She’s fine.
I can’t wait until I’ve married this girl and Simon will no longer hang on her every whim. It’s annoying, and the fact it bothers me should make me stop and really think about what I’m about to do.
But it doesn’t.
Instead it ignites a primal instinct to claim and to protect.
“I’m not marrying anyone.” Allison grabs her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and swipes the screen with a shaky finger.
“You will call no one.” I stand in front of her, demanding her attention. “You won’t be leaving here anytime soon.”
Tears trickle down her cheeks, mesmerizing me. “I want to go home.”
Lina and Stefania step forward. “Let us speak with her. She needs some time to process everything.”
I nod, granting permission.
Lina holds out her hand, a motherly smile gracing her face. “Come with us, dear. We’ll explain what’s happening.”
Allison shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to go anywhere. I just want to go home.”
Simon leans in close, too close, whispering in Allison’s ear. He’s trying his best to comfort her, and again, the simple action bothers me more than it should, causing a ripple of envy to quake through my body.
“Leave us,” I roar, finally getting sick of everyone trying to help. “Leave us, now.”
Simon hesitates but finally rises. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I need to speak to her.”
The room empties as Allison remains seated in the chair. Tears free fall down her face, but she’s got her nose in the air, and a stubborn look of determination on her face.
“I won’t marry you.”
I stalk around the room, pacing with my arms behind my back, watching her, studying her every movement. “Did Simon ever tell you we’re royalty here in Romania?”
Allison blinks. “No, he didn’t… specifically.”
I step away from her, but my eyes never leave her lest she try to run away again. “Another ruling empire, not too far from this one, will want you if they find out what you can do.”
“Why me?”
“There are three empires, three clans, and I rule one of them,” I say.
“What empire?”
“Romania.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not true. I thought Romania’s ruled by a prime minister.”
“Well, yes. He rules and governs the country, but I rule the empire. A private kingdom, so to say.”
“So it’s not like actual royalty, then?”
“It is, and you should treat it as such.”
“Allison, tell me, have you noticed yourself having a certain… ability? Have your hands been tingling?”
She glances down at her delicate hands. “Well, yes, but…” Her words fall away as her head rises and her confused blue eyes meet mine.