Tangled by J.E. Taylor

Author:J.E. Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fairy Tale, Rapunzel retelling, magic, evil enchantress, prince, tower
Publisher: JET-Fueled Fiction
Published: 2018-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Darkness descended as we stepped into the woods across from the tower. I glanced over my shoulder just before we were out of view. The small light still shined from the tower. I sighed, wondering how many times the enchantress had made this same trek away from my prison, only to look back to make sure that light was still burning.

My throat tightened. Sorrow for what had been and what could have been bit at my skin, making me tremble. Zach’s arm tightened around me, and his gentle lips found the curve of my neck. Lightning sizzled between us.

He jerked away, pulling on Midnight’s reins. I turned forward and gasped at the semi-circle of king’s guards wielding weapons.

“Looks like my time is up, too,” Zach whispered in my ear as his grip on me tightened.

Hands grabbed us, yanking us both to the ground. Zach scrambled to get up, but a fist drove him back into the ground. When the guard pointed his sword at Zach’s throat, I found my voice.

“Please don’t,” I said, pulling the guard’s glare from Zach. “He saved me from being imprisoned in a tower for the rest of my life.”

The guard’s gaze narrowed even more. “What was in it for him?”

“Nothing,” I answered.

He looked me up and down. “I’d say you’re a far cry from nothing.”

“Don’t you dare touch her,” Zach said.

The guard pressed the tip of the blade into Zach’s throat. “We will do what we damn well please with your little harlot,” he said. “And maybe we will let you watch.”

Anger radiated from Zach in waves, bristling the hair on my skin.

When two other guards grabbed me and dragged me away from Zach, panic filled me, creating a dangerous brew. I tried to fight them off, but they just laughed at my struggles and ripped at my clothing. I clawed at one of them, and he backhanded me across my cheek. I stumbled and was yanked back between the two men.

“I bring the dark.” Zach’s dangerous hiss filled the clearing.

Everyone halted, turning in his direction. He held the severed head of the guard who had had him at sword point when I was dragged away. Zach’s blade dripped with blood. Midnight whinnied and reared up behind him, creating the perfect backdrop for the lightning whirling around Zach.

He tossed the head in our direction. “If you don’t want to end up in the same state as your compadre, I suggest you unhand her.”

His eyes glowed with those silver streaks, and this time the streaks bled into his skin, snaking through it in a frightening, unearthly pattern fueled by his rage.

Hands released me, and I crumpled to the ground, staring at the man who had not only freed me from my prison, but had just saved my honor.

The guards backed away.

Zach advanced, his intent clear in his predatory motion.

I scrambled to my feet, putting myself between him and his prey. His eyes narrowed.

“Move, Danae,” he said in a growling rumble that seemed to quake the earth under our feet.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.