"I still wonder about it," I said.
His brow furrowed, eyes searching my expression. "Wonder about what?"
"Whether you're the villain in my story."
~~~~~~~
Mara Monroe is at the center of a war she wanted no part in.
But with her new throne she fac...
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The horde.
We woke early the next morning, not wanting to waste a moment of sunlight, to make the trek through the woods to find them. After last night's revelations, I could barely say that I 'woke.' The term 'woke' implies that one was actually sleeping.
Camellia's warning last night posed more questions and more dangers, but above all, I couldn't help but feeling as though I was doomed to repeat history.
"Does that work for you, Princess?"
My head snapped up at Cedric's voice automatically, but the moment his silver eyes pierced mine I looked away.
"Uh huh," I said, unsure about what I was agreeing to.
My four traveling companions were looking at me expectantly. Whatever they were discussing before went completely over my head. Thea snorted, coughing a little to cover up her laugh. She could obviously tell that I had no idea what they were talking about.
As we hiked through the woods, Andras sidled up to me, glancing sidelong at me.
"We're about to sneak into a vampire camp and you couldn't bother to listen to the plan?" Andras' eyes sparkled. "I cannot say that will bode well for you, your highness."
Apparently, I did not hide my inattention well.
I shrugged. "I'm a little new to the job, but I don't think breaking into a vampire hideaway counts toward my regular duties."
He laughed and Cedric glanced at us over his shoulder before turning around to lead us. Both he and Thea knew where the horde was, Cedric, because he discovered the location when he was looking for Brighid, and Thea because she could sense it. I knew better than to question her.
Andras explained the plan to me as we hiked. For a dangerous mission, the plan was pretty straightforward. Freya would create a fog with her elemental, Cedric and Andras would use it as cover to find Brighid, and Thea would make us a portal to West Acres where we could heal her. In and out with the Horde unaware.
"Wait," I said, "so what am I doing while all of this is happening?"
Andras grinned.
"I believe Cedric's exact words were 'staying out of trouble.'" The fey prince chuckled at my indignant expression. "You did agree to it."
"I wasn't listening," I hissed. "I'm not just going to sit around while everyone saves my sister except for me!"
Andras was about to speak, but another voice interrupted him.
"We're almost there," Cedric said to the group, stopping next to a large spruce tree. He unloaded his bag from his back, pulling spare knives from the pockets and shoving them into his boot and his belt. "If we go much further we'll be within hearing distance."
Andras dropped his pack and followed suit. As did Freya. Thea and I stood back and watched as the three of them armed themselves to the teeth. She shot me an incredulous look and I could only shrug. Hopefully there wasn't a metal detector.
