I haven’t visited this place in several years, not since discovering Viviana’s existence. She consumed my focus. Became my obsession.
And now she’s myaddiction.
I can feel her again, her mind open to mine as she wanders through a dark forest. She knows she’s left the human world, her instincts flaring as she runs for real now.
Before, she was playing.
Now, she’s terrified.
I’m here, I whisper to her.
Ciprian,she breathes, her footsteps faltering. I can’t hear her movements. However, I can sense them.
Don’t stop,I warn her.I don’t know what trial you’ve entered, but if you’re being truly hunted, then you can’t stop running.
This is likely a test of her strength and stamina, just like the one Shyla once failed.
Or perhaps it’s about cleverness.
I… I don’t know. I have no control. No answers. But I’m here. I can figure out what’s happening and try to help her, just like Marius suggested.
I soar through the air, the blood moons above illuminating the ground below. It’s always night here, the forestry made of unique fir-like trees that thrive in this realm.
Viviana noticed the difference in horticulture. That’s how she realized she’d entered a different world. I can hear the knowledge in her mind, the panic that melted into resolve as she pushed forward.
She didn’t freeze out of fear.
She kept going.
Until she heard me.
But now she’s sprinting again, convinced someone is chasing her.
My wings beat as I try to find her, to see who and what might be pursuing her.
But the trees surrounding my palace are too dense. I’m not even sure she’s in this part of the kingdom.
Fuck.
I fly down to the courtyard out front, where several Strigoi have gathered.
“My king,” they greet in unison, bowing.
“Where’s my intended?” I demand, not in the mood for formalities or salutations. They took Viviana, and I want her located.
Fjord, the general in charge of my palace security, creates a holographic screen in the air with a wave of one large hand. It pulls up footage of my female—my verynakedfemale—running through the woods.
I suppress a snarl, furious that these three men are seeing my woman in this vulnerable state. The anger is made worse by the knowledge that this feed is likely being televised throughout the kingdom.
Which meanseveryoneis currently watching Viviana sprint in the nude.
It’s not uncommon for the trials. I know this. But that doesn’t mean Ilikeit.
“Where…?” I trail off, my brow furrowing as I study the background behind my intended. There are fir trees, just like I expected, but the shadowing is all wrong.
I glance up at the moons, note their high positions in the sky, and then look at the screen again.
“That’s nowhere near here,” I say, confused by the glow coming in at a low angle. It suggests the moons are either just rising or setting.
