Chapter 4
Idon’t sleep well... not that anyone in my situation would.
I dream of my parents crying, of my little brother looking for me and never finding me.
Of the Dawn Dynasty dying with me, never to be anything but ruins.
I dream of him... Hunter. Sweat trickles down my forehead as I push my bedsheet off me and stare up at the crusty brick ceiling.
I should not be dreaming of Hunter. Or thinking of him at all.
No, no... just no. I should be focused on the game I have to win and live through to get back to my world.
I sit up, thankful I managed to rip myself out of the ruined ball gown, which sits in a pile in the corner now.
I found several pairs of tatty clothes in the chest of drawers and made do with what I had.
I climb out of the bed, quickly use the very questionable bathroom before coming back out and standing in front of a small, cracked mirror drilled into the wall by the door.
There isn’t much else in here, just the chest of drawers, the double bed with a rock-hard mattress, and cracks in every wall that make me wonder how long it is before this castle falls on my head.
The clothes I have are a shade of dark cream I’ve never worn.
The shirt is only slightly lighter than my trousers, and it only covers my chest and waist. I’ve tucked it into high-rise khaki-type trousers, a style I’ve never really worn before, but I actually really like it now.
It pinches at the waist and around my ankles, and it is breezy.
I figure it will be good for easy movement and probably good for keeping cool in this hot place.
I don’t think a hundred years here will get me used to the heat.
I tear a strip of satin off my dress and make a makeshift hairband, tying my hair up off my neck and into a messy bun on my head, tying it all as securely as I can with no real bands.
I sigh. “I don’t look like a queen right now.
” And I don’t. I smile, touching my sun-kissed skin from the ride in the desert and the lack of makeup. I look a mess and I strangely love it.
I touch my dry lips and wish I could use my powers without fear of what the dragon said.
I have decided to heed the dragon’s warning, even if all I want is some water.
The water I was given was nothing more than half a cup, and I drank it within minutes of getting into this room.
I massively regret drinking it so fast. The food wasn’t anything to write home about either.
But beggars can’t be choosers, as my father would say.
I cover my hand over my heart, rubbing my chest, thinking of my parents, my brother.
I wonder what Hettie’s going to think when she gets a letter about what’s happened.
I just need to get back. I need to get home to them because I know they’re going to be worried sick by now.
I’m pacing up and down my room when the door finally opens and the Game Hunter himself walks in.
He’s changed today and I’m not sure there is a single thing he could wear that would make him look bad.
He looks incredible; his clothes fit tightly to him, and even though the material is worn and older, it suits him.
He’s in a brown shirt and dark brown trousers that make his dark hair and tanned skin more vibrant.
His purple cloak is gone, and his hair is swept to the side as he leans a shoulder against the door, crossing his thick arms. “Good morning. Those clothes definitely suit you more than ball gowns.”
“Truthfully, that was one of the few ball gowns I have. I’m not a fan of them either, despite my mother desperately trying to encourage me to wear them.” I admit, facing him. “I like these. Thank you.”
“Tell me about your family.” He enquires and waits.
I tense. “That would require trusting you, don’t you think? Because if I tell you anything, you could go back there and hurt them. I’m not sure I want to tell you anything.”
“I promise you I’m no threat to your family, unless they hurt you—”
I cut him off with a horrified gasp. “They would never...” I pause and really look at him.
Hunter knows where I live and no matter what I tell him, it won’t make a difference if he went back and went after my parents.
I doubt he would survive my father if he did, no matter how powerful he is.
There is a reason my father is a feared king and spoken about like a legend.
As is my mother... “My parents are the King and Queen of the Moon Dynasty. It’s one of the two larger dynasties in my world.
The Sun Dynasty is the other, and my parents are all close friends.
There was a war, and they fought together.
It’s a complicated history between vampyres and fae in my world.
But my parents and my uncle — the King of the Sun Dynasty — have worked extremely hard to make peace, to bring about laws, and they continue to do so every day.
