Mine, he thought again.
This time, the word sprung from deep inside him, as unstoppable as an avalanche. He did not understand the fierceness accompanying the thought, and refused to ponder it now. Later. He would ponder later. Right now, more than before, he knew only that she was hishis savior, his womanand nothing else mattered.
The guards had touched her, hurt her. They would die. Painfully. By the time he finished with them they would probably thank him for killing them.
All he had to do was free himself. And he would. Nothing would stop him. Not now, not anymore.
Soon had at last arrived.
Being a magical vampire, as Jane had called him, was not going to aid him; he admitted that now. Still his determination intensified, blending with the hate, the burn of that possessiveness. He would reach her by grit alone; he would save her. No matter what he had to do. His gaze strayed to the wrist cuffs and narrowed. Without his thumbs, his hands would slide right through.
He didnt have to think about it. Goodbye, thumbs.
Biting his tongue against the pain he knew was to come, he slammed his hands, thumbs out, into the headboard. Crunch. The bones broke with that very first punch. He sucked in a breath, but, like Jane, he did not utter a sound. Punch, punch, punch. Each new blow caused even more damage, ripping tendon, tearing muscle, flattening bone.
By the time he finished, he was sweating, bleeding, his hands limp. But his top half was free. With a growl, he jolted upright. Heard the whistle of leather through air, a soft inhalation of breath. Another lash against Janes delicate skin.
Skin he wanted to caress.
His hands were too mutilated to grab the key. In fact, his efforts sent the little piece of metal sliding to the floor with a clink. He would need it later, to remove the neck cuff, and so he would pick it up with his mouthafter hed freed himself.
Through narrowed eyes, he peered down at his feet. At a different angle, those feet would glide straight through the metal rings. And all he had to do to achieve that different angle was break every bone that ran from his ankle to his toes.
Nicolai started kicking the footboard.
JANE CLOSED HER EYES to hide the tears trying so determinedly to form and spill. It wasnt like shed never experienced pain before. For Gods sake, her spine had been broken, her legs unusable for months. Then thered been the surgeries. Surgery after surgery to pin her bones in their proper places. Then, of course, the rehabilitation.
So, this whipping? Not even a blip on her agony radar. And yet, the humiliation of being bent over a table, her clothing ripped away, her scars revealed to those who sought to harm her, her body bound with ties she couldnt seemagic?nearly undid her. And for what? For failing to speak with a fat, ugly woman when summoned?
Poor Odette. Was this how shed lived? Always fearing the next punishment? And poor Nicolai. Jane could not blame him for doing everything within his power to save himself. She would have done the same.
In fact, she could blame only herself for this. Had she listened to Nicolai, had she freed him when hed wanted, they would have been far, far away from this dreadful place. Well, he would have been. He would have left her behind. And he still might, she thought. During their talk, she had not garnered a promise from him. Not to keep her with him, not to protect her. And now, it was too late. There was no way shed leave him bound after this. Not for any reason. She would free him the moment she was physically able, then take off on her own.
Dumb on her part, maybe. Probably. Okay, definitely. Allowing herself to be separated from the one person who knew who and what she was, the one person who could get her homeso damn foolish. But that still wasnt going to stop her.
And, wow. Jane Parker, considered a dummy. That was a first. She laughed without humor. A novelty in the face of pain. Nice.
This amuses you? the queen demanded.
Jane refused to acknowledge her.
There was a squeak of outrage. Clearly you are not hitting her hard enough. You. The queen snapped her fingers. Take over the whip. Your arms are stronger, as I can well attest.
Oh, gross.
A pause, then the whip continued to descend. Harder, so much harder. Over and over again, minutes ticking by. Still Jane did not utter a sound. She wanted to go home. Back to her boring life, where she was in control.
The whip stopped falling. Finally, a reprieve.
Have you at last learned your lesson, Odette? the queen asked, expectant. Or shall I have him remove the skin on your legs, as well?
