Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Just as the dismal thought crossed my mind, someone grabbed me from behind, with one hand around my waist and one covering my mouth. I momentarily thought about biting my captor until a voice whispered a gentle, "Shhh, I'm here to help," in my ear.
I had no choice but to trust the man who whispered, so I nodded my understanding. When he removed his hand from my mouth, I remained quiet. He wrapped both arms around me, enclosing me in a cloak, and stood still, holding me close to him.
Even though I was terrified of the situation, I couldn't help but notice how good the stranger's arms felt around me; how safe I felt in his strong hold, with his heart beating against my back. I'd always dreamed of being held by a strong man. Such thoughts were forbidden, but I couldn't block them out. I couldn't help but notice how handsome some of the guards were; the way their muscles bulged beneath their armor or the sharpness of their jaws. I never spoke a word of my desires, but thought of them often when I was alone in my room. If I weren't so scared, I'd revel in this feeling that I'd dreamed of for so long.
I gasped when guards appeared from around the corner of each end of the hallway. I'd been betrayed by the man claiming to help, as he held me in the middle of the corridor. He was simply trapping me for easy capture.
But the strangest thing happened; the guards ran past us without stopping. They even looked in our direction but did not acknowledge us. Do they not see us? How can it be?
When the group ran by and the hallway cleared, the man whispered to me again, "Stand on my feet." I did as he asked and he walked forward, carrying me with ease. He had to be very strong to tote me around as if I weighed nothing, and the thought made my heart beat a little faster.
He guided me through the castle and out the front entrance, right into a group of guards, just as they were dropping the drawbridge. The chains clinked and the heavy wood slammed on the ground, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of the kingdom which laid ahead.
Stone homes with thatched roofs lined both sides of the cobbled streets. Horses were tied to posts, happily munching on hay under the moonlight. It was more beautiful than I ever imagined.
The man walked forward with me still balancing on his feet; presumably to keep us both concealed beneath his cloak and to keep from having to give me directions and from getting tripped or tangled up. Amazingly, we walked right next to the guards, leaving the castle grounds beside them without so much as a word from them.
When we made it into the town, the man branched off from the group and walked where there was no path, between houses and across a large open field. Once the guards and kingdom were behind us and we were alone seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the man let me go, allowing me to climb off of his feet and leaving my skin cold without his warm touch.
I turned to thank my savior, and gasped loudly at the sight of him. He was the most stunning man I’d ever seen; much more handsome than any guard I’d admired. He was nearly a foot taller than I, and much broader as well. He had warm brown eyes, and hair of the same color that fell around his shoulders. A scruffy beard covered half of his face, and scars covered the rest. He was rugged, manly, and strong; everything I wasn’t.
I was so mesmerized by his good looks that I couldn’t speak, no matter how badly I wanted to thank him. My heart was lodged in my throat, pounding its excitement.
Chapter Two
Ansel
My heart sank at my fated one’s reaction to seeing me for the first time. He was in obvious shock, and perhaps even appalled by my battleworn appearance. It wasn’t unexpected; I knew that I was not a prize to behold.
The same could not be said for my fated one. He was small and delicate, his skin fair and unblemished. Fiery red hair topped his head, freckles danced on his smooth cheeks, and his crystal blue eyes were wide as they gawked at me. He was the most beautiful creature on earth.
Wanting to show him that he need not fear me, I slowly extended my hand and told him, “My name is Ansel, and it is my greatest honor to meet you.”
He blinked his pretty blue orbs at me before looking down at my hand. I worried that he did not want to touch my rough skin, but then he placed his palm against mine. He looked back up at me and gave me a sweet, shy smile that took my breath away.