Alyssa As we walk through the forest searching for Azrael, a screech bounces off the trees. The sound reminds me of a dying animal, something unearthly that's been possessed by a demon. A shudder travels up my spine, and I close my eyes. I recognize the terrifying sound of Fabian. "Well..." Sleepy says, covering my shoulder with his large hand. His smile is sweet when I find his eyes. "At least we know the monstrosity is here, waiting for us to defeat him." I listen to the rustling of the canopies above us, allowing nature to calm my drumming pulse before I ask the question that is weighing my heart. "You think it's possible to beat him?" "Definitely." We keep on trampling grass and moss, pausing when the screech approaches us as if the giant bat is moving. Sweat trickles down my spine, and I hold my breath. "You hear that?" I ask. "Perhaps Fabian left the mountain." I throw a glance over my shoulder, screaming when Sle

Alyssa Two months have passed since we defeated Fabian. And I still long to hear your voice again, watch your lips as you form the words to call me princess. I've been working hard on getting on this boat, and Sleepy has been making money too. We are fine. We are smiling. We are surviving. Yet I still miss you. "I swear to god that I will commit suicide and throw myself overboard if we eat the same slobbery fish for another day!" I grimace at the bitter flavor and shudder in disgust. "Surely, there must be better things in the sea. Why aren't they catching shrimp or lobster?!" I grumpily dig into the fish again, aware of the amused laughter coming from above. "Hey! It's not that bad!" Sleepy hangs his head like a bat and smiles down from the top of our bunk bed. Green hair falls around him like a mane, and I laugh at his big smile. We are eating dinner and praying the boat won't sink and disappear in the waves—t

Alyssa After some fun with shrinking and some much-needed cuddles, I'm sharing a blanket with Sleepy on deck. The boat is approaching land, and the skies have cleared, leaving the morning sun to sweep in through the cracks in the clouds. I sink further into Sleepy. I'm sitting in his lap, and with a content sigh, I relax my entire body weight against his chest, which seems to be made of steel. His arms curl tighter around me in response. My head is tucked between his shoulder and neck, and he smells great, like sea salt and the ocean mixed with his usual nectar. Neither of us says a word as the sun shines brighter above us. I'm so warm and reasonably confident I could die a smiling woman nestled against the firm expanse of his chest. I don't think I will ever be able to return to sitting alone, not after using him as my couch. "Alyssa, look over there!" Sleepy nods ahead of us, whispering into my ear in a tender voice. "I think I see our new h

AlyssaWhen I open my eyes, an elderly lady with cat ears glares down at me while holding clothes in her arms. She is dressed in this medieval maid attire and throws me an identical-looking set of clothes. The colors are mainly white and brown."Well, get on with it then! Put on your clothes, lass!" The lady sounds upset with me, stressed. "My name is Esme, and the master doesn't like to wait! He is sleeping right now, and it's our job to clean him up after his latest battle. Hurry!""E-Excuse me?" My voice comes out high-pitched."What is it you don't understand?" Esme pulls me up from the mattress beneath me, and I squint at the sun coming in through the window, but I'm not hurt by it. It seems the feather around my neck is still determined to protect me."Stop dreaming and put on your clothes!"Startled by the tone of her voice, I stand straighter and nod at the bossy lady—I can already tell it's not wise messing with Esme. "Yes!"

AlyssaAzrael is eyeing me with severe eyes. "So you said the ones who kidnapped Sleepy smelled like cat people?"I inhale. In the past, I was more at ease with Azrael, but now there is electricity in the air. I should focus on the mission to find and save Sleepy before making it back to our world, but Azrael is making it somewhat hard.He has those bedroom eyes, and the mate-bond is like a sweet, romantic melody in my ears whispering, "You know you want him,"I need to get a grip, but it's easier said than done. Azrael is all curious eyes and smiles. It's seriously distracting. One glance and the man can reduce me into a nervous wreck."Yeah... And the other cat person called Sleepy's captor for "boss," so I imagine he is someone powerful.""Hmm..."Azrael taps his chin with his blonde hair falling into his eyes. He seems deep in thought, so I steal a glance of him. I absorb the view of his large shoulders and follow them down to his