Chapter 21

I wake up with a start, trying to sit up, but my head spins and I flop back onto the pillow.

Pillow?

I squint up at a baby blue ceiling. Roman doesn’t have a baby blue ceiling, does he?

Panic surges through me.

I was kidnapped by my father who isn’t my father, but he is my father, right?

Was it all just a dream?

I open both my eyes and take in the room. This is definitely not Roman’s house.

It’s not Greek in style, it’s more American.

Wait, am I in America? My panic triggers my magic.

I feel it bubbling up, and I brace myself for the bed to catch fire. But only my wrists burn.

I pull my arms out from under the blanket and see a silver bracelet on each wrist.

I bring one up to my face, sensing the magic within it.

Really? Magic-infused voodoo bracelets?

I groan and carefully get out of bed. My legs are a little shaky, but I manage to walk.

I head towards a big brown door, but before I can reach for the handle, it swings open.

I jump back, scanning the room for a weapon. I dart towards a nightstand and grab the lamp sitting on top of it.

The door opens slowly, as if the person behind it expects an attack, which I’m ready to deliver.

When the door is fully open and Alan stands in the doorway, I hurl the lamp at him.

He ducks and avoids it.

The bracelets sear into my wrists, my magic trying to break free because of my anger.

“YOU! YOU KIDNAPPED ME! YOU SON OF A...”

“No need to curse out my mother, darling.”

I growl at him, the bracelets burning even more.

Great, so I can’t shift either. “Easy, love. You’re going to hurt yourself.” I swear I can feel steam coming out of my ears.

“HURT MYSELF?! YOU PUT THESE DAMN THINGS ON!’

Alan laughs, making me look up to the ceiling and internally curse the Goddess for putting me through all of this, before quickly apologizing to her for being so rude.

“You look so much like your mother. Though I think she’d say you got that temper from me.” I feel all the blood drain from my face.

“My mother is dead, you killed her.”

Alan steps further into the room, and I back away from him. My back hits the wall, but I still try to push back as he sits on the bed.

“Your mother isn’t dead, sweety.” I replay his words as the memory of my mother’s body flashes before my eyes again. She is dead, I remember her. My heart remembers it as Lucy said.

“Great, so you’re crazy too. What do you want from me? Roman is going to turn the world upside down looking for me, and when he finds you, I will personally be the one to execute you for your betrayal.”

My anger flares up again, but this time I contain my magic. No point in hurting myself again. I need to find a way to get these bracelets off. Alan stands up again.

“You’re free to walk around. Don’t think about going outside. You won’t get far. I just want to get to know my daughter.” I don’t know what to say to my psycho mother-killing kidnapping father, so I stay silent.

I need to find a way out of here or a way to send Roman a message. Alan stands in the doorway, his back to me. He’s tense, making me tense up again too.

“You will meet her soon. Your mother. We’re proud of you. Mate of a Prince, future queen, and I’ve seen you fight, how you control your magic. I’m sorry... I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

My mouth falls open, staring at his back until he’s out of sight. What the hell just happened?

I rub my eyes, trying to erase the insanity my life has become.

Looking around the room again, I see a doorway without a door, revealing rows of clothes and shoes.

Trying to distract myself, I walk into the room. Most of the clothes are dark, and there isn’t a single pair of shoes I don’t like.

I pick an outfit similar to what I’m wearing now and walk out of the closet.

The other door in my room leads to the shower, and I step in.

Hot water pours over me, but I barely feel it.

What if it’s true? What if my mother is alive? But what if she is?

Why am I even thinking about this? Alan just wants to confuse me.

Did Jess make it home safe? Is Roman searching for me right now?

Do I want him to find me? Maybe this is the escape I need.

I mean, yes, I’m kidnapped, but I’m not hurt. I’m not locked up, and maybe I can convince Alan to take these damn bracelets off me.

But how can I stop Roman from tearing the world apart to find me, if he even cares?

He’s better off without me. Maybe I’m better off without him too.

I quickly dry off and get dressed before looking in the mirror.

“Let’s get to know my psycho dad and run from my problems like every idiot does.” I stick my tongue out at the mirror and walk out of my room. Here we go.