She opened her mouth to tell the bitch to go to hellno ignoring her this timebut she stopped herself before a single word escaped. Did these people believe in hell, or even know what it was? Would she announce her humanity and lose the protectionwhat little there wasin being thought of as Princess Odette?
Silence will not
A roar echoed from the walls, harsh, guttural and a promise of pain.
Everyone in the room stilled. Jane forgot to breathe. That soundshed never heard its like. There was an animal on the loose, a lion probably, there just had to be. And people were clearly on the menu.
Another roar, followed by the crash of furniture and the shattering of knickknacks. Screams of agony. Gasps, racing footsteps. Had her guards left?
Dont leave me here, she shouted.
Whats going on? the queen snapped. Okay. Good. She was still here. Bitch that she was. You, find out. You, shield me.
Free me, Jane demanded. Now.
They paid her no heed.
One of the guards headed toward the entryway, where other guards were pouring inside to escape the beast, but he didnt make it outside the room. Not alive. There was a blur of movement, then blood was squirting, a headless body falling.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Nicolai. He was a mess, covered in blood, limping, his arms hanging at his sides. His fangs were bared in a fearsome, crimson scowl, and she knew.
He was the animal.
Thank God. Some of the tension drained from her. Somehow, some way, hed managed to escape. His plan to destroy the people who lived inside this palace was well under way.
Before, shed thought there would be survivors. Now, not so much.
He barreled into another guard, his shoulder slamming into the mans middle and knocking him backward. The guard propelled into another, the one with the whip. The two fell to the floor. Nicolai slashed into the whippers neck and shook, a wolf with his first meal in months. Screamssilencedeath
Just like that, Jane was freed from whatever had bound her. She straightened. Sharp lances of pain shot from her back, spiraling though the rest of her. She hardly noticed. Her gown sagged from her shoulders, momentarily exposing her breasts. Hurriedly she righted the material, holding it up.
Nicolais silver-gold eyes landed on the queen, who was no longer shielded by a man. Bloodand other thingsdripped from his mouth. His expression was so dark, so murderous, even Jane backed away from him. He was a terrifying sight. A warrior lost to bloodlust, his only goal the destruction of every one and every thing around him.
He advanced on the queen. Die. You die.
How dare you threaten me and my people this way? the bitch snapped. I allowed you to live after you tormented my eldest daughter, and now you think to spit on my mercy? Guards!
No guards came. Perhaps they were too busy being dead.
Shemine, Nicolai snarled, moving in front of Jane while still advancing on the queen. There was something wrong with his feet, his ankles twisted at an odd angle, yet his steps were measured, clipped with determination.
The queen lifted her mountain of chins. You think to protect my daughter from me? The daughter you tried to slay?
Mine!
Come on, then, slave. Come get me.
Janes heart pounded with renewed force. Her legs shook. This was a showdown the queen couldnt hope to win. Right? Please be right.
Nicolai leaped.
Grinning, the queen stretched out one arm and ripples of power pulsated from her. The air around her shimmered, thickened. Nicolai slammed into a wall Jane couldnt see, ricocheting backward.
Another roar ripped from his throat as he jumped to his feet. He pounded his injured fists into that invisible shield, his fangs flashing.
The queen laughed, smug. Do you see now? Even were you at your strongest, you could not touch me. I am beyond your reach.
Booted footsteps reverberated, and Jane watched, wide-eyed, as the second line of defense marched into the room. So. There were more guards, after all. This new contingent held swords and spears, and when they spotted the bloody Nicolai, they bolted into action.
No! Jane threw herself in front of him, the action born of instinct rather than thought. As she well knew, even vampires could be killed, and she didnt want Nicolai tocouldnt watch himexperience that.
Strong arms banded around her waist and jerked her into a hard body. Instinct still drove her and, for a moment, she fought, kicking and elbowing.
Mine. Bestill.
Nicolai. She relaxed, despite his raging animal nature. He was warm against her. Solid, sturdy despite his wounds. Even decadent. Her inhalations were coming so quickly, she scented the sandalwood she was already coming to love.
