Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
But I have to remember to treat her with the gentle care a bondmate requires.
I come hard, envisioning myself shoved halfway down her throat. I come in hot spurts, covering my belly. I don’t care. For the first time in a long time, I find it easy to fall asleep.
Chapter Three
Meg
I shake slightly as the gnome—and now I’m pretty damn sure it really is a gnome—removes the collar from around my neck.
I know the first thing I should do is punch her in the face and run as fast as I can, but…I find myself frozen in place.
I might be dead. I might be dead, and this is some weird waystation on my way to heaven or hell.
Or as Shakespeare said, there might be more to heaven and earth.
“Is that…?” I find it difficult to form words. The question I’m going to ask is ridiculous. It’s stupid. It might be real. “Are those men vampires?”
If they’re vampires, Meg, then they’re not men, dummy.
My subconscious is picking up that this is real, and I’ve wasted a shit ton of time.
She’s annoyed. I’m super sorry I don’t know the proper grammar I should use when describing mythical creatures.
The last few hours of my life have caused me to realize this isn’t a dream and I might be in trouble.
Beck said he wanted a wife. I’m not sure what the vampires want, but it might be a nice dinner, and I’m definitely on the menu.
Beck really does seem like my best bet.
I don’t know the area. I have zero idea what’s outside this tent, so running seems like a bad idea. I need to figure this place out before I run.
Or you could hang out with Beck and see what happens. I mean it’s not like you have a lot going back in Texas.
Inner me is also slightly insane.
Cara laughs gently. Her light blonde hair shakes. She looks at her husband, the gnome named Reeve, and says something in that other language before turning back to me. “Aye, mistress, they are vampires, but don’t worry none. We won’t let them bite you. They only want to see what they will be fighting for.”
She puts a hand on her hip and says something to her husband.
Reeve rolls his eyes. “Fine then, woman. Meg, my wife wants to unchain you. We’re taking you to the arena where the tournament will occur. You can watch one of two ways. I can keep you bound and naked like that, or I can give you a robe and let you sit with us in the stands.”
“I think I’ll take the robe.” I’m not going to let this chance get by. If I can get a lay of the land, then running might be back on the table. The gnomes are small. One well-placed kick and I might be on my way.
I don’t think about the fact that Cara’s been kind to me. That’s the Stockholm Syndrome talking.
Reeve considers me as though he can hear my thoughts. “If you run, you should know that one of them vampires will be on you before you can think to shout. They’ll play by the rules as long as you do, but the minute you run, they’ll chase you down. It’ll be a free for all.”
Gosh I hope they can’t hear my damn thoughts.
His words make me think about fangs and the looks of hunger in the vampires’ eyes. It sends a shiver through me, and I’m back to wondering where Beck is. “I’ll stay close.”
At least I’ll be out of the chains and clothed. What if Beck changed his mind? He hasn’t been back to see me, and it’s been hours. No one else was allowed to touch me. When they tried, the gnomes explained that if they did not follow protocol, they wouldn’t be allowed to fight. I didn’t asked why Beck was special. I didn’t have to.
According to the other women, Beck was a king.
Reeve allows his wife to unchain me.
“Where am I?” If this is my reality for the time being, I need to figure a few things out.
I’m obviously in denial. Something took me and my brain hasn’t found a way to deal with it.
It’s time to start dealing.
“You truly don’t know?” Cara asks, a look of sympathy on her face.
I shake my head. For the first time, I try to look at these beings as something other than figments of my imagination. If this is real and I’m going to save myself, I need them. If this is really happening, I have to get away. I can’t run if I don’t know where I am.
I’m beginning to accept that strange creature who kidnapped me brought me somewhere…else.
Cara brings over a gossamer robe and hands it to me. I pull it over my head, the soft fabric caressing my skin. Though it’s practically sheer, it feels warm against me.