10 (part 1)

So, this was how her life was going to end, by freezing to death in a dungeon.

Whatever, not like it was the worst way to go. At least she had gotten to see her dream man once again.

Jacks… His name was an intimate caress against the walls of her mind.

Sonya sighed as she found herself once again in front of the same forest trail that the creepy merchant had pointed her to. Unlike the trail she had walked before, which had been dark and terrifying, this new trail was bright and lined with the most beautifully colored roses she had ever seen. Reds, blues, yellows, and everything in between guided her along.

The more she looked at them, the more her hands twitched to caress their large petals. It wasn’t until she walked farther up the trail, reaching a hill that held a single rose, did she give in to her desire. She came to a halt before a rose that stood out above the others. Twice the size of one of her hands, its beautiful petals danced around in a swirl of reds that she couldn’t help but be mesmerized by. Its stem was thick, solid, and covered with small and sharp thorns. Reaching out, her fingertips brushed against the rose’s smooth leaves.

“Amazing,” she whispered. Never had she seen such a flower before. Its petals were as soft as cotton and as delicate as the finest silk.

As breathtaking as the rose was, Sonya couldn’t deny there was a subtle loneliness that surrounded the beautiful flower. Her gaze went down the hill to the roses that were bushed together and then back to the rose in front of her. The single rose blooming on top this hill, when compared to the others, was an abnormality. Deserted, it was left alone to its solitude.

“It’s the only one of its kind, you know.”

Sonya’s head snapped around so quick she damn near got whiplash. When she saw who was standing behind her, her jaw literally dropped, and she could do nothing but openly gape at him as he walked up the hill towards her. A sight for sore eyes, since she thought she would never see him again. Glad she was wrong, she let her gaze feast on him. If she had thought him handsome before, she was sourly mistaken. Without the dim lighting of a castle hall or dungeon, she could finally see all of him.

From her kneeling position by the rose, he towered over her. Dressed in a cream-fitted sweater that showed off his broad form, a pair of black slacks that concealed what she was sure was toned and defined legs, and a pair of black dress shoes, he was absolutely mouthwatering.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

His voice was like velvet against her skin. Decadent and seductive, it made her want to strip and rub herself against him.

Sonya gave a harsh shake of her head, attempting to clear it of the inappropriate thoughts running through her mind. The effort was useless, especially with him standing in front of her looking like sex on two legs.

“Me too,” she finally managed to say.

“Here, let me.” He extended a large hand to her. Happily, she took it. Warmth radiated from their connected hands as she was pulled to her feet and into a wall of muscled flesh that smelled like cinnamon and dark spices. Before she knew it, she had buried her nose into his chest and deeply inhaled his scent. The sweet and spiced scent of him washed over her, setting fire to her body.

“You shouldn’t do that.” His voice came from above her.

Instantly her body tensed, and her eyes flew to his. Embarrassment burned her cheeks as she went to push away from him. His hold around her tightened, keeping her immobile as one of his hands went under her chin.

“Beauty,” he said with a smile that turned her knees into jelly.

Somehow, she managed to give him a weak nod before she was once again drawn into the depths of that intense stare of his.

“You know…” He moved his hand to caress the side of her face. The warmth of his touch sent chills down her spine. “You gave me quite the scare.” His thumb gently traced her jawline.

“Sorry,” she muttered. This time he gave her a half-smile that made her stomach flutter.

What was wrong with her? She felt like every nerve ending in her body was alive. She was sure that if he touched her anymore she would go into cardiac arrest.

“I’ll forgive you, but only if you do something for me.” The mischief that sparkled in his gaze once again had wicked things happening to her insides.

Breathless, she asked, “What’s that?”

“This.” Just like that, he pressed his lips to hers. Instantly she became putty in his hands. The soft butterfly kisses he planted on her lips drove her insane. As liquid fire pooled between her legs, she allowed him to take control. Their kiss intensified when she felt the warmth of his tongue against her lips, a silent demand that she give him access to the most intimate parts of her mouth.

It was a demand, Sonya was more than happy to comply. Parting her lips for him, she gave a needy sigh as his tongue penetrated her mouth.

If this is heaven, I never want to leave.

It was the last thought she had before her brain went haywire. Within seconds he had coaxed her tongue into a decadent dance that had her craving more, bending her to his every whim. Tingles quickly spread from her head to her toes. She shivered as his arms wrapped around her waist and hugged her closer to him. Flush against him, she felt his strength surround her like a second skin, becoming her protection and urging her to fall into him.

