Page 7

Story: Feral

I turned and went over to the table, stared at the tray, and knew I needed my strength for whatever may come.

I sat and ate and wondered if staying in the Dark Realm of Shadow Vale was a far worse destiny than what awaited me back at the only place I knew as home.

5

KATRINA

Ifinished dinner, and the food wasn’t as strange as I assumed it would be. It had been delicious, and not because I had been so hungry. I ate a bowl of delicious, hearty stew and a piece of thick, dense bread that had a hint of sweetness to it.

When the tray was empty and my belly full, I rested back in the plush, massive chair, adjusting the fur around me and staring into the fire. I didn't know how long I sat there, but sleep started to take over, my eyes weighed heavy with exhaustion, and the warmth from the fire—and my full belly—pulled me under into pure contentment.

But the moment of comfort didn’t last.

The doors opened again with a low groan, and I straightened and stared at Blaylock, who stood in the threshold. “How was your meal?”

I cleared my throat and nodded, knowing that killing him with sweetness was better than fighting a situation I had no control over. “It was good, thank you. I’m grateful.”

He tipped his head to the side and watched me before nodding and rumbling low. Then he said in a gruff, deep voice, “Come.” His voice was like a roll of thunder in the vast room.He held his hand out, his palm huge, his claws black and sharp. “Come, little one.”

I hesitated, every instinct screaming at me to stay rooted to the spot, but something about the way he watched me—waiting patiently—told me that I was safe with this monster.

So, I stood, my body still so sore and aching, the discomfort increasing as I walked toward him. He waited patiently until I stood before him, and then he turned and started making his way down the grand hallway.

I followed him through the dim halls, sconces lining the stone walls, the fire within them bright and blue and wholly unearthly in appearance.

The silence between us was heavy but not awkward. Yet… it was confusing to me why I didn't feel bone-deep fear with this monster king.

I took in his massive body and how broad his shoulders were, how thickly muscled his arms were. He was shirtless, and every step he took revealed the rippling of muscle that lay under his flesh.

His pants molded to his frame, his power was as intense as he was.

We descended a long flight of stairs, his booted feet almost soft and silent on the black stone flooring. When we entered what could only be called the throne room, I sucked in a breath. It was enormous, so vast and almost cavernous but held this expensive detailing that showed immense wealth and power.

I stood frozen right in the entrance, just gazing around at how grand it all was. Jagged stone columns lined the walls, rising into the rocky ceiling above that showcased black crystal stalactites. Everything else held nothing but this darkness that seemed never-ending.

Torches burned in sconces between the columns, their bright blue flames intense and cold. Eerie shadows danced across everything they touched in an ominous hue.

I could see a balcony just at the far end of the room, and although the distance between me and the double doors was great, I could see nothing but sky, the occasional flying creature soaring by and rocky mountain tops in the distance.

Blaylock watched me. Ifeltit, but I was too transfixed by my surroundings to look at him. A throne sat at the far end of the chamber, carved from black stone, bone, and the same sparkling black crystals. It sat on a bone dais, the steps to it puzzled together with the rib cages of beastly beings.

I finally glanced at Blaylock. He stood tall and terrifying in the cold blue light. His all-black gaze pinned mine with this inquisitive expression.

“You are not my prisoner. You are not a slave,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling. “You are free to do what you wish.” Although he said the words, there was this strange tone in his voice that told me he didn’t mean it, not wholly.

I blinked, unsure how to respond. This seemed too… easy. “That’s not true, is it?” I whispered, thinking I said the words to myself, but when he stepped closer, I knew I’d said them out loud.

“You aremine,” he said, bobbing his massive head side to side, like he was weighing two equal options.

For a second, I didn't think I heard him right. And then his words slammed into me like a blow, and I took a step back. My heart stuttered. “W-What do you mean I’m yours?”

He didn’t smile. Didn’t blink or speak. His expression didn’t even soften. Faster than I could inhale my next breath, Blaylock was in front of me, his big, clawed hand wrapped gently around my waist as he pulled me closer. I was frozen in place as I cocked my head back to look into his face.

“Claimed, sweet little one. You are marked as mine. Protected at all costs.” He tightened his hold on my waist and gripped my face with his other hand. “I want you as mine, beautiful human. My queen to rule the Dark Realm of Shadow Vale. And I’ll wait for however long it takes.”

My mouth opened and closed, but I was speechless.

“Use your words, sweetling. Tell me what’s on your mind.”