39

                                    

                                          
Word Count: 2434
~Hunter
 
I sit in bed, covers bunched around my legs as I wait for Emma to return.
 
The guards let her slip out, and a few moments later, she returns with nothing but a slightly devious look on her face.
 
I watch her carefully, waiting for her to look to the door in anticipation of our father coming to punish me. Instead, she starts feeding me a very basic plan she has in mind to get the guards away from the door for a while.
 
She's going to lure them downstairs, and then she is going to drug them with some potent old herbs in the kitchen. They will be so ashamed thinking they fell asleep on the job that they won't tell anyone what happened.
 
I know she's only doing this for me so she can have Vinn all to herself, but it feels nice to have her on my side right now.
 
There's a first for everything, I suppose.
 
Slowly, Emma reopens the bedroom door. The guards turn, giving her the same uninterested look as before. She's the only one who is allowed to leave this room.
 
"Excuse me, I bumped my ankle on my doorframe and I'm in a great deal of pain," she tells them, lifting up her right ankle as if she's favouring it. "Could you escort me downstairs so I can get a maid to help me?"
 
The two guards exchange a look. One glances at me, so I shut my eyes, burying myself deep into the covers, trying to appear like I'm having a restless sleep.
 
They won't suspect Emma and I are colluding. Not when they have heard us bicker viciously.
  
"Well..." one says apprehensively.
 
"You'll only be gone a moment. My sister is sleeping," Emma tells them lowly, motioning behind her.
 
I can tell they are investigating me, so I remain as still as possible.
 
"Fine, but we must be quick," the other guard states.
 
"Of course."
 
I peek from the covers, watching them sling their arms around my sister, helping keep her up while she fake hobbles her way along.
 
The moment they have vanished into the darkness, I get up. I don't bother with any additional clothing, knowing this meeting will have to be brief, even if the guards are being drugged.
 
Stealing my sisters light dressing gown, I sweep it over my shoulders before rushing down the hallway.
 
I'm not entirely sure where Kaan will be, but I'm assuming it's where father houses all the other nobles. It's on the other side of the house, but thankfully, it seems the remaining guards are downstairs near all the exits, so I remain unseen amongst the shadows.
 
When I make it to the right wing of the house, I knock gently on all of the doors until one finally opens.
 
Kaan pulls the door back, looking over me like he's seen a ghost. Then his face breaks into a relieved smile and I'm falling into his arms.
 
"Hunter. Holy fuck," he murmurs into my hair as he closes the door behind me.
 
It takes everything in me not to burst into tears as I breathe in his familar scent, as I feel the weight of his arms around me.
 
I didn't realise I would miss this so much, him so much.
 
"Hey..."
 
"You got out of your room." He pulls back, placing his hands on either side of my face. I let him look over me with a pressing gaze, his concern palpable.
 
"Strangely enough, my sister helped me get out," I say, laughing lightly at the absurdity of it.
 
"How are you? Are you hurt?"
 
"No, not yet," I assure him gently. "But if my father finds me in here, he will kill me."
 
Kaan frowns, knowing that I'm not exaggerating. I'm so used to the threat of my father that I'm not too scared. I'm more so scared that my father will get Kaan to do something rash that he can't take back, and a war will break out because of me.
 
"I'm not going to let that happen-"
 
"Shh, let me just have this reunion with you," I say, hushing him by drawing his lips to mine.
 
He smiles against my lips, responding immediately to the kiss. He tastes the same as always, so addictive I can't imagine pulling my mouth from his ever again.
 
His fingers sweep my hair back from my face as he kisses me so passionately I can feel the effects of days worth separation. It may not seem long, but that's what the mate bond is doing to us.
 
"I'm so happy to see you," he murmurs against my mouth as he backs me up.
 
The back of my knees hit the plushness of the bed and I sink down to sit. He sits next to me, not breaking the kiss for even a second.
 
I let him steal away every breath until I'm so desperate for air I have to pull away a touch.
 
"I'm happy to see you too. We have only been apart for a few days and it feels like far too long," I tell him through quick breaths. I need to recover so I can get back to kissing him right away.
 
He brushes his thumb along my cheek. "We will never have to be apart again. I promise."
 
"As long as I can get out of here alive," I mutter, the harsh reality sending a trickle of cold dread down my spine.
 
Maybe it's all the years of my father screwing my life over, but I don't have much faith that Kaan's words alone will be enough to convince my father to let me go. I'm worth too much to him.
 
"Your father is breaking the law and he knows it. He will have no other choice but to let me leave here with you," Kaan assures me, although his jaw hardens.
 
"That's what I'm scared of." I pull back, bringing my fingers up to my mouth so I can chew anxiously on my nail. "He would rather kill me then let me get away again."
 
And if he doesn't kill me, he will make sure I can never get away again...
 
How terrible would I have to look before Vinn refuses to take me as his wife? There has to be some reason he wants me as his wife over my sister, and I don't think it's because of how I look.
 
"I will not let that happen." Kaan's voice is so sure that I want to believe it.
 
"I'm going to have sneak out of here. I don't know how, but I have to," I insist.
 
He shakes his head. "No, I'll speak to your father tomorrow and sort this all out."
 
"It won't be enough. He will always talk his way out of it." I dig my fingers into Kaan's hand, wishing I could convey how horrific my father is without having to explain my entire childhood to him.
 
He would understand, it's just far to much to dredge up.
 
"Try my way first, otherwise we can find another way to get you out of here," he breathes, those earnest green eyes melting away at my apprehension.
 
"Just promise you won't start a war over me," I beg. "There was a staff member here who was able to distract guards long enough so I can make a run for it. Maybe I can find them again."
 
