Page 8 of The Ice Prince's Fated Mate
I melted into the ground, staring up at the glowing orb embedded in the rock high above Hollow Earth. The giant gemstone cast its light down on everything below it, and Ibasked in its rays. As I did, I focused on my breathing, bringing it under control and forcing myself to relax.
I had so much to think about, to understand, but it was important I did so calmly. Then I could process it and analyze things. That was how I did it. I was a planner, and this would be no different. It had to be. I was desperate for an anchor, to attach myself to something known.
But I didn’t have the chance. The air changed, and I gathered myself to a crouch, instantly on guard. Someone was approaching, and I didn’t know if it was another Red. I might have to fight again.
“Ella,” a familiar voice called. “It’s me.”
I sat heavily on my rear in relief. “I’m over here,” I said, calling to Anna.
She glided through the tall grasses but didn’t immediately come over when she emerged at the pond’s edge.
“Can I sit?” she asked, her unique violet eyes soft and concerned.
I nodded, and she joined me in staring into the clear water. We sat that way for a minute, Anna giving me time to be the first to speak. She had always been the best at reading people. She was going to be great as the Ice Tyrantess, I had no doubt.
“Is everyone okay?” I asked at last, guilt at fleeing the fight settling in.
“Yes. The Reds were … dealt with. No major injuries.”
I nodded, grateful to hear that. “And … Dirk?”
There was no stopping it. I had to know, to ask. Abouthim. Despite everything.
“He’s fine,” Anna confirmed. “What about you though, El? You’re bleeding.”
I looked at my left side, where the shirt was torn and stained with blood. “I’m healing. So I’m okay, I guess.”
Some fury bled into my answer, despite my best efforts. How could it not?Nowwas the time my dragon chose to make her appearance? When there had been so many other times I could have made use of her strength to defend myself, but more importantly,my friends?
But she had been absent all my life when I hadneededher. Now she stirred to life because of a man, and I was just supposed to accept that?
No, I don’t think I will.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” Anna asked, broaching the subject at last.
I shook my head. “Can we talk about you instead?”
“Sure?” Anna sounded confused.
“You flew here.” I had noticed that much before the world went insane around me. “You can shift now.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me about that. What is it like?”
Anna shook her head. “Maybe later. Now isn’t the time for that, El. I need to know if you’re okay. Really okay.”
I knew she wasn’t referring to the claw marks from the Red. She was talking about the before. About the pain and the screaming … and the pleasure that had followed.
One of which I knew far too much about and the other, which had been stolen from me a long time ago.
“What happened?” she pushed. “Was it Dirk?”
Her tone said she already knew the answer, but it didn’t stop me from flinching at his name.
“What happened to you in the kitchen, El? Why did you run away?” Her voice grew taut. “Did he hurt you somehow?”
“How could he?” I whispered. “He never came near me.”
