indigo is a very well-trained girl. She is by far the safest to ride."Even though I didn't necessarily doubt his words, it didn't make me any less nervous. Sure, I was aware that in my previous life here, I used to ride them. However, it had been many years since then, and I couldn't stop my fear."If you don't trust the creature, it won't trust you." Tristan pointed out, noticing my hesitance. "A rider and beast need full trust and to be like one being instead of two.""Right." I puffed, drawing in a calming breath. "Have to trust the creature."Reaching out a hand, I rubbed the side of Indigo's feathery face again. As my hand moved, I could feel a low rumble reverberate throughout her body before she closed her eyes in contentment."Better to just rip the band
"I'm sorry." I said quietly as a small voice in the back of my head began screaming danger. "It won't happen again." Moving forward, I slowly lifted a hand to touch Vladimier's cheek. For now, I needed to calm him down. If things kept progressing, I wasn't sure what would happen. "It meant nothing." I continued gently, meeting his still-outraged gaze. "Next time, I won't let any man touch me if he isn't you."I could feel my heart beginning to hammer in my chest as I spoke. To be honest, I didn't know how he would react or if my soothing words would work. However, I needed to try.As I watched Vladimier's face slowly begin to untense before finally a sigh escaped his lips and I knew the worst was over."I'm sorry." He murmured, finally releasing my arm. "However, you will receive punishment for your actions.""Punishment?" I squeaked, feeling my heart drop. Was this man truly the man I once knew? "What punishment?"As I tried to think of what he could do, many scenarios flashed through
It felt as if the world around me had crashed to the ground. Was this man really saying that I was going to die again and this time stay dead?"As a mage, you should know about this." Geofrey pointed out, seeming amused. "Are you really one, or are you just faking?""I only recently learned of my past self." I responded slowly, still trying to process what I was just told. "There is still a lot I have to learn again."Closing my eyes, I took a calming breath. How is this even happening right now? How long did I have?"Can you tell me more about this body-snatcher thing?" I asked, suddenly feeling desperate. "Is there a way to stop the rejection?"Instead of responding, Geofrey narrowed his gaze. From the look that was slowly forming on his face, it was clear he didn't know what to think of my question."Come with me." He sighed, reaching out and grabbing my wrist. "This isn't the place to talk."Having no reason to decline, I allowed him to lead me down the long hallway and towards a d
Letting a scream escape me, I felt the creature's teeth sink into my arm, instantly tearing the skin and drawing blood. Hissing in pain, I used my free hand to grab hold of its jaw and began to try to fight to break free."Let go." I growled while managing to get the creature's mouth open wide enough to pull myself free.Jumping back, I managed to avoid it clamping down a second time. Realizing it missed, it let a loud reptile-like hiss escape as it lowered down onto all fours and began to quickly scuffle towards me.Turning, I clutched my injured arm to my chest and ran towards the end of the hall that I was currently in. As I moved, the walls themselves began to seem to move, almost like they were trying to guide me somewhere.Too scared of the creature that was chasing me, I continued to move until I found myself in a large room with a pond sitting in the middle of it. Below my feet sat lush green grass that I could barely see through the fog that hovered close above it.Unable to g
Lifting my hand, I gingerly touched the spot that Vladimier had hit. The skin there was already swollen and tender to the touch. There was no mistaking the amount of force he put behind it. He intended to do damage and damage he had done."Why?" I managed, trying to remain calm. From the anger boiling off of the man before me, I knew that losing my temper wasn't a wise move. "Why did you?""Who gave you permission to wander the castle alone?" He demanded instead, ignoring my question. "Do you know what could have happened?"After my run-in with that lizard creature, I was well aware of what could have happened. However, I didn't understand how that warranted my needing to be smacked."It seems I've been giving you too much freedom." He continued, crossing his arms. "From today on, you'll be in confinement until the wedding.""Wedding?" I squeaked, my eyes growing wide. "But I never...""You've taken long enough deciding." Vladimier said, cutting me off. "Now, I'm making the decision fo
Opening my eyes, I looked around the familiar office as my heart beat rapidly and a light sheen of sweat dotted my forehead."Welcome back." Geofrey spoke, drawing my crazed eyes to him. "Are you alright?"Taking in a few deep, calming breaths, I tried to catch my breath."I'm okay." I managed to rasp. "I just wasn't expecting..."Eyes widening, I stopped talking, realizing that I was about to admit to meeting Elias. I couldn't let anyone know that happened. Otherwise, I would be in a lot of trouble."Expecting?" Geofrey urged, curiosity coloring his expression."My death." I lied, hoping that he would buy it."Did you at least go out in a blaze of glory?" He asked, seeming disappointed with my response.Feeling a surge of annoyance rush through me, I held back my initial response. What kind of person shows that much excitement over someone's death?"Would be boring to just die in your sleep." He continued to muse. "Would be better to die battling, or at least imploding, maybe?""Do pe
The next three days flew by in a blur of preparations and hopes that Elias and his army would show up in time to save me. However, in the end, he never showed up, and the night of the engagement ceremony came.Vladimier made sure that I was up early in the morning so that I could go through the motions of preparing for what was to come. Starting from fasting from sun up to the ritual cleanse to remove any and all taint that may be on my body from another man, and then, of course, being placed in a parlor to have my hair and makeup done. Followed by being squeezed into a long white dress with too many ruffles and lace.Staring in the mirror now, I wondered how it would look to see this beautiful woman before me splattered on the ground, because if in the end I wasn't rescued, there was a good possibility that would be my fate. One thing I was well aware of was that if I let this ceremony take place, then my life would be forever tied to Vladimier's. That was simply the way this type of