"There are guards littering the forest around this place. You would have to find another way out," he says grimly.
 
I sigh, grinding my teeth together. Of course my father expects I'll take the same way out if I do try to run. This time, I'll have to be far more crafty.
 
"I'll figure it out."
 
"You won't have to." The edge of Kaan's mouth twitches up. "It's why I came here in the first place."
 
I draw him in for another hug, unable to help myself. It feels good have him close, to know he is here. But while I may be touching him now, he can easily be taken from me, and I may never see him again.
 
These stolen moments aren't enough. I need to find a way out of here.
 
"I just hope it works."
 
"It will. You're mine, not his." Kaan's hold on me tightens.
 
"Vinn won't get his way. I'll make sure of it," I say into the crook of his neck.
 
Vinn may think he can take me as his wife, but I will never be completely his. How he can live with the thought that I am mated to another man, that I love that man, is beyond me.
 
"No, he won't."
 
I wind my fingers into his soft, thick dark strands. "Now hurry and kiss me."
 
The resulting kiss is feverish. Kaan presses into until my back is against the sheets, and he is on top of me.
 
"This won't be the last time we kiss. I promise you," he whispers, kissing down my jaw, down my neck.
 
I can't help but gasp at the sensation. All my fear and worry melts away, and in this blissful moment, I'm with my mate in a bed, with nothing going on around us.
 
"I hope you're right," I say into the air, arching my back up as his traces his mouth down my neck.
 
"You have nothing to fear." His shifts back up, kissing my mouth gently. "I'll always protect you."
 
I smile, nodding securely. I believe him. I just get the feeling I'm going to have to protect myself now, like I've had to do my entire childhood.
 
Kaan runs his hand from my knee up my thigh. Instinctively, my legs spreader wider for him, and when his fingers meet the edge of my panties, I know immediately what I want.
 
"Mmm." I break our kiss to look into his eyes. "What are you doing?"
 
"Taking your mind off everything," he whispers.
 
I smile. "I like the sound of that."
 
Laying on his side, he pulls away from me just enough that he can look down my body. I can't remember anything else suddenly as he pulls my panties to the side just enough before he runs his fingers down the centre of me.
 
I gasp into his mouth as he slides one finger into me, pleasure erupting through me immediately.
 
"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, looking over me, as he thrusts his finger in and out, watching the way I writhe. "I'm so unbelievably lucky."
 
I want to tell him I'm the lucky one, but as he adds a second finger, I can't manage to find the words. All I can do is hold his arm and take anything he is willing to give me.
 
"That feels so good," I moan softly, raising my hips to meet every hard, thorough thrust of his fingers.
 
As his fingers curl upwards, he's forced to place a hand over my mouth, smothering my moans.
 
I can feel my climax barrelling toward me. With him staring at my face like he's completely enraptured by me, while his fingers pump in and out faster and faster, I can't hold on for much longer.
 
"Good girl," he breathes, his heated stare trailing downward. "I want to watch you cum all over my fingers."
 
I feel it, buzzing through my body, ready to fall over the edge until....
 
A soft, tentative knock sounds at the door.
 
Kaan immedaitely ceases his movements, a frown creasing his forehead.
 
Shit. Is that Emma?
 
"Kaan, are you in there?" I soft voice asks. It's Tay.
 
"You've got to be kidding," Kaan growls, pulling his fingers to me.
 
I pout, but the last remnants of my orgasm are washing away into nothingness. I would be upset about it if there weren't so much else going on around me.
 
"Go talk to her," I insist, shoving my mate off the bed.
 
He curses under his breath before he opens the door a crack, making sure Tay can't see I'm sprawled out on his bed right now.
 
"What, Tay?"
 
"Can I come in?"
 
"No, I need sleep. Go back to your room."
 
"I just want to make sure you know what you need to do tomorrow," she exclaims.
 
The worry in her voice cracks at my heart. She really cares about me, and wants this to go well. I'm not sure how I managed to acquire such a good friend, but I'm grateful for her.
 
Once I'm home, I'll make it up to her. Just not right now, when her brother was fingering me moments ago...
 
"Of course I know. You have nothing to worry about," he soothes, his voice softening as he realises she isn't just here to annoy him.
 
"Are you sure, because-"
 
"Tay, I have this handled," he assures her.
 
She sighs wistfully. "Alright. I guess I'll go to sleep."
 
"Goodnight."
 
Kaan closes the door, letting out a rough breath. I giggle into my hand, the absurdity of what just happened amusing me greatly.
 
"I'm sorry."
 
"Don't be. It's sweet that she's worried," I say, hopping up from the bed. "I should probably go back to my room soon, though."
 
"Are you sure?" Kaan frowns, resting his hands on my hips as he leans against the door, like he doesn't want me to go through it. "I don't like leaving you...you know."
 
He looks over me, the heat in his stare causing my entire body to react. As much as I want to jump into bed with him, if we continue, our risk of being caught only goes up.
 
"I'll be fine. Emma told me she would drug the guards when she got them downstairs, so I need to make sure I'm back before they wake up," I tell him.
 
"Of course." He steps away from the door. "We're leaving tomorrow, okay?"
 
"Alright. I believe you." I give him the warmest smile I can muster, even though I have doubts.
 
He kisses my forehead as he opens the door. "I love you."
 
I step into the hallway, turning to look at him. His hair is mussed from my fingers, and there's a hazy look in his eye that is making me miss home more than ever.
 
My real home, that is.
 
"I love you too, Kaan," I murmur, before I race back to the room. 
🩵••🩵
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My latest novel, the Cold Prince, is out now on Wattpad! I hope you'll check it out (:
~Midika 💜🐼