Forbidden Love

Chapter Twenty-Three

Skylar

I wake up feeling groggy. I automatically go to rub my eyes, only to find that my wrists are restrained.

Thankfully, I wasn't on the rollers. I was on a flat piece of board. It felt like it was made of wood.

I close my eyes, until I hear someone call my name.

"Skylar?" The voice was very familar, a voice I'd hoped to hear long ago. Ryder.

My heart races, and my eyes flash open to see that Ryder's sitting on the side of room, though in front of me still. He had silver wrapped around his legs, arms, wrists, shoulders and neck. He looked weak.

I didn't think that it would be physically possible for my heart to hurt like this. But it does; with every breath it seems to clench.

"Ryder?" I croak, my throat unbelievably dry. I don't remember the last time I've ever felt this bad. My entire body ached, my head pounded, and my throat was parched.

"I'm gonna get you out of here, Skylar."

I look up at the ceiling so that he won't see the tears welling in my eyes. It won't help the situation at all.

"You're underestimating him, Ryder. There is no escape," I whisper. I'd lost all hope. "He's too strong. I can't risk it."

"Risk what?" he asks. I know I must sound crazy, and maybe I am going crazy. I've spent a long time here now, or maybe it just felt like a long time.

"Letting my hope get up," I whisper. "That's what I did the last two times I tried to escape, and I'm still here," I tell him, spitting the words out.

"Well, you don't have to get your hopes up. But you need to know that with all my power, I will get us out of here," he promises. And I can't help but believe him.

^^

Cairo

"Are you kidding me?" I yell furiously. I couldn't explain the fury I felt at the moment. It was exactly how I felt when Ryder got out of the car seven days ago.

I step out of the house, ready to greet Skylar with a "how'd your date go?" Too bad that it seemed that only Ryder was in the car.

I could see it all in his face. Something bad had happened. He had regret, anger and worry in his eyes. I could see all that just through the windshield.

He steps out of the car and I could see the guilt there. He always has that expression when he's done something to Skylar. The same exact expression when he gave her the weird control mark.

I slap him. His expression turned sour and angry. But I don't give him time to delve on that.

"What did you do to Skylar this time?" I demand, my arms folded across my chest.

"She's been kidnapped," he spits out. I see him clench his fists so hard his knuckles turn white.

My mouth falls open, and I make no attempt to hide my shock.

"What?"

Now, I felt that anger again. And once again, it was all directed at the King named Ryder.

"What do you mean he's been kidnapped too?" I screech. What the heck type of King is he if he can be kidnapped so freaking easily?

Ethan opens his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.

"I mean, no wonder Skylar was so easily kidnapped. You said he was right there too, right? I can't believe this. If he can be King than Kanye West can be King. We night as well make Kim Kardashian Queen too," I rant. That's all I've been doing for the past seven days. Ranting and complaining.