CHAPTER 40
TAYLOR POV
After Stefan and I went for our walk around the gardens after dinner he walked me back to my room and we said goodnight and I
went into my room and closed the door.
I had a shower and washed my hair and washed all the makeup off my face and then I got dressed for bed. But I grabbed a book
and a chair and I sat on the balcony reading for a little while and looking out at the view.
I wondered how the dragons stayed hidden because they weren’t that far away from us. How was Layla able to keep them so
quiet and to stop them from attacking. It seemed a little crazy to me. But I guess that was just one more thing that I would find
outeventually. So, I sat there reading for a little while until I got really tired and I took everything back inside and I shut the
balcony doors and I climbed into bed.
I was lying on my side looking out the balcony doors thinking for a long time before I heard something buzzing. So, I opened my
bedside table and I grabbed my phone out and there was a text message on
JACKSON – I know that you don’t want to talk to me. But I need to know that you’re alright. Just give me a sign please. Any kind.
of sign.
ME I’m here. I’m alright. Let me know if you get this message.
JACKSON – I got the message. It took a while to come through though. The signal is really weak.
–
ME Yeah. Same here. Just know that I’m alright.
JACKSON – You’re in danger. Vincent isn’t what he seems.
ME – I know. I’m trying to figure it out now.
I know that there’s something wrong here.
Don’t worry about me..
But then it came back unsent. We lost our signal and couldn’t communicate anymore. So I put the phone back in my drawer and
I stared up at the ceiling thinking about Jackson. And what he could possibly be doing right about now.
Well, he was just messaging me so I guess that he’s worried about me. He was trying to warn me about Vincent. But I thought
that Eric was the real threat. It makes me think that he does actually care. He is always running hot and cold. He does want me
and then he doesn’t want me. What the hell am I supposed to think.
I guess I will have to have a good talk with him when I finally get the hell out of this realm. If that ever does happen. Because
right now, I’m doubting that I am ever going to get powers here. No matter how much I try and how much I concentrate, nothing
seems to come out. Maybe I’m more werewolf than faerie. That is always possible. I might not have any fae powers at all.
But that doesn’t make sense either. Because Jackson could sense that there was something different about me from the first
moment he met me. Which means that there.
is some faerie in me that he could sense. I wish my life could just be easier. Simpler.
I only got a couple of hours sleep that night before I got up and I went running again the following morning before I headed back
to the castle and I had a shower and dressed for the day.
at me in the mirror. I didn’t recognise myself. I didn’t see who I was turning into. And I’m not sure that I like the person that I am
turning into.
I try to keep it well hidden, but my anger is starting to fester up inside of me. It wasn’t something I was used to doing. I always
say what I am feeling but this time I had to keep. my mouth shut and make sure that I don’t let anything slip that I don’t want to
slip. I can’t risk me or Stefan. It was too dangerous.
There were others that I needed to think about here. And that’s not what I’m used to now. When I was living in Richmond Pack, I
only had to worry about myself. It was weird having other people depending on me for a change.
The following morning, I got up early again and did my usual workout up and down the stairs and through the woods. And then I
headed back to the castle and as I was walking to my room Eric stepped out of a room right in front of me and made me stop.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“You tell me. Something has been a little different with you lately.” He says.
“Like what?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it. You just seem a little different.” He says.
“It’s probably because I’m a little bored here.
“I say.
“Really? How can you be bored? There are so many things to do.” He says.
“I’m 18. I don’t have any friends aside from Stefan. I don’t really have anything to do during the day except read. That’s the
definition of being bored. What else are you trying to imply?” I asked.
“I’m not implying anything.” He says looking at me strangely.
“Well, it looks like you kind of are. So, if you have something to say then spit it out.” I say.
“I think you’re up to something. And I don’t think it’s anything good.” He says.
“What the hell could I possibly be up to?
Afterall, it’s not like I’m double crossing my father and working with his enemies or anything like that all because I believe that my
father is going to lose whatever war might be coming.” I say. And his head snapped up to look at me with shock in his eyes. And
I stood there staring at him with a smirk on my face.
“You may be his right-hand man. But I’m not someone that you really want to fuck with Eric. I’m not a stupid little teenage girl that
you can manipulate. So, don’t even try it.” I say walk around him and towards my room. But he grabbed me by my arm to stop
me and leaned in really close to me.
“You better be real careful who and what you say around here.” He threatened me.
“Funny. I was going to say the same thing to you.” I say ripping my arm out of his grasp and I headed to my bedroom.
I had a shower and I got dressed and then I walked over to my bedside table to look at my phone but there was still no activity on
And then someone knocked on the door so
I got up to answer it.
“What the hell did you just say to my father? “Stefan asked walking inside.
“I told him the truth.” I say.
“He just went off at me for telling you the truth and he’s afraid that you’re going to tell your father.” He says.
You can tell Eric that.” I say.
“What do you mean that he threatened you? “Stefan asked looking concerned.
“He basically told me to watch myself. That I didn’t know who I was dealing with.” I say walking over the room to grab my bag.
“He is telling the truth there. You don’t know who you’re dealing with. I don’t know what he’s going to do now that you’ve
threatened him back. He’ll probably try and get to the King first.” Stefan says looking at me with concern.
“We’ll deal with that when we get to it. Can we please just get to training?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He says running his hand over his face.
“Is it safe to go to training? Are we going to be followed by anyone working for your father?” I asked looking at him really
seriously.
“Wow. You are on the ball. Aren’t you?” He asked.
“I found out a long time ago, that some people can’t be trusted. I need to know what your father is doing today.” I say.
“He’s going to be in council with your father today. Today is when they’re in the throne room and they see people from the
village.” He says.
“What about the people loyal to your father? ” I asked.
“Don’t worry about them. I know what to avoid them. I’ve been doing it for years.” He says walking across my room and opening
my balcony door. I followed him to the door and he looked down at the vines that were climbing up the side of the building and he
climbed over the side of the balcony.
“Well, you could have just told me that we were doing that.” I say putting the bag over my head so it was across my chest. And
just before I went onto the balcony I decided to grab my phone for some reason and I
shoved it down the front of my corset. I didn’t even know why I grabbed my phone, but something was telling me to. And, I
climbed over the balcony railing after Stefan..
We climbed down the vines on the outside of the castle until we got to the bottom and the tree line was just a couple of meters
away and we dashed for them immediately. We stopped once we were inside the woods and we were watching to see where the
guards are.
“This is bullshit. Why the hell do we need to live like this? Why do we need to sneak around like this. Aren’t I meant to be the
Princess?” I asked.
“Yeah. But you’re a woman. So, you’re just meant to follow orders.” He says.
“Oh great. This really is the dark ages.” I say rolling my eyes.
“Are you planning on going back to your pack?” He asked.
“I think I have to.” I say.
“Yeah. I know. But I was just hoping that you would want to stay. But who the hell would want to stay with this crap?” He asked.
When we were sure that no one had noticed that we got out of the castle, we started walking through the woods towards the
outcast camp.
“It’s Jackson. Isn’t it?” Stefan asked out of nowhere. I wasn’t expecting it.
“You wouldn’t understand. It’s a wolf thing. “I say.
“I’ve heard of the mate bond. Your father told me all about it before you got here. Because he knew that you already had a mate
and he thought that might affect your here.” Stefan explained.
“Oh yeah. Maybe Vincent should learn to keep his mouth shut.” I say.
“Hello there.” Someone says walking out in front of us from behind a tree.
“Who the hell are you?” I asked.
“He works for my father.” Stefan says freezing in the spot.