War of Shadows

Taken

Chapter 9

I nearly doze off completely content in being in my mate’s arms, stuck in this little safe bubble we’ve created around each other. The world can go f**k itself for all I care, not a single thing is going to pull me out of this bed anytime soon.

My mate.

A lot has changed, and I’m so happy it has. The mark on my neck is a little tender, but I don’t mind. It’s strange, but my heart swells at the fact that I carry his mark around for everyone to see. The bond is complete, and I feel a closer kind of bond to Eli, one that runs far deeper than just emotional or physical. Of course, I was physically and emotionally drawn to him before, but that obsessive fascination with Eli is replaced with a calm sort of connection to him.

My mate gently runs his fingers up and down my spine absentmindedly, and I press myself closer to him, letting his scent envelop me, and I feel a warmth settle between my thighs. “I’d love round two, but we need to meet with my father first,” he says, and I hear the smirk in his tone.

I groan, my voice muffled against his chest. “Can’t we raincheck? I’m only leaving this bed if you can look me in the eye and tell me that you want to.” Of course, I’m not going to let him look me in the eye to begin with, that would make it too easy.

He groans and plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Trust me, leaving this bed is the last thing I want to do right now. Unfortunately, we have important matters to tend to. After though? After, you’re all mine again.”

Eli nips at my earlobe before rolling off the bed to avoid my playful swat. I’m going to have to punish him for forcing me to this meeting, even if it means I don’t get what I want either. Shame.

I watch the muscle on his back shift and tighten as he stands and grabs a pair of pants from the floor. I remain where I am, the soreness doing even more to convince me not to move. I eye him grudgingly as he stalks over to my side of the bed and pulls me up into a sitting position, a smile dancing in his eyes. “Come on, the faster we get this over with, the sooner we can get back to bed.”

“UGH”, I groan, a bit more dramatic than I intended on letting on.

I manage to find the energy to gather some clothes from Eli’s closet, grateful that he had someone stock his room for me while I was away. It’s the little things he does that speaks the most about how he’s always felt about me. Pulling on a pair of creamy brown, flowy dress pants, slipping on a pair of tan flats, and tugging a white sweater over my head, I shuffle into the bathroom to fix whatever matt has knotted in my hair. After brushing and fluffing my hair, I pad back into the bedroom to find Eli in black slacks and a dark green button down shirt that fit snugly across his chest.

“You’re so beautiful,” he coos.

I lead him to the door, turning so he doesn’t see my rolling eyes. “Stop sucking up, it’s not gonna make your punishment any better.” I hear a soft chuckle behind me but he says nothing as we link hands and head to his fathers office.

As we near his father’s office, Eli’s demeanor flips like a switch. Gone was the sarcastic playfulness, and in its place slid a cold, emotionless mask. His hand squeezed mine once before dropping it, leaving me gaping at the man that was no longer the mate I’ve come to love so dearly. This was Eli in action, and I had only seen that side of him that he had behind closed doors, in secret. I nod in understanding, taking up a similar demeanor. This was not going to be a family reunion. The door opens to a throne room, rather than the classic office I had expected. Glossy floors stretched far and wide, the tall, arched ceilings supported by stone pillars etched with carvings from the floor until the ceiling. I fight the urge to crane my neck to admire the faded paintings on the dome ceilings. Our steps echo as we near the raised platform, where the king sat regally on his throne of gold and marble. His dark suit was of fine make and his golden hair sheared short, a silver crown resting on his head. I met his golden eyes and held back a shiver at the void behind his empty gaze.

I note the guards failing to blend into the shadows, armed to the teeth with weaponry.

Eli bent into a shallow bow, and I followed suit. “Father,” he greeted coldly.

The king watched me, and I caught a glimmer of amusement as I straightened. “It is an honor to meet you, your Grace.” I cringed at the awkward formality, so foreign on my tongue. Based off of Eli’s behavior, though, I figured it’s safe to assume that the king demanded old-fashioned court manors.

