Just Us

|2|

Pia woke with a start, the faint sound of horses and talking forcing her up. It was her worst fear. They had followed her yesterday and called the authorities. She had to get Ada out before it was too late.

"Ada, listen to me. You have to be very quiet, just like that game we used to play. Whoever makes less noise wins, okay?" Pia rubbed her back, wrapping her tightly in her shawl to protect her from the cold. She grabbed their only blanket, and left the hut.

At least it was humans tracking her. Demons could smell them, and track then down quickly.

They walked North, opposite of the approaching noise. The dark woods gave them no help, and she feared they'd be lost when the sun came up.

Pia found a large tree trunk that wrapped to create a hollow opening. She hid Ada, covering her completely with the blanket.

"Adalie, promise me you won't move, no matter what happens."

"I pinky promise," they linked pinkies,  and huddled close. Pia was shaking from the cold that seeped into her bones, and she fought back tears of frustration and pain.

It was quiet for a long time, every snap in the woods making her breathe a little harder. Her eyes closed and she fell into an anxious sleep.

"The King requests your presence immediately!" a voice shouted from the front of the tree they were hiding behind. It jarred Pia awake, and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

The King? He hadn't been known to be a public figure, maybe a few scarce meetings, but everything about him was private. She couldn't believe they traced her just because of Adalie, or even the stolen bread. However, none of those things should require the king.

Tears rushed to her eyes as she bent down to press a kiss to her sister's head, whispering her love. She had absolutely no idea what she had done to attract the his attention. She wiped her sweaty palms on her ratty brown dress as her heart pounded its way into her throat.

She stepped out into the moonlight, keeping her eyes casted downwards, silently counting the number of horses: there were seven. Seven total men were surrounding her, along with the King himself. She was outnumbered. She couldn't escape them, not while Ada was sleeping. Pia was too weak to run and carry her.

The King growled loudly, a sound that rattled the ground. He rode his horse forward, from where he was hidden in the shadows, now so close she could reach out to touch the horse's snout.

"Look at me," he said gruffly, swinging down, his boots smashing the earth beneath them.

She slowly lifted her head, meeting the stunning red eyes that she always heard stories of. The little light sharpened his features that seemed to glow, his silky black hair reflecting the stars.

"Mine," he growled lowly, pulling her tiny frame against his built one, holding on to her head as though she needed to be hidden in his neck, away from the world. Pia jerked away from his touch, even though she missed the brief warmth. Her body was numb from the cold. He gave another snarl, moving close again. This sound was softer, a sound of annoyance from her leaving the embrace.

"You're my mate."

Pia stepped back, her brows furrowing in confusion. She had no doubt that the King had a mate. She saw it through her mom and Stephen, but she was no match for a queen. She was human and weak. Demons were possessive, controlling, with anger issues. Plus, she had Ada. No person would take on a child that was not their own.

"You shouldn't be dressed like that in this kind of weather," he ignored her silence and huffed, taking off his cloak, moving back into her personal space, and covering her shoulders with the heavy leather.  "Let's get you somewhere warm."

"I think you've made a mistake, Your Highness," she finally found her voice. It shook and broke. Pia felt weak, standing helpless between the demon king and her hidden sister. She knew they could smell her.

The silence was definite as he turned around slowly, his form towering and intimidating.

"There is no mistake," he stated, moving towards her once more. "My demon chose you. We don't make mistakes like that," his words were sharp, but not harsh.

Pia could feel herself wanting to believe him. Could it really be that she would no longer have to carry her burden alone? That Ada could get a warm bed and a proper meal?

The king broke her from her thoughts, tenderly running his knuckles down her cheek, as if he didn't believe she was real.

His touch was soothing, and her body warmed. She would give him a chance, something told her to trust him.

She grasped his large hand, lacing their fingers, never breaking eye contact.