Fate War: Alliance Read Online Free PDF Page A

back. Without a word, without a glance at King or countrymen he stormed from the room. He ignored the innuendos that followed him down the hallway and traveled swiftly along the vacant corridors of the castle. Most residents were in bed by this hour, so it was quiet except for the echoing of his footsteps against the cold stone floors and walls.

    Hearing muffled conversation from a sitting room up ahead. He slowed having recognized a voice. It belonged to Queen Adella. He grimaced. He didn’t understand how she could treat her daughter so.

    “…not sure if she can do it. The school was having a terrible time getting her compliance,” was all he overheard before picking up his pace again.

    Cole reached his chambers, closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the dark wooden door, taking a moment to still his labored breathing. He didn’t have a plan. He didn’t even know what he was going to say, but he needed to do something to make this right, or at least better. With a steeling breath, he swung the heavy door open.

    Samantha stood at the end of the bed using the bedpost as support. She turned a weak smile to him which he returned. Her hair had tumbled from its nest, and her makeup was still streaked from before. His attention was drawn to a small spot of color on her white dress. His smile faded, and he reddened with shame. The trickle of blood that had created the crimson stain dripped once from her ankle to the floor.

    ****

    Samantha didn’t know what she had done wrong, but Cole’s face darkened. His eyes were so intense they fractured her fragile composure. He stormed across the room and scooped her up like a bride to carry across the threshold. She squealed in surprise. With the knowledge of what was surely to follow the squeal became tainted with a cry of dread. His grip tightened. Hearing the forbidden sound escape from her own throat, she looked to Cole to judge his reaction. What she saw in the instant before she looked away confused her. The expected anger was not there. Instead it was a mask of hurt, or maybe sorrow.

    When he gently placed her on the bed, it was the last assault her battered composure could withstand. It shattered into dangerous shards at the thought of him above her again and the pain. The searing between her thighs and within her continued to consume her. Tears began to flow again, and this time they were not silent.

    Her breaths came in deep wheezing sighs as she struggled to control them. Each exhale was punctuated with an escaped wail. Her hands twisted and turned at the red spotted dress, and her eyes darted wildly looking everywhere but Cole. Her rational mind, now held captive by the panic, screamed at her to stop. It told her how bad her actions would be for the countries. It told her that her reactions were ridiculous. Uncalled for. The rational mind would have to wait.

    The room began to spin, and Samantha was falling from the bed, or the bed was falling from her. She wasn’t sure which. Grabbing the sheets, she tried to ease the tumbling feeling. She chanced a look at Cole who just stood there. He still wore the sorrowful hurt on his face, but now it was paired with helplessness.

    The Rational Samantha, confined inside her mind, wanted to laugh hysterically watching her husband try to comfort her. Cole held his hands out to help, but took small steps backwards. His jaw worked fruitlessly to produce a coherent word.
    Panic did not allow Samantha’s humor to show at Cole’s bewilderment and vulnerability. His discomfort did begin to press panic back. With each new breath, Samantha unshackled her sanity. She closed her eyes on the still oscillating Cole and began to become nothing again.
    Breathe in. Breathe out. Nothing.
    A cranking ringing sound invaded the increasing blank of her mind.
    “Yes, Lord Cole, how may I be of service?”
    Samantha’s eyes flew open to identify the newcomer to their bedchambers, but she saw no one but Cole. He stood near the bedroom