The Prince's Gift

Chapter 52.

*A/N: I just want to say thank you to all of my wonderful readers, from those who vote/comment to the silent readers alike! Because of y'all, The Prince's Gift is currently sitting at 15k and growing every day! I never would have thought so many would love this story as much as they have, but I'm so happy that you all are enjoying it. For those who are voting and commenting every chapter, you're of course amazing and I am loving your feedback and support. Let's keep it going and see how high it can climb!

"Adriana."

I heard a soft whisper that was barely audible coming to me through the darkness. As I felt myself being tugged out of the heavy pull of sleep, I noticed something strange. It was as if something was shifting inside of my mind, pulling at my thoughts and memories.

"Come Adriana." The voice said again, louder this time as it moved through the darkness coming toward me.

"Where are you? WHAT are you?" I asked into the nothingness, feeling the tug again inside of my mind. This time it was forceful, painful even, as if it was forcing its way into my mind by sheer will. "That hurts." I hissed in pain as it stung sharply from within my mind.

I lifted my hand in front of me and focused to pull the energy into it. A glowing golden light began to radiate from my hand as my entire hand slowly became wrapped in the gold tendrils as they spiraled out from within me. Suddenly, a woman who looked only slightly older than me with markings similar to the ones I'd had in my vision and seen on Delphine appeared in front of me. Her cherry red hair was in dreadlocks and partially tied up on top of her head to pull the long locks away from her face.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked firmly, trying to hide my surprise as she stared back at me intensely.

"I'm called Lavinia. I am here to bring you home." She said with a scowl, as if she was annoyed at her task.

"Home? Where? Who sent you here? How did you even find me?" I asked as I let a shocked expression cross my face before quickly shoving it away.

Her lips curled slightly at the edges into a wicked smirk as she stepped closer. "Your master of course. The great King Maddox is summoning you home. It's time to fulfill your purpose." She stepped closer until she'd closed the distance between us, her slender hand wrapping quickly around my wrist as she pulled me forward.

My brain clicked into motion and I dug my feet in, my mind willing myself to hault as I whipped her body around to face me.

"You will come with me one way or another. Mark my words child." she sneered.

My brow rose at her comment and I yanked my hand hard, but she wouldn't release me. "Child? You don't look much older than me. I will not leave with you."

I summoned all the energy from inside of me and pulled it all into focus in my hands. I raised my other hand as they both began to glow a bright gold.

"What do you think you're..." Lavinia said in surprise but I cut her off.

The glow began to radiate out of my hands and with one final jolt, I forced it out of myself and shot it toward her. She instantly released me with a shrill scream as she fell backward, fading into the darkness as I felt her presence disappear completely.

"Ana. Wake up." I heard a familiar deep voice calling to me from beyond the darkness. "Ana please."

The voice sounded desperate and I felt myself beginning to wake. The darkness began to fade away until my eyes finally fluttered open suddenly, looking around wildly for the source of the sound. Lavinia was nowhere to be found, but I felt a hand clutching weakly at my side beneath my own grasp.