Chapter 22: Chapter 22

ANNA

When I finally wake up, it’s morning.

~I slept through a whole day. Wow.~

Pulling on my shoes and finger-combing my hair, I go out of my room. I need to find Roland—we need to talk about my power—but first I need some food.

Entering the dining room, I see a lot of new faces I don’t recognize. I spot Roland and Lev in the far corner of the room, talking to one of the newcomers.

~Food. I need food. My stomach is growling like a wolf~.

I load up a plate and go to the patio. I really like it out there; it’s quiet.

Trix comes strolling to my table, narrows her eyes at me, and sits without an invitation.

“Morning,” I say, and take a bite of my oatmeal.

She nods but doesn’t speak.

~What’s her problem?~ ~I can’t wait for Amethyst to get back. Then at least I’ll have some decent company.~

Roland, Lev, and a newcomer approach our table. Trix smiles brightly at Roland, but he just gives her a nod.

“Morning, Annabeth. This is Prince Xavier, the leader of the vamps.”

I smile and hold out my hand to him. “Nice to meet you.”

He gives me a crooked smile. “So this is the human. Nice to meet you too, Annabeth.” He places a soft kiss on my hand and sits next to me, scanning me.

~This guy gives me the creeps. He’s a vampire, a blood-sucking vamp. Shit, maybe I’m on his menu.~

Xavier smiles at me and places his hand on mine.

“Annabeth, I can read your mind, sweetheart, and I promise you, I have no desire to suck your blood.” He flashes me a bright smile. I can feel the blush on my face.

Roland clears his throat. “Anna, you will be training with me today. Amethyst will be returning in the afternoon, and then she can take over.”

~Oh, I hope it’s hand-to-hand combat. I wouldn’t mind sparring with him.~

Xavier starts to laugh.

~Oh, shit! Kill me now. I forgot about this mind reader.~

“Oh, Anna, I think you and I will be great friends,” he says, and winks at me.

Roland and I walk out onto the lawn. Lev, Trix, and Xavier stand on the patio watching us.

“Okay, Anna, I want you to shoot a fireball again.” Roland looks serious.

“I’ll try. What’s my target?”

He smirks. “Me.”

~Oh, shit. Okay.~

Roland takes a defensive stance and braces for impact.

I take my own stance and focus my mind.

Nothing, not even a spark.

“Uh, Roland, it won’t come.”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t do it,” I say with a sigh.

“Okay. Your power is connected to your emotions, so you need to tap into what you’re feeling. Just take a deep breath and tell me what you felt when you shot Trix.”

“Frustration. Anger.”

~And jealousy, but he doesn’t have to know that.~

“Okay, now use that and shoot me with a fireball.” He places his hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze before walking away, then turning to face me.

“Okay, Anna.”

Lev clears his throat from the patio. “Maybe put Trix in front of her?”

Trix glares at him. “Nuh-uh, that hurt.” She shakes her head and pouts.

~Oh, please do it so I can shoot her again.~

Xavier nods at Roland in agreement.

“Okay, Trix, you’re up. Come piss off Anna over here,” says Roland. He stands next to me and folds his arms.

“Thanks a lot, jerk,” she growls at Lev and walks across the lawn.

“Anna, focus on Trix. She will be striking back, and a moving target is much more difficult to hit. Trix, you need to attack Anna,” Roland says.

“With pleasure.” She smirks and charges.

I can’t feel the power. She drops me to the grass in seconds.

Roland stands there with his jaws clenched. He looks down at me and narrows his eyes.

“Again.”

Trix smiles at him, goes back to her place, and attacks. Again and again she drops me like a sack of potatoes. Every time Roland shakes his head and orders her to do it again.

She is enjoying it. I, on the other hand, am not enjoying it at all.

She drops me one more time and smirks. This time, Roland grabs her by the arm and looks straight into my eyes.

“Sorry for this, flower,” he whispers to me—and plants a full-mouth kiss on her mouth.

~What the hell!~

I jump to my feet. Roland pushes Trix away and grabs me.

“Breathe. I needed you to get angry. Now shoot that fireball at her or at me.” He takes a few steps back.

Trix is on cloud nine. I’m not mad at her, but Roland?

~He asked for this. Now he’s gonna get it.~

I take my stance. This time even my blood is boiling. I feel the fire streaming through my body, and this time it wants to come out in fury.

~That asshole, kissing other women just to piss me off.~

I shout the word and out comes the fire. It’s not like last time. It’s a stream shooting out of my hands, right at Roland.

He stops my attack before it even reaches him, which pisses me off more. I blast him again.

