Taken Against My Will

Chapter 16: Clouded mind

As I come to I feel my head bouncing painfully against something hard. I slowly open my eyes, my head spinning, to be faced with someone’s chest. I am cradled in their arms as they run with me through the forest. They aren’t a vampire, that I am sure of. Their speed is fast and steady, but not the speed of the vampires. I try calling to Alex through our mind link but nothing happens. I can feel him somewhere in the distance, but I can’t quite reach to him. I stretch my mind harder trying to reach but I can’t. I'm exhausted after a few seconds of trying. I open my eyes completely and look up, a man thick with muscles has his arms wrapped around me, carrying me to wherever we are going. When he notices I am awake he looks at me with a mischievous grin, then continues running at a steady pace. My mind starts going groggy again, and just before I black out I manage to grab hold of Alex’s mind.

“Alex Help!” I scream before everything goes black.

*12 hours earlier*

Alex’s POV

“It’s probably nothing, just a joke someone’s playing on us. I think you need to calm down and think of Lily. If this threat is real then she needs to strong and not broken and falling apart like you are.” Robert said, leaning against the kitchen bench. We were getting a snack, our thirst needing to be in order for the meeting this evening. We need to be able to think straight, about our situation not blood.

“I know, I just, can’t help it. What if something happens to her? It would be my fault for not watching out for her more.” I say, rubbing my eyes roughly and sighing.

“If, just remember it’s an if. Come on, go spend some time with her before the meeting.” He said, pushing my shoulder towards the door. I nod in agreement and walk at human pace to our bedroom. I need to clear my head and put my mask on again before I can face Lily. I don’t want her to see how much just the thought of something happening is affecting me. I need to be strong, for the kingdom, and for her.

“Lily?” I called as I entered the room. She wasn’t in here but I could hear her heartbeat from the bathroom.

“Just a second.” She called back. A few seconds later the door unlocked and she walked out wearing a beautiful green dress that went just above her knees.

“Do I look okay?” She asked, patting down the front.

“No, not okay. Amazing, beautiful, breath taking. Definitely not just okay though.” I said, crossing the room and taking her in my arms.

“Isabella chose it for me, for the thing this evening, the meeting. What time do we need to go down?” She asked, resting her head on my shoulder. I lifted my head and placed my chin against the top of her hair.

“In an hour or so.” I replied, stroking her soft cheek with my finger. I felt her nod.

“That’s enough time to-“ I started to say but she cut me off.

“No, I spent ages getting this dress to sit right and you are not taking it off.” She said, pulling her head back from my shoulder to look at me. I pouted and asked with my eyes but she just shook her head.

“Men, honestly. I dress up nicely for once and all you want to do is undress me. Unbelievable.” She said, pulling out of my arms playfully, I could tell she wasn’t mad from the smile on her lips.

“It’s because you look so good that I want to take it off…”

“Answer’s still no.”

“Alright, well just let me hold you at least, I’ve missed you today.” I said, pulling her back into the space of my arms. I’d been so busy with Robert and arranging things for the meeting that I barely got to see her.