But he stood rigid with his jaw set, his eyes never moving from the carriage.
Luna pulled against the rope binding her and Gregory’s ironclad grip, desperate for him to see her. To see behind what Nina had done. “Damien!” she pleaded, her words once again lost against the fabric of her gag.
His equine-like ears didn’t even flick towards her as he cleared his throat and said, “You have your proof. Now, release Arleen.”
Any remaining hope faded, and the absolute doom of her situation struck her to her core: Everyone here thought she was Nina—evenDamienthought so.
Again, she would be a captive, helpless, and at the mercy of others.
Luna stomped her hoof.Screw that.Like hell she would be.
That was the only warning she gave before she threw her body forward. The sudden movement caused Gregory’s footing to falter.
His grip loosened and she shot forward, bolting.
Every stride drove her muscles harder, faster. Freedom waited just beyond the trees, she only had to reach them.
Surely a life with the fae would be better than this.
Her legs pumped—half human, half unicorn—each step eating the ground beneath her. Her pulse roared in her ears, pushing her forward. She was faster than she’d ever been as a human, her unicorn hooves adding impossible speed to her run.
But Gregory was faster. In a heartbeat, his arms were around her again, yanking her back.
Screeching like a wild animal, she kicked out as hard as she could. Her hooves hit flesh, striking his legs, but it was no use.
His grip only tightened, pinning her against his chest.
Desperate, Luna reached for her powers.
The instant she connected to it, the rope binding her hands heated, electrifying her skin with tiny pulses of shock. The pain was minor—a mere warning.
Her magic recoiled and she cursed, the sound muffled by the gag in her mouth.
“I guess you were good for something after all, LowlyPrince,” Crawford noted, speaking Damien’s title with disdain.
Damien’s voice was hard, clearly annoyed. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Shrugging with one shoulder, Crawford glanced backwards. “As you wish.”
With that command, there was the distinct click of the carriage door, and then it swung open.
A woman stepped out. Her soft brown hair was loosely pinned up, and she wore a long, silky emerald green dress embedded with various jewels. Her skin seemed to glow, and her cheeks were full, with a hint of redness brushed onto them.
“Arleen,” Damien breathed out, the tension dropping from his face, then shoulders, as relief took over.
Her eyes were soft, almost twinkling, and her pink lips were turned upwards, smiling at Damien. With the same grace Winta possessed, she approached him, the train of her dress dragging behind her. Despite living in hell for however long, she looked beautiful. Radiant even.
Crawford paid little heed to Damien or her. His attention remained transfixed on Luna, watching her, desire flickering in his eyes as if he could undress her with a single thought. Turning her body as much as Gregory would allow, Luna looked elsewhere as if that would be enough to shield herself from him.
He chuckled in response, his voice rumbling through the air, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. “It’s good to see you again, Nina.”
Luna kept her eyes steady on the naked trees surrounding them, refusing to acknowledge him any further.
Damien closed the distance between Arleen. His shadows danced around her, shielding her from the Darkened One’s men lest they change their minds about exchanging her.
As sweet as the reunion was, Luna couldn’t help but feel bitter. Flexing her arm, she shifted her weight, and to her surprise, Gregory let go.
She took the chance to run—again . . . and again, she didn’t get far.
