Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke up with a restless feeling, like something was about to happen, but I didn’t know what. It was an itch I couldn’t scratch, a tension that wouldn’t go away. I tried to shake it off, but it clung to me, making me uneasy. Needing to clear my mind, I decided to take Luka out for a ride.

Luka, my spirit animal, was a massive black lion, bigger than any human bear. His presence was always a comfort, especially when my thoughts were as tangled as they were today. We headed into the Earth Kingdom’s mystical forest, hoping the familiar paths and quiet might bring me some peace.

As we rode through the forest, a strange pull started to guide me, like an invisible hand tugging at my very core. It led us toward the great stone wall that marked the boundary of the Earth Kingdom. I hadn’t planned on going there, but I couldn’t resist the feeling.

When we reached the wall, I approached the guards. “ Did anything unusual happen today ?” I asked them, the unease still gnawing at me.

One of the guards exchanged a glance with the other before answering. “ We saw Merilla pass through with a young woman. She had snow-white hair and eyes as blue as the sky.”

The description made my heart skip a beat. Who was this girl? Why had Merilla, Luka’s mate, brought her here from the human kingdom? How had she been able to pass through the barrier that separated our worlds? The questions buzzed in my mind like angry bees.

I thanked the guards and quickly urged Luka back toward the castle. The pull I’d felt earlier hadn’t gone away; it had only grown stronger, like something was drawing me closer with every step.

When we reached the castle, I dismounted and felt that same strange pull, now directing me toward the garden. It was stronger than before, almost like a compulsion. Without thinking, I followed it.

The garden was peaceful, bathed in the soft light of the early morning. The flowers were in full bloom, and the air was filled with their sweet fragrance. As I walked deeper into the garden, the pull became irresistible, guiding me to a secluded corner near a small fountain. And there she was.

She was lying on a bench, fast asleep. Her snow-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, glowing softly in the morning light, and her skin was flawless, like the finest porcelain. She was beautiful, more beautiful than anyone I had ever seen. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I stared at her, unable to look away.

It was as if I was under a spell. Without realizing what I was doing, I found myself moving closer to her, my feet carrying me silently across the grass. I kneeled beside her; the pull now so strong that I couldn’t resist it even if I wanted to. My heart was pounding in my chest, but my mind felt oddly calm, focused only on her.

Before I knew it, I was lowering my head, leaning closer until my lips brushed against hers. Her lips were soft, warm, and the most luscious thing I had ever tasted. Not even the rarest of fruits could compare to the sweetness of her kiss. The sensation was intoxicating, sending a shiver down my spine.

But then, her eyes flicked open, and I found myself staring into the most beautiful sky-blue eyes I had ever seen. They were wide with shock, and before I could react, her hand shot up, smacking me hard across the face.

The force of the slap snapped me out of whatever trance I had been in. I stumbled back, shock and embarrassment flooding through me as I realized what I had just done. I had kissed her—this stranger, this girl who Merilla had brought from the human kingdom—without even knowing why.

Her eyes was blazing and her face flushed with anger as she glared at me. Her voice was a storm of fury, each word sharp and biting as she demanded to know what gave me the right to kiss her while she slept. I stood there, captivated, unable to focus on her words. Her rage was mesmerizing, the fire in her sky-blue eyes making her even more beautiful.

As she continued to go off at me, I couldn’t hear a single thing she was saying. I was too caught up in her. Her lips, though spitting out curses, were the most luscious things I’d ever tasted. I casually placed my hands behind my back, trying to maintain a composed exterior, but inside, I was completely absorbed by her presence.

( Meara )

My eyes snapped open, and I found myself staring into a pair of strange, unfamiliar eyes. For a second, I thought I was dreaming. But then I felt his lips on mine, and reality hit me hard. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face as hard as I could.

" Who gave you the right to kiss me?" I yelled, my voice shaking with anger. But he just stood there, calm and casual, with his hands behind his back. He didn’t seem bothered at all, and that only made me angrier.

For a moment, I was sidetracked by his unusual muscular build and how incredibly handsome he was. His strong jawline, those piercing eyes, and the way his raven black hair cascaded just below his shoulders were almost enough to make me forget why I was mad. He was wearing black pants, a black shirt slightly open at the chest, revealing some chest hair, and leather boots that made him look even more imposing. But I quickly shook my head, not wanting to get distracted by how he looked. I was too angry to let his appearance throw me off.

" I had every right to. Those lips belong to me," he said in a deep, smooth voice that sent shivers down my spine.

Goosebumps covered my skin. Who does this guy think he is?

To make it worse, he smiled—a slow, confident smile that made me even madder. Then, without saying anything else, he turned and walked away like nothing happened.

I was fuming. I couldn’t believe his nerve! I wasn’t going to let him treat me like that. Without waiting for Merilla or anyone else, I stormed into the castle, my heart pounding with anger. I needed to find out what was going on, and I needed to find out now.

As I stepped inside the palace, I was immediately swept away by the grandeur of the place. The white marble interior gleamed with gold accents everywhere, making it look like something out of a dream. The palace was enormous, with big glass arch windows reaching all the way to the roof, allowing bright light to flood in and make the gold on the pillars and staircases shine even brighter. Whoever this king was, he sure loved gold.

I couldn’t help but be captivated by the intricate gold patterns engraved into the pillars. They were so beautiful, almost mesmerizing. Without thinking, I reached out to touch one, wanting to feel the cool, smooth surface under my fingertips.

But just as my hand made contact, someone shouted,

" Thief!"

Before I could even react, a strong hand yanked my arm so hard it felt like my shoulder would pop out of its socket.

" I... am not... a thief," I stuttered, trying to explain to the guard, but he wasn’t listening. His grip on my arm was like iron, and he started dragging me out of the castle without a second thought.

" Merilla!" I called out, hoping my spirit animal would come to my rescue. But there was no sign of her. The guard kept dragging me away from the palace, towards an old stone building with small metal rod windows that looked anything but inviting.

" You will be staying in the dungeon until the king decides what to do with you," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. He shoved me into a tiny, dark cell so hard that I fell to the ground, scraping my knees through my jeans.

I winced in pain as I sat up, looking around the dark, cramped space. The walls were damp, the air was thick, and the only light came from a small, barred window high above. My heart pounded in my chest as the reality of my situation sank in. I was locked in a dungeon, accused of being a thief, and I had no idea what was going to happen next.

I bit down on my lower lip, desperately trying to hold back the tears that kept threatening to spill over. But no matter how hard I tried; they came streaming down my cheeks. I cried until there were no more tears left to shed, my eyes puffy and sore from the relentless outpour. MY situation felt unbelievable. I should never have followed Merilla into the woods. If I had stayed on the farm, none of this would have happened.

Now, here I was, locked in a dark dungeon, in an unknown world, feeling utterly alone and defeated. The cold, stone walls seemed to close in on me, making the despair even more overwhelming. I wrapped my arms around my knees, feeling the chill seep through my jeans. Every sob felt like it echoed off the walls, making it sound even louder.