Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“A while, since it’s such short notice.” She looks up at the sky. “I have to finish something important before I leave.”
“Anything my men can help you out with?”
“Yes, actually.” She picks up a handful of smooth white stones and presses them into my hand. “I’m baking cakes for two children who are currently wandering the woods. They’ll need the crumbs and these stones to find their way home, and I’ll never be able to live with myself if they get eaten by the witch. Can your men find them and lead them here?”
“Do they have names?”
“Hansel and Gretel.”
“Fine,” I say. “Make dinner for all of us, too, while you’re at it.”
She slams the door in my face.
A Drop of Defiance
Belle
My feet are bleeding.
The tips of my toes are cracked, and my ankles are so worn and torn that they resemble the old pages of a book.
Too stubborn to ask for a reprieve on a horse, I sink my calves into the mud and rip aloe leaves from a floating reed.
Tearing the blades open to expose the cool green gel, I smear the liquid all over my fingertips.
When the mud has somewhat numbed me, I lift my left foot and press a hand against my broken skin.
“Ahhhh…” I bite my lip and hold back tears as the aloe stings the open wounds.
Behind me, I hear Gabriel’s men whispering through the bushes.
“You think Gabriel will let us have the girl when we reach the next full moon?” a deep voice says. “He has to give us something to keep us going.”
“I don’t see why not,” a huskier voice responds. “She’s merely a prisoner to him. She has no true value to us, except in the final exchange.”
“Whenever he gives the go-ahead, I get to have her first. I’m sure she’s tight.”
“If I don’t beat you to it, you mean.”
“Maybe we can have her at the same time. She has more than one hole after all.”
They laugh in unison, and I suck in a slow, unsteady breath.
I have to get away from these people…
Heavy footsteps sound to my left, and Gabriel peers through the thicket. Looking as gorgeous and evil as ever, he seems annoyed at my presence.
“We’re starting again soon,” he says. “You need to—”
“Get up. I know.” I pluck another aloe leaf. “Can you spare me a moment until I finish tending to my wounds, please?”
“What wounds?”
“I can handle them myself.” I try to turn away, but it hurts too badly.
He glances down at my feet, watching the blood spew onto my hand. A wave of guilt washes over his face, and he tears off fresh leaves before moving closer.
“You’re doing it wrong,” he says, his voice soft. “Do you know that?”
“I do a lot of things wrong, apparently.”
“Running your mouth is the only thing I’ve noticed so far.” He eyes my feet again. “Let me help you.”
I’m in far too much pain to protest.
He kneels and gently opens the leaves, wrapping their smooth edges around my feet one by one, crafting makeshift shoes.
He stares into my eyes the entire time, looking as if there’s something he wants to say, but only silence stretches between us.
When he finishes, he slides his hands under my thighs and lifts me over his shoulder, carrying me out of the reed bed.
Amidst a chorus of whispers from his men, he places me on his horse before sitting behind me.
“Belle, this is Sola,” he says, gesturing to a young woman on the horse next to us. “She’ll be your personal maiden until this journey is over. She’ll look after you, and you need to obey her every command.”
“How much longer will this ride take?” I can’t help but ask.
“As long as it takes.” He grips the reins, forcing the horse to gallop forward.
Halfway through the night, when my eyelids are drooping, and my feet are finally feeling relief, I pretend I don’t feel Gabriel securing an arm around my waist and breathing in the scent of my hair.
An Unexpected Bargain
Gabriel
Two Full Days Later
“What if he did come to see me?” Belle whispers against my chest. “Did I miss him somehow?” “Did he not want me?”
I listen as she continues to talk in her sleep, as wisps of her red hair flutter against my face.
I have no idea what the hell she’s talking about, but I much prefer these words to her earlier whispers of “Fuck Gabriel. Don’t ever drop your guard around that bastard again.”
“Please let us stop and rest, Sir Gabriel, please!” one of my men shouts from behind, interrupting my thoughts. “I know you can hear me! We need a break!”
I don’t stop or dare give in to his request.
Not now.
Not ever.
“Are you determined to drive us mad until we all drop dead?” The man is still shouting. “If so, let us know, so we can decide whether another trip with you is worth it.”