Prologue
York
Five Years Ago
I ambled down the path from the river after washing off, and I thought about how much I hated this place. I’ve been here for years. It was time to go... but they’d never just let me leave.
“It’s time for my disappearance,” I whispered to the trees. The branches swayed in answer, telling me they’d help however they could. They weren’t the same trees from my kingdom, but they knew a druid when they felt one standing among them. They sensed my power and my connection to nature.
I headed to my tent to load up my backpack. I wanted everything ready for when I made my escape tonight. I didn’t care about the clothes or other nonsense I’d collected — those things were replaceable — but I did care about a few precious items that I kept buried in the earth under my tent. Things I’d need when I found a companion. Things needed to reclaim my kingdom. Things that would prove my birthright.
I heard Kelvin roar my name in the distance. That meant he was heading this way. That also meant packing would have to wait a couple hours. That’s probably for the best. I don’t want them to catch on.
I snatched a ratty t-shirt from the pile in the corner of my tent and walked out to meet him. He was in charge. It would be best to keep him happy.
“We have a new prisoner. They just brought her in. I think she’s the one, York. This is the hybrid bitch I’ve been looking for.” He was joyous with his latest catch. His mood had me despising him even more. I didn’t sign up for this shit, but I’d go along with it until I could get away. This is my last night here. I can make it through this.
“That’s awesome news, Kelvin.” I faked an exuberance that I definitely didn’t feel as I spoke with him. “What are we gonna do with her?”
“Toss her down in the dungeon with the Fae King, my boy. They can find company with each other until we kill him. We have no need for him anymore, not after finding her. The power she holds in her bones is more than you can even imagine. She’s got a greater amount of power in her pinkie finger than that ungrateful fucking Fae had in his whole body. We’ll use the rest of him, though, and then start draining her.” He was so giddy that I grew physically ill. My stomach rolled with sour distaste. My mind revolted against his plans, urging me to run.
I hustled off to grab her before one of the other guys came around and spotted an unconscious woman facedown in the dirt. When I rounded the corner I saw they were already scoping her out. Their comments sickened me more than Kelvin’s.
“Think Ol’ Kev will let us get a piece of the action, or keep her all to himself?”
“Nah, man, I plan on fucking her either way.”
“She’s soft right now, but after a couple weeks here she’ll be too hard to get a reaction from. It won’t be as fun to knock her around.”
“What’s wrong, bitch? Don’t you want to play with us?”
When I got close enough to see her I noticed that her eyes were open. She had fury written all over her face. The moment her raging multi-colored irises locked on mine, my steps faltered. Her eyes widened the tiniest bit, giving nothing away to the men surrounding her. I knew she sensed it too. But surely not…
It can’t be. I’d heard about this feeling, but druids did not have mates. My race procreated for power and status. There was no mistaking that feeling, though. My heart raced, my vision tunneling until I could see nothing except her. I wanted to murder every one of those guys drooling over her while she was vulnerable, but I had to reel in my emotions so I didn’t give anything away.
I memorized all their faces for I knew I’d kill them before I tried to leave this place. I wasn’t leaving without her, though. I’d have to push my plans back. Just one more day. Then we were both getting out.
I pushed my way through the pigs and scooped her up gently. I didn’t want to aggravate any injuries she may have had, but I needed to get her away from them. Away. Space. Privacy. All I could think of was plotting their murder as I made my way to the dungeon. The steps went on and on. It seemed like it took forever before I finally had her shielded from prying eyes. I refused to stop, not until I managed to get her behind closed doors. There were only a few of us permitted to be down here, so she’d be safer in a cell than anywhere in the camp. I just had to find a way to keep Kelvin from coming near her.
I strode into the one room that was not a cell and sat her gently on the medical table within. She was seething mad. I could feel the heat of her anger. I knew if I removed those cuffs on her wrists I’d be dead before I pulled the key out. I couldn’t chance it. I needed to talk to her.
“Did you feel it?” I questioned, and it sounded so fucking stupid when I said it aloud. I should’ve thought of a better way to ask, but I couldn’t think straight so close to her. She nodded her head, and I waited for her to speak. “Are you going to talk?” I finally inquired after minutes of silence.
She eyeballed me like I was as stupid as I felt before arching a delicate brow and looking down with crossed eyes towards her mouth.
“Right.” Right, her mouth was taped. I needed to get a grip. I had to get us both out of this death sentence. I knew without really knowing her that I’d die before I let them harm her.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I proclaimed. She rolled her gold and green eyes at me. Okay. “I’ll just snatch it off like a Band-Aid. Are you ready?” She nodded once in answer. I reached up to peel the corner back before snatching the tape as quickly as I could.
“Fuck,” she quietly snarled. “I’m going to kill those bastards. Make sure you stay the fuck out of my way.”
Wow. My eyebrows nearly hit my hairline. “I know you’re angry, Sweetheart, but we gotta play this smart. Okay?” I prodded around her pride as gently as I could. She glared at me, never breaking eye contact as she breathed deeply to calm herself.
“Put me in the cell. I’ll hang out for two days, then I’m gone. I have a few guys to kill on my way out, so if you have anyone you want to add to my list, tell me now. Then stay the fuck away from me until you want to get out. I don’t have time to be coddled,” she warned. Oh, she’s feisty. This should be fun.
“Where are you hurt?” I changed the subject in hopes that it would calm her. I needed to know. I couldn’t leave her down here if she was hurt, and I knew she was. There was blood on the side of her head. It had soaked right through her shirt, making the fabric stick to her skin. The blood wasn’t hard to see on the black cloth under the bright overhead lights. Her shirt shined, giving the appearance that the surface was metallic.
“No.” Her response was clipped. She didn’t trust me, but I could work with that.
When I extended my hand towards her, she didn’t flinch. She stared uncaring at me. “York Briar, it’s nice to finally meet you...” I trailed off hoping for her name. As soon as I got her out of this place and we were safe, she would be gone. I needed to know how to find her after she disappeared. I wanted to know her and make a life with her. It was a strange feeling for me.
She was gorgeous, even covered in blood and dirt and... was that skin? I don’t know if I wanted to know what it was. I just wanted to know her name.