Our meeting is one we’ll need to have face to face.
ChapterSixteen
Anastasia
Ibolt upright, fleeing from the terror of another nightmare.
My heart is pounding hard and I’m breathing like I’ve just finished swimming in the all state championships.
Feeling disorientated, I frantically look around, checking to see where I am.
Satin-covered cream walls, long embroidered curtains hanging at the window, and that masculine scent of power clinging to the air gives me the answer I seek.
I’m in Desmier’s room, sitting on his bed.
I’m not in the nightmare anymore and shadow monsters haven’t slashed my throat. No one is trying to kill me.
It’s morning and it’s just me in here. Once again caught in the aftermath of another intense nightmare.
Damn it.
I don’t know how much longer I can go through this.
Seeing the crest and not having any further information to work with has rattled my brain and put me in a stupor of confusion.
That thing has plagued my mind for years, smoldering like a volcano waiting to erupt. And worse of all, my little expedition the other night got me in more trouble with Desmier that I didn’t need.
Just thinking about him heats my blood.
Like an idiot, I waited up late last night because I wanted to be prepared for him. The idea of falling asleep in the dragon’s bed in my helpless state felt like I was just asking for more trouble. But I didn’t see him and sleep claimed me anyway.
I don’t even know if he came back eventually and slept in here.
And I don’t care.
I’m just glad I didn’t end up with his cock shoved down my throat.
If I can avoid that asshole for as long as possible, I will.
I slide off the bed and make my way into the en suite. A shower always helps calm me when I get worked up like this.
I’m not doing anything much today besides speaking with a wedding dress designer to pick a dress I don’t want. That’s supposed to be after lunch, so I have the morning free.
I shrug out of my nightshirt, loosen my hair and step into the walk-in shower. I then adjust the settings so one of the jet sprays will blast cold water while the rest will keep me warm.
Pressing my hands against the smooth granite walls, I double over and allow the rapid stream of water to flow down over my head, soothing the section of my brain I hold responsible for my horrors.
I stay like that, keeping my eyes squeezed shut as I pretend I’m anywhere but here.
If everything had gone to plan, I’d be on that cruise ship with Viktor.
I was looking forward to all the fun we were going to have, but more than anything I was looking forward to being with him.
I miss him with all my heart, and our sweet talks about the future. I miss talking about the two boys and two girls we were going to have—Fredrich, Siegfried, Arabella, and Freyiss.
I can’t believe it’s all over.
The moment I think that, fingers flutter over my back and my insides still.