Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“What?” I sit stunned and watch as Aster and Janak leave without another word.
What in the everloving hell?
Sitting alone in the room, I shake my head as I try to wrap my mind around everything.
I’m home.
After five long and lonely years, I’m home only to be told I have to train and get ready to fulfill my destiny. They’re insane.
I was sixteen when I left, which means I’m turning twenty-one next week and not eighteen.
I’ve lost so much time.
My thoughts turn to the Calder family, and I wonder if I’ll ever see Molly again. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her.
Holy crap. I can’t believe what the elders did to me.
When the realization hits again, I’m so angry my body’s trembling.
Just as I throw the covers away from me, Ryan, or should I say Raigne, comes into the room.
My eyes lock on him, and for a moment, my anger is forgotten as I stare at the hot as fuck man that’s apparently my guardian.
The leather pants look downright sinful, where the fabric clings to his muscled thighs, and the matching shirt does nothing to hide his strong arms.
Damn, the clothes look ridiculously good on him.
“Raighne,” a woman calls, and he turns to face her, “Princess Alchera’s quarters are ready.”
“Thank you, Fleur,” He replies, but I’m way too busy staring at his back as I realize I’ve seen him before.
“It was you,” I whisper, shocked from learning I’ve been dreaming about Raighne coming for me.
“Alchera,” he murmurs to get my attention, and it’s only then I realize I zoned out for a moment.
Swinging my legs off the side of the bed, I rub a hand over my face as I mutter, “God, this is all too overwhelming.”
“Your visions started earlier than we expected. I would’ve come sooner had we known,” he says.
“Visions?” Lifting my head, I look at him. “Who are the ‘we’ you’re referring to?”
“King Eryon, Queen Mya, my father, and Janak.” He sits down beside me on the side of the bed and tilts his head to catch my eyes. “And me. Awo bonded us the day you were born.”
“Bonded?” I shake my head and try to remember what it means.
The corner of his mouth lifts, and he actually looks proud as he says, “I’m your guardian, and you’re my charge. You’ll learn what it means during training.”
I vaguely remember my sisters had guardians, but I can’t remember what it entails.
“So you all decided it was a good idea to ship me off to Earth and just leave me there all alone?” I climb off the bed and take a few steps away from him. “All because of some destiny I’m not even aware of?”
I remember the past two weeks and how I thought he was my friend.
God, I was falling in love with him.
Anger and hurt explode in my chest, and glaring at Raighne, I say, “You betrayed me. You can take our bond and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”
He rises to his feet, his features drawn tight. “I did what was best for you.”
“You didn’t!” I snap. “Instead of pretending to be my friend and playing me for a fool, you should’ve just dragged me back here and gotten it over with.” I throw my arms in the air, intense disappointment filling my chest as I let out a bitter chuckle. “I really thought you wanted to be my friend.”
When his lips part, I shake my head and continue, “You lied to me. Everything I thought I knew about you was a lie.” I let out another bitter chuckle. “I have to admit, you’re a damn good actor. You had me going there for a while.”
As a tear spirals down my cheek and I angrily wipe it away, Raighne suddenly moves so fast, and for a moment, he’s nothing but a blur.
When he grabs hold of my shoulders, I gasp and stagger a step backward.
Then I see the anger in his eyes, making his purple irises much darker.
“Don’t you dare say that! I have never lied to you about our friendship. Everything we shared on Earth was real.” His features soften a little. “I understand you’re angry, but it will pass.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” I shake my head at him. “You’re supposed to be my guardian, but you hurt me.”
Once again, I realize I’ve lost the only friend I’ve ever had, and it breaks my heart.
I really cared about him.
My voice is hoarse when I say, “I don’t care about bonds and destinies, and my anger won’t just pass. My feelings don’t come with a switch you can flip off when you feel like it.” I step away from him, my whole body trembling. “You took my trust, and you threw it back in my face. So no, Ryan, or Raighne, or whatever the hell your name is, I don’t accept the bond. I don’t trust you and don’t want you as my guardian.”