Bound By The Midnight

rine'

. The night was quiet, save for the rustling of the wind through the tre

ring under the moonlight. These flowers were rare and valuable-our only means of survival. My mother woul

other bloom, I felt

eyes watching me with thinly veiled contempt. They whi

. "Pathetic little human, a

," another said with

idn't hurt me anymore. I had heard them all my life-re

efused t

ising to my feet. I would sell them. I would earn enough to

illage. But as I walked, I became aware of my surroundings shifting.

I sa

gates. Guards d

ars parked in front of the gran

andered

t King

re. No human in their right mind would dare step near the home o

my heel, pr

car doors openin

ime to react be

st, their movements precise

iot

t nearly

k suit hugged his tall, commanding frame, his red eyes gleaming under the m

ld not

move. I could only stand there, breathless, watching as his gua

with a slow, calculated gra

ddenly, h

ad tilting slightly, as

yes flickered

melle

urged th

fingers tightening around m

ore I co

d my wrist and yanked

ing solid. A strong arm wrapped a

familiar voice whispe

ac

ng. His dark eyes were sharp with

are you doing he

lost," I

aid, his grip tightening

need to be

through the night. He was moving closer, his

d me onto his back in one swift

s as he took off. His speed was dizzying, the wind w

ast glance ove

ce of his den, his red eyes

a brief, heart-stoppi

ed a corner, and

iot'

t was int

the gates. It had been faint at first, a whisper in the air. But then it hi

human scent. It was

letting it fill my lungs, m

uickly as it had ap

nis

crossed

before I could find her. Bef

se of her in the dark. A pair o

ed at the cor

dn't m

e. Somewhere

r how long it took-I