Taken by Storm by Elle Middaugh

Author:Elle Middaugh [Middaugh, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-26T05:00:00+00:00

Alexis,

I'm disappointed that there have been no letters from you this week. Your mother was so looking forward to them. My friends assure me they haven't even seen you about, which is a real shame.

Here's a little reminder of what failure looks like. Take your time, though. We're enjoying ourselves.

Sincerely,

Zacharias

I crunched the letter in my fist and instantly started crying.

I knew this would happen, he'd literally warned me that it would, but for some reason I just...

I sobbed even harder, salty tears quickly soaking the comforter on my bed.

I just thought I'd have more time. I got so busy with preparing the castle, I didn't even...

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

I sucked in a gasp and swallowed the burning pain in my throat, trying my best to sound normal.

"Yes?"

"Hey, it's Ben," he said from the other side of the door. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"We're talking right now," I teased, but the joke fell noticeably flat.

"Right... um, listen, my brothers tasked me with gathering up some musicians for a party tonight. So, I figured I'd take a stroll into Blackhaven and have a look around. I was wondering if you'd like to join me?"

A silent sob wrecked my body, and I stuffed my face back into the mattress. I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry until I died of dehydration. But I didn't have the luxury. Immortals apparently couldn't die. Mom could, but she didn't have that luxury either. The Storm King would rather torture her incessantly.

"Alexis?"

I sat back up and wiped at my eyes but couldn’t quite find my voice.

"Listen, it's okay if you don't want to go. I'll just catch you later at the party."

"No, Ben, wait!" I shouted, scrambling to the door. I pushed my palms into the cold wood and took a deep, steadying breath. "Can we call it a date?"

Silence met me from the other side. I panicked, thinking he must've already left, and I quickly whipped the thing open.

Ben stood not two feet in front of me, and I watched as his features moved from happiness into concern.

"Whoa, Sailor, what's wrong?"

I froze and plastered on a super fake smile. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

His brows mashed together. "Then why are you crying?"

"Oh, this?" I brushed a hand between us. "I stubbed my stupid toe on the foot of my bed."

His eyes followed my movements, concern growing by the second. "Then why is there blood on your hand?"

I quickly wiped my palm on my dress, but Mom’s blood had already dried.

Do not cry, do not cry, do not cry! I could already feel the tears building up behind my eyes, burning to be set free.

"Yeah," I said, shaking my head as I came up with a lie. "After I stubbed my toe, I tripped and fell. I caught myself before I landed on my face this time, but I still managed to scrape my palm and fingers pretty good."

Ben looked doubtful, but I was just thanking my lucky stars it was him standing there and not Cal.

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