Okay, then. They would die together, she thought distantly. Shed survived so much the past year. The car accident, injuries that would have killed most people. Injuries that should have killed her. Especially since shed yearned for death, and hadnt done anything to aid her own cause.
Shed been so lost, wondering. Why her? What was so different, so special, about her that she could endure what others had not? Nothing, thats what.
And now that she wanted to live, she would finally die. Irony at its finest. She would not be allowed to know Nicolai better. She would not get to spend time with him, laugh with him or make love with him.
She should have kissed him earlier.
Mine, Nicolai repeated against her ear. Safe. He had stretched out an arm, mimicking the queen, and the air around them had shimmered, forming ashield? For them?
Her jaw dropped as the guards slammed into it and flew backward, just as Nicolai had done.
A gasp escaped her. How did you?
Walk, Nicolai said in that gravelly voice. His one-word sentences were as frustrating as they were welcome. He nudged her forward.
One step, two, she lumbered over the fallen, savaged bodies sprawled around her. Those who remained standing were pushed out of the way by the shield. Outside the dining room was a foyer. Spacious, with doorways in every direction. Exactly where was she supposed to go?
Laila raced down the staircase, dark hair flying behind her, the silver timepiece banging against her chest. When she spotted Jane and Nicolai, she ground to a halt.
Nicolai snarled at her. He released Jane as if he intended to pound up those steps and attack, but quickly changed his mind. His free arm banded around Jane once more, the other ensuring the shield never wavered. Mine.
She was really starting to like that nickname.
The younger woman was breathing heavily, her green eyes glittering with jealousy and hate. Yours? She isnt yours. Odette, he means to kill you. Fight him! Use your magic.
Jane flipped her off.
Shock replaced the anger, but only for a moment. When the princess regained her wits, she shouted, Someone stop them. Now! but still the guards could not penetrate the shield. Hes bespelled Odette.
We need magic, princess, one of them said. Cast a spell for us. Anything!
No magic, Laila gritted without hesitation and with the briefest flare of panic. Then to Nicolai, she said, You think Id bind your vampire strength and abilities, and not bespell you to remain here forever? You might be able to leave the palace, but youll be back. That, I promise you.
Another growl erupted from Nicolais throat, so fervent even Janes body vibrated.
You can kill her if you want, Jane said. Ill wait.
He tightened his hold. Mine.
Apparently protecting her was more important than avenging himself. What had changed his mind, she didnt know, but his decision was a gift, better than a diamond and not something shed ever regift.
Yes, she really should have kissed him when shed had the chance. Once they were safe, shed remedy her mistake.
Laila raised her chin(s), reminding Jane of the queen. Smiling, she drew circles around the center of the timepiece with the tip of her index finger. Go ahead. Try. Fail.
Walk, Nicolai repeated.
Where? Jane asked, tightening her hold on her robe.
He didnt speak again, but guided her toward one of the doorways. He used his big, strong shoulders to nudge it open, careful not to jar her. Endorphins were swimming so potently through her veins, he could have poured salt into her slashed-up back and she wouldnt have felt it. Yet.
Silvery moonlight came into view. As did a large expanse of flatland, with robed men and women moving unhurriedly, happily, children dancing around them. Beyond that, Jane saw trees. Mile after mile of white trees, their leaves swaying, dancing together like drunken ghosts. The landscape was somehow familiar to her, as if shed been here before. How Why?
Jane could only gape, struggling to understanduntil Nicolai released her, and her thoughts took a nosedive. He was leaving her already? Disappointment rocked her. Shed liked his touch, had wanted more. Perhaps forever, which made her as dumb now as shed been earlier. Thankfully, he didnt allow the separation for long. He moved beside her, clasped her hand as strongly as he was able, which wasnt much considering the damage hed sustained, and jerked her into the throng.
This way.
A child spotted her, and dropped into a bow. Murmurs arose, and everyone else quickly followed suit. Janes steps faltered.
Uh, hi, she said, not knowing what else to say.
Princess, they muttered. Not happily, but with fear.
Escapefaster Nicolai said with a nudge.
My pleasure, she muttered, leaping into a sprint.