The Lycan Prince's Silent Bride

ics

straint for mercy." "My mother promised that no one would touch you without your permission and for some weird reason I'm included.. and as much as I would love to harm you I can't... cause a vow to the lore is sacred" I added. It was obvious the words struck her.. Her hands lowered to her lap, curling into tight fists against her gown. But still, she didn't look away... She endured my cruelty with silence, with fire buried beneath fragile flesh. Zorrak rumbled in the hollow of my chest. 'She doesn't fear you enough. That unsettles me... as much as It unsettles you.' I didn't answer. Minutes dragged, the steady clatter of hooves and wheels filling the void. At long last, she leaned her head back, her lashes fluttering. Sleep tugged at her fragile frame. Her breathing deepened, in a soft and rhythmic way. And yet, even in sleep, she looked fiercely beautiful. Her body tilted, her small hand slipping against the cushions. Foolish girl. Reckless girl. I should have turned away. I should have closed my eyes, shut her out, buried the strange pull clawing at my chest. But instead, I studied her in the lantern's glow. Without the veil covering her face, she looked even smaller, and a bit too delicate for the world she'd been thrown into. But her lips were set, not slack in surrender. Even in sleep, she still carried defiance. Zorrak whispered, almost amused. 'She is not wolf... Do we keep her? ' I clenched my fists. "She is nothing," I hissed under my breath. "Nothing." And then.... BANG. The wheels of the carriage jolted, the horses shrieked in panic. My head snapped up just as the night split open. The carriage violently moved sideways, nearly throwing her to the floor. Instinct quickly ripped through me and I caught her before she could fall, her small frame colliding against my chest. Her scent flooded my nose and senses like a dangerous weapon it was sweet like pineapple as mnd coconut and for one disorienting breath I almost forgot the chaos outside. Almost The shriek of tearing flesh and the clanking of swords snapped me back. Growls rose like a storm..low, guttural, snarling and layered over the clash of steel and the screams of dying men. Zorrak's roar thundered inside me. 'AMBUSH!' My sword was already in my hand before my thought caught up. I shoved her away from me, shielding her with my body as the carriage jolted again. "Stay down!" I barked. Her fingers caught my sleeve, but I didn't look at her. I couldn't... Not when rage boiled so hot beneath my skin and Zorrak wanted to come out and play. "Don't come outside until I come for you." I ordered her, my eyes already on the door. She stared, her blue fire eyes wide, the unspoken question of 'what was going on?' burning in there. But I didn't answer. I forced the words out again, harsher, and more commanding: "Don't. Come. Outside." I threw the door open then closed it almost immediately, and the night greeted me with blood. A wolf quickly lunged towards me, his teeth bared, and his claws flashing. My blade arced, slicing through fur and flesh in a single motion. The stupid c