He smiles at me. “Anna, I can do this all day, but you can’t. Take a breath and focus. If you want to hit me, then do it.”

“Bastard!” I shout, breathless. This is draining me. Every part of my body is shaking.

~I can do this.~

I inhale and take my stance one last time, shooting straight at him. He dodges my shot and I fall to the ground. My body is done, no more.

Roland wraps me up in his arms. I snuggle into his chest and grab his shirt. He picks me up bridal style and carries me to my room.

~I’m so tired. How on earth will I be able to help if I can’t even stay awake?~

Roland gently places me on my bed and strokes my hair out of my face.

“You did great, flower,” he says and turns to go, but I grab him by the wrist.

“Don’t go, please.”

He tilts his head to the side and smiles sweetly.

“I’ll stay, but you need some rest.” He sits down next to me.

“May I ask you one thing?” I mumble.

“Yes.”

“Why did you kiss Trix?” I hear the sadness and anger in my voice.

“Well, your magic works with your emotions. I kissed her because I needed you to get angry, and that was the fastest way. I didn’t know if it would work. It was a gamble.

“I thought if you even feel an ounce of what I feel for you, then you would tap into your powers to blast me or her. Just glad it was me; she would have been fried.” He smiles and makes himself comfortable on my bed.

“I do care about you, a lot, and it scares me.”

He frowns. “Why would it scare you?”

I flash him a small smile.

“Because I’m falling for you, and I can’t. I need to get back to my realm and—”

He cups my face.

“Just live in the moment, flower,” he whispers, and gently presses his forehead to mine.

I take in a deep breath and close the distance between us, placing a soft and gentle kiss on his lips. He smiles as I pull away.

“Thanks.” I smile sweetly at him.

“For?”

“For saving me and teaching me.” As I look into those icy blue eyes, a shiver runs down my spine. He runs his fingers up and down my arm, and my body is instantly covered with goosebumps.

He leans in closer, placing soft kisses on my jawline. He pushes my hair off my shoulder, exposing my neck, and starts to kiss me there.

I let out a breath and shut my eyes.

“Roland.” I whisper his name and inhale a sharp breath. Every part of me wants this man, yearns for his touch.

The fire in my core sparks as he softly nibbles the crook of my neck. I let out a soft moan.

He pulls away. I open my eyes, and our gazes meet.

~I can’t take this anymore. It’s torture.~

“Roland, please.”

He gently pulls me to his lap. Now I’m straddling him, and I wrap my arms around him. He starts kissing me. I shift on his lap, and he grabs me by my waist.

“Keep still, Anna,” he whispers in my ear and nibbles on my earlobe. He places a soft kiss on my cheek and presses his forehead to mine, our mouths inches apart.

“Fuck, Anna, you drive me crazy.” He takes in a deep breath.

“Roland, please kiss me,” I whisper.

Without any hesitation, we lock into a passionate kiss. He wraps my hair into his fingers and places his other hand on the small of my back, pulling me closer to him.

My heart is racing, and my whole body is tingling. He deepens the kiss, and I let out a soft moan, giving him full control. He runs his hand under my shirt.

I can feel the bulge in his pants. He wants me as much as I want him. I start to shift on his lap. He growls softly and pulls away.

I smile at him sweetly, and he narrows his eyes.

“Anna?”

I give him a nod and bite my bottom lip.

“Fuck, Anna.”

We lock lips again, and this time lust takes over.

***

I lie breathless, snuggled up on his chest. He’s drawing circles on my arm, inhaling deeply.

~That was mind-blowing. He sure knows how to pleasure a woman.~

I can’t help but smile.

“Hey, Roland, aren’t you supposed to meet with Lev and Xavier?”

“Oh, baby, I’m not going anywhere until I make you scream my name again.” I feel my cheeks warm up as he places a soft kiss on my head.

“Round two?”

I smile at him brightly and shake my head. “I need to shower.”

A devilish smile creeps upon his face. “I can work with that.”

“Roland! Not what I meant!” I can’t stop giggling at the thought. “I’m going to shower, and you need to go speak to Lev.”

I place a soft kiss on his lips and get out of bed, pulling the sheet with me.

“You know I’ve seen it all, baby. No need to hide that sweet body of yours.”

He gets up, exposing every part of him, and comes over to me, keeping his gaze on mine, stalking me like I’m his prey.

~Holy shit, he looks hot.~

I sprint toward the bathroom, giggling, but he grabs me around my waist and pulls me to him.

“I told you not to run from me.”

