Daughter of Alvar (Redemption Saga, Book 2)

Chapter 15

I leave Hassan's encampment and hurry back to the waterfall.

Something is going on.

My father had been right in his letter. At the palace, we'd all existed blissfully unaware of Rift and his mother and smugglers like Hassan. Royal blood and tainted arlite had been Hassan's takings from the palace, but how had he even gotten in?

I wonder if there may be an inside presence in the palace in league with Rift's mother.

I pass the waterfall when my body surprises me by changing against my will into human form. I struggle against whatever force it is that's causing my transformation, but I can't shake it.

I fall into the pool at the base of the waterfall with a splash.

"I'm surprised to see you here, Princess."

Rift.

I was an idiot for not leaving when I'd seen him torturing Hassan. But no, my curiosity and desire for Rift to somehow be good... that is going to be my ruin now.

I'm naked and drenched by the water, but I manage to use my wings to shelter at least some of my bare skin. I don't know how Rift managed to get me to transform, but I'm chilled to my core.

I have no idea what Rift is capable of.

I half expect him to brandish a blade and kill me while I'm vulnerable.

"Spying on me? Bad form for a princess," Rift tsks, approaching me with his amber eyes fading back to normal.

"Are you going to kill me?" I ask, lifting my chin with dignity.

"I'm offended," Rift mutters, he's averting his gaze. I'm shocked at his respect for my decency.

"You are not some herbalist's son," I state instead of asking.

"I am actually an herbalist's son," Rift corrects me, wading into the water to meet me. He pulls his tunic over his head. I try not to notice him bare-chested, but it makes my inner animal rumble with appreciation and desire.

He reaches out toward me with the shirt in hand and with his eyes cast to the water. "I'm not trying to embarrass you, Kyla. Put it on."

"So, it was you who transformed me back," I accuse and dart my hand out to take his shirt so I can slip it on. I'm thankful it's a tunic and not a shirt, for I'm well-endowed, and men's shirts would run short on me.

"Yes, but it took a lot out of me. In fact, it took all the energy I got out of Hassan," Rift says without an apology. "You have no idea. If you were to turn back right now, you could fly away and take your beast form."

"What do you mean 'energy you got from Hassan'?" I ask warily.

"Forget I said that," Rift snaps, and he rubs his temples, sucking in a deep breath.

"So I can leave without your abilities stopping me? Why would you waste that energy on me if I can turn right now and escape you?" I demand.

"I couldn't let you leave without an explanation," Rift says. He motions toward a stone at the edge of the water. "Would you care to sit with me?"

I raise my eyebrows. "You've got some stones to cross a Cursed," I tell him, but I do as he says because again, I'm too curious not to hear him out. Besides, I can always retake my beast form.

"You probably think I'm out to get you," Rift says, sitting down next to me.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Give me a minute." Rift leans forward and groans, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. "I may pass out. You were so full of power."