“Leave us,” he ordered Eli. Eli stiffened next to me, the only sign of disapproval. “The news may be better received with my presence, father.”

King Eren’s gaze flickers to the mark on my neck. “I see congratulations are in order, Eli.” His gaze slides to Eli and flicks back to me. “Leave.” His tone is harsh, leaving no room for discussion.

I sense Eli’s discomfort, but he merely brushes his knuckles against the back of my hand in silent support as he turns and leaves, his steps echoing in the empty space. In his absence hovers an eerie quiet. My guard flies up, and the something inside me screams that something is amiss.

Eren clicks his tongue. “Such a shame, you’re a beauty.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” I eye him warily, noting every move he makes on his throne.

“I’m sure my son told you who you are, Stella.” He spits out, hissing my name.

“I’m afraid he didn’t say much, though what he said seems quite… misled.”

He flashed an emotionless smile. “I’m afraid not. Detain her and load her up,” he ordered nobody in particular before standing to leave. “It was an honor to meet you, Setyrie.” The guards stepped from the shadows as one. “Eli?” I call toward the door. No response resounds as the guards draw closer and then I feel the blood drain from my face. I turn and sprint toward the door, only to be stopped by an arm to the gut and I lose my balance, falling on my backside. “ELI!” I scream.

The panic rises as I’m flipped and shoved to my face on the cold tile, and I bite back the bile burning up my throat. “What’s going on? LET GO OF ME.” The guards are unaffected by my shrieking, and pin down my swinging arms and legs like I were nothing but a toddler throwing a tantrum. I feel the bite of steel on my wrists behind my back and it cuts into my ankles. I can’t see much behind the curtain of my hair besides the fist that swung at my head before everything went black.

************

I wake up on a cot, the smell of salt tickling my nose. The light burns my eyes painfully as I flutter them open, and my head pounds viciously when I turn to take in my surroundings. The room rocks back and forth almost ironically soothingly. The walls are a grey metal, and no window or artwork adorns the walls; the only light provided by the still LED light bolted onto the ceiling.

I felt a tug and look to my hands in a panic. The cuffs secured my arms above my head to a rope tied to either side of the cot. I tug on the cuffs, testing the durability and hiss at the sting of them cutting my skin. Looking down, I see my legs tied just the same.

I have to stay calm.

The door by the door of the cot creaks open and a man walks in. His height is measurable to my own, his copper beard and hair streaked with grey. His beady black eyes meet mine and a yellowed smile flashes across his face in greeting.

“Sleeping beauty, awake at last.” He whistles.

“f**k you,” I spat viciously.

He stalks to the end of the cot, looking down his narrow hooked nose at me. His palm shot out before I could flinch away and hits its mark on my check. I face stings and I bite the inside of my lip to hold back a whimper.

“He said alive, not broken.” He sneers. “I think I’m gonna have one hell of a time breaking you. You’re the only woman on board you know- and my men are getting a little…stuffed up.” He shrugs.

I freeze. “No,” I rasp. “Please, I’m sorry.” I can’t hold back the tears that well in my eyes, threatening to release. “I swear, I didn’t do anything. I don’t know why I’m here.” I feel the tears roll across my face and my body starts shaking.

“Oh no, honey don’t start all that.” He crouches down by my face and licks a tear away. His hot breath burns my skin and my body recoils at the contact. “You’re gonna get me all riled up.”

There’s no way for me to get away. We’re in the middle of the ocean so even if I did find a way to free myself, there’s nowhere to go.

“Where are we going?” I need to get him distracted- need him to focus on anything but me. If I play my cards right, I may make it off of the ship untouched. The second my feet hit land, I fight like hell and run as fast as I can. Someone will help me, right?

“To Efreiti, princess,” he smirks. “You’re a hot commodity for that Fae bastard over there.”

“Why?”

Tsk tsk “So many questions that will receive no answers.” He frowns mockingly.

I swallow my retort and shiver as I recall the unsaid threat about his crew. I simply nod and he leaves the room.