Lost in the feeling of being wanted, Sonya didn’t notice the subtle stiffening of his body. She winced as his grip suddenly tightened around her waist. Past that momentary sting of pain, nothing else mattered. All she wanted, craved, was the touch of the man that held her in his arms. Something sharp pricked her lips, and again she paid no attention as pleasure washed over her.

With a curse, he tore his lips from hers. Only then did she finally open her eyes.

“Wha—” Her words suddenly became lodged in her throat.

One moment she was drowning in the most decadent kiss she ever had, and the next her world shifted. There one minute, gone the next, her handsome prince had vanished before her eyes. She blinked several times to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. She wasn’t, she had been left alone with the wind suddenly wiping around her and tossing the thick curls of her hair into her face. Goosebumps broke out along her arms as the bright sun that had covered the hill in a radiant light rapidly faded. Fear picked up her heart rate, and her eyes darted around the darkening hill.

She looked to the rose, and a piece of her heart broke as she watched petal after petal wilt and fall to the ground.

“What’s going on?”

There was a sudden rumbling off in the distance. Her fear quickly turned into terror when dark clouds completely covered the sky above her. The rumbling returned, this time sounding closer than before. Taking several steps back, Sonya struggled to keep herself together. The deep growl that echoed around her shattered any thoughts she had of remaining calm and collected. Slowly, as if she were in a slow-motion movie scene, Sonya looked over her shoulder.

No longer surrounded by bountiful life, she came face to face with the monster from her nightmares.

“Beauty.”

She didn’t know if the thing spoke her name, growled it, or did a combination of both. Either way, it drew her attention. Looking at it as it took a step forward, Sonya realized there was nowhere for her to run. The path she had followed was now blocked by dense forest trees. Left with no escape and no hope, she felt a scream working its way up her throat.

“You are mine.”

Before she could take her next breath, a large claw wrapped around her wrist, and Sonya was pulled forward with a force that nearly pulled her arm out its socket. Up close, all she could focus on was the sharp tips of his fangs. Finally, the scream that had been caught in her throat burst free. She screamed so loud and hard that she felt it all the way to her core. Scream after scream filled the air, until the sound became deafening, and all she could hear was the sound of her own frantic heartbeat.

There was no doubt that she would learn what death truly felt like…

Sonya was jerked back to reality with a strangled grasp. Eyes flying open, she bolted upright, her gaze rapidly scanning the room she was in. Half expecting to still be on the hill with her nightmares, she was surprised to realize that she was not only back in the real world, but also tucked safely in a very large and comfortable bed. Warmth surrounded her, and quickly her fear evaporated into nothing. Looking around, she took in the spacious bedroom and couldn’t help but be impressed by its luxurious beauty. The room sported a small living room set and coffee table a few feet away from the foot of the bed. To her left was a large wardrobe and dresser. To her right was an oversized vanity as well as the adjoining bathroom.

“Whose room is this?”

It couldn’t have been hers. There was just no way. She was a prisoner in this castle, not a guest. She should still be locked in that cold dungeon, not waking up wrapped in soft sheets.

How did I get here?

She remembered coming to this castle, seeing her father… a cold dungeon, her nightmares and then waking up in this room. Anything in between was a blur, and something she couldn’t remember no matter how hard she tried.

Whatever, none of that mattered for the moment. What she needed was the bathroom, and she was just grateful that it was only a few feet away. Anything farther and she wouldn’t have made it. Tossing the heavy covers from her body, Sonya flung her legs off the bed and was on her feet. She took a moment to savor the plush feel of the carpet under her feet. Then she was off racing to the bathroom before she did something that would embarrass her.

She made it to the toilet just in the nick of time. A sigh filled with relief escaped her as she relieved herself. No longer in a hurry, she took the time to admire the bathroom’s decor. Black and gold marble covered the walls and the floors while a glass shower sat catty-corner along the wall across from her. The sink counter and vanity were crafted from the same black and gold marble as the walls, and ceiling lights illuminated the bathroom in bright light. Just above the counters was a wall mirror that stretched across half of one of the walls. Truly, it was a magnificent sight, but it was the black porcelain tube that was built into the wall of the bathroom that drew her attention.

Done relieving herself, Sonya went over to inspect the tub. Her fingertips brushed against its cool surface, impressed at the tub’s size. There was no doubt that several people could comfortably fit inside with room left over. There was a little button near the wall, which she assumed was for jacuzzi jets built into the tub.

She would make it a point to try the tub out later.

Later…

That’s right, she reminded herself, this is my new home. Her life in exchange for her father’s… everything she had ever known taken away from her. It was a discouraging thought, although she figured it could always be worse. She could always be back in that cell.

A gilded cage is still a cage…