There are five justice courts, an army of keepers who make sure if someone needs help, they get it.
My parents’ advisors are always bringing problems to my parents, and they never dismiss a single one — they fix them. ”
“And where does your dynasty fit into that? How does a daughter, the oldest, I’m guessing, end up the Queen of the Dawn Dynasty?” He cocks his head to the side.
Fair question. “The Dawn Dynasty was eradicated years ago. A lot of them went missing. At least, that’s what the previous king, Mazzis, my grandfather in law, thought.
He has no heirs, no one to give the throne to, and it was chosen for me when I was young as a sort of united peace between lands.
The Sun and Moon Dynasty will be united under my cousin.
She’s the heir to both and therefore I did not have a throne. ”
“Interesting,” he murmurs, searching my face. “You don’t want to be a queen.”
I rub my arm. “No, I didn’t. I don’t want the responsibility of so many lives on my shoulders before I’ve had the chance to explore the world — to live. My parents had each other when they began their new rule, and before that, my father made mistakes. I don’t want to mess it up.”
Hunter says nothing for such a long time, and I wonder if he is judging me.
I would not blame him if he were. “I understand the pressure of lives you didn’t ask to protect.
” He clears his throat and straightens. “The game will start soon.” He unclips a flask that he had tucked under his arm and hands it to me.
I take it, sniffing it once. “I’m not going to poison you. ”
I roll my eyes at him, drinking it, and a small moan of joy escapes my lips.
I drink every last drop before giving it back.
He continues to watch me, and his eyes track my every movement.
They look darker now, the purple less bright than before.
“Now that you’ve asked questions about my life, can I ask more about yours? ”
“No.” He stops me.
“What? That’s not fair, Hunter.” I mutter.
“I like it when you say my name. You should say it more.” He takes a step into the room. “It makes me want to fuck you even more than when we first met.”
“Stop flirting with me.” I will my cheeks not to burn with a blush.
“Why? I like the way your heartbeat races. Your blood drums throughout your body faster when I flirt with you.” He winks and I just know I don’t have a single good thing to reply, so I stay silent.
“Be careful today. I mean it. These games... they’re not always as they seem.
The first is usually a basic and easier game. ”
“I will be fine. I am a queen after all, and I was not raised to die out there.” I lift my chin.
“Good. Come on. The dragons await, as do the people.” He waves at the door.
I’m really not good in front of staring well-wishers. Unless the people here want me dead. I literally have no idea. “What people are going to be watching us?”
“Everyone watches to see what happens when you rebel against the dragons. One person from every family is forced to attend or face consequences.” Hunter calmly explains.
“Technically, I rebelled against nothing other than being kidnapped. This is really not fair.” I cross my arms.
“For once, I actually agree with you, thief.” He waits for me to join his side.
“You say you like it when I say your name. I like my name too. So, Hunter, Wrenley is my name, or just Wren.” I correct him.
“If you win this game, I’ll call you Wren as much as you like.” He offers me his hand to shake.
“Deal.” I take his hand and I yelp as he pulls me from my room, letting go and laughing at my shocked face.
I walk by his side in silence, straight out into a narrow corridor and through a door to another.
Each of the corridors are covered in sand.
I’m barely able to see the purple stone tiles or the beautiful architecture.
The stone pillars that tower over me are covered in dust and cobwebs.
“Dragons couldn’t have built this castle, so who did? ”
“My family did, a long time ago, before the dragons came.” I’m surprised he tells me anything.
“So your family was here before the dragons came?” I question.
“My something like fourth great-grandfather was, yes. My family ruled this world.” Hunter adds so casually, so easily, I nearly stop dead in my tracks.
“You’re like a prince or a king if you’re the only one left in your family.” I barely blink before he’s pushed me against the wall, his hand over my mouth.
“What did I tell you about using royal titles in this place?” His voice is a harsh whisper in my ear, meant only for me. “Your room is safe to speak in. The corridors definitely are not, and the dragons do not like being reminded of who my bloodline is. We’ll both end up dead. Do you understand?”