He smiles and kisses the back of my neck, then pulls the sheet from my hands and lets it fall to the ground. He cups a breast with one hand and gently starts to tease my sensitive spot with the other.

“Oh, Anna, you are so ready for me,” he whispers in my ear.

I tilt my head back and rest it on his shoulder, shutting my eyes and submitting to his touch.

After round two, I manage to get to the shower. My legs are jelly, I can barely stand, and my whole body is sensitive to the touch. And the ridiculous smile on my face won’t disappear.

I rinse the shampoo from my hair and get out, grab a towel, and go back to my room.

~Oh, shit, I need to clean up a bit, and I think he might have broken the headboard.~

I start to giggle, grab my clothes, and get dressed, then tidy up the room and head out.

Downstairs, I hear the men in the throne room talking as I pass on my way to the dining room.

~This war sounds bad. Everyone is on edge.~

The dining room is filled with wolves and vamps. Some are training outside on the lawn.

The vamps are quiet and keep to themselves, while the wolves are loud. I know most of them now.

I’m starving and the food smells great. I grab a plate and start to fill it. I stroll to the patio and grab a chair, watching the people training while I eat.

Collen approaches me.

“Oh, Anna, you smell like Roland.” He smiles, winks, and plants himself on a chair next to me.

I throw a French fry at him as a blush warms my face.

“No need to blush, Anna. Everyone heard you.” He starts to laugh.

“Hey, that doesn’t help!” I narrow my eyes at him.

“Want to train after your meal? That is, if you have any energy left.” He arches his eyebrows at me and grins.

“You gonna teach me hand-to-hand combat?” I pop a fry into my mouth.

“Yeah, sure, why not? I would love to teach you.” He smiles and steals some of my food.

“Hey!”

He smirks, gets up from the chair, and goes down to the lawn. I finish my meal quickly and follow him.

“Ready? I’ll teach you some of the basic stuff. Now, remember, Anna, we are supernaturals.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about her. She can hold her own,” Trix says as she passes me.

He frowns and looks back at me. “Okay, then this should be fun,” he says.

~I need to tap into my emotions; that’s what Roland said. Well, let’s give it a try.~

I take my stance, and a grin creeps onto my face as I feel the warmth of the fire.

“Ready?” he shouts.

“Ready!”

I shoot him down with one huge fireball, sending him through a tree.

“Holy shit, Anna!” he shouts as he pushes himself from the ground.

“Sorry!” I smile sweetly.

~Wow. Okay, that was a lot of power.~

Trix starts to laugh. “Told you!”

Lev comes up to my side, looking worried. “Roland is looking for you,” he tells me.

“Where is he?”

“He’s in the study with Prince Xavier and King Keijo.”

I nod, then shout, “Hey, Collen, I’ll be back soon.” I turn and go back to the castle.

In the throne room, the men are sitting at the table, looking all serious.

“Anna.” Roland stands, walks over, and kisses me.

“Hey.” I smile sweetly at him.

He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a chair.

“We need you to tell us how you got here,” Roland says.

~He looks so serious.~

“Um, through a portal.”

~I told him this already.~

“Where were you when the portal appeared?”

~Okay, why does this matter?~

“At a hospital in New York City. Why? What’s going on?”

Roland shakes his head. “Can you remember anything strange, like a symbol?”

I start to think but nothing really pops to mind.

“Sorry, no. I mean, everything was strange—the creatures, the portal. They looked like they were searching for something.”

He looks over at the prince, who nods at Roland.

“Shit! Okay, that will be all. Thanks, Anna.” Roland places a kiss on my head.

“Hey, can you tell me what’s going on?”

“Not now. I’ll talk to you later,” he says, his eyes turning pitch black.

~What the hell? This is bad, very bad.~

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.” I stand and go out.

~I wonder what that was all about? Why the sudden interest in my whereabouts? Maybe when Amethyst gets back she can tell me more. Roland said she’ll be here soon.~

Outside on the patio, Lev is leaning against the wall, watching the training.

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure. As long as it has nothing to do with the birds and the bees, then yes,” he says, grinning.

I slap him on the shoulder and shake my head.

“No, that I know. It’s about Roland. Why is he so worried? I mean, you said it’s almost impossible to kill him.”

“Almost impossible. He doesn’t care if he lives or dies; it’s the others he’s worried about. He has a great heart, and that’s why he’ll make a great king one day.”

He smiles suddenly. “Amethyst is back.”

“Where?” I spin around, looking everywhere for my friend.

Lev chuckles and ruffles my hair. “Come.”

I frown at him and follow him inside.