Savannah whirled on her heels but before she could take any step further, fingers clamped around her arm and yanked her backwards.A lump formed in her lungs and her tears stuttered as she looked up at Ryker. His face was a mask of anger and it terrified the living daylights out of her because she’d never seen him this angry.“Why the fuck are you so stupid?” He yelled into face, eyes flashing with something hotter than rage. The look in his eyes could incinerate her and melt her into a puddle. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”Her breath caught and she held his blazing gaze for a long moment, his face swimming in her watery eyes and the words next words tumbled of out her mouth before she could control them.“I am not you! I wasn’t privileged to be raised in a family that loves me!” She screamed, her face crumpling from the ache sitting on her chest. “Everyone hates me. I am a worthless slave. Not to be wanted by anyone! So fucking hang me if I want death. I have no choice in the li
A hot stench of alcohol hit her nostrils as a dead weight settled over her and pinned her to the bed.Savannah cried out as fear shot down her spine. “What…what are you doing, Prince Reginald?”Goosebumps lifted off her skin as firm, long fingers wrapped around her neck, squeezing tight enough to almost cut off her airflow.“You left me at the dining hall.” He muttered in a sultry whisper, blowing a hot, stinging breath over her cheeks. His voice was oddly calm, the softest look in his eyes was nothing like she’d ever seen. “Why?”Stomach twisting with nausea, Savannah tried to speak. “I’m sorry. You saw when Celia called me to…I uh.. please.” Her tongue was clumsy and her heart beat in a funny rhythm. Being this close to him was terrifying. And she was horrifyingly aware of his hard length pressing against her belly. The feel of him sent flashes of memories of that night behind her lids and tears burned her eyes.He suddenly lifted off her and jumped to his feet. His head thunked bac
Blood mixed with a sticky white substance leaked out from her center as she laid wrecked at the bottom of the bed. The trauma of the abuse she’d just gone through was so intensive that she couldn’t even cry.Her breathing hitched as she caught a glimpse of the small wooden stick that was abandoned in the center of the room. She couldn’t believe that minutes ago, that stick had been shoved up into her private part by Reginald as he tied her down to the bed and raped her with it. It hurt so much.As the door clicked open, a fearful gasp tore through her lips and she forced herself to sit upright, slumping back against the wood of the bed as it turned out to be Bernice.“What did he do to you, oh goddess?!” She exclaimed as she walked into the room. Her eyes widened as large as saucers when she noticed the stick coated with blood on the floor. “Don’t tell me… Don’t tell me he…did that to you…with…that!” Bernice’s short hair flung every which way as she shook her head in disbelief, instea
Darkness. Not the stark inky scary blackness but a soft willowy shadow fell behind her closed lids. It felt safe and thought the pain still radiated in her body, somehow it felt distant, a little out of reach. It felt like the pain that had become part of her had somehow drifted outwards, still present but not with her.“Savannah!” that peaceful lull of darkness and quiet was shattered by a chirpy exclamation of her name and she jerked upright, heart beating furiously against her ribcage like a trapped bird furiously flapping its wings in a bid to escape confinement.The sleep was instantly cleared from her eyes and with a deftness gotten from months of practice, she shot to her feet, rolling up the bedcovers that were on the floor and shoving them under the bed before the door flew open. Reginald hadn’t been subtle in his warning that no one must find out that she didn’t sleep in the same bed as he.“Little sister,” Celia murmured sardonically, lips twisting in a cynical smile. “We d
Her mouth opened on a loud gasped as she snapped awake, taking in her surroundings in a panic. The fear and five-eyed monsters from her dreams still lingered at the edge of her consciousness and it wasn’t until, she sucked in another gulp of fresh air did she come fully awake. It was just a nightmare. She slowly repeated to herself.To her left, a soft wind tussled the curtains, moving them in a slight dance as the sunlight filtered through the drapes.Soon her eyes caught on the couch beneath her and she slowly realized Reginald had dropped her there sometimes in the night. Without warning, tears stung her eyes and she fought them, refusing to start the day on such miserable note. The ache in her bones was barely present this morning and that was something she could be grateful for.Yawning and stretching, Savannah struggled to her feet and just then, the door pushed open and stood by the doorway was Bernice, cup in hand.“Good morning,” She chirped brightly, seeming to catch on Sava
Celia clenched her jaw as Lex complimented Savannah. How dare he praise her sister, who was nothing but a weakling and a slave? Celia wanted to wipe that smug smile off Savannah's face, but she knew she had to play along. She curved her mouth into a sweet smile and pretended to be impressed by Savannah's skill.After a moment, she spoke up."I think this particular sword is too heavy for me to lift." She fluttered her eyelashes at Lex, hoping to catch his eye.He looked at her with a puzzled expression, unaware of her hidden agenda. “But this sword is easily lifted by even our omegas and even by your sister.” He explained in bewilderment, oblivious to the signals Celia was shooting him.“Well, I guess I’m fragile and ladylike.” She giggled, raking her fingers over his barechest.From the side, Savannah watched them, stomach twisted in knots at what was unfolding before her eyes. It was so clear what Celia was trying to do and it terrified the living daylights out of Savannah. Did Cel
“Thank you.” She beamed up at him, wrapping her thighs tightly around his waist as he slowly drifted down the stairs. “I don’t know what I’ll do if not for you.”“You’re welcome,” Prince Lexington replied dryly, a little disconcerted at the princess who seemed to be a little clingy. At her insistence, the physician wrapped her ankle in bandages, after the insistence that there was really nothing wrong with her. Now, she was on his back and he carried her to the dining hall.The fat smile on her face dropped as soon as they neared the dining hall.Ryker who was on the side couldn’t stop his brows from shooting up when he saw his brother carrying Savannah’s sister into the hall. Prince Lexington was a no nonsense strict guy so what in the world could have between them to make him carry her. Hmm.Wordlessly, he watched as the princess winced when sliding down Prince Lexington’s back.“Does it hurt that bad?” he heard his brother ask in a cold, distant tone and he grew even more confused.
Savannah froze in shock, her heart racing at the thought of Reginald finding her with Ryker. She knew that hell was going to break loose if he found them together...in an embrace even if they really had nothing going on between them. Or did they? Savannah was acutely aware of how hard and firm Ryker's muscles felt around her and the heat of his body was doing strange things to her body, regardless of Reginald's presence right outside the door. Oh goddess, this was bad. In a panic, she quickly pushed Ryker away from her and pressed her ears to the door, trying to listen to Reginald's words."Savannah, I--" Ryker started to say, taking a step closer to the frantic Savannah and she cut him a glare and pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh!"Thankfully, he took the hint and pressed his lips into a firm line, crossing his arms over his chest. "Rachel, baby." Reginald's deep voice filtered through the door and unlike most times with her, his voice sounded pleading and way too soft. It sent a