Chapter 25 #2
All eternity? How? The thought of forever with Dru both thrilled and frightened her. Would she need to be changed into a vampire? How else would “eternity” be obtained for two individuals who were separated by mortality itself?
A shiver ran down her spine. Could she become a vampire? Bite someone? Drink blood? If that was what it meant in order to be with Dru—then so be it.
Thunder rumbled faintly in the distance. Was Dru safe? Lycans were powerful and had attacked their town before. If anything happened to Dru…
Her throat tightened. She pressed the cloth to her face and breathed in deep to calm her racing heart.
Dru was a powerful warrior. The fact that she was a general had to mean something. She’d be fine. Tomesha straightened in the water and exhaled. She couldn’t be a woman who lived in fear. Dru would want her to be strong.
“Come back to me,” she whispered. She cleared her throat as if Dru could hear her. “Come back to me whole and unharmed.”
* * *
Tomesha curled up on the bed. A yawn escaped her.
She’d finished her bath and had dressed in the clothing provided for her.
Silvanna had returned as promised and allowed her to write out a note for the warriors to take to Tarek.
She only hoped it would be enough to assure her brother that she was protected and fine.
While waiting, Tomesha had drifted off to sleep.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept. She was surprised that it had been restful.
No nightmares or dreams that she remembered.
She shifted higher up in the bed and leaned back against the pillows.
She glanced over at the windows. The shutters were lifted, hinting that it was now nightfall.
The steady beat of the rain comforted her.
She always did like a good rainstorm. She only hoped that it didn’t impede Dru’s mission.
Her stomach rumbled, announcing her hunger.
It had been a while since she’d eaten. She wondered if there was food here.
Being that it was a vampire post, would they even have food for a human?
She rolled over and reached for the telephone on the nightstand.
She lifted the receiver and placed it to her ear.
“Yes, Miss Clay. How may I be of service?” a warm male voice asked.
“Hi. I was wondering if I could get something to eat.” She reached up and brushed the few strands of hair that escaped her braids away from her face.
“Certainly. I’ll send someone right up with the meal. Will there be anything else?”
“Has there been any word on the general?” It wasn’t like she could call Dru and check in on her. She wouldn’t want to anyway for fear of causing a fatal distraction.
“No. There hasn’t been. I’m so sorry.”
She warmed at the niceness he displayed on the phone. She exhaled and didn’t need anything else but for Dru to return to her.
“That’s all then.” She placed the receiver back on the cradle.
She slid from underneath the blanket and went into the bathroom to answer nature’s call.
She finished her business and stopped over at the sink and washed her hands.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror and was happy to see that the dark marks underneath her eyes were gone. Maybe rest was truly what she’d needed.
She made her way back into the room. She glanced around and wished there was something she could do to occupy her time until Dru came for her. There was no television for her to catch the news to see what was going on.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Well, that was fast,” she muttered. She padded over to the door and turned the handle. She pried it open and gazed through the opening. Silvanna awaited her on the other side. She opened it completely. “Silvanna.”
“Miss Clay, I’m so sorry to bother you.”
The vampire’s solemn expression didn’t sit well with Tomesha. The bottom of her stomach gave way. Something was wrong.
“What is it? Where is Dru?” Tomesha took a step out into the hallway.
She paused at the sight of the large men standing behind Silvanna. They were dressed differently than Kristoph and the other warriors of the post. They were intimidating, large, and looked as if they were made of stone.
“We do not have word on the general as of yet. But there is a slight problem.” Silvanna sighed. The woman seemed drained, and she glanced over her shoulder at the males before turning back to Tomesha. “It would appear that when we sent the warriors to check on your family—”
“Is everyone okay? My grandmother? Has something happened to her?” Tomesha felt panicked. She had to get home. She didn’t care that she was in danger. She had to see to her family. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to them.
“Your brother and grandmother are both fine. The note you wrote to your brother was received,” Silvanna assured her.
Tomesha took a step back, confused. “Then what is it?”
“Miss Clay. It would appear that when our warriors went to your home, they were intercepted by the royal guard. They’re the draft guardsmen.” Silvanna motioned to the two men behind her.
Their expressions were blank. They studied her, not saying a word.
“Okay. What does that have to do with me?” Tomesha asked.
Why would the draft guards be looking for her? She glanced at the men again. The blond-haired male stepped forward and bowed his head.
“Tomesha Clay. You have been drafted. We’re here to escort you to your mate,” his deep baritone voice rumbled.
Her stomach dropped. She couldn’t have heard him right. She’d been drafted?
“I’m sorry. You’re mistaken. I have a mate.
Silvanna, tell them that I am with my mate.
” Tomesha had to force her voice to remain steady.
She shook her head. She couldn’t believe it.
Dru wouldn’t lie to her. Dru said that they were fated mates, that she felt it as she would, being a vampire.
Had Dru made a mistake? “You have the wrong person.”
“You’re going to have to come with us,” the blond vampire said.
“You’re not listening to me. I have a mate already. She’s just not here. She’ll return soon. Please. Wait until she gets back,” Tomesha cried out. She backed away and moved to slam the door shut, but a boot blocked it.
“You can work this out later.” The vampire pushed the door open and strode into the room.
Tomesha backed away again quickly. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. She had nowhere to run, and by the looks of the two royal guards, they could overpower her with their little fingers.
“All I’m asking is for you to wait.” She sniffed. The first tear fell, and soon the others trailed after it.
Why wouldn’t they listen to her? Dru would return and order them to leave her. She was Dru’s mate. That test must have been wrong. She felt it in her heart that she was meant to be with Dru and no one else.
“We don’t have that luxury. You must come now.”
Her breath hitched. The room suddenly felt even smaller, the air too thin.
Her heart pounded so hard she could feel the pulse in her throat.
Every instinct screamed at her to run—but to where?
There were two of them standing before her, and even if she somehow evaded them, the entire post was vampire military. She’d be captured.
“Please,” she whispered as one last plea.
The guard with the dark hair motioned for her to come forward.
“Don’t make this difficult,” he warned.
Tomesha’s shoulders slumped. She jerked her head in a nod.
There was no use in fighting them. No matter where she ended up, she’d find a way back to Dru.
She wasn’t going to allow some other vampire to put their claim on her.
She knew who she belonged to. There was no doubt in her mind, and one thing she knew about her vampire—Dru would come for Tomesha.